Mito Uzumaki~

Tsunade's mansion~

Nawaki opened the door and saw the goddess he had been longing for, Uchiha Mikoto. A brilliant smile spread across his face, and he immediately waved to greet her:

"Mikoto, did you come to see me?"

Uchiha Mikoto felt a little helpless when she saw Nawaki. She pulled Uchiha Lei to her side, gently shook her head, and replied:

"Nawaki, Lei and Kushina invited me! Oh, and this is my fiancé, Uchiha Lei!"

At the word "fiancé," everything around Nawaki seemed to turn gloomy. He stood there like a stone, utterly frozen in place!

Beside them, Kushina Uzumaki's heart also clenched when she heard the word "fiancé." Her hopes of having Uchiha Lei all to herself were completely shattered!

But Kushina did not lose heart over this. Instead, the fighting spirit in her eyes burned even brighter. She had to work even harder!

And so Kushina's delicate hand tightened its grip on Uchiha Lei's!

With both girls suddenly tightening their little hands around his, Uchiha Lei honestly felt a little overwhelmed by the attention. He immediately flashed a sunny smile and greeted Nawaki:

"Hello, Nawaki! Mikoto often mentions you!"

"Heh, really?"

Nawaki's heart had already gone ice-cold. He turned around and left this trouble spot dejectedly!

Kushina Uzumaki paid Nawaki no mind, cheerfully leading the two inside and calling out to Grandma Mito in the living room:

"Grandma Mito, I brought Lei and Mikoto back!"

Mito Uzumaki had already sensed three people outside the door with the Mind's Eye of the Kagura. She had not expected Kushina Uzumaki to bring Uchiha Mikoto as well, and she frowned slightly!

Still, she wore a kindly smile and raised a hand to greet Kushina and the others:

"You're back, Kushina! Welcome, Lei and Mikoto. Come sit down and rest for a while!"

Kushina Uzumaki led the two to the sofa!

Uchiha Lei and Uchiha Mikoto exchanged a glance~

The two bowed to Mito Uzumaki!

"Hello, Grandma Mito!"

"No need to be so formal. You and Mikoto are both good children!"

Mito Uzumaki nodded to Lei and Mikoto, then lowered her gaze to their joined hands. She could not help feeling happy for Kushina!

Kushina Uzumaki pulled Uchiha Lei onto the sofa!

Uchiha Mikoto also sat on the sofa, deliberately leaning against Uchiha Lei's side!

Once home, Kushina Uzumaki grew lively and told Mito Uzumaki all the details of Uchiha Lei's match against Uchiha Fugaku that day!

"Grandma Mito, isn't Lei amazing?

He's only seven, but he defeated Uchiha Fugaku, who's already graduated! He looked so handsome during the match!"

After saying this, Kushina Uzumaki turned to look at Uchiha Lei with excited eyes, leaning a little closer to him!

Mito Uzumaki actually already knew about the match at noon, but hearing Kushina explain it to her warmed her heart. She immediately praised Uchiha Lei:

"Lei, you're truly impressive! You can already use B-rank ninjutsu at such a young age! Your future is limitless!"

"You're too kind, Grandma Mito. Fugaku just wasn't taking it seriously! I only won by luck!"

Uchiha Lei smiled, firmly insisting that Fugaku had let his guard down!

He did not want to hear rumors when he went back!

Seeing how much Kushina Uzumaki liked Uchiha Lei, Mito Uzumaki thought it over and decided to lend Kushina a hand after all. She said with a smile:

"Lei, you must have heard that Kushina and I are the only ones left of the Uzumaki Clan!

I don't have much time left, either. I'd like to betroth Kushina to you. What do you think?"

"Grandma Mito..."

A flush of crimson spread across Kushina Uzumaki's fair cheeks. She looked very shy, but inwardly she was thrilled!

Grandma Mito is so good to me. She actually proposed an engagement to Lei herself!

I really hope Lei agrees...

When Uchiha Mikoto heard Mito Uzumaki propose the betrothal, her face turned deathly pale, and a sharp pain struck her chest!

Although she had already known that something would surely develop between Lei and Kushina!

Isn't this a little too fast?

I only became Lei's fiancée this morning!

Uchiha Lei's mouth also opened slightly in surprise. His heart was filled with both excitement and uncertainty!

Grandma Mito really made a great assist! Unfortunately... I brought Mikoto along. I'd better turn her down for now!

