Hui felt even more awkward under Uzumaki Mina's gaze.
But it wasn’t his fault! Sealing techniques were notoriously difficult, and even he found many of them challenging. Ordinary people would struggle even more.
However, sealing techniques couldn’t simply be allowed to disappear. As ntioned before, they were enigmatic tools with potentially imnse future applications.
"By the way, I heard there’s a new yakiniku restaurant in Konoha. Want to try it out?" Hui swiftly changed the subject to distract Mina.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"Of course! Let’s go!"
She stood up excitedly, only to realize she might have reacted too enthusiastically.
Embarrassed, she added, "New restaurants always need custors. I’m just helping support their business. Tis are tough, and running a shop isn’t easy."
Hui chuckled at her excuse.
This girl was wonderful in so many ways, but her love for food and lively atmospheres was unparalleled.
At this rate, he wondered if she might turn out like Mitarashi Anko in middle age…a bit too fond of sweets and snacks.
The thought made him glance at Mina again. When she noticed his gaze, a faint blush crept up her cheeks. Hui quickly realized he’d been staring and cleared his throat.
"Let’s go, let’s go! I’m hungry too. Let’s see if that yakiniku place is worth the hype." He redirected the conversation expertly.
"Yes, yes, let’s go!" Mina replied eagerly, her previous embarrassnt forgotten.
The two left the Uzumaki Clan’s quarters and headed toward the bustling Konoha snack street.
…
The snack street was part of Hui’s urban planning efforts, designed as a dedicated comrcial zone. Alongside it were other areas like a pedestrian street.
These streets were intended to beco lively hubs of activity—and they already were. With more people settling in Konoha, these areas had beco bustling centers of comrce.
As Hui and Mina strolled toward the snack street, they were interrupted halfway there.
An ANBU agent suddenly appeared before Hui.
"Hui-sama, the Nidai has summoned you to the Senju compound. It’s urgent."
The words made Hui’s pupils contract.
For Tobirama to describe sothing as "urgent" ant it was undoubtedly a grave matter.
"You should go, Hui-kun. I’ll wander around by myself," Mina said, suppressing her disappointnt.
Hui offered a small apologetic smile before departing quickly.
…
Upon arriving at the Senju compound, Hui imdiately felt the heavy atmosphere.
His senses picked up on sothing unusual, and his expression darkened.
He stepped into the main hall, where many had already gathered: Tobirama Senju, Tsunade’s parents, Tsunade herself, Nawaki, and several other mbers of the Senju clan.
"Hui, Grandma Mito… isn’t doing well," Tsunade said, her voice low and filled with sorrow.
Uzumaki Mito’s condition had deteriorated severely.
Tsunade had tried using dical ninjutsu to help her, but it had little effect.
Hui nodded, gently patting Tsunade’s back in comfort.
He had already sensed it upon arrival.
Uzumaki Mito’s life force was almost entirely extinguished—her ti was nearly up.
She was dying.
"Brother Hui, can’t you save Grandma Mito? I don’t want her to die," Nawaki pleaded, his voice trembling.
Tears rolled down his face as he looked at Hui with desperate hope.
Hui remained silent, gently ruffling Nawaki’s hair.
“Hui, co with ,” Tobirama called out.
"Granpa Tobirama," Hui said after being called aside by Tobirama Senju.
"You’ve sensed it too, haven’t you? Mito’s life… is nearing its end."
Hui nodded.
"Birth, aging, illness, and death are all part of natural life. Mito has lived a long life, and I can see she deeply misses Hashirama," Tobirama sighed, his voice tinged with lancholy.
He too missed his elder brother.
"I understand. That’s why I didn’t intervene," Hui replied.
With his unique ability to control life energy, Hui could easily extend Mito’s life by several years or even decades.
But Mito’s condition wasn’t due to illness—it was a matter of the heart.
Her body lived, but her spirit had already gone to the Pure Land.
"Indeed. That’s why we haven’t interviewed. But now cos another urgent matter. The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Have you decided on a successor?"
This was the true urgency of the situation.
Mito was no ordinary shinobi. She was the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails—the most powerful tailed beast.
When Mito passed, the Nine-Tails would "die" alongside her and reappear sowhere in the ninja world after a long period of ti.
This would leave Konoha without the Nine-Tails for years which would be a significant loss, as it was a powerful trump card, a tactical weapon so to speak.
Though Konoha currently seed invincible with Hui, history had shown that peace could be fleeting.
Twenty years ago, Konoha had both Hashirama and Madara—two shinobi stronger than Hui.
Yet no one could have predicted the rift between the two founders and their fallout, Madara’s apparent death, and Hashirama’s untily demise.
That chain of events led to the First Shinobi World War.
Thus, even with Hui’s presence, Konoha couldn’t rely solely on him.
The Nine-Tails remained a vital asset that couldn’t be lost.
The next Jinchūriki candidates had already been identified through careful consideration by Hui and Tobirama.
However, there were several viable options, and the final decision had yet to be made.
Now, the ti to decide had arrived.
Hui fell silent, contemplating the three candidates: Uzumaki Kushina, Uzumaki Mina, and Nawaki.
Each had the special chakra needed to suppress a tailed beast, making them eligible candidates.
Among the three, Kushina and Mina were stronger contenders due to their Uzumaki lineage and powerful constitutions.
"Both Kushina and Nawaki are too young," Hui finally said, his voice heavy. "The Nine-Tails’ chakra is malevolent and can affect the mind.
“Becoming a Jinchūriki might strip them of their freedom, their friends, and turn them into tools of war for the village. Perhaps… Mina-nee is the only suitable choice."
Hui’s tone was uncertain, yet his words carried weight.
Being a Jinchūriki was a life-altering role. Even with Hui’s protection, the responsibility and stigma would change anyone’s life irreversibly.
"Then Uzumaki Mina it is," Tobirama began, but his voice was interrupted.
"I’ll do it! I’ll be the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki!"
The declaration ca from a young but resolute voice.
Hui and Tobirama turned to see the speaker.
It was Nawaki.
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