"What's going on over there, Shin?"
Mikoto watched as Teacher Tanaka grabbed Uzumaki Kai and scolded him. Not knowing what had happened, she turned to ask Shin.
"It's a bit complicated. I'll give you the short version."
Shin cleared his throat, then explained.
"Basically, Uzumaki Kai likes Uzumaki Akiko, but Akiko seems to have feelings for Namikaze Minato. So Kai got jealous and angry, and beat Minato up."
"So that's what happened. I can't believe Kai likes Akiko. Poor Akiko," Kushina said.
"By the way, your fight ended so quickly. Who won?"
Mikoto asked Shin curiously.
"Of course I won. How could Nawaki possibly be a match for me? I could beat him one-handed."
Shin glanced at Nawaki. And what he said was true: he really could beat Nawaki one-handed.
"Shin, that's not fair! You threatened and bribed me into losing to you. Otherwise, I would've knocked you flat with one punch," Nawaki protested.
"I think you're the one who'd get knocked flat with one punch."
Kushina pursed her lips at Nawaki. If Shin really used his full strength, he could knock Nawaki down with a single punch.
"It's pretty satisfying watching Teacher Tanaka scold Kai," Shin said with a smile as he watched Kai get told off.
Kai received a harsh punishment and, under Teacher Tanaka's orders, apologized to Minato.
Minato accepted his apology.
"He forgave him just like that? He should've at least hit him back," Shin couldn't help saying.
"Uzumaki Shin!"
Kai roared at Shin.
"What? You want to fight me? Believe me, I'll break your legs."
Kai was still furious, but when he heard Shin's words, his legs started aching just thinking about it. He instinctively backed down.
The students in the class were quietly amazed. Why did Kai seem so afraid of Shin?
Shin was a good student in every subject, but he wasn't any better than Kai. So why was Kai afraid of him?
"Enough. Don't get into fights without permission. If I catch you, you'll be punished," Teacher Tanaka said.
"Today's test is over, so you can head home early. Minato, go home and get your injuries treated."
The moment they heard they could leave early, the students erupted in cheers.
"Shin, don't forget you owe me barbecue," Nawaki said, staring intently at him.
"Don't worry, I won't. Come on."
Shin took Kushina, Mikoto, and Nawaki, who was eagerly waiting for his barbecue, and headed to the barbecue restaurant.
At the Senju Clan Grounds, in Uzumaki Mito's residence, the Third Hokage, dressed in his Hokage robes, stood at the entrance.
"Sensei, Sarutobi Hiruzen is here to see you," Hiruzen called from the doorway.
"Oh, it's you, little monkey. Come on in."
Hearing Mito call him "little monkey," Hiruzen blushed. Thankfully, no one else was around, or he really would've been embarrassed.
"Sensei, what did you want to see me about?"
That's right. Hiruzen hadn't come on his own initiative. Mito had sent someone to summon him.
"Hiruzen, I asked you here to discuss the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki," Mito said. She didn't call him "little monkey" this time, which spared Hiruzen some embarrassment.
"This?"
"I'm old, and I don't know how many more years I can hold on. We need to choose the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as soon as possible," Mito said seriously.
Hiruzen fell silent. After a long while, he asked Mito, "What do you think, Sensei?"
"It would be best to choose someone from the Uzumaki Clan. Only someone with the Uzumaki Clan's constitution can properly suppress the Nine-Tails. Otherwise, it might run wild—or even break through its seal."
Mito spoke with great seriousness. The Nine-Tails' power was extraordinary. Without Hashirama, Konoha would struggle to withstand it.
"Mm, I agree."
With the Nine-Tails at stake, Hiruzen had no choice but to be cautious. Its importance went without saying, and members of the Uzumaki Clan were the best candidates to become its Jinchuriki.
"Who do you recommend, Sensei?" Hiruzen asked.
"I'm only making a suggestion. The choice is yours," Mito told him.
"First, I recommend Uzumaki Shin. He's the best candidate. After him, I'd consider Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Akiko."
"What about Uzumaki Kai? He seems to have a good deal of talent."
Mito shook her head. "He certainly has talent, but he's full of resentment and very jealous. He isn't suited to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
In truth, any member of the Uzumaki Clan would be suitable. Kai was only being ruled out because of his personality.
"Uzumaki Shin?"
Hiruzen furrowed his brow. He knew all the members of the Uzumaki Clan. He'd already ruled out Uzumaki Hikari because he'd been an adult when he came to Konoha, which made him difficult to control. Hiruzen didn't dare use him.
As for Shin, his performance at the Ninja Academy seemed inferior to Kai's. Why had Sensei singled him out?
Is this because of the Senju Clan? Hiruzen wondered.
Shin was close to Tsunade and had already been associated with the Senju Clan. Hiruzen suspected his sensei was preparing a fallback for the clan.
In fact, Hiruzen's guess was completely wrong. Mito recommended Shin because of the immense vitality within him. He could suppress the Nine-Tails so completely it wouldn't be able to raise its head, making him the safest choice.
"The Nine-Tails is violent and full of hatred toward people. I think it would be better for a girl to become its Jinchuriki. She could use love to change it. I think Uzumaki Akiko would be a good choice."
Hiruzen lowered his head after speaking.
Mito gazed deeply at Hiruzen, disappointment showing in her eyes. So he had changed too.
There was no way to hide his thoughts from Mito.
She could guess why Hiruzen didn't want to choose Shin or Kushina: they were both too close to the Senju Clan.
"Sensei, what do you think?" Hiruzen asked as he raised his head, a flicker of guilt in his eyes.
The Nine-Tails was too important. Hiruzen couldn't let any one clan claim the Jinchuriki.
"If you've already made up your mind, then do as you see fit. I'm tired. You may leave."
Mito waved him away in disappointment.
"Then I'll take my leave. If you need anything, Sensei, just send someone to call me."
Hiruzen turned and left.
Standing outside, Hiruzen's eyes filled with guilt, then hardened with resolve.
Don't blame me, Sensei. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is far too important. Ideally, no clan in Konoha should have any ties to them.
Shin and Kushina were too closely connected to the Senju Clan, and Kai's personality made him unsuitable. That left only Akiko.
In truth, Hiruzen simply didn't want to see the Senju Clan rise to prominence again.
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