Immediately after, an ANBU operative wearing a mask stepped inside.
"Lord Hokage, Kushina asked me to deliver this letter to you."
"A letter from Kushina?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered as he took the letter from the ANBU's hand.
The moment he glanced at it, his eyes narrowed.
"She wants to stop being monitored? She wants to go on missions outside the village like an ordinary shinobi?"
"Freedom?"
Reading the contents of the letter, Sarutobi Hiruzen put his pipe back in his mouth, and soon the entire Hokage office was shrouded in smoke.
A long while later, Sarutobi Hiruzen set the letter aflame.
"Looks like it's time to move forward with the next phase of the plan."
In the firelight, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was resolute. "Kushina, don't blame me. It's all for the village."
"Besides, for you, Minato really is a good choice, isn't he?"
Humans are social creatures, rich with emotion.
The best way to control someone is through their feelings.
Family love, friendship, romantic love...
The deeper the bond, the more willing they become to sacrifice themselves for the village.
This was his specialty.
Konoha Village.
Three-Color Dango shop.
The shop was bustling with people, the noise a little overwhelming.
But a red-haired girl sat mechanically eating the dango in her hand, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.
Sitting across from the girl was a boy with bright blond hair.
Seeing the girl space out, the boy's face brightened with a sunny smile as he asked, "Kushina, what are you thinking about?"
Hearing the boy's voice, Uzumaki Kushina came back to herself, shook that certain figure out of her mind, then asked, "Minato, you know about my situation, right? Being monitored every day—it's really hard."
Hearing such words, Uzumaki Kushina felt inexplicably repelled. She couldn't help but ask, "Who told you to say that?"
"Jiraiya-sensei did."
Seeing Uzumaki Kushina's mood drop, Namikaze Minato said gently, "Kushina, isn't your dream to become Hokage? Earning everyone's recognition isn't easy."
Uzumaki Kushina nodded, then asked again, "Minato, if recognition is earned through compromise, does it have any meaning?"
"For example, forcing yourself to do things you don't like in order to become Hokage—is the recognition you get from that real recognition?"
Though Namikaze Minato was intelligent, he was still young and inexperienced. The only education he'd received was the Will of Fire taught at the ninja academy. Faced with Uzumaki Kushina's philosophical question, he clearly didn't know how to respond.
After thinking for a long time, he finally said slowly, "Becoming Hokage is the goal I want to achieve most. For that goal, I'm willing to do anything. There's no question of liking or not liking it."
Looking at Namikaze Minato's unwavering gaze, Uzumaki Kushina propped her chin in her hand and sighed. "Minato, I'm saying I don't want to become a Jinchuriki. I just want to live freely."
This question was simple.
"That's not possible."
Uzumaki Kushina shook her head. "In the entire village, only I can suppress the Nine-Tails."
"Ah, I see..."
Namikaze Minato scratched his head, unsure what to say for a moment, and could only smile awkwardly without replying.
Seeing him like this, Uzumaki Kushina waved her hand. "Never mind. Let me ask you this: if you became Hokage, would you force someone else to become a Jinchuriki in this kind of situation?"
"Kushina, I think you're overthinking this. There must be other solutions. Becoming a Jinchuriki doesn't necessarily mean losing your freedom."
Namikaze Minato's gaze grew firm once more. "Besides, the Will of Fire tells us that sometimes, for the sake of the village, personal sacrifice is inevitable."
"I see. I have some things to do, so I'll be going now."
Knowing Minato's personality well, Uzumaki Kushina didn't press the issue. She simply stood up and left.
Yuzuru and Minato were her two best friends aside from Mikoto. Yet now, faced with the same question, they had given her two completely different answers.
How was she supposed to choose?
For a moment, Uzumaki Kushina felt more lost than ever.
Perhaps Yuzuru was right. Answers to things like this couldn't be found in the words of others; she had to figure it out for herself.
Konoha Village.
Inside a training ground.
Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, clapping his hands with a beaming smile. "Minato, it's getting late. Let's end today's training here."
Hearing this, Namikaze Minato immediately ran to Sarutobi Hiruzen's side, scratching his head sheepishly. "Lord Hokage, I'm so sorry. I didn't notice the time."
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand with a kindly expression, showing no sign of annoyance. "With Jiraiya staying in the Rain Village for so long, consider this me fulfilling his responsibilities as a teacher."
"It's just that I'm usually very busy and can only spare a little time to guide you now and then. You mustn't hold it against me."
Minato hurriedly replied, "How could I? It's my honor to receive guidance from the Lord Hokage."
Seeing Minato's earnestness, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded in satisfaction. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he tapped his forehead.
"Look at me, getting old and forgetful. I almost forgot."
