Mito Wanted to Matchmake Kushina and Nawaki?!!

Kushina...

Tsunade's gaze fell on the little girl.

Kushina Uzumaki.

She looked about six or seven.

Her red hair was tied into two short braids that hung over her shoulders.

She had a round face and big eyes.

Right now, she was hiding behind her mother, peeking out with half her face and looking timidly at Tsunade.

Tsunade shook her head inwardly.

This is the future Red Hot-Blooded Habanero?

She doesn't look spicy at all right now...

She's like a little quail.

Kushina Uzumaki gently nudged her daughter's back.

"Kushina, say hello to your older sister."

The little girl clutched her mother's hem. Her lips moved, but her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

"H-hello, Older Sister..."

As soon as she finished, she shrank back again.

Tsunade couldn't help smiling at how adorable she looked.

"Come in. Grandma's already waiting."

She stepped aside and gestured them in.

Kushina Uzumaki led the clan members into the courtyard.

They had barely passed the front veranda when they saw two children standing in the courtyard.

Nawaki and Mikoto had changed back into their everyday clothes and were waiting quietly.

Tsunade waved them over.

"Come here. Let me introduce you."

Nawaki immediately trotted over, studying the red-haired visitors with curiosity.

Tsunade pointed at Nawaki. "This is my little brother, Nawaki."

Then she pointed at Mikoto. "And this is my student, Uchiha Mikoto."

Kushina Uzumaki's eyes lit up at once.

She glanced down at Kushina, who was hiding behind her, then looked at the two children in the courtyard.

Delight spread across her face.

"I didn't expect the house to be so lively," she said with a smile, sounding much more at ease.

Tsunade could tell that Yui had been nervous before.

After all, she was bringing her young daughter to an unfamiliar place.

What mother wouldn't worry?

Now that she saw children around her daughter's age—though both were a few years older than Kushina—

Yui's shoulders visibly relaxed.

Older was good.

Older children could look after younger ones.

"Kushina."

Yui crouched and gently drew her daughter out from behind her.

"Go say hello to them."

Pushed to the front, little Kushina looked like a startled kitten.

She twisted her fingers together, her cheeks turning pink.

Nawaki, on the other hand, had no sense of distance at all.

He strode up to Kushina, thumped his chest, and beamed.

"Hey! I'm Nawaki! If anyone bullies you, come find me. I'll protect you!"

He bent down and leaned closer to the little girl, lowering his voice mysteriously. "I'm going to be Hokage one day, you know."

Kushina blinked and looked up at the boy who stood a head taller than her.

She didn't say anything, but at least she stopped hiding.

Mikoto stepped forward too and gave a slight nod.

"Hello. I'm Mikoto."

Her tone wasn't effusive, but it was gentle.

Her gaze rested on Kushina's face for a moment, and an inexplicable feeling came over her.

This red-haired girl looked much younger than she was.

But Mikoto felt they would get along well.

She couldn't say why.

It was just a hunch.

Somehow, she felt they could become very good friends.

"Mikoto, you can head home. That's all for today," Tsunade said.

Mikoto nodded. "Yes, Master. See you tomorrow."

She bowed politely to the Uzumaki clan members, then turned and left.

Tsunade led everyone toward the inner rooms.

Mito was already waiting in the main hall.

Tea and snacks had been set out on the table—proper, but not ostentatious.

When she saw Yui lead the others in, Mito stood with a gentle smile.

"Yui, thank you for making the trip."

"Lady Mito."

Yui hurried forward and bowed respectfully.

The two clan members behind her lowered their heads in greeting as well.

Mito raised a hand to stop them. "We're family. No need for formalities. Sit."

They took their seats.

They exchanged greetings, caught up, and talked about how the clan was doing.

Tsunade listened quietly from the side.

Life was stable for the Uzumaki in the Land of Whirlpools, but tensions were rising in the surrounding region.

The great nations were stirring beneath the surface, and life was growing harder for small countries caught between them.

