Two different Sage Modes cannot coexist. While the composition of Senjutsu Chakra follows a 1:1:1 ratio, the manifestation of Sage Mode varies depending on how Senjutsu Chakra flows within the body, resulting in distinct facial markings.
For example, Hyuga Mirai's Sage Mode carries some characteristics of Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode, but it is primarily developed based on his own body as a template. When the Senjutsu Chakra he gathered entered Kushina Uzumaki's body, it followed the same flow pattern as his own Sage Mode, vastly different from that of Shikotsu Forest's Sage Mode.
Let alone two entirely different Sage Modes coexisting—Ayaka Uzumaki's Sage-Fox Cloak also took considerable time to master, and its success was mainly due to the Spirit Clone Technique.
"Trying to master two Sage Modes at once? Lady Kushina, you're certainly bold. You haven't even fully grasped my Sage Mode, yet you're whimsically attempting to learn Shikotsu Forest's Sage Mode. Who suggested this idea to you?"
Hyuga Mirai stroked his chin with a playful smirk and guessed, "Was it Danzo? He's probably the only one in Konoha who wants you dead. If you die, he'll have the chance to control the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. But the fact that you'd believe Danzo... that's truly surprising."
His half-joking remark made Kushina's expression darken immediately. The slug beside her shrank slightly, slowly crawling behind her.
This scenario wasn't impossible. Considering how the village currently treated Naruto, almost no villagers or children his age were willing to befriend him—even though he was the son of the Fourth Hokage.
It wasn't difficult to guess who was behind this.
Sealed with the Nine-Tails? A constant risk of going berserk? What a joke. While the fact that Naruto was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki wasn't the most classified information in Konoha, it certainly wasn't something ordinary villagers should be aware of.
When Kushina confronted the Third Hokage about it, he had simply given her a vague assurance that the issue would be "handled" and that no one would gossip about Naruto again before dismissing her.
"You came here because of Naruto, didn't you?" Kushina's voice was calm, but her hands clenched tightly beneath the table.
"You could say that," Hyuga Mirai replied casually. "Naruto holds the greatest value, after all. But Lady Kushina, don't underestimate yourself—you are his only hope."
Naruto's greatest significance wasn't the half of the Nine-Tails sealed within him, but rather the fact that he was the reincarnation of Asura's chakra.
Asura's case was understandable—after all, he had received the Sage of Six Paths' inheritance. But why had Indra's chakra continued to reincarnate for over a thousand years?
Hyuga Mirai had already surpassed most of the shinobi world, standing at the very peak. With the Tenseigan activated, he wielded near-Six Paths-level power and could control Truth-Seeking Orbs.
Yet even with all his power, his chakra would eventually dissipate after a few decades. The gap between him and those reincarnating chakras was something he couldn't ignore.
"So, you really are after Naruto," Kushina sneered. "My son may not be loved by the villagers, but plenty of people sure seem eager to get close to him."
Hyuga Mirai raised an eyebrow and asked, "Besides Danzo, who else in Konoha has shown interest in the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki?"
"A toad—apparently one of Jiraiya's summons."
Kushina glanced at him before continuing, "Jiraiya died at your hands, didn't he? That toad never explicitly said it, but the fact that Jiraiya hasn't appeared, and the Third Hokage's odd demeanor, makes it clear he's dead. Also… I accidentally overheard that the Third Hokage is searching for Lady Tsunade."
"A toad? Must be that one that escaped—Shima." Hyuga Mirai frowned slightly. These frogs dared to cause trouble even after Fukasaku had been killed?
He made a mental note—when he got back, he'd have No. 18 bring in heavy artillery and wipe out Mount Myoboku.
If the toads had stayed out of it, he might have ignored them due to other pressing matters. But since they were so eager to jump into the fray, they were only proving one thing—like frogs leaping onto a predator's foot.
Kushina scoffed, "Of course, I refused. I'd rather have Naruto sign a summoning contract with the Slugs than let him get involved with scheming creatures. At least the Slugs genuinely care for him and could become trustworthy partners in the future."
Hearing this, Ayaka Uzumaki became visibly displeased. "Kushina, are you implying that Lord Mirai has ulterior motives?"
"You're the one saying that, Ayaka," Kushina replied. "And lower your voice—you'll wake Naruto."
"You're too slow, Kushina. Your son has been awake and standing at the door for quite a while now."
As Ayaka spoke, Kushina turned in shock toward the slightly ajar door. Peering through the narrow gap, she caught sight of a pair of deep blue eyes.
Hyuga Mirai and Ayaka had long noticed Naruto's presence. Their Byakugan and Kagura Mind's Eye had never been deactivated.
Realizing he'd been spotted, Naruto hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open. Scratching his head, he said awkwardly, "Mom, I wasn't trying to eavesdrop. I just got up to use the bathroom and heard you talking..."
