Chapter 93: Selection of the Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Mito
After returning to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately convened an emergency meeting, requiring all high-ranking Konoha officials to attend. The purpose was to discuss the candidates for the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki and Konoha's contingency plans during the tailed beast transfer.
Among those present were the injured Danzō, Hiruzen's most favored disciple Orochimaru, another of Hiruzen's students Jiraiya, Koharu Utatane—who had been handling Konoha's internal affairs while the others were away on the battlefield—and finally the clan heads of the major families: Hyūga, Yamanaka–Nara–Akamichi, Uchiha, and others.
As for Tsunade, she was too anxious to visit Uzumaki Mito and did not attend; a Senju clan elder attended in her place.
Inside the high-level conference room in the Hokage Tower, all the key figures had already taken their seats. The meeting officially began once Hiruzen Sarutobi entered last.
"Sarutobi, Mito-sensei can't hold on much longer. Regarding the Nine-Tails transfer—which of the two Uzumaki girls do you plan to select as the new jinchūriki?"
As Hiruzen's advisor, Danzō sat to his right. The moment Hiruzen sat down, Danzō spoke impatiently.
At this time, bandages covered the entire right half of Danzō's body, starting from his face.
Not long ago, during the war with the Land of Earth, Danzō had fought the Second Tsuchikage. Outmatched and careless, he lost one eye and suffered severe injuries to his entire right arm.
"What do you all think—which of the two girls, Kushina Uzumaki or Rinne Uzumaki, would be more suitable as the jinchūriki?"
Instead of answering Danzō directly, Hiruzen rested his chin on his hand and looked around at the high-ranking officials present. He hadn't yet decided who should become the jinchūriki and wanted to hear their opinions.
"Sensei, must it really be one of these two little girls around ten years old?" Jiraiya asked in confusion.
At his core, he was still kind-hearted. Moreover, he knew both girls well—one was Ling Yu's little girlfriend, and the other had a deep connection with his student Minato Namikaze.
Changing the jinchūriki was something even a Kage-level ninja couldn't guarantee with 100% certainty—let alone for two children around ten years old. A slight mistake could result in mutual destruction.
"I know you don't understand, but selecting the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki from between them is inevitable. In Konoha, no one else is more suitable to serve as the tailed beast's vessel than those two."
Hiruzen looked at the overly emotional Jiraiya and shook his head helplessly in his heart.
Jiraiya was too kind. He would never be suitable for a high-ranking position in Konoha's leadership.
"I believe Kushina Uzumaki would be the better choice for the jinchūriki replacement. She has stronger power, which would increase the success rate."
At that moment, Orochimaru's voice rang out.
Unlike Jiraiya, Orochimaru wasn't so soft-hearted. In his view, sacrificing one or two ninja was acceptable if it benefited Konoha.
As soon as he spoke, more than half of the high-ranking officials secretly nodded in agreement.
"Orochimaru, you—"
"I disagree!" Danzō suddenly stood up and declared firmly.
In an instant, everyone's attention turned to him, waiting for his reasoning.
"While greater strength does offer an advantage in the jinchūriki role, the Nine-Tails is an evil entity. The personality of its jinchūriki is clearly crucial. I don't believe Kushina Uzumaki is suitable for such a heavy responsibility."
"Additionally, the controllability of the jinchūriki is extremely important. Rather than choosing a powerful but poorly controllable jinchūriki, it's better to choose one who is more obedient."
"And finally, the most important point: Kushina Uzumaki has a teammate with the Mangekyō Sharingan—the evil eye that can control tailed beasts. The combination of the two is not something Konoha can easily handle."
Danzō laid out all his reasons for opposition. His pointed targeting of the Uchiha clan made everyone present fall into deep thought.
There was one thing he didn't say aloud: although Ling Yu's Wood Release and strength could suppress both the tailed beast and the Sharingan, given the relationship between the three of them, they were very likely to stand together.
He absolutely did not want Ling Yu to gain a few more powerful allies.
"I agree with Lord Danzō's view."
"I also agree with Lord Danzō's choice."
"I agree as well…"
The Senju clan was already powerful enough. Adding two more strong allies would gradually increase the Senju clan's influence in Konoha. Eventually, Konoha would become dominated by the Senju family, and the current major clans present would be reduced to minor ones, their voice in Konoha growing smaller and smaller.
