"I don't even know how many times I've cried in front of you anymore."
Tsunade smiled bitterly as she remembered that it had happened a lot since she met Yujin.
"I bet you see me as a crybaby."
"You would bet and lose all your money, that's not how I see you."
Yujin took another sip of sake and smiled at her. He thought about the past few days when she took care of him after what happened on the full moon day.
"I only met you at a difficult time in your life, I know that. The way people in the village see you, call you, and greet you is more than enough proof of what kind of person you are. You are strong, Tsunade, but sometimes you forget that."
She just continued drinking in silence, head bowed, preventing Yujin from seeing the expression on her face. After a while, she asked in a soft voice.
"My grandmother wants to see you and Shizune. Do you mind?"
Yujin shook his head and replied after taking another sip.
"No. In the morning, when Shizune wakes up, we'll go see her."
***
They didn't sleep. They drank until morning, and that's when Yujin put an end to the drinking session. When Shizune woke up, the three of them left the apartment and headed to Mito's mansion.
Upon entering the mansion, Yujin noticed that the place was filled with people. Everyone seemed genuinely sad and spoke in hushed tones to each other. Another thing he also noticed was how heavy the security was. There were many guards everywhere, and he bet there were many more he didn't see because of his weakened condition.
No wonder she was the most important woman in the clan. Her death would have unpredictable consequences.
Shizune was extremely well-behaved as Tsunade patiently explained that it was an important day.
The three were quickly accommodated in an empty waiting room as Mito was meeting with some clan members.
The imminent death of Mito was only disclosed to the most important people in the village, but that was enough to fill the not-so-large mansion with clan and village members.
Tsunade was even informed that the Hokage would pay a visit tomorrow.
The reason for keeping the information confidential was that Mito's death was an opportunity for enemies, especially now during the war, to launch an attack.
Mito, because of the Nine-Tailed Fox, could make enemies apprehensive. Her death would mark a turbulent time in the village, susceptible to attacks, especially right after sealing the fox in Kushina.
Yujin realized once again how important Tsunade was as all the people waiting to speak with Mito ended up briefly talking to her.
When some people left after a brief conversation with Tsunade, Yujin asked in a low voice.
"Everyone seems interested in knowing about Kushina."
Tsunade nodded slowly. She also noticed that everyone who spoke to her was asking about Kushina.
"I think they want to know my opinion on what to do with her. My grandmother was the wife of the First Hokage and a very powerful kunoichi, so no one ever questioned the presence of the fox in the village; there was never any danger. The same cannot be said for Kushina. The fox seal is not perfect, so the girl will face challenges adapting. I think they are concerned that the fox might go out of control within the village."
She paused in her explanation, frowned, considering the implications, and then continued.
"Perhaps some are also interested in the influence she will have in the future if she manages to control the power of the fox."
"And what would they do in that case?"
Tsunade considered for a moment what to answer and ultimately sighed and said.
"Marriage proposals."
Yujin furrowed his brow at hearing that but didn't say anything. It was the first time he witnessed politics being played in the village. Not being experienced in this area, he was surprised.
More people came to visit Tsunade, and two hours after their arrival, they finally got to meet the legendary Mito Uzumaki.
She was an elderly woman wearing a kimono. She had the same diamond-shaped symbol on her forehead that Tsunade had, something Yujin immediately noticed.
"Grandma, how are you feeling?"
The woman looked visibly tired. She was on the verge of death and still had to meet people who came to visit her.
"I am fine... Tired, but fine."
Tsunade wanted to say something, but after hesitating for a moment, she gave up. She then pulled Shizune closer and introduced her.
"This is Shizune, Dan's niece. I decided to adopt her after some thought. She has no one else in this world, only me."
As she said that, Tsunade realized how true her words were, and she once again acknowledged Yujin's wisdom. While she was despairing over Mito's imminent death, feeling like she would be alone, he reminded her that she had Shizune. At that moment, she also realized that Shizune only had her, strengthening her determination to protect and care for the girl.
"Good morning, grandma. My name is Shizune, and I am four years old."
Shizune was extremely polite, earning a small smile from the elderly woman.
"What a polite and cute girl, my great-granddaughter. Come, give me a hug."
Shizune hugged the elderly woman gently. The woman had a smile the entire time, easily accepting her great-granddaughter. They talked for a few minutes, with Tsunade joining the conversation from time to time.
When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, Shizune replied that she wanted to be as strong as Tsunade, earning points with the elderly woman, who was very proud of her granddaughter and now proud of her great-granddaughter.
A few minutes later, Mito kindly asked Shizune to wait outside as she had something to discuss with Tsunade and Yujin.
"It's a pity I won't be able to see her grow up."
That was the first thing Mito said when Shizune was no longer present. She sighed, and her mind wandered for a few seconds, lost in thoughts. When Tsunade saw her like that, she finally felt Mito's sadness palpably, which the elderly woman had been hiding so well until that moment.
"Grandma..."
Tsunade began to say something, but she just didn't know what to say. She didn't know what to say to someone facing death. She tried to find words, but couldn't find the right ones. Mito finally snapped out of her thoughts, and the first thing she saw was Tsunade's almost tearful face.
"Don't cry, my girl. I found out I was about to die a month ago; I've had time to make peace with my death. We will all die one day, and I have few regrets."
Tsunade held back the tears; she knew she couldn't cry this time, so she asked.
"What are your concerns? I will take care of them."
Mito was surprised by Tsunade's words. She didn't expect that from her.
"Well... There's you. I know you're going through a tough time because of Dan, and this is happening almost at the same time. I can feel how much you're suffering, and it hurts me inside."
Tsunade quickly shook her head and replied.
"I'll be fine. And no matter what, you're also suffering."
"Tsunade, you have to understand one thing. Death is not painful for the one who dies, but for those who remain. I found out about my death before it came. I've had time for this. I've lived a lot... I had a wonderful life. I was fulfilled as a kunoichi, as a wife, as a mother, as a grandmother, and now as a great-grandmother. I've been very happy, so although I still have some regrets, it's normal. It's impossible to have a perfect life. The ones who will suffer from my death are the ones who stay, the people who love me."
Tsunade didn't know what to say. She bit her lips and clenched her fists tightly but didn't know what to say or do.
"What else worries you?"
"Not being able to see Shizune grow up, nor see you start a family."
Mito briefly looked at Yujin but didn't say anything and got lost in thoughts again, thinking about the future of Tsunade and Shizune.
"There's Kushina too. She hasn't stopped crying for days. She won't have any more relatives in the village. She will receive the fox and will have a difficult life. The villagers won't be kind to the Nine-Tailed Fox Jinchuriki out of fear of what might happen if it goes out of control. She has no friends her age, and I heard some children talk badly about her because of her beautiful red hair. Children can be so cruel..."
The elderly woman sighed and looked at Tsunade.
"Can you take care of her when I'm gone? The fox is a monster that harbors a lot of hatred. To counteract hatred, you need love. If Kushina harbors hatred for the village in her heart and grows up feeding that hatred, the chances of the fox going out of control in the future are high. It's a concern of mine about what might happen. She needs someone to love and protect her, and you are the only one who can do that."
Tsunade quickly nodded, promptly agreeing to Mito's request.
"Alright, I will take care of her like a sister and protect her. I promise that, no matter what happens, I won't let the fox go out of control."
Upon hearing Tsunade's words, Mito visibly became more comfortable. It was evident that it was a great concern of hers, and Tsunade's promise reassured her.