In the secluded mountains behind Konoha, the Nine-Tails, feeling weary and disillusioned, made a choice. It chose Uzumaki Mito.
After all, the beast had no desire to be manipulated by that scheming Uchiha, Madara. Uzumaki Mito, on the other hand, treated Emiya Shihara with respect. That alone set her apart. If nothing else, her willingness to honor Emiya Shihara demonstrated that she was not entirely unworthy.
Thus, Uzumaki Mito became the first official Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. She would seal the beast within herself to prevent it from being summoned by Uchiha Madara and to shield the ninja world from its destructive power. At the same time, she would strive to pacify its immense and often negative energy.
"Hmph..."
The Nine-Tails did not harbor deep resentment. It recognized that this was the best possible outcome. Uzumaki Mito treated it with genuine kindness, never seeking to exploit its power as Uchiha Madara would.
And indeed, her choice was wise. Her husband, Hashirama Senju, was an exceptional figure—powerful, resolute, and unwavering.
Still, the Nine-Tails experienced a twinge of regret. Proudly, it stood within the sealing barrier, its chakra flowing seamlessly into Mito's body, yet its gaze remained sharp and haughty, fixed on Shihara Emiya beside it.
"Shihara Emiya!" the beast growled. "You'll regret this! When you witness my true power, you will understand that rejecting me over a thousand years ago was a mistake..."
"Huh?"
Hashirama Senju looked at Shihara Emiya in surprise. "Didn't you say Lord Emiya wished to become the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki? What is the meaning of this..."
"Asshole..." the Nine-Tails muttered, glaring at Hashirama with irritation.
"Hashirama..." Mito Uzumaki interjected quickly, calling to her husband.
"Brother..."
Tobirama Senju frowned, pulling Hashirama aside. He hoped his brother would refrain from speaking further, fearing it might disrupt the delicate seal. When Hashirama continued to press questions, Tobirama whispered the truth.
By now, he should have understood the Nine-Tails' intentions. The tailed beast, with its shameful past, had once offered itself to Emiya Shihara only to be rejected. Even a creature of such legendary ferocity had chosen him willingly.
Emiya Shihara watched quietly as the Nine-Tails' form gradually dissolved within the sealing barrier. Its presence streaked like a radiant orange rainbow before merging entirely with Uzumaki Mito.
Emiya Shihara, as always, held countless secrets. Even tailed beasts, with their extraordinary senses, could not fully perceive the depths of his mind. They might sense fragments, but never the entirety of his reasoning or intentions. The Nine-Tails, a creature created by the Sage of Six Paths and bound to him by nature, would never truly grasp his perspective.
In ancient times, the Nine-Tails had departed on its own accord. Its choice was deliberate, a decision made with full awareness. Perhaps Emiya Shihara missed the slug he had once raised—the one being who had offered unconditional support, unafraid of his true form.
But the Nine-Tails? It would always favor the Sage of Six Paths.
Emiya Shihara had no regrets. The bond between him and the Nine-Tails was not born of obligation but of choice. The creature's loyalty to the Sage was natural, and he accepted that. Some connections, no matter how profound, could never be replicated.
A gentle breeze brushed across his face. Suddenly, a golden aura enveloped Uzumaki Mito. Her red hair glimmered with light, her entire body radiating an ethereal brilliance. Two fox-like golden horns emerged from her head, curling elegantly, while six jet-black magatama appeared on her collar.
This golden chakra surged with vitality, invigorating her weary spirit. Uzumaki Mito, the first Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, now possessed a formidable presence. The Nine-Tails' gift was clear: the beast's chakra was hers to wield, unlocking unparalleled strength.
"…This is…" Hashirama Senju's eyes widened in disbelief. He studied the chakra radiating from his wife. "This energy… it's nearly rivaling my own!"
"You can actually use Kurama's chakra directly?"
Emiya Shihara watched with quiet admiration. "It's willing to let you use its power… You and Kurama seem to understand each other."
Uzumaki Mito's eyebrows lowered slightly. The Nine-Tails was undeniably proud, even arrogant. Yet she could only speak in its favor. After all, it had been friends with Emiya Shihara in the past; it wouldn't allow itself to be entirely controlled.
There was, however, one troubling matter. The Nine-Tails, still within her, subtly urged her to use its power to kill Hashirama Senju and then confront Emiya Shihara. Mito resisted. The beast's chakra was a gift, but trust between them was fragile.
This early form of Nine-Tails Chakra Mode was crude—a concession from Emiya Shihara himself, a sign of respect, not complete alignment.
The journey of a Jinchūriki had only just begun. Mito still had much to learn—not just in harnessing the Nine-Tails' chakra, but in understanding the complex interplay of emotions, loyalty, and power surrounding her.
As a member of the Uzumaki clan, Mito possessed a vast chakra reserve and acute perception, capable of sensing morality and intent in others. Combined with the Nine-Tails' own abilities, her insight became extraordinary. Yet, even with this amplified perception, one thing disturbed her deeply: she could not sense Emiya Shihara's emotions.
The golden light around her body allowed her to detect hostility, goodness, or deceit in almost anyone. But Shihara Emiya remained an enigma. Only when he spoke of the Nine-Tails could she perceive the slightest flicker of kindness.
"…What is this?" Mito muttered, her brow furrowed.
Shihara Emiya, sensing her scrutiny, spoke calmly: "You seem to be probing me. Is something wrong?"
The man's perception rivaled her own. Vigilance, caution, and awareness were central to his life. He knew the dangers of the ninja world better than most. In the distant past, he had worried about constant surveillance by Black Zetsu.
Mito was silent for a long moment. She reflected on Emiya Shihara's reputation, his role in helping her become a Jinchūriki, and the inexplicable sense of unease she felt.
"We Uzumaki have extraordinary perception," she said finally, her voice soft yet firm. "I can sense good and evil in others… and the Nine-Tails' chakra amplifies this. But…" Her gaze hardened. "Your Excellency Emiya… you possess emotions, yet I cannot detect them."
The Nine-Tails, having known Emiya Shihara in ancient times, had also found this disconcerting. From youth, it had been able to read human intent, yet Shihara remained unreadable—a paradox even to a creature of such power.
When the young Nine-Tails had once questioned him, the answer had been unsettling. Even now, the beast scoffed at Mito's concerns.
"Overthinking again, woman," the Nine-Tails seemed to say. "Emiya Shihara saved lives every day. He treated every patient equally. For him, no one was worthless. Uchiha Madara, a dangerous enemy, or a sick commoner—they all received the same care. Even the revered Six Paths, worshiped as a god by humans, would be no different in his eyes. You dare question why he acts as he does? You presume too much."
The words echoed through Mito's mind. Emiya Shihara's attention was not to be claimed, earned, or demanded. It was a gift, given to those who had earned the right through actions and respect.
The Nine-Tails Chakra Mode granted her immense power. Karin's Kagura Heart Eye revealed lies. But above all, the ultimate connection—Kurama Mode—would come when trust and understanding were mutual, as with Uzumaki Naruto.
For now, Mito understood only this: the path of a Jinchūriki was a journey of patience, understanding, and humility. She was only at its beginning, and the lessons Emiya Shihara taught her—through restraint, respect, and silent observation—would guide her for years to come.
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