Tsunade went straight into the house as soon as they returned ho, leaving Kawakaze and Ginji behind.
"What's wrong with her?"
Nayuki was puzzled. Tsunade had seed in good spirits when she left—had she and Kawakaze argued?
"Go play with your brother for a while."
After sending Ginji away, Kawakaze slowly explained everything.
"Grandma is dying."
"She asked Tsunade and to discuss a new Jinchūriki for the Nine-Tails."
"She's not feeling well."
He didn't hold anything back. He knew his brother and sister-in-law weren't the type to gossip.
"How can that be?"
"Lady Mito looks so healthy."
Sakumo and Nayuki were in disbelief. With her youthful appearance, it was easy to forget just how old Mito truly was.
"I don't want to believe it either, but it's the truth."
"Sigh..."
Kawakaze let out a long sigh, feeling the weight of the situation. He had called her "Grandma" for so many years.
"Is there really no way to extend her life?"
Sakumo glanced toward Kawakaze's bedroom. His aning was clear—if anyone could do sothing, it would be Tsunade, one of the greatest dical-nin in the world.
"There's no point in prolonging the inevitable."
Kawakaze shook his head. At that mont, he could truly understand Tsunade's pain.
She had saved countless lives, yet she was powerless against the slow march of ti. Worse, she had to stand by and watch it happen. It was a cruel fate.
"Maybe this is a kind of relief for Lady Mito."
Sakumo's brows knitted together, his gaze dimming.
"Maybe so..."
Kawakaze didn't say anything more, his thoughts drifting.
As the first generation's ultimate weapon, Mito had spent her life silently guarding Konoha and her husband's dream.
Decades had passed. She had endured the sorrow of losing loved ones, watching old friends depart one by one.
Though she had descendants to bring so warmth to her life, such an existence was far from fulfilling.
"Who is the new generation of Jinchūriki?"
After a while, Sakumo couldn't hold back. Whether as a family mber or a high-ranking Konoha official, he had the right to know.
"It hasn't been decided yet."
Kawakaze's thoughts were pulled back to the present, his gaze already distant.
"What's there to ask? Go keep Tsunade company."
Nayuki shot Sakumo a glare before pushing Kawakaze forward. Was this really the ti to discuss such things?
This family would fall apart without .
"Alright, I got it."
Kawakaze headed toward the bedroom.
Outside, Ginji was already roughhousing with Kakashi, their playful shouts filling the air.
Sakumo and Nayuki stood in silence for a long ti, watching the two boys.
Parting is always the world's greatest sorrow.
"I'm coming in."
Kawakaze knocked softly on the door, but there was no response from inside.
Listening closely, he could hear the faint sound of crying.
It felt strange, needing to announce himself before entering his own room.
Creak—
He pushed the door open and saw Tsunade curled up on the bed, her face buried in her pillow, her whole body trembling slightly.
"Go ahead and cry, I'm here."
Kawakaze sat down beside her, gently stroking her back. He knew that telling her to be strong was aningless—she needed to let it out.
"Wo wo wo~"
Tsunade sat up, revealing a pillow damp with tears. Without hesitation, she reached for him, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her face in his shoulder.
Her sobs grew even heavier.
Hearing her cry so painfully, Kawakaze felt his own heart ache.
Holding Tsunade tightly, he could no longer hold back his own tears.
A real man doesn't cry easily—he just hasn't reached a sorrowful enough place.
After a long while, Tsunade finally seed exhausted from crying.
She pulled away from his embrace, her beautiful eyes now red and swollen.
"You knew all along, didn't you?"
It wasn't a question—just a realization. She recalled Kawakaze's unusual behavior when Mito had pushed for their wedding.
"Mm."
"I didn't want to make you sad, so I didn't tell you."
Kawakaze t her gaze and admitted it without hesitation.
"So I know about it now?"
Tsunade's voice carried a trace of dissatisfaction. How could he keep sothing so important from her?
"Does that feel better?"
Kawakaze didn't argue, simply wiping away her remaining tears.
Tsunade shook her head but said nothing. She just didn't want Kawakaze to worry too much.
"Get so sleep."
Kawakaze wanted to say sothing comforting, but the words wouldn't co.
"I want to spend more ti with her."
"Take care of things at work for ."
Tsunade's request wasn't unreasonable.
"Okay."
This ti, Kawakaze didn't hesitate—he simply agreed.
"Thank you."
Tsunade finally smiled, those two simple words carrying so much aning.
"We don't need that between us."
The two of them sat together for a long, long ti, talking quietly into the night.
...
Early the next morning, Mito woke from her sleep, a smile still on her lips. She had dread of Hashirama.
In her dream, she told him that Tsunade had given birth to an adorable son and that Nawaki had married a beautiful wife. The village he had built with his own hands had flourished even more under Tsunade's leadership.
As she watched Hashirama's face twist in confusion, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
After lying in bed for a while, lost in reminiscence, Mito reluctantly got up.
I haven't seen Hashirama in a long ti. I really miss him.
As usual, after washing up, Mito made her way to the dining room.
"Good morning, Grandma."
Not long after, everyone in Nawaki's household had arrived.
Misaki, who hadn't slept much, stifled a yawn.
"Good morning."
Mito greeted them with a warm smile. Her complexion was rosy and vibrant—no one would suspect that her ti was running out.
Nawaki ate his breakfast while thinking about surprising his grandmother. But just as he was about to speak, Mito interrupted him.
"Misaki, Kushina, co with for a mont."
She stood up without giving Nawaki the chance to say anything.
"Oh, okay."
Misaki and Kushina exchanged glances, seeing only confusion in each other's eyes.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Grandma."
Leaving those words behind, Misaki quickly followed after Mito.
Nawaki stared at the empty dining table in front of him, feeling a little lost.
Yesterday, it was "older sister" and "brother-in-law." Today, it was Misaki and Kushina.
What could be so important that his own grandmother wouldn't tell him?
"Sit."
Mito settled into a seat and gestured to the empty chairs beside her.
"What is it, Grandma?"
Kushina, impatient as ever, couldn't help but ask the mont she sat down.
"Give your hands and relax."
Mito didn't respond further. She simply extended her left and right hands toward Misaki and Kushina.
"Alright."
Though they had no idea what Mito was about to do, they trusted her completely.
As their hands t, Misaki and Kushina suddenly felt as if the world was spinning.
When they opened their eyes again, they found themselves in a completely unfamiliar environnt.
The air was thick with an evil and overwhelming chakra, making the entire space feel oppressively heavy.
Looking up, they saw a massive fox bound inside a stone sphere by thick, intertwining chains.
Nine long tails twitched restlessly, but the beast was completely immobilized.
There was no doubt—this was the Nine-Tails.
Even with her life nearing its end, Mito's seal left the creature utterly powerless.
"Is this... the Nine-Tails?"
Kushina's mouth hung open. She had always known what her fate would be if she ca to Konoha.
Was this the mont it all beca real?
"What terrifying power..."
Misaki stared up at the enormous beast, a wave of unease washing over her.
The sheer intensity of its chakra and its colossal form sent chills down her spine.
She couldn't begin to imagine the devastation that would unfold if such a monster were ever set free.
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