"It must be starting already..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed out the window toward a distant direction. He seemed lost in thought, not even noticing that the tobacco in his pipe had long since burned out.
"Hiruzen, what's on your mind?"
The voice of Homura Mitokado brought the Third Hokage back to reality. That was when he realized his two advisors were still in his office.
For the first time, the Third found their presence slightly unnecessary.
"Not much. But where were we again?"
"I was talking about how the Western Front hasn't changed much recently. After Kumo entered the war, all factions operating within the Land of Rain—including ourselves—have pulled back slightly, as if observing Kumogakure's next move.
Still, this prolonged stalemate doesn't seem to be going anywhere. To end this war sooner, I believe it's time we deploy that force we've spent so long preparing."
"Ah? Oh right…"
Homura spoke well, and for once, he'd abandoned his usual cautious strategy, ready to take an aggressive stance on the battlefield. Everyone recognized how much courage that shift demanded—it could finally silence the critics who'd always been quick to judge him. Yet Hokage-sama didn't seem interested in listening until the end, quickly retreating into his own thoughts again.
Homura and Koharu Utatane exchanged glances, puzzled by the Third's behavior. Why was he acting like this—like some daydreaming kid lost in thought during a boring civics lecture?
Of course, they didn't know the Third Hokage's mind was completely focused on the "Nine-Tails reincarnation" process at that moment.
On one hand, as a junior, Hiruzen Sarutobi held deep feelings for Mito Uzumaki—not just because she had looked after him back then as his senpai's wife, but also because ever since the incident with the Second Hokage, Konoha had stabilized thanks to Mito Uzumaki's support. The Third and others rose to positions of leadership thanks to her backing.
Therefore, the Third Hokage naturally felt immense gratitude toward Mito Uzumaki.
On the other hand, however, he deeply worried whether complications might arise during the transition of the Jinchuriki. After all, the person fully responsible for this operation was named Haseo.
As for the two advisors, in theory, they did have the right to know such top-secret matters. Still, the Third decided to wait until everything concluded before informing them.
At this moment, the Third Hokage could only hope Haseo would prove reliable... Well, truthfully, he was practically praying for Haseo to be dependable, just short of kneeling and offering joss paper (a ritual gesture of prayer or respect).
Of course, Haseo wouldn't hear such silent encouragement from afar. The Third Hokage was far too "reserved"—his hopes remained nothing more than quiet mumbles inside his head, never spoken aloud. Naturally, Haseo had no intention of sharing a "telepathic connection" with the Hokage.
Even without any reminders, Haseo clearly understood exactly what he needed to do at this critical moment.
Inside an empty underground chamber three levels below ground, sixteen figures stood present—**Jusan Kaori**, Haseo, Mito Uzumaki, and Kushina Uzumaki. In fact, these sixteen individuals were the only ones remaining throughout the vast underground base of Kagenami. As for the rest of the ninja stationed there, they had been granted temporary leave.
At this moment, every single barrier within the entire Kagenami Base had been completely sealed off—everything done to ensure that the Jinchuriki replacement process would not be interrupted.
As for the issue of the base being left unguarded and possibly invaded, come on, don't act like the Third Hokage would just ignore such a matter completely. After all, anyone who causes trouble for Haseo right now is practically desecrating Sarutobi Sansuke's grave.
...
The elderly Mito Uzumaki simply stood there quietly. Even now, her spirit remained remarkably strong. Although "only death should be considered truly serious," at this moment Mito seemed unusually relaxed.
This kind of composure far beyond ordinary people was genuinely admirable. At this moment, Haseo even felt that if he could maintain this same attitude when facing death, it would prove his life had been meaningful.
Probably only those who have experienced extraordinary things can regard death as something normal. In this aspect alone, perhaps Mito Uzumaki's state of mind surpassed even that of Hashirama, Tobirama, and Madara Uchiha, who spent their entire lives in constant battles.
The softer someone's heart, the stronger their willpower; the more sensitive their soul, the greater the pain they can bear… That's why people say men don't get it at all. Let someone as tough as Madara Uchiha go through childbirth once and see how he holds up.
Yet beneath this calmness of Mito Uzumaki's lay a sorrowful core. The end of her own life was always a sorrowful matter, but even that deep grief couldn't compare to how she felt when she lost Sansho.
That was definitely a deeper emotional wound than what Haseo or even Tsunade had ever experienced.
While everyone else was doing the final check on the barrier, only Haseo and Kushina Uzumaki stood by Lady Mito.
"Haseo..."
"Yes, Lady Mito."
Haseo had thought that next Mito Uzumaki would surely have something important to say, but instead he heard her ask, "What exactly is going on between you and my little Tsunade?"
Haseo was momentarily taken aback, then found himself somewhat embarrassed.
It wasn't that he didn't know how to answer, but this question had come completely out of nowhere. All along, Mito Uzumaki had never asked about such things before, so suddenly confronting this caught him off guard and left him confused.
But it got even more awkward when Mito Uzumaki added, "I was actually hoping I'd get to see a great-grandchild before I leave."
"N-no plans like that..."
Haseo had never imagined himself speaking so stiffly before.
He was so pure-hearted, definitely not the kind of guy like Sakumo Hatake who knocked women up like it was second nature. How could someone like him even have baby-making schemes? It wouldn't even make sense in the realm of far-fetched ideas.
Well, although Mito had never brought up such personal matters before, she had noticed everything carefully. One could only say her eyesight was exceptionally sharp.
Kushina blinked in curiosity next to them, clearly intrigued. She seemed to get part of it, but not quite all of it.
