Before Mito could even speak, chaos had already erupted from the Nine-Tailed Fox's side.
"Waterfall, you old hag," the beast roared at her.
"You're about to die, yet you still won't set me free?"
The Nine-Tailed Fox bellowed furiously as its chakra chains clanged violently against the stone orb binding it.
It seemed aware of what was happening beyond its prison.
It appeared that the Nine-Tailed Fox would rather perish with Mito than be sealed once more.
You talk too much.
Mito shot it a cold glare, her voice dripping with impatience.
Without moving a muscle, chakra chains erupted from her back, lashing toward the beast.
The chains struck like merciless iron whips across the fox's massive body.
"Ahhh!"
The fox howled in pain—momentarily forgetting that this 'old hag' had never been one for patience.
The stone orb trembled as the beast struggled, scattering bits of debris with every violent jerk.
Watching from the sidelines, Misaki and Kushina stood stunned into silence, hardly absorbing the crucial truth the Nine-Tailed Fox had just revealed.
Is Grandma really this strong?
"It really is the Nine-Tailed Fox."
"This place is the sealing realm within my body."
Turning around, Mito's face softened once more into a warm, grandmotherly smile.
And yet, the echoes of the fox's cries still lingered in their ears.
"Grandma, why did you bring us here?"
Misaki felt increasingly confused. Only today had she learned that her grandma was a jinchūriki all along.
But honestly, who could blame her? No one had ever told her, and Mito had never once used the Nine-Tails' power.
"I think you've figured it out by now."
"Child, Grandma doesn't have much time left."
Mito turned her gentle gaze to Kushina, her voice soft and tender.
"The moment I arrived in Konoha, your fate was already decided."
"I'm sorry on behalf of Konoha—it's not fair to you."
"Your arrival gave Grandma a new choice."
"But I've made up my mind."
"If neither of you wants to become a jinchūriki, then I'll leave with the Nine-Tails myself."
"After all, Kawaki is here now. The Nine-Tails won't cause much trouble in the future anyway."
Compared to the original story, this version of Mito had far more autonomy—and no one would try to guilt-trip her morally.
Especially since Konoha already had a jinchūriki.
What would happen several years later when the Nine-Tailed Fox resurfaced was no longer her concern.
"Grandma, are you… leaving us?"
Misaki stared blankly at Mito, silent tears sliding down her cheeks.
She understood what happened when a Tailed Beast was separated from its host.
Strangely, the idea of becoming a jinchūriki barely affected her.
Was another kind elder going to leave her behind?
"Foolish child, this day was always going to come."
"I know Nawaki will always be there for you from now on."
Mito reached out and gently patted Misaki's head—what a wonderful girl.
"Grandma, I'm willing to become a jinchūriki."
"But please… don't leave us!"
Kushina flung herself into Mito's arms, tears streaming down her face.
In that moment, grief drowned out any fear of becoming a jinchūriki.
"Grandma doesn't want to leave either."
"But this body just won't hold up…"
Mito smiled wryly, shaking her head, and gently patted Kushina's back.
"Grandma~ I'm pregnant."
"You haven't even met your great-grandchild yet."
Misaki, holding back tears, stammered those two sentences out.
She had completely forgotten her promise to Nawaki.
"Haha, wonderful! Truly wonderful!!"
"But unfortunately, Grandma probably won't live to see that day."
A glint flared in Mito's eyes, then faded just as quickly.
This was the best news she'd received in a long time.
"So yesterday, when you went to look for Sister and Brother-in-law..."
Kushina pulled away from Mito's embrace. She wasn't in the mood to congratulate Misaki right now.
"Mm."
"They said they'll leave the decision to you two."
Mito nodded, bringing the conversation back on track.
"Kushina is still young. Let me do it."
Misaki spoke like a doting older sister, willing to take on this responsibility.
"Please don't argue with me about this, Miss Misaki."
