First Encounter with the Nine-Tails!

"Grandma, what's wrong?"

Beside her, Nawaki noticed Mito's sudden change in mood. His young face filled with worry as he looked up and asked.

Mito came back to herself and gently stroked his head. The emotion in her eyes softened into a smile. "Grandma's fine. I'm just so happy."

Then she took his little hand and introduced her guest with a smile. "Oh, Nawaki, this is Lord Hokage of Konoha. Haven't you always been asking to meet him?"

Kagami Uchiha looked at the young boy's innocent face and smiled warmly. "You must be Nawaki. Your sister has mentioned you to me several times."

Nawaki stared up at Kagami Uchiha, carefully taking in his tall figure and commanding presence.

His mouth fell open, and he murmured without thinking:

"So... so handsome!"

The courtyard went silent.

Kagami Uchiha and Mito Uzumaki both looked mortified...

What on earth was this boy saying?

Mito glanced at the innocent-looking Kagami Uchiha and grumbled inwardly.

The Uchiha really did have some inexplicable attraction for the Senju...

Her eldest granddaughter Tsunade had been infatuated with him since childhood. Nawaki's reaction just now had been exactly the same.

But Tsunade was older now. She ought to understand what love was.

Ah... let the young handle their own affairs. I'll support them and keep out of the way.

Mito Uzumaki let out a long breath, then grew serious. "By the way, Kagami, bring the young members of the Uzumaki Clan who came this time to see me."

"Lady Mito, you..." Kagami Uchiha paused, as though something had occurred to him.

A new Jinchūriki for the Nine-Tails...

"You've guessed correctly, Kagami. I'm getting on in years. Perhaps it's time I found someone to succeed me," Mito said calmly.

"Hmph! Mito Uzumaki, you damned humans want to bind me again!"

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