"The barrier has completed its final inspection, confirming no issues whatsoever." Fortunately, Uzumaki Shikou approached just then, helping Haseo avoid further embarrassment.
Just as Haseo started to reply, Lady Mito said, "Alright then, activate the barrier."
"All necessary arrangements have already been made, and all words needing said have been spoken. There's no need for hesitation."
"...Yes, Lady Mito."
Sansho always thought Shikou stayed silent far too long before finally turning to deliver the orders. That couldn't have just been his imagination.
Uzumaki Shikou withdrew, and Mokkō stepped forward.
The twelve Uzumaki shinobi took their designated positions. Then they began forming hand seals and simultaneously channeled their chakra into the rune arrays beneath their feet. Soon after, glowing lights spread across all six surfaces—floor, ceiling, and the four walls—within this vast chamber.
Chakra flowing through the techniques generated these luminous streams. Gradually illuminating the dim underground space, it suddenly felt as though everyone was immersed in a starry river.
Despite the solid ground beneath his feet, Haseo felt himself falling—adrift in a weightless void, like a lone traveler adrift among the stars.
Mito Uzumaki looked upward at the twinkling lights above, as if truly observing the night sky.
"I had a youth turbulent like a storm. Though it might be described as magnificent, ultimately, it was still unsteady…
Later, I met Hashirama. He was like a mountain, steadfast and immovable. So thereafter, I became grassland leaning beside the mountain, where endless flames burned across the plains… It seemed as if I could keep burning forever.
But later…
When the mountains vanished, the grasslands became no more than barren plains. Where then could everlasting flames exist?
Life has its ups and downs—but in the end, everything fades into stillness.
Sometimes I wonder: Can the last embers turn into ashes spreading throughout the world?
Or perhaps I'm merely wishing for one more minute of light—to brighten even a single corner of this world.
Yet… after thinking again and again, perhaps truly the kindest thing—for myself and for the world—is to let the flame die out."
Haseo opened his mouth, but in the end, said nothing at all. What qualification did he have to advise or comfort someone like Mito Uzumaki anyway?
"Now, my only hope is—if there really exists a purely spiritual realm—or rather bluntly put, if there's a world for the dead—I wish I could reunite with Miyuki again… Oh, she doesn't particularly like that name. Actually, I hope to reunite with Sansho once more.
Because reuniting means we'd never part again.
Haseo, you probably don't realize, but old age often brings such impractical dreams."
Yet it wasn't that Sansho disliked her own name; she merely felt unworthy of carrying it.
"Lady Mito, everything ahead remains unknown, and the unknown isn't the same as the impossible. Therefore, if the opportunity arises, you must definitely seek it out," Haseo finally couldn't help but speak up.
Even though this world contains countless mysterious ninjutsu, no one still can describe what the afterlife actually looks like.
Mito Uzumaki glanced at Haseo, then shook her head with a faint smile. She realized she might have spoken a little too much after all.
"Begin now. Step back slightly—you all need to make room. I'm about to release the Nine-Tails."
Upon hearing that…
Everyone ultimately followed Mito Uzumaki's arrangement.
Mito Uzumaki, Kushina, and Mokkō stepped back, taking positions in a triangular formation. Haseo stood slightly behind them, while the rest remained at a safer distance.
Mito Uzumaki began forming hand seals, and then…
With a furious roar, the massive chakra beast violently burst forth from her body's seal.
Without hesitation, The Nine-Tails charged at Haseo like a whirlwind.
However, as if he had anticipated this, Haseo's chakra surged outward in an incomparable explosion, immediately transforming into a deep brown "outer flame."
[Tenson Seichū]—Full power unleashed!
Haseo effortlessly dodged The Nine-Tails' monstrous gaping maw, yet with barely more than a sidestep—almost without moving—he retaliated by delivering an unimaginably powerful kick straight onto one of the fox's front legs.
A tailed beast is a living embodiment of energy, and although technically just a mimicry form, it does possess something equivalent to bones.
Thus, naturally, a loud and crisp snapping sound followed that impact, and in the next instant, the fox's leg bent backward with a sickening twist, reshaping its joint into a human-like knee that faced the wrong way.
You dare snarl at me? Then I'll snap your leg.
The Nine-Tails slammed hard against the ground, trying to struggle, but in the next moment, Haseo already had his foot firmly planted across its face.
The sheer impact drove the fox's muzzle deep into the earth. And due to the barrier technique's presence, the instant their chakra made contact, a corrosive reaction erupted between them, filling the space with sizzling sounds similar to squid grilling on a hot iron plate.
The Nine-Tails shot Haseo a glare brimming with hatred.
"As much as you hate me, there'll be time to chat later. Right now, not a single word from you is welcome."
Even weakened through significant division of its power, the Nine-Tails could never be subdued by such simple physical attacks alone—it certainly wouldn't obey Haseo.
Yet at that moment, three silver chains of chakra swiftly wrapped entirely around The Nine-Tails' body.
Three Uzumaki shinobi—three Adamantine Sealing Chains deployed.
While Kushina's role here was mostly symbolic, her willingness to attack without fear indicated that she hadn't wasted the past year of training under everyone's guidance.
Then, the celestial-seeming barrier began to constrict.
Just like how unexpectedly it had been forcibly divided before, this time The Nine-Tails—who had existed and raged for thousands of years, always regarded as a natural disaster—was once again simply and completely restrained purely by the power of the Uzumaki.
Humans may be great at taming beasts, but the Nine-Tails is far from becoming anyone's pet.
P.S. This chapter covers for yesterday's. Thanks for all the monthly votes!
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