"This matter shouldn't have involved you in the first place."
Kushina knew that without Misaki here, she would've been the only choice.
"Grandma knows you're both good children."
"But have either of you considered letting the Nine-Tailed Fox leave with me?"
Mito found this somewhat surprising, yet understandable.
Sometimes, love could make people make decisions that seemed unthinkable.
"The village needs this strength."
Though Kushina appeared easygoing, she understood everything perfectly.
"She already considers herself part of Konoha."
"Plus, I and Orochimaru-sensei also need new research material."
Misaki's reasoning was flimsy, though not entirely untrue.
"Grandma's really happy that you two feel this way."
"The power of the Nine-Tailed Fox is indeed strong."
"But the stronger the force, the harder it becomes to control."
At Mito's words, both Misaki and Kushina instinctively turned their gaze to the beaten-up Nine-Tailed Fox.
You really think that's hard to control?
Two tiny heads full of confusion.
"No matter which of you ends up with it, you must use love to connect with its heart."
"With love, you'll gradually gain complete control over the tailed beast's power."
"When that time comes, the tailed beasts will no longer be burdens to their jinchūriki."
What Mito said made perfect sense, yet lacked any convincing power whatsoever.
You can talk all you want about controlling it with love—but isn't what you're doing just whipping it?
This chapter isn't done yet—more excitement ahead!
Is the Nine-Tailed Fox some kind of secret masochist?
"We understand, Grandma."
Both Misaki and Kushina dared not argue back.
"Not even trying to hide your thoughts."
Mito chuckled at the two girls who clearly weren't being sincere.
"I'm not trying to discourage you."
"If either of you could tame this beast on your own, you could manage it just like I do."
"At that point, whether or not there's 'love' wouldn't matter anymore."
Mito looked up at the badly injured Nine-Tailed Fox and retracted her [Diamond Chain].
"You!!"
"Hmm?"
The Nine-Tailed Fox's bitter words vanished with just one sharp glare from Mito.
No one could say just how strong this woman really was.
"I choose to win its heart."
"Fine then, it'll be me." Misaki and Kushina both silently considered.
"Neither of you should get discouraged."
"You might reach Grandma's level someday as well."
Mito burst out laughing, as if she had returned to the days when she fought side by side with Hashirama.
"Grandma, wouldn't it be inappropriate for Onee-chan while she's pregnant?"
Kushina looked at Mito longingly; this was the first time she truly wanted to become a jinchūriki.
"Mm~ I'm not really sure about during pregnancy."
"But the seals will weaken considerably during childbirth."
Frowning slightly, Mito didn't choose to encourage Kushina further. She wouldn't play favorites in this matter, avoiding future discomfort.
"That definitely would have an impact."
"Onee-chan, for the sake of the child in your belly, you shouldn't compete with me."
Kushina grabbed Misaki's arm and put on her sweetest act.
"I..."
Misaki hesitated, unsure of how to respond. It wasn't a big deal to her personally, but the thought of possibly harming the child made her feel guilty.
"Fine then, it'll be me."
"Grandma, Onee-chan already said yes!"
Without hesitating, Kushina wanted to finalize everything immediately.
"When did I ever agree to that?" Misaki grew furious, clarifying that she had just been considering it.
"All right then, no more arguing."
"It's not like we need to reseal the Nine-Tails today."
"Both of you go back and think carefully."
Mito had no intention of choosing someone so soon. Instead, she simply let them experience the Nine-Tails' oppressive presence for now.
"That works."
"I'll go get Nawaki-niisan to persuade you."
Kushina's eyes lit up—once she added a few embellishments, there was no doubt she'd win the role of jinchūriki.
"Oh come on…"
Misaki had no way of arguing back—Kushina really seemed unstoppable now.
"Stay out of trouble. I'm heading out."
With a subtle smile playing at the corners of her eyes, Mito looked like a hidden devil to the Nine-Tails.
...
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