The drinks were flowing and the feast was in full swing.
Everyone was already a little tipsy, and the birthday banquet was nearing its end.
"This is from Grandma for you."
Seizing a quiet moment between conversations, Mito was the first to present a gift.
She hadn't stopped smiling all night.
It was a red envelope—strangely familiar.
"Thank you, Grandma."
Kushina's cheeks were flushed as she bowed slightly and accepted it with both hands.
"Can I open it and take a look?"
Maybe the alcohol had gone to her head, but before Mito could even respond, Kushina had already peeked inside by opening one corner.
No wonder it looked familiar!!
Inside the red envelope was a land deed—exactly the same as the one she'd received when Misaki got married.
Mito knew she wouldn't be around to see Kushina's wedding day.
Handing over the dowry now felt like a fitting choice.
"You're such a child…"
Smiling, Mito shook her head. Oh well, she'd seen it already anyway.
"Grandma, this is too valuable—I can't accept it."
Kushina gave it a quick glance, her intoxication beginning to fade.
This red envelope was worth far too much!!!
She used to joke about asking Grandma for one someday, but now that it was in her hands, she hesitated.
After all, she wasn't really her granddaughter.
No matter why Mito had adopted her, Kushina was deeply grateful—how could she possibly accept such an invaluable gift?
"What do you mean you can't accept it?"
"Think of it as your dowry given ahead of time."
Mito pretended to scold her and pushed Kushina's hand back.
"Well then wait until my wedding and give it to me later!"
Kushina kept refusing, not even considering why Mito might want to give it early.
"You should just take it."
"If you don't, what if Grandma changes her mind after this chance?"
Kawaki broke the tension with a light-hearted remark, sounding perfectly natural.
"Change my mind? This is meant for you."
"And all three of you are Grandma's most beloved ones."
"I'll give each of you one—no favorites."
Glancing at Kawaki, Mito didn't show any gratitude.
She placed Kushina on equal footing with Tsunade and Nawaki—that was truly how she felt.
Just as warmth rose in Kushina's heart, Mito suddenly teased her again.
"If you really feel uneasy about it, just let Minato keep it for you."
"It's basically the same thing anyway."
Mito said playfully, playfully gesturing toward Minato with a wink.
It was also a clear sign that she approved of their romance.
"Grandma~ How can you say there's no difference?"
If those words came from anyone else, Kushina might have felt smug.
But coming from Mito, she could only feel embarrassed.
"But I…"
Suddenly called out, Minato didn't dare hesitate and immediately prepared to decline.
He definitely couldn't take responsibility for keeping that red envelope.
"Ahem~"
Kawaki covered his mouth and coughed lightly at just the right moment, immediately catching everyone's attention.
"Sorry, my throat itched a bit."
He brushed it off casually, sending Minato a subtle glance at the same time.
"Oh I love this red envelope so much! Thank you, Grandma!"
Minato caught on immediately and followed Kawaki's unspoken suggestion.
Without another word, he took the red envelope from Kushina's hands, wearing a greedy gleam in his eyes.
"Don't hold back. Treat her well from now on."
Mito smiled slightly at the sight, bearing no grudge.
"Of course. Don't worry about that."
Before Minato could even finish putting the red envelope away, he scratched his head with an embarrassed grin.
"I'm so angry!"
Kushina glared viciously at Minato.
He actually stood up to her now.
Minato shrugged helplessly but didn't argue back—he was helpless too.
Now that everything was settled, Kushina stopped dodging the matter.
Taking Mito's cue, everyone else began offering their gifts.
Kushina accepted each blessing graciously, thanking everyone one by one.
As they received good wishes, it was only natural that both she and Minato got teased.
Their turn for a wedding would surely come next.
After they finished the birthday cake, Kushina saw everyone off at the door.
"Kawaki, Tsunade, you two wait a moment."
"Come with me."
Mito stopped Kawaki and Tsunade who were preparing to leave.
"Okay."
"Ginji, stay with Uncle Nawaki for a while."