Uchiha Lei tightened his grip on Uchiha Mikoto's hand and began to refuse:

"Grandma Mito, I know you want what's best for Kushina! But..."

Mito Uzumaki saw Uchiha Lei's difficulty and immediately stopped him from continuing!

"Child, don't be so quick to refuse. You must have noticed Kushina's feelings, too!

With your strength, you're sure to have more wives than just Mikoto in the future!

Mikoto was engaged to you first, so of course she'll be your first wife. What do you think, Mikoto?"

Hearing Mito Uzumaki's explanation, Uchiha Mikoto recalled her mother's words that morning and weighed her decision inwardly:

Should I agree? I'd be the first wife...

Kushina is pitiful, too. She only has Grandma Mito to keep her company! At least I still have my parents!

Lei will attract even more girls in the future...

Mikoto's gaze grew firm, and she agreed:

"Grandma Mito, you're right!

I can't be so selfish and keep Lei all to myself. Lei, agree to Grandma Mito's request!"

Uchiha Lei turned to look at Uchiha Mikoto's resolute gaze, then turned to the tears misting Kushina Uzumaki's eyes. Finally, he nodded to Mito Uzumaki and replied:

"Grandma Mito, I agree to the engagement! I'll take care of Kushina for you!"

Hearing Uchiha Lei agree, Kushina Uzumaki finally felt the weight lift from her heart. She threw herself into Lei's arms, wrapped her arms around his lower back, and began to cry with joy!

"Sob... Lei, thank you for agreeing to Grandma Mito's proposed engagement! I'm so happy!"

Uchiha Mikoto knew that, in the current atmosphere, it was inappropriate for her to keep holding Uchiha Lei's hand, so she let go!

With Uchiha Mikoto's permission, Uchiha Lei turned and wrapped his arms around Kushina Uzumaki's lower back. His hands gently stroked her back as he comforted her softly:

"Kushina, isn't this something to be happy about?

Why are you crying? Be good, don't cry."

Hearing Uchiha Lei's comforting words, Kushina Uzumaki immediately felt warmth in her heart. Sure enough, her sobs quieted. She held Lei a little tighter and said softly:

"Lei, let me hug you for a while!

I'm only crying because I'm excited! Sob..."

Seeing that Kushina Uzumaki had found a good partner in Uchiha Lei, Mito Uzumaki decided to tell him about the jinchūriki. Her expression grew serious!

"Lei, Kushina is the jinchūriki who will succeed me!

I hope you'll protect her in the future! Can you promise me that?"

"I promise, Grandma Mito!"

Uchiha Lei readily agreed to Mito Uzumaki's request, his heart filled with delighted surprise!

The responsibility is greater now! But I have the Rinnegan!

I believe that once Kurama sees the Rinnegan, he'll listen to Kushina Uzumaki, too!

Of course I have to accept this Nine-Tails power-up for my wife!

Mito Uzumaki had not expected Uchiha Lei to agree without the slightest hesitation. Her smile broadened, and she felt she had made the right choice in proposing a marriage for Kushina!

Lei is already this strong! There's probably an eighty-percent chance he'll have the Mangekyō Sharingan in the future!

Then he'll be able to control the Nine-Tails and stop him from acting up! That's double insurance!

Mito Uzumaki said to Uchiha Lei with a smile:

"Lei, now that you and Kushina are engaged!

You can treat this place as your own home from now on. Be sure to visit Grandma Mito often."

"I understand, Grandma Mito! I'll come see you often."

Uchiha Lei immediately nodded, agreeing to Grandma Mito Uzumaki's request!

Uchiha Lei was actually somewhat hesitant:

Should I quiet Kurama down a little now? Grandma Mito has had a hard time all these years!

Helping her live a little longer would count as fulfilling my filial duty on Kushina's behalf...

I'd better ask the elder's opinion.

Uchiha Lei's expression grew serious, and he asked quietly:

"Grandma Mito, there aren't any ninja watching this area, are there?

I have a way to quiet the Nine-Tails down a little, but I don't want anyone with ulterior intentions discovering my secret."

Mito Uzumaki found Uchiha Lei increasingly mysterious. She closed her eyes and used the Mind's Eye of the Kagura to check. Finding no ninja keeping watch, she shook her head and replied:

"Lei, I just checked. No one is watching this place!

What way do you have to quiet the Nine-Tails? Grandma Mito is quite curious."