Did Mito Want 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.

At the moment, she was hiding behind her mother, peeking out with only half her face visible as she looked timidly at Tsunade.

Tsunade shook her head inwardly.

This is the future Red Hot-Blooded Habanero?

Right now, she doesn't look spicy at all...

She's like a frightened little quail.

Kushina's mother gently nudged her daughter's back.

"Kushina, say hello to your older sister."

The little girl clutched her mother's clothes. Her lips moved, and her voice came out barely louder than a mosquito's buzz.

"H-hello, Older Sister..."

Then she shrank right back behind her mother.

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

"Come in. Grandma's already waiting."

She stepped aside and gestured them in.

Kushina's mother led her clanspeople into the courtyard.

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

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

Tsunade beckoned them over.

"Come here. I'll introduce you."

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

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

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

Kushina's mother's eyes lit up.

She glanced at Kushina hiding behind her, then 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 she had been nervous earlier.

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

What mother wouldn't worry?

Now that she had seen other children here, even if both were a few years older than Kushina, her shoulders visibly relaxed.

Older was good.

Older children could look after younger ones.

"Kushina."

Her mother crouched and gently drew her out from behind her.

"Go say hello to them."

Pushed forward, little Kushina looked like a startled kitten.

She twisted her fingers together, her cheeks flushing.

Nawaki, on the other hand, showed no reserve at all.

He strode up to Kushina, thumped his chest, and gave her a dazzling grin.

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

He bent down, leaned close, and lowered his voice mysteriously. "I'm going to be Hokage someday, you know."

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

She said nothing, but at least she didn't retreat again.

Mikoto stepped forward too and gave a slight nod.

"Hello. I'm Mikoto."

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

Her gaze lingered on Kushina's face for a moment, and a strange feeling came over her.

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

But Mikoto had a feeling 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 go home. That's all for today," Tsunade said.

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

She gave the Uzumaki clanspeople a polite bow, then turned and left.

Tsunade led everyone into the house.

Mito was already seated in the main hall, waiting.

Tea and snacks had been set out on the table. It was a proper welcome, but not an elaborate one.

When she saw Kushina's mother lead the others in, Mito stood with a warm smile.

"Thank you for making the trip."

"Lady Mito."

Kushina's mother hurried forward and bowed respectfully.

The two clanspeople behind her bowed their heads as well.

Mito held out a hand to stop them. "We're all 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.

The Uzumaki clan's life in the Land of Whirlpools was stable for now, but tensions were rising in the surrounding region.

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

Kushina's mother spoke calmly.

But Tsunade heard the tension beneath her words.

Unless something changed, the destruction of the Uzumaki clan was already taking shape.

The forces coveting the Uzumaki clan's 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 a brief conversation, Mito invited the clanspeople to stay for dinner.

No one declined.

Mito had married into the Senju clan many years ago, but she still held an exceptionally high standing among the Uzumaki.

The First Hokage's wife. The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki. The greatest Sealing Jutsu practitioner the Uzumaki clan had ever known.

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

Dinner was pleasant.

Nawaki sat beside Kushina and chattered nonstop.

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

At first, the little girl stayed silent. Later, she occasionally nodded.

Tsunade watched them without thinking much of it.

Until—

After dinner.

The clanspeople were shown to their rooms to rest.

The door closed.

Mito sent Nawaki off to prepare a room for Kushina.

Tsunade and Mito remained in the hall, drinking tea.

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

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

Mito went on, "In a few days, take Kushina and Nawaki to the Ninja Academy together. 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'll be good for them to spend more time together."

"Of course, it'll—"

Tsunade stopped mid-sentence.

She froze.

It was as if something had suddenly snapped into place in her mind.

What does she mean, "spend more time together"?

What does she mean, "good for them"?

That tone.

That choice of words.

Don't tell me—

Tsunade whipped her head around to look at Mito Uzumaki.

Mito was sipping her tea with a bright smile, looking entirely innocent.

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

Tsunade: ???

Her thoughts raced.

Does Mito... want to matchmake Nawaki and Kushina??

Wait!

No way!!

Tsunade's expression shifted wildly.

For starters, Kushina Uzumaki's future partner—

Was Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage!

Their relationship was central to the entire course of the ninja world!

They were 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 eye on Kushina too!

Nawaki was hardly first in line!!

Tsunade's face twitched.

She took a deep breath and struggled to compose herself.

"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 well suited to each other. What's wrong with letting them get close early?"

"Or should they end up like you? You're all grown up and haven't even dated anyone."

Tsunade's mouth twitched.

Wow. How did this suddenly turn on me?

Tsunade didn't dare say much more.

If she kept talking and accidentally revealed her attraction to women in front of Mito, the sky would fall!

She wanted Mito Uzumaki to live a few more years yet.

Tsunade silently glanced into the courtyard, where Nawaki was helping lay out the bedding.

The brat was still showing off to Kushina, utterly unaware that his grandmother had already planned his marriage.

Tsunade shook her head and said nothing.

But she had already made up her mind.

My foolish little brother.

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

"For something this awkward, it has to be Older Sister!"

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

"After all, Minato Namikaze can take care of having the baby."

"And when she has nothing else to do, she and Kushina can... enjoy some games just for women~"

"Slurp~"

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

What was her granddaughter up to this time?