After all, every clan head sitting here as a high-ranking member of Konoha didn't want a new overlord rising above their families to share power.
"Then the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki will be Uzumaki Rinne. Next, we begin discussing the military deployment for the jinchūriki transfer…"
…
While the high-ranking officials of Konoha held their meeting, Tsunade, Kushina, and Ling Yu went together to the Senju compound to visit Uzumaki Mito, whose time was running out.
As for Mikoto, because she had revealed her Mangekyō Sharingan on the battlefield, she was immediately summoned back by the Uchiha clan upon returning to Konoha.
However, nothing would happen to her there. After all, even the current Uchiha clan head—Uchiha Fugaku—was already Ling Yu's puppet.
Under Ling Yu's absolute control, the Uchiha clan would never harm Mikoto. On the contrary, they would treat her like royalty.
The younger Konan had fallen asleep early during the long journey home. Ling Yu also didn't want her to witness the painful scene of life and death, which might remind her of sad memories.
So right after entering Konoha, Ling Yu took her straight back to his home and let her sleep peacefully. He planned to return and take care of her after visiting Uzumaki Mito.
With heavy hearts, Ling Yu and the others arrived at Uzumaki Mito's room.
"Mm… Grandma, I don't want you to leave…"
Looking at Uzumaki Mito lying on the bed, her life nearing its end due to old age, even the strong-willed Tsunade couldn't hold back her tears. She ran to the bedside, tightly grasped Mito's hand, and spoke with a choked voice.
She had very few relatives left. Senju Hashirama died in his final battle with Uchiha Madara, and Senju Tobirama died covering the retreat of his subordinates in a war.
Now, the only elder relative Tsunade had left was Uzumaki Mito. If Mito passed away, the Senju clan would only have her and Ling Yu remaining.
"Little Tsunade… Grandma doesn't want to leave you either, but this old body has lived long enough. The seal inside me is loosening more and more. If we don't transfer the Nine-Tails soon, Konoha will be in danger."
With great effort, Uzumaki Mito sat up and pulled Tsunade into her arms. A look of relief appeared on her face as she gently stroked Tsunade's hair and comforted her:
"Don't worry about me. Seeing you and Little Ling Yu grow up safe and sound is enough to make Grandma completely satisfied. It's time for me to go find your grandfather."
After saying that, she gave Ling Yu—who stood at the doorway—a loving smile, her eyes filled with gratification.
She had already learned about Ling Yu's brilliant performance on the battlefield and his awakening of the same Wood Release as Hashirama. To see hope for the Senju clan's revival before her death—she had no regrets.
"Lady Mito…"
Hearing those words, Kushina could no longer hold back the sadness she had been suppressing. She threw herself into Uzumaki Mito's arms.
"Kushina, don't cry…" Uzumaki Mito gently patted Kushina's back and comforted her softly.
Watching this scene, Ling Yu felt a heavy ache in his heart. Although his soul didn't originate from this world, after living in Konoha for so long, he had gradually grown accustomed to having a grandmother who cared for him.
Now, seeing her life nearing its end—willing to overexert her remaining vitality just to hold the seal together until Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others returned, to prevent the Nine-Tails from breaking free and harming Konoha—Ling Yu felt deeply uncomfortable.
Carrying a stifled mood, Ling Yu left Uzumaki Mito's room, intending to take a walk outside to calm the unrest in his heart.
As soon as Ling Yu stepped into the courtyard, an Anbu ninja emerged from the shadows.
"Lord Ling Yu, this is Lord Hokage's decision regarding the jinchūriki. Please review it with Lady Tsunade."
Kneeling on one knee, the Anbu ninja handed an envelope to Ling Yu and then disappeared.
"Hm? Understood."
Ling Yu put away the envelope and silently opened it.
"Three days from now, the jinchūriki transfer will take place. However, the jinchūriki has been changed to Uzumaki Rinne?"
After quickly scanning the contents, Ling Yu felt a slight sense of confusion in his heart.
He had assumed the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki would still be Kushina, just like in the original story. He hadn't expected the development to diverge so much. It seemed the butterfly effect caused by his presence had changed things.
No wonder he hadn't seen Rinne at Uzumaki Mito's house earlier. Now it appeared she had already been placed under protection.
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