Kushina quickly pulled him close, but Naruto kept sneaking glances at Hyuga Mirai and Ayaka—especially Ayaka, whose red hair matched his mother's and gave him an oddly familiar feeling.
"The noise was getting a bit loud. Ayaka, if you don't mind," Hyuga Mirai said, signaling to her.
Ayaka nodded. "Understood, Lord Mirai." She swiftly formed hand seals, setting up a barrier around Kushina's home. The chakra control was precise, ensuring it wouldn't alert the ANBU stationed outside.
These ANBU had been guarding Kushina for years, and aside from the incident with the Hidden Cloud, nothing major had happened. Since Hyuga Mirai and Ayaka had entered unnoticed, the ANBU had no reason to be suspicious.
"Are you one of my mom's clansmen?" Naruto asked Ayaka curiously. "Your hair is just like hers. You must be from the Uzumaki clan, right?"
"That's right. You should call me Aunt Ayaka," she replied before glancing at Kushina. "Kushina, I'm surprised you told Naruto about the Uzumaki clan. I thought he only knew himself as Namikaze Naruto."
Kushina fell silent, offering no response. Naruto, sensing the shift in atmosphere, tactfully lowered his head and leaned against his mother.
"Naruto," Hyuga Mirai spoke, his Byakugan glowing faintly as he fixed his gaze on the boy. "I've heard that the villagers shun you. Some even disrespect your father, saying he shouldn't have sealed the Nine-Tails inside you. Doesn't that make you angry?"
Under the overwhelming presence of Mirai's white eyes, Naruto hesitated before clenching his fists and answering, "It doesn't matter. One day, they'll understand my dad's intentions. I'll become a great Hokage, just like him, and earn their recognition!"
"Naruto, I don't think your father was all that great. At most, he protected the village—something many others have done, and even more have sacrificed for. If anyone should be grateful, it's the villagers."
Hyuga Mirai leaned forward slightly. "And yet, your most admired father is being misunderstood by those very people. But you don't seem angry about it."
"They'll understand eventually! My dad was a great man!" Naruto shouted.
Without the barrier Ayaka had set up, his voice would have been detected by the ANBU outside.
"Of course, when you prove yourself useful—when you risk your life for them again—they will acknowledge you and, at last, understand the Fourth Hokage's decision."
Hyuga Mirai seemed intent on pressing the issue. "But Naruto, your father's so-called greatness only extends to the villagers. If I had been his age back then, the position of Fourth Hokage could have gone to either of us. You can ask your mother if you don't believe me."
Naruto turned to Kushina for confirmation, but she remained silent.
Her silence was answer enough.
If Hyuga Mirai had been the same age as Minato, his talent alone would have made him a serious competitor, even against Minato's mastery of the Flying Raijin Jutsu. Add in his advanced medical ninjutsu and natural charisma, and Minato might not have stood a chance.
Aside from his status as a branch member of the Hyuga clan, Minato had no real advantage over him. Kushina knew this all too well. Given Mirai's cunning nature, not even the shackles of the Hyuga clan's Caged Bird Seal could have truly restrained him.
She glanced at Mirai's forehead, which was now smooth and unmarked—he had even managed to erase the Caged Bird Seal. He had extended her life after the Nine-Tails was extracted.
What else was this man incapable of?
Kushina's silence was the only answer Naruto needed. His expression fell.
"So, Naruto-kun, doesn't that mean your father was a bit foolish? He risked his life, only to be misunderstood. The villagers don't appreciate him, they resent him. Your mother and you struggle just to get by. Whether as Hokage or as a family man, he seems to have failed in both roles."
"That's not true! My dad, he… he just…"
Naruto's small face contorted in frustration. He wanted to argue back but couldn't find the right words. His experiences were limited, and he didn't have the vocabulary to counter Mirai's logic.
Mirai tapped the table twice, cutting Naruto off. "Naruto-kun, let's end the debate here. It's late—you should get some rest. Kids shouldn't stay up too late."
He then glanced at Kushina, who took the cue and said, "Naruto, we still have things to discuss. Go to bed now."
"...Okay, I got it," Naruto mumbled, looking dejected as he left for his room.
The moment Naruto was gone, Kushina turned to Mirai with urgency. "Why did you say those things to him?"
"Don't be upset, Lady Kushina. I was just testing something. Don't you think there's something odd about Naruto?"
"Testing? What do you mean? What's odd about him?"
"He doesn't seem to get angry. I insulted Namikaze Minato right in front of him, and yet he didn't show any real anger or outrage. Did you teach him that? Or was he influenced by someone else?"
Mirai stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Strange, isn't it? A child his age should have a temper. Yet when I called Minato foolish, he didn't get mad. What do you think it would take to truly make Naruto angry?"
(End of Chapter)