Sarutobi Hiruzen reached into his robe and pulled out a letter. "Minato, Kushina wrote to me not long ago. This is my reply. Could you deliver it to her for me?"
Namikaze Minato tucked the letter into his own robe. "No problem. Leave it to me."
A look of apology appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face. "I'm sorry to make you run an errand this late. It's hard work."
"It's no trouble at all."
Namikaze Minato glanced at the moon in the sky. "I'll head over right now."
Watching Minato's retreating figure, the smile on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face gradually vanished. He murmured, as if to himself, "Go on."
In the night, the trees swayed without wind as several silhouettes vanished into the darkness.
"Kushina, thank you for your hard work, coming to look after an old woman like me so late at night."
"Grandma Mito, don't say that. You're my only family in this world. It's only right that I take care of you."
"Besides, I don't have to go on missions like other ninja, so I'm not tired."
Under the dim yellow light, Uzumaki Mito leaned against the headboard of her bed.
Her once youthful and beautiful appearance was long gone, replaced by a head of silver hair and wrinkled skin.
Watching Uzumaki Kushina busy herself around the room, a flash of heartache passed through Uzumaki Mito's eyes.
Since Tsunade left the village, this vast estate was occupied only by her and Kushina.
The world was truly unpredictable.
Just as Uzumaki Mito was lost in her thoughts, Uzumaki Kushina finished tidying up. She picked up the trash bag and spoke with a bright tone, "Grandma Mito, rest early. I'm heading out."
Watching Kushina push the door open and leave, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help but shake her head.
Such a sensible, good child.
It was a pity that her days ahead were destined to be anything but peaceful.
As a Jinchuriki, even she had ended up isolated and alone. Kushina's path would likely be even harder.
Thinking of how high-spirited the Senju clan used to be, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Sigh...
How had things turned out like this in just a few short years?
Leaving Uzumaki Mito's room, Uzumaki Kushina tossed out the trash.
Walking through the Senju clan compound, she felt an emptiness in her heart.
She had thought about it over and over these past few days, and finally, she had decided to accept her fate—
To become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
Although she truly wanted to be an ordinary person, free and unfettered, ever since she came to Konoha, the Third Hokage had always cared for her. He had been tolerant of her willfulness and looked after her daily life, helping and teaching her like a kind grandfather.
She couldn't be too selfish.
Even if only to repay this kindness, she would stay in the village properly.
And just as Minato said, perhaps there would be other ways for her to possess a certain degree of freedom.
Right. I should find time to tell Yuzuru about my decision.
Uzumaki Kushina calculated silently in her heart.
Of course, even though she had chosen to proceed with becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina didn't think Yuzuru's way of thinking was wrong.
Just as Yuzuru had said himself, that was simply the nature of the Uchiha clan.
She just hoped Yuzuru wouldn't be angry with her.
Just as Uzumaki Kushina was lost in thought, three dark shadows suddenly appeared beside her.
"Who are you?!"
Kushina cried out in alarm, several shuriken flying from her hands.
She immediately prepared to weave signs for a ninjutsu to create an opening for escape.
Unfortunately, the enemies were faster.
The three of them attacked together. Before she could mount any effective resistance, a handkerchief was pressed over her nose and mouth.
Moments later, Uzumaki Kushina fell into a deep sleep.
Late at night.
Konoha Village entrance.
Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Yakumi followed silently behind their squad leader, Uchiha En.
Glancing around, Uchiha Inabi couldn't help but mutter, "Night watch is supposed to rotate once a month, right?"
"It's been almost two months. Why are we still on night duty?"
For a ninja, living with day and night reversed was a minor issue. The main problem was that it made training inconvenient.
At this rate, when would they ever become as strong as Captain Yuzuru?
Hearing Inabi's complaint, Uchiha Yakumi whispered, "It seems Captain Yuzuru voluntarily swapped shifts with Captain Rikka."
"Huh? Why?"
"I don't know. Maybe to curry favor with his future father-in-law?"
"Hiss! That makes sense!"
"Inabi, Yakumi, what are you two muttering about? Focus."
Hearing Uchiha En's warning from the front, Uchiha Inabi and Uchiha Yakumi immediately shut their mouths. "Understood, Captain."
The group didn't notice that after they passed, three dark figures swiftly skimmed through the night not far away...
"Finally."
In the darkness, Uchiha Yuzuru opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth curving up slightly.
By the moonlight, he clearly saw Uzumaki Kushina being abducted by three people, speeding toward the outside of the village.
Without any hesitation, Uchiha Yuzuru grabbed his long sword and quickly pursued them.
In the original story, in the forty-first year of Konoha, Uzumaki Kushina was kidnapped by Kumogakure.
Judging by the clothing and environment of the time, it should have been during the transition between summer and autumn.