The Nine-Tails seemed to recall that moment from long ago.
A massive wooden construct held it down with one hand, and that damned man had said it was too powerful and must be sealed.
So many years had passed…
But now—finally, someone was clearing its name!
That's right.
It had been under Madara's control back then. Why would it, of its own free will, go and destroy the Hidden Leaf?
It had been wronged.
It cast a resentful glance at the sealing chains of Kongō Fūsa placed on its body by Mito Uzumaki. The Nine-Tails—Kurama—fell deep into thought.
"You can't say it like that…"
After holding it in for quite some time, Mito finally found a way to counter her grandson's words.
"Just as you've seen for yourself, the shinobi world is full of evil people like Madara."
"If the Nine-Tails were to be controlled again, it would definitely become a threat to others. Your great-grandfather only wanted to keep people safe…"
Wasn't that emotional blackmail?
Senju Yukika rolled his eyes. "If that's how it is, then why didn't Grandpa, with all his righteousness, go after Madara and seal him instead of sealing the Tailed Beasts?"
"What did the Tailed Beasts ever do to him?"
"Just because they're powerful, they deserve to be beaten and locked away?"
You couldn't reason with this guy.
Mito looked at Yukika's face, and ultimately gave up. Nothing worked against her grandson's sharp tongue.
If she kept arguing, he'd probably end up dragging Hashirama's name through the mud even more.
"We'll talk about this jinchūriki business after you return from the battlefield."
"Even if you agree to it, the village won't easily go along with it."
"Besides, if the time comes and you don't yet have the power to protect yourself… giving you the Nine-Tails would only bring disaster."
She looked genuinely worried as she spoke.
A new jinchūriki would mean that her protection—both of Yukika and the Senju clan—would come to an end.
What would happen to Yukika then?
But she had done everything she could.
She had worked her whole life to protect her husband's legacy.
Once she was gone… the vultures would start circling.
Whoever became the Nine-Tails' next host would face interference, manipulation, and restriction.
"Don't worry, Grandma Mito."
Yukika gently grasped her aged hand. Her skin, dry and cracked with time, made his heart ache.
She had grown old. She deserved to live out her final years in peace.
Another reason Yukika wanted to become the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki—was to lighten her burden.
This woman… was one of the few elders who truly loved and cared for him.
"When the time comes, leave everything to me."
His gaze was steady. His voice firm.
Even without the system, he had plenty of ways to ensure Mito wouldn't die from the extraction. And with the system's shop filled with countless life-preserving items, he could do even more.
He would not let her die. He wanted her to witness it—his journey, his growth, his rise to the very top.
That was the kind of story every elder yearned to be part of.
Konoha. The clan.
They all owed this woman far too much.
"Not just the Senju… the Uzumaki too."
"One day, you'll see it all. I promise."
What a strange man.
While others stayed far away from the idea of becoming a jinchūriki, he ran straight toward it.
From the side, Yugito's eyes flickered with emotion. It was as if something had stirred within her.
Inside her, the Two-Tails showed no hesitation in its admiration for Yukika.
"He has the aura of a true leader."
"Far better than the First Hokage, who sold us off to other villages."
Creak.
Suddenly, the courtyard door slid open.
A servant stepped in and bowed respectfully.
"Lady Mito."
"The Hokage has sent someone. He requests Lord Yukika to report to the Hokage's office."
So it begins.
Yukika stood up and took a deep breath.
The Third Hokage…
You think I acted impulsively and gave you an opening?
You're wrong.
Sending me to the Land of Rain—that will be your biggest mistake.
The battlefield…
Here I come.