Uzumaki Mito's Masterful Rope Arts

In the 33rd year of Konoha, the Land of Whirlpools fell. Uzumaki Mito, already too aged to embark on another expedition, was powerless to intervene and could only arrange for the young Uzumaki Kushina to be brought to Konoha, where she was taken in as a reserve Jinchūriki.

After spending a brief time with Uzumaki Kushina and instilling the concept of [Love] within her, Uzumaki Mito's strength failed her due to her advanced age, and she passed the Nine-Tails on before her death.

However, to ensure the Nine-Tails would not harm Kushina, Uzumaki Mito had prepared comprehensive safeguards.

If the sealing jutsu used by the Fourth Hokage could be likened to a few iron bars acting as a prison—a game of "tears behind iron windows"—then what Uzumaki Mito played was far more elaborate.

Having spent a long time with the Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Mito knew exactly where its sensitive spots were. The Adamantine Sealing Chains, specifically designed to suppress Tailed Beasts, wove through the Nine-Tails' soft fur like ropes, pressing tightly against its lower abdomen and tracing along its chest from under its armpits to its back.

The Nine-Tails desperately wanted to break free, but that masterful rope technique left it completely unable to exert any force.

With even the slightest struggle or movement, its entire body would go limp.

Beyond the complex Adamantine Sealing Chains that formed a tortoise-shell seal, there were even broader iron chains pinning the Nine-Tails to the ground.

On top of all that, Uzumaki Mito had added an extra layer of luxurious "iron window tears."

The Nine-Tails Demon Fox remained motionless!

This also made it difficult for outsiders to detect the presence of the Nine-Tails; even Uchiha Mikoto was unaware of Uzumaki Kushina's true identity, which was one of the reasons why so many in Konoha remained ignorant of it.

After all, a gag order is just a gag order; there will always be those who notice anomalies.

Aside from Uzumaki Kushina growing up and using the innate talents of the Uzumaki Clan to undo the seal herself, there was no other way to break this stubborn barrier.

After all, any other sealing jutsu was mere child's play in the presence of Uzumaki Mito, the ancestor of the art.

Until that day came, the Nine-Tails would simply have to suffer.

It was precisely because of this seal on the Nine-Tails that Uzumaki Kushina was able to carry out her act of calling for help; otherwise, where would she have gotten so much hair to scatter on the ground?

Not to mention the distance between nations, even the distance between cities would be enough to make one go bald.

"Stop struggling, Nine-Tails."

"In front of my [Invincible] Zetton Egg, you have absolutely no ability to resist."

Or rather, the Nine-Tails had no capacity to struggle at all. Helpless, it glared at Uchiha Yuji with a face full of grief and indignation.

It watched helplessly as the Zetton Egg continuously absorbed the malice, hatred, and other such emotions from its body, yet it could do nothing.

Although these emotions had almost no impact on it, this wanton behavior deeply wounded the Nine-Tails' heart.

The fox's eyes, framed by their natural markings, widened, staring unblinkingly at Uchiha Yuji.

It was as if it could glare Uchiha Yuji to death just by doing so.

Regrettably, the Nine-Tails was just the Nine-Tails, not an Otsutsuki possessing ocular powers.

It was a slight pity that the meal did not last long. To maintain her persona as a lady, Uzumaki Kushina did not eat much of the exquisite cuisine, consuming only a small amount.

"Are you full already? Don't you want to eat a little more?"

"Yes, thank you for the hospitality. I am truly full," Uzumaki Kushina replied gently, dabbing the corner of her mouth.

Uchiha Yuji looked at the still-abundant spread on the table and felt a headache coming on. "There's still so much left? What a bother."

These guys were never this enthusiastic before!

Do they really think that if I father a child, the chances of the next generation awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan will be higher?

How could that—wait!

It seems there really might be a possibility.

Kagami Uchiha once awakened the Mangekyō, his descendant Uchiha Shisui also awakened it, Uchiha Fugaku likewise awakened the Mangekyō, and both of his sons possessed it as well!

So, it's not just about mental stimulation; genetic factors might also play a role in awakening the eyes.

"Yuji-san?"

"Sorry, sorry. I suddenly thought of something else." Uchiha Yuji apologized quickly. "I was distracted thinking about other things while eating with you, Kushina. I've been so rude."

"It's nothing," Uzumaki Kushina said with a faint smile.

She seemed to want to say something more, but Uchiha Yuji interrupted her first. "To express my apologies, please, you must allow me to invite you for another delicious meal tomorrow."

Uzumaki Kushina wanted to refuse loudly, but she couldn't find a reason to do so.

Ninjas are generally unconstrained by trifles, but as a woman, she was still somewhat sensitive about staying at a man's home late into the evening.

The evening meal had been too lavish. When the two passed through the entrance and looked toward the sky, the bright moon was already hanging over the courtyard.

Numerous stars surrounded the moon, and the deep backdrop of the night sky was filled with mystery.

The two walked slowly toward the exit of the Uchiha compound. In the quiet environment, neither spoke, simply enjoying the peace and tranquility.

But the Uchiha compound was not large, and even though both had intentionally slowed their pace, they reached the end in a mere moment.

The flickering candlelight at the gate stretched their shadows straight, and as they moved apart, the shadows gradually separated by a small distance.

"See you tomorrow, Kushina."

"See you tomorrow, Yuji."

After Uzumaki Kushina had walked only a short distance away, Uchiha Yuji suddenly called out her name.

She turned around with a look of confusion.

"It's beautiful, your hair."

"Thanks to it, I was able to find you. Its color is much like the red thread of fate, Kushina."

The night obscured her blushing cheeks. Her small hand slid from the hair beside her ear, curling the red locks before her eyes. The red she had always loathed now seemed exceptionally pleasing.

She gave a slight nod, her red-haired figure brimming with joy as she skipped away into the night. Uchiha Yuji, who had been staring fixedly at her retreating back, finally turned around.

In that very moment of turning, the corner of his eye caught a glimpse of a slightly dim yellow.

After turning, Uchiha Yuji could not suppress the smile on his lips.

"Namikaze Minato, is it?"

"What a pity. The starting line you and I stand on is no longer the same."

Gazing at the night sky, Uchiha Yuji knew that many people would likely be unable to sleep tonight.

Namikaze Minato would be one, and Sarutobi Hiruzen would be another.

One because of his beloved, the other because of the Nine-Tails.

As the long night dragged on, the two of them could not help but sigh repeatedly, gazing at the bright moon from time to time—a stark contrast to a certain Uchiha who had fallen into a sweet dream.

And as they tossed and turned, the night quietly faded away.

Yet, even when the brilliant sun shone forth to dispel the darkness, it could not drive away their restlessness.