Eve of Departure

Sometimes, first impressions really are everything.

For the sake of the peace her husband Hashirama Senju dreamed of, Mito Uzumaki dedicated her life to sealing the Nine-Tails. When she first encountered the beast, she felt its evil, tyrannical chakra and concluded it was nothing more than a monster driven by a desire for slaughter.

Nearly forty years have passed since then; one could say the Nine-Tails has spent more time by Mito's side than Hashirama ever did.

One human and one beast, a landlord and a tenant, yet they never once opened their hearts to one another or sought to understand the other's true thoughts.

Watching the Nine-Tails reach an agreement in just a few words, retract its chakra, and cooperate with the transfer of the seal, Mito felt a sense of speechlessness. I never expected you to be like this, Nine-Tails.

"You two... ah, never mind. The situation is much better than I imagined. In the future, Genichi, you and Kushina must live well. Live happily." As the seal dissolved and the Nine-Tails gradually transferred into Kushina's body, Mito's life force began to fade rapidly.

Sensing the Nine-Tails now securely sealed, Mito used her final strength to whisper: "Nine-Tails, I am truly sorry for imprisoning you for so many years. Hashirama... I am coming to find you."

With that, a legendary kunoichi and the wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—Mito Uzumaki—reached the end of her journey.

Seeing the Nine-Tails for the first time, only to find it chatting happily with Genichi, Kushina felt it didn't resemble the demonic beast of legend at all. After all, if what Genichi said was true, it was truly pitiful.

After a long while, Kushina shook off the sorrow brought by the old woman's passing and sensed the Nine-Tails sealed within her: "Nine-Tails, Kurama, let's get along well from now on."

"Hmph, I'll do it for the sake of that brat Genichi." The Nine-Tails remained as tsundere as ever.

Outside the sealing barrier.

Tsunade paced back and forth anxiously: "Why is it taking so long? There hasn't been a single sound. Could something have gone wrong?"

"Calm down, Tsunade. No news is the best news. If the Nine-Tails had broken free, it wouldn't be this quiet." Hiruzen Sarutobi led the sealing squad, waiting silently by the door.

Suddenly, the seal vanished and the heavy doors opened. Genichi walked out slowly, with Kushina in tow.

Genichi wore a look of sorrow, his voice low: "The Nine-Tails seal was transferred successfully, but Lady Mito..."

Seeing this, Hiruzen offered comfort: "Lady Mito had long prepared for this day. Do not grieve; the dead are gone, but we who remain must carry on their will."

Sensing Kushina's chakra, which was stable and showed not a single trace of a Tailed Beast's chaotic influence, Hiruzen couldn't help but marvel: "Is this the Eight-Trigrams Seal? Truly, Lady Mito was peerless."

Genichi explained: "Lady Mito said the effect of the Eight-Trigrams Seal far exceeded expectations. As long as there is no massive external stimulus, the Nine-Tails will never be able to break free."

Hearing this, Hiruzen felt even more at ease: "Very good. However, as a precaution, Kushina will stay here for the next month. I will have the sealing squad maintain the barrier."

"As for Lady Mito's remains, I will personally escort them to the cemetery. You have all worked hard today; go and get some rest."

During this period, Chiba Genichi had been living in the Senju Clan Compound.

His original house was fine for one person, but it felt a bit cramped whenever he invited Kushina Uzumaki, Mikoto Uchiha, or Hana Hyuga over to hang out.

Once Mito Uzumaki learned of this, she waved her hand and gifted him a large, vacant courtyard within the Senju Clan Compound.

The courtyard was beautiful, with an exquisite layout near the edge of the village. It was filled with lush bamboo that swayed in the breeze, casting dappled sunlight through the leaves. It was tranquil and serene, a place that brought peace of mind, and Genichi grew very fond of it.

He was quite confident in the Eight-Trigrams Seal, especially since Naruto had lived in an environment of ostracization and mockery for years without ever losing control.

He also had faith in Kushina's talent, and he believed that although the Nine-Tails was a fox, it wasn't the type to be two-faced or cause trouble.

Still, he couldn't help but worry. During this time, Genichi had stayed in the Senju Compound, visiting Kushina frequently to keep her company.

Finally, the time for parting arrived. To further improve his strength, Genichi decided to leave the village for a special training period expected to last one to two years.

He found Kushina resting by the edge of the pond.

