Chapter 200: Abduct Both the Nine-Tails and Minato
Land of Whirlpools Cemetery.
Masahiko personally presided over Gensuke's funeral.
The "state structure" of the Land of Whirlpools was quite different from the Five Great Nations. Although there was a Daimyo, there weren't really any ministers or officials, nor was there anyone suitable to preside over a state funeral. Rather than a Daimyo, Gensuke was more like the "Clan Head" of the Land of Whirlpools. He managed the affairs of the commoners—relocation, sowing, and the economy were all handled by him personally. The only ones who could assist him were the elites of the Patrol Squad, Izuko, or Kushina's father.
Originally, Izuko was scheduled to preside over the funeral. However, after the news of Gensuke's passing spread, Masahiko saw many commoners weeping in grief. Only then did he realize that Gensuke had indeed been a good Daimyo all these years and held high prestige.
"After all, he was the first Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools. It's better if I preside over the funeral myself." Masahiko sighed inwardly. He took the lead in placing a bouquet of flowers for Gensuke, then stood aside, watching as the ninjas and civilians of the Land of Whirlpools offered flowers in an orderly fashion.
Throughout the funeral, although he presided over it, he didn't say a single word. The flower offering ceremony lasted a whole day, until the sky grew dim.
"Most of the people in the Land of Whirlpools came. I acknowledge you too, Gensuke." Although it was late, Masahiko shamelessly hoped Gensuke could rest in peace...
Masahiko murmured softly, then directly announced the end of the funeral, letting the Patrol Squad members guide the crowd to the exit.
Although the funeral was over, Masahiko had more important things to do.
Originally, in his mind, Gensuke could have served as Daimyo for at least another five or ten years. By then, Nagato would have grown up and could take over the position of Daimyo.
But now, Gensuke had passed away suddenly, and Nagato was not yet eleven years old. Letting him take over as Daimyo would be too ridiculous.
"Then, let Kushina's father do it?" Masahiko hesitated.
It was laughable to say, but he didn't even know Kushina's father's name. He rarely cared about things outside his small inner circle. He cared about Nanako because she was his disciple; he cared about Kushina because she was Naruto's mother and he had cultivated feelings for her since childhood. As for Kushina's father, Nanako's son... he just knew such a person existed... Masahiko wasn't really at ease suddenly letting him be the Daimyo.
"I'll ask for the opinions of my other disciples."
Ignoring Kento, Masahiko went directly to his two female disciples to ask for their opinions.
"Sensei, Nikawa should be able to do a good job as Daimyo. Gensuke has been grooming him for the past two years." Nanako didn't shy away and directly recommended her son, and Izuko didn't show any objection either.
Masahiko nodded. "It seems Gensuke was prepared... Then let's do that. Tell him to get ready; the position of Daimyo cannot be left vacant."
Nanako responded, then hesitated before saying, "After attending the funeral, Kushina locked herself in her room. Could you go and comfort her?"
"Was her relationship with Gensuke that deep?" Masahiko was slightly puzzled. As a Daimyo, Gensuke was usually very busy and shouldn't have spent much time with Kushina.
Arriving at Kushina's door, Masahiko first called out, "Kushina, I'm opening the door."
After waiting for a few seconds, Masahiko used gravitational force to unlock the door and walked in. After all, it was a girl's boudoir; even as a great-great-grandfather, he had to be respectful.
Kushina was sitting on the bed hugging her knees, her eyes slightly red. She didn't look devastated with grief; instead, she seemed to be thinking about something.
"What are you thinking about?" Masahiko paused for a moment before speaking.
"Great-Great-Grandpa, is it selfish of me to want to stay in Konoha for Minato?"
Masahiko was startled; he didn't expect Kushina to ask this question.
"What's selfish about pursuing the person you like?"
"But as the Princess of the Land of Whirlpools, I should have my own responsibilities. Grandfather dedicated his whole life to the Land of Whirlpools, but I..."
"As the Princess of the Land of Whirlpools, you do have your responsibilities, but you shouldn't sacrifice your own happiness."
Masahiko shook his head. "Gensuke worked very hard as the Daimyo, but that was the life he wanted. He chose it himself, and he didn't regret it until the end."
"If you marry into Konoha, you can find happiness yourself, and you can also make the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools closer."
"If that counts as selfish, then I, your Great-Great-Grandpa, am the most selfish person. As the Great Elder of the Uzumaki Clan, I only brought some help to the clan's development when I was nearly a hundred years old. But before that? Without me, the relationship between the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha wouldn't be this good. Maybe it would have disappeared in some sudden war long ago."
Kushina suddenly raised her head, her eyes frighteningly bright. "Then wouldn't it be the same if I make Minato marry over here?"
"What?" Masahiko was stunned, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Kushina really dared to think.
"Then work hard at it. Good luck!" After a moment of quiet, Masahiko offered encouragement.
After a brief silence, Kushina spoke again with doubt, "Great-Great-Grandpa, I want to know what exactly happened that time Minato saved me a few years ago."
"You realized something was wrong?"
Masahiko asked with a smile. There were many flaws in that incident. The biggest flaw was that after the ninja from the Cloud Village kidnapped Kushina, Masahiko actually didn't retaliate against the Cloud Village.
Kushina nodded, and Masahiko continued.
"This matter starts with the story I told you when you were little."
"The Nine-Tails?" Over the years, Kushina had learned about the Nine-Tails.
Masahiko nodded. "Mito is getting old after all, and Konoha needs the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Your constitution is just right, so they arranged this play."
"Is that so?" Kushina sighed. "Then the ones who kidnapped me back then..."
"They were members of the Anbu."
Kushina's expression changed several times. Masahiko smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry, Minato didn't know beforehand. It was entirely arranged by Hiruzen and Danzo."
Kushina breathed a sigh of relief. Masahiko continued, "Because the ultimate goal of this matter wasn't bad—it brought you and Minato together—I never really pursued it. However, I did give Hiruzen a warning."
Kushina fell into silence. After a long while, she clenched her fist, as if she had made a decision.
Masahiko was startled and asked, "What? Still thinking about abducting Minato back here?"
Kushina shook her head, then nodded. "I'm going to abduct both the Nine-Tails and Minato back here!"
Masahiko laughed and nodded. "Then work hard. I hope to see that day."
He really wanted to see it. If that really happened, Hiruzen's expression would be magnificent. As for the plot and whatnot, as long as Naruto could be born smoothly, it was fine. He would take it one step at a time.
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