Orochimaru gave Minato and Kushina a quick checkup before the group gathered around Mito.
"Grandma~"
Kushina couldn't help bursting into tears as she looked at Mito's aged appearance.
Seeing Kushina so upset, Minato's nose stung as well.
Orochimaru wore a grim expression—farewells were always sorrowful affairs.
Fugaku opened his mouth as if to speak but stayed silent—he was, after all, an outsider here.
"How is she?"
Sakumo dismissed the Anbu and hurried over alone.
After much hesitation, Ghost Mastiff and Little White opted not to follow and instead headed home together.
Mito doesn't have much time left," Orochimaru told Sakumo, shaking his head. A heavy silence filled the air.
"Kawaki, take Grandma back."
"This place isn't suitable."
Mito managed a weak smile—her former brilliance now long faded.
"All right."
"Grandma, let's go home."
"Nawaki and Misaki are waiting for you."
Two tears rolled down Kawaki's cheeks. Without even waiting for Tsunade, he and Mito disappeared in front of everyone.
Without exchanging a word, Tsunade led the way back to the Senju compound.
As the wind rushed past her ears, she had only one thought—faster, faster still.
"Grandma, we're home."
The two figures materialized within Tsunade's bridal chamber, where the Flying Thunder God mark Kawaki had never removed remained.
"You~ Grandma always knew."
Mito glanced at the room, still managing a teasing remark toward Kawaki.
He'd placed that mark long before marrying Tsunade. At times, Mito had worried she might overhear things she wasn't meant to hear.
Young lovers in the heat of passion were never shy about anything.
"I didn't mean to hide it from you. I haven't used it much anyway."
Kawaki mumbled, half to himself, even managing a chuckle—he barely believed his own words.
Tears mixed with laughter—it was almost absurd.
"Put me down now. Help me back to my room."
Mito gently patted Kawaki's shoulder. Once outside, she didn't want Nawaki or Misaki seeing her in such a vulnerable state.
"Okay."
Kawaki obeyed, bearing most of her weight as she struggled to remain upright, slowly walking toward her bedroom.
No sooner had they stepped out of Tsunade's room than hurried footsteps approached.
"Grandma!"
It was Nawaki and Misaki.
Before they even reached her, the sight of their grandmother in such a state sent them into uncontrollable tears.
Relieved of his duty, Kawaki stepped aside as Nawaki and Misaki took over, already reduced to sobbing messes.
"Don't cry. It's bad for the child."
"Grandma lived a long life. Cheer up a little."
Mito slowly lifted her hand, gently brushing across Misaki's face.
The harder she tried to hold back her tears, the more fiercely they spilled.
Misaki's vision blurred further, but she kept guiding Mito forward, relying on muscle memory alone.
"Grandma, everything went well, right?"
Nawaki tried hard to get the question out coherently.
"Everything went smoothly."
"That boy Minato and that girl Kushina are both safe."
By now, they had reached Mito's bedroom door. Kawaki quickly stepped forward to open it.
As soon as Mito settled onto the bed, Tsunade and the others burst through the door.
The room that wasn't large to begin with felt especially crowded today.
"Move over a little. You're blocking the light."
Mito probably didn't want so many people with sorrowful faces gathered around her.
Everyone obediently stepped aside, leaving only Tsunade and Nawaki seated beside Mito's bed.
"I've had a good life."
"You're all wonderful kids, and you've made me so proud."
"I used to worry most about Nawaki."
"That boy was spoiled rotten, but thank goodness there's Kawaki."
Mito glanced at Kawaki—she truly felt satisfied with this grandson-in-law.
"It was his own effort. I didn't do much."
Kawaki patted Nawaki on the shoulder, though his smile still looked strained.
"You grandmother saw you all grow up and succeed—something your grandfather couldn't witness."
"When I tell him, he'll be jealous for sure."
Mito said with a laugh.
"Grandma~"
Tsunade and Misaki couldn't hold back their tears, repeatedly calling out to Mito.
"Don't cry. Just live happy lives from now on."
Mito's gaze began to blur, her breath growing fainter.
"Grandma~ Grandma~"
Tsunade and Misaki both reached forward, pouring chakra into her body forcefully to prolong her life.
"What are you doing? I can already see Hashirama waiting for me."
"If you don't want to let go of grandma, I'll stay with you just a little longer."
Her eyes seemed to regain a bit of luster, softening with lingering love.
"Hurry in!"
At that moment, a voice came from outside the door—it was Natsuki.
She shoved Ginji right inside.
"Great-Gran."
Ginji rushed straight to the bedside, ignoring even Kawaki and Tsunade.
"Oh my sweet grandson."
Mito tried her best to summon energy, reaching her wrinkled hand toward Ginji's face.
But she simply didn't have the strength anymore. Her hand started falling before it could even touch him.
Ginji caught it immediately, pressing her hand against his face.
"Great-Gran, you haven't seen me grow up yet."
Tears and snot smeared onto Mito's hand.
"Great-Gran won't live to see Ginji grow up."
"Your great-grandfather has come again."
"It's time for me to go."
"Take good care of each other~"
With those final words, a gentle smile still lingered on her lips as she closed her eyes, breathing no more.
"Grandma~"
Tsunade and Misaki refused to let go, pouring chakra into her body.
"Enough~"
This chapter isn't over yet—more exciting moments ahead!
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"Just let Grandma leave peacefully."
Kawaki seized Tsunade's hand and pulled her back from Mito's body.
Misaki collapsed weakly onto the floor, only to be yanked up by Nawaki.
"Waaah~"
"There won't ever be anyone answering 'grandma' when we come home anymore."
Tsunade broke free from Kawaki's grip, hugging Ginji tightly as they both sobbed uncontrollably.
"It's time to be strong now."
"Everything's ready, isn't it?"
Kawaki wiped away her tears. Now she was the head of the family.
"It's all ready."
Nawaki nodded, his eyes still bloodshot.
The coffin they'd specially ordered days ago now sat in the side courtyard.
"Let's keep Grandma company one last time."
Kawaki looked up at the ceiling, the sound of weeping never ceasing in his ears.
...
Mito's funeral arrangements were entirely handled by Kawaki.
He paid a fortune to invite monks from the Fire Temple to pray and offer blessings for Mito.
All the notable figures from Konoha came to pay their respects to Mito.
This was not just out of respect for the Hokage, but also genuine admiration for Mito herself.
Three days later, Mito was buried.
Her tomb was built beside Hashirama's, effectively making it a shared grave.
As for exhuming Hashirama's remains to truly lay them together, Kawaki didn't even dare to think about it.
After placing the final handful of earth on the grave, Mito's life came to a full close.
This elder who had witnessed the founding of Konoha now lay beneath the cold earth forever.
She would watch over Konoha as it flourished, and see future generations grow strong.
Leading the way, Kawaki and the entire family bowed respectfully several times.
Perhaps they had no tears left—only Ginji still wept.
"Let's go. Come visit Grandma whenever you miss her."
As everyone departed, the sunlight above remained warm.
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