"Do you accept?"
"Think carefully before answering. This is no joking matter."
Mito looked at Minato. This kid had never been on her list before.
"I accept."
Minato nodded firmly.
On one hand, he remembered his teacher's instructions well; on the other, he wanted to truly share Kushina's feelings.
Since his teacher said he could do it, he believed he definitely could.
That was the result of years of built-up trust.
"Your willingness alone doesn't matter."
"I'll run some tests on you."
Tsunade quickly dampened Minato's enthusiasm. This wasn't something that could be decided by mere wishful thinking.
"Alright."
Minato still felt a tinge of uncertainty, bordering on frustration.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine."
Kawaki patted Minato on the shoulder, still full of confidence.
"If he's not qualified, just give him half a tail instead."
Mito cracked a light joke. No one doubted whether Kawaki was qualified to be a jinchūriki.
"Fine, I agree."
Kawaki readily agreed, even though the Nine-Tails wouldn't offer him much benefit at all.
"Is splitting a Tailed Beast in two really possible?"
Kushina was skeptical about this because she'd never heard of anything like it before.
"According to our laboratory's research progress, we suspect that even cultivated Tailed Beast cells won't possess any sentience after maturation."
Misaki spoke the facts. She doubted that a Tailed Beast could split into two sentient entities.
"There's a forbidden technique called [Dead Demon Consuming Seal]. Have any of you heard about it?"
Tsunade hadn't learned it herself, but she had seen nearly all the sealing technique scrolls brought by her grandmother.
She'd always remembered this particular forbidden technique vividly.
"It's a very rare soul-based ninjutsu, although the cost for performing it is tremendous."
"I didn't teach it to either of them."
Mito shook her head. Techniques meant for mutual destruction weren't worth teaching to Misaki and Kushina.
"No wonder we've never heard of it."
Kushina wore an expression of realization, while Misaki continued waiting for more details.
However, Kawaki was somewhat surprised. Tsunade's mind worked pretty fast.
Still, this was better. He wouldn't have to lead them through every step anymore.
Acting as if listening intently, Kawaki and Minato both fixed their eyes on Tsunade.
"What if the Shinigami hasn't taken the complete soul? Would the person still be alive?"
Tsunade turned to her grandmother. After all, she had never personally witnessed anyone use this technique.
"Yes, there have been cases like that."
Mito nodded. The Uzumaki had seen plenty of such cases in the past.
"So if the Nine-Tails was cut in half by the Shinigami, wouldn't it then be split into two separate entities?"
Tsunade continued theorizing, effectively taking Kawaki's role.
"Hmm… theoretically speaking, yes."
Mito answered affirmatively, though her brow remained furrowed.
"So couldn't we develop a new technique based on the [Dead Demon Consuming Seal]?"
"The effects don't need to be so strong, nor should the costs be so great."
Tsunade asked cautiously. When it came to sealing techniques, Mito was undeniably the expert of experts.
"It will take time."
Without hesitating, Mito shot back instantly.
Assuming existing techniques could be referenced, developing new ones would be a guaranteed success for her.
The only consideration was the time required.
"Will three months be enough?"
At this point, Kawaki chimed in.
"Not sure."
Mito hesitated to make any promises—her mind had dulled with age.
"We could ask for help."
"Orochimaru and Jiraiya also have some expertise in sealing techniques."
Tsunade didn't mention herself—all her sealing technique knowledge came from Grandma.
As for Kawaki, it didn't matter whether he helped or not.
"That works."
Mito nodded.
"Then let's go with that for now."
"I hope we finish researching this new technique within three months."
Kawaki finalized the decision without objection from Mito.
After all, half a Nine-Tails was definitely easier to handle than a full one.
This technique would do more good than harm for Kushina.
"Don't celebrate just yet."
"If this new technique doesn't progress, in the end Kushina will still have to bear it all alone."
Tsunade wasn't intentionally being discouraging—she was simply stating a fact.
The higher the expectations, the deeper the disappointment.
She didn't want anyone to suffer double grief.
"I understand, Sister Tsunade."
Kushina couldn't stop smiling.
Minato, you idiot! Being a Jinchūriki isn't a game!
You agreed so casually—it's infuriating!
"Don't look so gloomy."
"I'll take full responsibility. I guarantee her safety."
In contrast, both Minato and Misaki frowned when Tsunade poured cold water on their hopes.
Kawaki pointed at Kushina confidently.
Of course, he was certain Kushina would be fine as a Jinchūriki.
As for suggesting splitting the Nine-Tails between two people, that came mostly from his personal attachment.
"Thank you, Teacher."
Minato's eyes sparkled again—as long as Kushina was safe, nothing else mattered.
Misaki simply nodded.
"Alright then, let's end today's meeting here."
"As for Nawaki… we'll discuss it later."
Mito concluded this family meeting. She hadn't yet decided how to break the news to her grandson.
"Go find Orochimaru," Tsunade told Misaki. "Kushina, go find Jiraiya."
"Okay."
Misaki and Kushina replied and immediately rose to leave.
Ohhh!!
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade – Please bookmark: (m.
"Then I'll take my leave too."
Now that the quiet room was left only with elders, Minato couldn't sit still anymore.
He said while getting up to leave.
"Wait a moment. Let me examine you right here."
"Let me see if you're really as good as your teacher claims."
Tsunade stopped Minato and motioned him over.
"You don't even trust me?"
"Just check, and you'll find nothing wrong."
For some unknown reason, Kawaki exuded confidence, looking extremely arrogant.
Minato awkwardly scratched his head and walked toward Tsunade.
"Extend your hand."
Minato obeyed and stretched out his right hand.
As Tsunade's chakra flowed through his body, Minato felt warm all over.
"That's... barely enough. He's not as good as Kushina."
Tsunade had thought Minato's physical condition was extraordinary, but it turned out Kawaki was just exaggerating.
She didn't stop to think that an ordinary civilian like Minato wouldn't have some miraculous physique.
"Haha, really?!"
"No, Minato's strength isn't in his body. It's his strong willpower."
Kawaki laughed loudly to ease the embarrassment. Minato wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
He actually believed he was *that* amazing!
"Alright then, Minato qualifies."
Mito burst into laughter along with the three of them.
From the observation of [Mind's Eye of the Kagura], Minato's [Chakra Reserves Amount] were more than sufficient.
Along with his strong willpower, taking on the role of jinchūriki for half of the Nine-Tails' power was more than adequate in Mito's opinion.
"That's good then."
Kawaki sighed in relief. Fortunately, the original storyline hadn't misled him.
"Let's go."
Tsunade let go, and Minato rushed off like he was fleeing.
Today definitely ruined his reputation with all this praise from his teacher.
"You two can go back too."
Tsunade had been sticking close to him these past few days, and Mito was starting to get annoyed.
It was mainly because her clinginess clashed so strongly with her usual personality.
"Grandma, I'll keep you company."
As she spoke, Tsunade stood up and moved beside Mito.
During this final period, she'd stay by Grandma's side.
"I really don't need your company."
Mito pulled her arm free from Tsunade's clingy grip, clearly unpleased.
"I'm going to work."
Kawaki acted like he saw nothing. He snapped his fingers and teleported directly to the Hokage's office.
Clearly, he was late. Shouta's resentful stare made him uneasy.
"Sorry, something came up..."
Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade — Please bookmark this: (m.