Today, Kushina wore a beige sleeveless dress with a short hem that revealed black tight-fitting shorts underneath. Her snow-white calves dangled over the water, kicking gently and sending droplets sparkling in the sunlight.

Her skin was as delicate as mutton-fat jade, and her laughter was like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

Seeing Genichi approach, Kushina stood up happily. Her eyes, clear and shimmering like water, sparkled with life, and a smile bloomed on her face. Combined with her silk-smooth red hair, she looked like a blossoming lotus flower.

"Genichi, you're here." Kushina walked over, took his arm, and greeted him joyfully.

Ever since becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina had gotten along reasonably well with the beast, but she was restricted to the area within the sealing barrier, and a team of Anbu ninjas followed her in the shadows.

As time passed, she found it quite boring.

"I've come to say goodbye today," Genichi said gently, using his free hand to stroke the softness of her red hair.

"Leaving the village again, Genichi?" Though her heart was filled with reluctance and worry, Kushina still supported his decision: "Remember to take care of yourself. If you get hurt, I'll be very worried."

The two spent the rest of the time chatting about childhood anecdotes and future plans.

"Parting is for the sake of a better reunion. If I have the chance, I'll send letters back often."

Under Kushina's lingering gaze, Genichi offered his final farewell: "Say goodbye to Kurama for me as well. Remember to practice diligently so you don't get bored."

He had never worried about Kushina's strength; the chakra reserves of the Uzumaki Clan were far beyond those of ordinary people. As time passed, the Eight-Trigrams Seal would slowly convert the Nine-Tails' chakra into Kushina's own power. Combined with the sheer force of the Rasengan, she was essentially a low-spec Child of Prophecy.

As for the Nine-Tails' opinion, it didn't care; the amount it consumed was less than what it naturally recovered.

Tailed Beasts were immortal beings; even if they died by accident, they would eventually be reborn in some corner of the Ninja World after a period of time. Even when sealed inside a Jinchuriki, they could still absorb natural energy from the environment to restore their own chakra, appearing as if they were inexhaustible and eternal.

Without any fanfare, Genichi only informed a few close friends before his departure.

Minato Namikaze was still training in the Flying Thunder God technique, and he had reportedly made some progress.

Hana Hyuga spent her days in Orochimaru's laboratory. She was still searching for a way to break the "Caged Bird" seal, and after Genichi recommended her, Orochimaru was quite satisfied with this assistant who possessed the Byakugan.

The Byakugan was truly worthy of being the standard equipment for the Otsutsuki Clan, the creators of the planet-destroying treasure, the God Tree. Beyond combat and medical use, it was like a cheat code in scientific research.

As for Mikoto Uchiha, her attachment was like a vine wrapped tightly around his heart. Being in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, she didn't want to be separated from Genichi, but she knew he had things he had to do.

"Rest assured, Mikoto. I will send letters back whenever I have the chance. Please, just bear with this for now; it is for the sake of our future," Genichi consoled her, his eyes brimming with reluctance.

Mikoto, who had been feeling quite distressed, suddenly arched a brow and asked in a dangerous tone, "Our future? Genichi, the 'us' you speak of doesn't include Kushina and Hana, does it?"

"Ah, there's nothing going on between me and Hana yet," Genichi explained, feeling guilty.

"So that means it has something to do with Kushina, then? 'Nothing yet'? Does that mean there will be something later?" Jealousy surged, diluting the sorrow of parting. Mikoto reached out a hand toward Genichi's waist and gave it a sharp twist.

"Hiss!" Genichi didn't dodge, knowing full well he couldn't afford to at a time like this.

"Mikoto, I will give you—give all of you—a proper answer. Is that alright?"

He had never hidden his desire for a harem, nor did he wish to rely on deception to maintain their relationship. Genichi met Mikoto's somewhat resentful gaze head-on, gripping her hands tightly.

Mikoto felt a sense of grievance in her heart. The thought of having to share the person she loved with others in the future, even if it were someone as close as Kushina, left her feeling a whirlwind of complex emotions and utter confusion.

Finally, Mikoto stepped in front of Genichi, closed her eyes, and gently rose onto her tiptoes. "Remember to take care of yourself. Don't forget that there are people in the village waiting for your return."

Who told me to fall for Genichi? What else can I do? Of course, I have to forgive him.

Not expecting such a reward on the verge of parting, Genichi couldn't help but savor the lingering sensation. He looked deeply into Mikoto's eyes, pulled her into a gentle embrace, and said softly:

"Mikoto, it is truly wonderful to have met you."