The Jinchuriki Candidate for the Nine-Tails

"Shin, what's going on here?"

Mikoto watched as Tanaka scolded Uzumaki Kai. Not understanding the situation, she turned to ask Shin.

"This? It's a bit complicated to explain, so I'll give you the short version."

Shin gave a light cough and then spoke.

"Basically, Uzumaki Kai likes Uzumaki Akiko, but Uzumaki Akiko seems to have a crush on Namikaze Minato. Jealous and dissatisfied, Uzumaki Kai decided to start a fight with Namikaze Minato."

"So that's it. Uzumaki Kai actually likes Akiko? Then Akiko really is pitiful," Kushina said.

"By the way, your match ended so quickly. Who won?"

Mikoto asked Shin with curiosity.

"Obviously I won. A mere Nawaki could never be my opponent; I could beat him with one hand tied behind my back."

Shin glanced at Nawaki. It was the truth, though; Shin really could crush Nawaki with one hand.

"You're going too far, Shin! You clearly coerced and bribed me into losing to you. Otherwise, I would have knocked you flat with one punch," Nawaki said, looking very unconvinced.

"I think it's more likely you would have been the one knocked flat with a single punch," Kushina said, curling her lip at Nawaki. If Shin had actually used his full strength, he could have sent Nawaki's teeth flying with one blow.

"Watching Uzumaki Kai get disciplined feels pretty good," Shin said, smiling as he watched Tanaka lecture the boy.

Uzumaki Kai was severely punished and, under Tanaka's compulsion, forced to apologize to Namikaze Minato.

Namikaze Minato also spoke up to forgive Uzumaki Kai.

"Forgiven just like that? He should have at least fought back," Shin couldn't help but remark.

"Uzumaki Shin!"

Uzumaki Kai roared at him.

"What? Are you looking to fight me? Do you want me to break your legs?"

The furious Uzumaki Kai heard Shin's words and felt his legs ache instinctively, causing him to back down without realizing it.

This left the other students in the class secretly astonished. Why did Uzumaki Kai seem so afraid of Uzumaki Shin?

Although Uzumaki Shin's grades in all areas were quite good, he wasn't necessarily stronger than Uzumaki Kai. Why, then, was Uzumaki Kai so terrified of him?

"Alright, no more private fighting. If I catch you doing it again, you'll be punished," Tanaka said.

"Today's test is over, so you're dismissed early. Namikaze Minato, go get your injuries treated."

A cheer erupted at the news of an early dismissal.

"Shin, don't forget the barbecue you owe me," Nawaki said, staring intently at him.

"Don't worry, I won't forget. Let's go."

Shin led Kushina, Mikoto, and the eager Nawaki toward the barbecue restaurant.

At the Senju Clan Grounds, inside Uzumaki Mito's residence, the Third Hokage stood at the door wearing his Hokage robes.

"Mistress, Sarutobi Hiruzen is here to visit," Sarutobi Hiruzen called out from the entrance.

"Is that you, little monkey? Come in."

Hearing Uzumaki Mito call him "little monkey," Sarutobi Hiruzen's face flushed red. Fortunately, there were no outsiders around, or it would have been truly embarrassing.

"Mistress, is there something you needed me for?"

Indeed, it wasn't Sarutobi Hiruzen who had come on his own initiative; Uzumaki Mito had sent for him.

"Hiruzen, I asked you here to discuss the matter of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki." Uzumaki Mito stopped calling him "little monkey," which made Sarutobi Hiruzen feel slightly less awkward.

"This is?"

"I am getting old and don't know how much longer I can hold on. We must select the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki as soon as possible," Uzumaki Mito said seriously.

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent. After a long while, he asked Uzumaki Mito, "Do you have any thoughts on the matter, Mistress?"

"The choice for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki should ideally come from the Uzumaki Clan. Only the constitution of the Uzumaki Clan can properly suppress the Nine-Tails; otherwise, it could lead to the beast running wild or even breaking the seal."

Uzumaki Mito spoke with great gravity. The power of the Nine-Tails was no small matter; without Hashirama, Konoha would find it difficult to withstand the beast's strength.

"Mm, I agree with that assessment."

When it came to the Nine-Tails, Sarutobi Hiruzen had to be cautious. The importance of the Nine-Tails was self-evident, and the members of the Uzumaki Clan were the most suitable candidates to become the Jinchuriki.

"Do you have any candidates in mind, Mistress?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked.

"I am only offering a suggestion; the final choice rests with you," Uzumaki Mito replied.

"First, I recommend Uzumaki Shin; he is the most suitable candidate. After him, there are Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Akiko."

"Isn't there still Uzumaki Kai? His talent seems quite good."

Uzumaki Mito shook her head. "His talent is indeed good, but his hatred runs deep, and he is prone to intense jealousy. He is not suitable to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

In truth, all members of the Uzumaki Clan were suitable; saying Uzumaki Kai was unfit was merely due to his personality.

"Uzumaki Shin?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned slightly. He had some understanding of the few members of the Uzumaki Clan. Uzumaki Hikari was ruled out first because he had already reached adulthood when he arrived in Konoha; he was difficult to control, and Sarutobi Hiruzen dared not use him.

As for Uzumaki Shin, his performance at the Ninja Academy seemed inferior to Uzumaki Kai's. Why, then, would his teacher's wife recommend him so emphatically?

Could it be for the sake of the Senju Clan? Sarutobi Hiruzen speculated inwardly.

Uzumaki Shin was very close to Tsunade and had already been labeled with the Senju Clan's mark, so Sarutobi Hiruzen guessed that his teacher's wife was preparing a contingency for the Senju Clan.

In reality, Sarutobi Hiruzen's guess was completely wrong. Uzumaki Mito recommended Uzumaki Shin because the immense vitality within his body could completely suppress the Nine-Tails, making him the safest choice for the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

"The Nine-Tails has a violent temper and is filled with hatred toward people. I think it would be better to let a girl become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to influence the Nine-Tails with love. I think that Uzumaki Akiko is quite good."

After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, he lowered his head.

Uzumaki Mito looked deeply at Sarutobi Hiruzen, a hint of disappointment revealing itself in her eyes. As expected, Sarutobi Hiruzen had changed as well.

What Sarutobi Hiruzen was thinking could not escape Uzumaki Mito's eyes at all.

She also guessed the reason why Sarutobi Hiruzen did not choose Uzumaki Shin or Kushina: it was nothing more than the fact that their relationship with the Senju Clan was too close.

"Teacher's wife, what do you think?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, looking up, a flash of guilt flickering in his eyes.

The Nine-Tails was too important; Sarutobi Hiruzen could not allow the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to belong to any single clan.

"Since you have already made up your mind, then follow your own ideas! I am a bit tired; you should leave first."

Uzumaki Mito waved her hand in disappointment.

"Then I shall take my leave. If you need anything, teacher's wife, please do not hesitate to send someone to call for me."

After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished speaking, he turned and walked out.

Standing outside the door, a thick sense of guilt flowed from Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, which then transformed into determination.

"Do not blame me, teacher's wife. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is simply too important. It is best that no clan within Konoha has any connection to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

Uzumaki Shin and Kushina had ties to the Senju Clan that were too deep, and Uzumaki Kai's personality was unsuitable, so he had no choice but to select Uzumaki Akiko.

In truth, Sarutobi Hiruzen simply did not want to see the Senju Clan rise to prominence once again.