Kawaki handed Ginji to Uncle Nawaki, then followed behind Mito's slow steps.
Something seemed off, and his expression grew serious.
Tsunade stayed close to Kawaki, and the three entered the bedroom one after another.
"Sit down."
Mito sat down by the edge of the bed herself, her gaze distant.
"Grandma, what did you call us here for?"
Tsunade approached Mito and sat down beside her.
"Since you're the Hokage now, I thought I should formally greet you."
Mito paused, gathering her thoughts, leaving Tsunade puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
Tsunade frowned. Grandma had never involved herself in village affairs before.
"I plan to release the Nine-Tailed Fox's Tailed Beast Sealing."
Mito said it casually, as if discussing some insignificant little matter.
"Oh, do as you please."
"No need to tell—"
"WAIT, WHAT DID YOU SAY???"
Tsunade's head felt dizzy, failing to fully grasp the meaning at first.
Her alcohol-induced haze instantly vanished. She shot to her feet.
Her eyes flew wide open, her whole body seemingly frozen stiff.
She clearly understood exactly what releasing the Tailed Beast's seal implied.
"You heard correctly."
"After all these years, it's time for Grandma to go find your grandfather."
"He must've missed me terribly over there."
Mito reached out, pulling the stunned Tsunade back down to sit beside her, still wearing a gentle smile on her face.
"There's nothing I regret in this life."
"She's long made peace with the cycle of life and death."
"Grandma~"
"I…"
Not even a complete sentence came out before Tsunade's tears began flowing uncontrollably.
Her vision blurred, eyes reddening as Mito's figure right in front of her became hazy.
"Foolish child, this day would come eventually."
"Grandma has stayed with you long enough. If I don't go soon, your grandfather will get jealous."
Mito gently stroked Tsunade's head, just like when she was young.
Alas, time flies—Grandma can't stay with you forever.
"Grandma~ can't we—can't we delay it just a little longer?"
Kawaki looked away for a moment, then turned back again.
"When fate arrives, resistance is futile."
Mito slowly shook her head.
Her body, beneath that youthful appearance, had already reached its limit.
"No, I don't believe it."
"I'll go find Orochimaru right away. There must still be a way."
Tsunade said, standing up again, roughly wiping away her tears before heading for the door. It was as if all her strength had returned.
She refused to dwell on it—didn't even dare to consider it!!
If there truly were another method, why would Mito ever wish to leave them behind?
"Snap out of it."
"Do you still look like the Hokage at all?"
Mito's sharp voice rang out, and Tsunade instantly froze mid-step.
The tears she had just managed to stop now began pouring down like rain, landing on the floor in perfect little circles.
"With my current condition, I can still safely seal the Nine-Tails."
"There's no need to prolong this any further—delaying will only bring unnecessary complications."
Mito explained calmly, completely crushing Tsunade's final hope.
"I know how much this hurts you."
"It pains me too, but ... you're still the Hokage."
Kawaki let out a long breath, pulling Tsunade down beside him to sit. He then reached over and wiped the tears from her face.
"..."
Tsunade couldn't say anything, reduced to mechanical sobs.
"I have two suitable candidates in mind. The reason I called you both here is to discuss this together."
"Kushina has long been chosen as the Nine-Tails' vessel."
"As unfair as that may seem, it was decided the moment she arrived in Konoha."
"As for Misaki, her choice was somewhat unexpected."
"But she's highly talented and quickly mastered sealing techniques."
"She's a bit older, but still a suitable choice."
"I believe they'll both understand."
Mito sighed, almost talking to herself as much as to them.
It was clear from her expression that she felt deeply troubled. She knew better than anyone the agony of being a jinchūriki.
Once a person became a jinchūriki, death was their only escape.
Not only did they suffer constant attacks from the tailed beast within, but they often faced harsh treatment from others.
And yet, neither of these girls possessed the same strength or status that she herself had.
One was like her granddaughter; the other would one day be her daughter-in-law.
No matter who she chose, she would never feel at peace.
Hashirama Senju… you really left me quite the dilemma.
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