Chapter 33: The Unmasked Heart
Uzumaki Mito felt a pang of sorrow witnessing Kagenori's wariness toward her. Over recent years, she'd observed his treatment of Kushina—both relieving and troubling. While their bond warmed her heart, their isolation concerned her—Kagenori had no other friends, nor did Kushina.
Moreover, since Kagenori relocated and Sarutobi's hospital visit reduced open mockery from Konoha villagers, she'd asked him, "Do you feel belonging to Konoha now?"
His answer—"I'll always belong to Konoha"—was clearly false. Worse, she sensed his underlying malice toward the village.
Then she understood: Kagenori had always hated Konoha.
Why wouldn't he? Persecuted by the Uchiha clan, he'd nearly died in the womb. His parents were forced to defect, hunted by ANBU. After their deaths, he returned to Konoha only to face Uchiha rejection and universal scorn.
How could he not hate Konoha?
And he'd been disguising himself—since returning at age four, continuing even now. He endured pressures no child should bear.
Uzumaki Mito wanted to help but felt powerless. On one side, her husband's clan; on the other, the village he founded. She longed to tell Kagenori not to hate Konoha, but couldn't—she'd no right.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Kushina tugged Mito's sleeve. "Grandma Mito? What's wrong?"
Forcing a smile, Mito replied, "Nothing, Kushina. May I speak with Kagenori alone?"
The innocent girl agreed immediately. "Of course!"
As she turned to leave, Kagenori grasped her hand, addressing Mito. "Lady Mito, Orochimaru-sensei assigned heavy coursework. I'll chat briefly with Kushina before departing."
He suspected private conversation with Mito would prove troublesome—and saw no need for it anyway. Since Mito intended Kushina to become Jinchūriki, they stood on opposing sides.
Even Kushina now noticed the tension. "Kagenori... Grandma Mito..."
Sighing, Mito said, "Kagenori, I wish to speak not as Konoha's representative but as Kushina's elder. Is that unacceptable?"
Frowning at Kushina's discomfort, Kagenori released her hand. "I understand. Kushina, wait outside. I'll join you shortly."
After her departure, Kagenori faced Mito. "What did you wish to discuss, Lady Mito?"
"Kagenori, as my husband's clansmember, I'm also your elder."
He lowered his head slightly. "Lady Mito, I've no family name."
Her smile turned bitter. No family name... denying Senju heritage...
Shaking her head helplessly, she continued, "Kagenori, I'm relieved to entrust Kushina's future to you..."
His head lifted instantly—only Kushina could provoke genuine reactions, confirming her importance to him.
Mito proceeded, "Our Uzumaki clan possesses special constitutions—massive innate chakra, potent vitality. What I'll share next is Konoha's secret—"
Suddenly, she sensed intensifying malice from Kagenori. Though his expression remained neutral, she felt certain it targeted her.
Puzzled, she wondered—why such hostility before she'd even spoken? Unless... he already knew something?
Her eyes narrowed. Could Kagenori possess foreknowledge?
Of course he did.
First mentioning Uzumaki physiology, then Konoha's secrets—clearly leading toward the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki revelation.
Noticing Mito's scrutiny, Kagenori's heart lurched. Had she detected something? He'd always controlled his expressions meticulously.
Then he shuddered, expression darkening—he'd forgotten something crucial! The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki's ability: malice sensing.
No wonder Mito had said he needn't be so guarded—she'd sensed his wariness all along. What a troublesome ability—rendering his disguises useless before her.
Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. If disguise proved impossible, he'd discard it entirely.
Sensing his shift, Mito met his gaze seriously. "Indeed, Kagenori—you know about the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. You know why Kushina came to Konoha."
"Lady Mito, I've no way of knowing."
No longer pretending, he spoke openly—let her speculate, but he wouldn't confirm.
Frowning slightly, Mito acknowledged, "True, you shouldn't know—yet you do. Your malice stems from Konoha making Kushina a Jinchūriki?"
"Lady Mito, that's Konoha's decision. I've no right to question or interfere."
Speaking with Kagenori exhausted her—the boy remained stubbornly unyielding.