Mito's Death

Mito looked tenderly at Tsunade and Nawaki. Faced with the approaching death, she remained calm and composed.

She simply could not bear to part with her younger family members.

"Tsunade, Nawaki, it's almost time. Before I go see Hashirama, I have a few final words to say."

"Grandma!" Tears streamed endlessly down Nawaki's face as he threw himself into Mito's arms.

Tsunade's eyes reddened. If not for the need to ensure Kurama's safe transfer, Grandma could actually have lived a while longer.

It was all for the village.

"Nawaki, you are an optimistic and brave child. Your personality is much like Hashirama's.

"But the Shinobi World is dangerous. No matter what you face in the future, learn to think calmly, like your Second Granduncle Tobirama.

"I hope you remember my words."

Mito gently patted Nawaki's back and earnestly instructed him.

Hot-blooded children were full of vitality and vigor, but they were also prone to recklessness and impulsiveness.

The Shinobi World was turbulent and unstable. A single impulse during wartime could very well cost one's life. She could not help worrying about Nawaki.

"I'll remember, Grandma." Nawaki wiped away his tears with all his strength.

A kindly smile appeared on Mito's face as she extended her hand toward Tsunade. "Tsunade."

"Grandma." Tsunade stepped forward and took Mito's hand.

Mito said with a face full of relief, "Tsunade, your personality is like Hashirama's, yet you can also think calmly and adapt to changing circumstances like Tobirama. I have no worries about you.

"I'm entrusting Nawaki and Kushina to you."

"Grandma, I will!" Tsunade nodded heavily. When Mito's rough hand gently stroked her cheek, Tsunade finally could no longer hold back her tears.

Nawaki clenched his fists and declared, "Grandma! I'll take care of my sister and little sister Kushina like a man! I'll become Hokage just like Grandpa!"

"Grandma believes you can do it too." Mito nodded with gratification. Perhaps the small amount of Chakra she left behind would be able to witness that day.

After giving her instructions, Mito continued arranging her affairs.

"Tsunade, after I die, hand over all but the core portion of the Senju Clan's assets to the village. The remaining assets will be enough."

"Yes, Grandma."

"Lastly, I have some things I need to say to Kushina alone."

"Nawaki, let's go out first." Tsunade nodded and led Nawaki out of the room and into the courtyard.

At that moment, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi stood solemnly in the courtyard, waiting. Kushina stood at his side.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was in the prime of his life, at the peak of a shinobi's strength. Simply standing there gave off an imposing and oppressive aura.

Four Anbu directly under his command stood beside him. They were all the shinobi most skilled in Sealing Jutsu within the Anbu squad.

The matter of the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki was of immense importance. It had to be kept secret, but it also required the utmost caution.

Although Uzumaki Mito's mastery of Sealing Jutsu was extraordinary and she had suppressed Kurama for decades with almost no accidents, times were different now. She was already very weak.

To be safe, Sarutobi Hiruzen had still brought his trusted men to stand guard nearby.

"Kushina, Grandma wants you to go in." Tsunade wiped away her tears and spoke to Kushina.

Inside the room.

Mito had already handed all the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu she possessed, along with various powerful ninjutsu scrolls, to Kushina.

Neither Nawaki nor Tsunade possessed much talent for Sealing Jutsu. Even after following Mito for so many years, Tsunade had only begun to master the Yin Seal.

But Kushina was different. At such a young age, she had already displayed remarkable talent for Sealing Jutsu.

"Kushina, remember what I tell you. Train diligently and master the power of the Adamantine Sealing Chains as soon as possible. Only then will you be able to completely suppress Kurama.

"As for the Sealing Jutsu and ninjutsu I have given you, in the future, you may choose someone worthy of entrusting them to and teach them.

"You will be safe living in Konoha. The Third Hokage will protect you well.

"But you must also be careful. At all times, your own strength is the key.

"Especially once you become the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, your strength will determine how much room you have to make your own choices.

"Do you understand?"

Mito had not originally intended to say these things, but she felt guilty toward Kushina.

Previously, the Land of Whirlpools had been besieged by the major shinobi villages.

She had asked the Third Hokage for help, but he had not sent troops immediately.

By the time the reinforcements arrived, all that remained of the Land of Whirlpools was a field of broken walls and ruins.

The Uzumaki Clan members had scattered and fled. Even among the survivors, very few came to seek refuge in Konoha.

The only one brought back to Konoha was Kushina, the clan head's daughter.

Because she had the qualifications to become the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.

If Mito had still been young, if either Hashirama or Tobirama had been alive, or if the Senju Clan had not disbanded, things would never have reached this point.

But to protect the village Hashirama had built and Tobirama had painstakingly managed, Mito could only choose to forget the matter.

Whenever Konoha had faced difficulties in the past, the Uzumaki Clan had sent troops to help after Mito sought aid, causing many powerful members of the clan to die in battle. Otherwise, the Land of Whirlpools would not have fallen so easily.

Nor would Kushina have been burdened with such a heavy fate.

When Mito became the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, she was already very powerful. Behind her stood her husband Hashirama Senju, known as the God of Shinobi, as well as the powerful Senju and Uzumaki Clans.

But now, Kushina had very little to rely on.

People changed. The monkey from back then and the current Third Hokage could not be called completely different people, but he had changed greatly.

Mito could understand Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision not to send aid in order to preserve Konoha's strength.

But she could never forgive it!

If Kushina wanted to hold some power over her own choices, she needed to become stronger herself.

"I'll remember everything, Grandma Mito." Though Kushina only half understood, she still carefully remembered Mito's instructions.

"Child, you must live well." Mito held Kushina tightly, unwilling to let her see the tears in her eyes.

Overwhelming sorrow and fear of the unknown filled Kushina's heart.

She had lost her homeland. She had finally come to Mito's side, finally grown used to life in Konoha, and now Mito was leaving too.

"Grandma Mito, do I really have to become a Jinchuriki?!" Kushina's face was filled with confusion and unease about the future.

Even though she had learned of her fate not long after arriving in Konoha, she was still afraid.

Everyone feared Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki, let alone her, who was about to become the Vessel of Kurama, the strongest Tailed Beast.

"You are the only suitable candidate." Mito gently stroked Kushina's head. "I do not have much time left."

Kushina fell silent, sorrow and fear filling her heart.

Mito comforted her softly. "Kushina, you are a good child. You must keep an optimistic outlook in the future as well.

"Tailed Beasts are very cunning. They will use your negative emotions to magnify the darkness in your heart.

"Being a Tailed Beast's Vessel may be unfortunate.

"But do not let that leave your heart empty and lost. Find love to fill it.

"That way, even if you live on as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, you can still find happiness."

"Love?" Kushina looked up at Mito.

"Love is bonds. It is protection. One day, you will need Kurama's power for the sake of the people you love. When that time comes, Kurama may no longer be a misfortune to you."

"I'll do my best."

Kushina threw herself into Mito's embrace. Only this could give her a little more sense of security.

After a long while, Mito looked deeply at Kushina, as if she wanted to remember her face.

"Child, go calm yourself down. Let the Third Hokage come in now. The ceremony to transfer Kurama will begin shortly."

As she spoke, Mito clapped her hands together, and the barrier that had been set up in the room opened.

"Mmm..." Kushina bit her lip and reluctantly walked out of the room.

Soon, Sarutobi Hiruzen entered the room.

The next day.

A small number of Konoha's higher-ups held a funeral for Uzumaki Mito and buried her alongside the First Hokage.

This information would remain hidden for as long as possible.

As for Uzumaki Kushina becoming the new Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, only a very small number of people knew.

As for how many people could guess it, that was impossible to know.