Yui's voice remained calm as she spoke.

But Tsunade heard the strain beneath it.

If nothing changed, the destruction of the Uzumaki clan was already taking shape.

The forces coveting Uzumaki Sealing Jutsu would make their move soon.

Tsunade lowered her eyes and made a mental note.

That was something she would have to deal with later.

Now wasn't the time.

After they had talked for a while, Mito invited the clan members to stay for dinner.

No one declined.

Mito had married into the Senju clan years ago, but she had always held an exalted place among the Uzumaki.

The First's wife. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The greatest Sealing Jutsu practitioner in the history of the Uzumaki clan.

Those titles alone were enough to inspire awe in any clan member.

Dinner was a warm affair.

Nawaki sat beside Kushina and chattered nonstop.

Funny stories from the Ninja Academy, how amazing his older sister was, how he would become Hokage one day...

At first, the little girl stayed silent. Later, she began to nod now and then.

Tsunade watched them without thinking much of it.

Until—

After dinner.

The clan members were shown to rooms where they could rest.

The door closed.

Mito sent Nawaki off to help get Kushina's room ready.

Tsunade and Mito stayed in the hall, drinking tea.

"Nawaki seems to get along quite well with Kushina," Mito said suddenly.

"Mm," Tsunade replied, giving it little thought.

"In a few days, take Kushina and Nawaki to the Ninja Academy together," Mito went on. "I'll feel better knowing Nawaki is there."

Tsunade nodded. "Sure. Nawaki can look after her."

Mito lifted her teacup and took a small sip.

"They're both young... It can only do them good to spend more time together."

"Right, it can—"

Tsunade broke off.

She froze.

It was as though a string in her mind had been plucked hard.

What did she mean by "spend more time together"?

And what was "it can only do them good" supposed to mean?

That tone.

That choice of words.

Could it be—

Tsunade whipped her head around to look at Mito Uzumaki.

Mito was smiling as she drank her tea, the picture of innocence.

But her eyes clearly said, You know what I mean.

Tsunade: ???

Her mind raced.

Did Mito mean... she wanted to matchmake Nawaki and Kushina?

Wait!

That wouldn't do!!

Tsunade's expression changed beyond description.

For one thing, Kushina Uzumaki's future partner—

Was Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage!

That relationship was central to the entire Naruto timeline!

Naruto's parents!

If Nawaki and Kushina got together... how would Naruto ever be born?

The whole timeline would collapse!

And besides!

Tsunade had her own eye on Kushina!

Nawaki didn't even get a turn!!

Tsunade's cheek twitched.

She took a deep breath and tried to compose her expression.

"Grandma... Aren't you getting ahead of yourself? Nawaki's only nine."

"What's wrong with nine?"

Mito set down her teacup and said matter-of-factly:

"The Uzumaki and Senju clans are close kin. Their bloodlines are perfectly suited to joining. What's wrong with letting them grow close early?"

"Or should they end up like you? All grown up and never even been in love?"

Tsunade's mouth twitched.

Good grief. How had the fire spread to her?

Tsunade didn't dare say much more.

If she kept talking and let her sexual orientation slip in front of Mito,

the sky really would fall!

She wanted Mito Uzumaki to live a few more years, after all.

Then Tsunade glanced out into the courtyard at Nawaki, who was helping spread out the bedding.

The boy was still showing off to Kushina, blissfully unaware that Grandma had already planned his marriage.

Tsunade shook her head and said nothing more.

But in her mind, she had already made her plans.

My foolish little brother.

The Red Hot-Blooded Habanero is too fiery for you to handle.

"Leave this awkward job to your older sister!"

Then Tsunade thought of something, and a wicked grin spread across her face.

"After all, Minato Namikaze can take care of making babies."

"And when she has time, she can play some... fun games between women with Kushina~"

"Slurp~"

Mito Uzumaki stared at Tsunade's strange expression, utterly baffled.

What had gotten into her granddaughter this time?