If so, then everything can be explained. The doubts in his heart during the Ninja Trial, the changes in Mikoto, and the injuries of Sarutobi Ao. All of this started from that Ninja Trial.
Although this is just Minato's guess and there is no definite evidence, through many clues, he has more than 70% certainty that this is the case. Otherwise, Mikoto in the village would not have that repulsive look that you get after killing someone, and Sarutobi Ao's right leg would not have suffered an incurable injury. These factors would have been absolutely impossible if they were all in the village. But now, the only thing he can't figure out is the reason why the village leaders did this.
If it was just to see the abilities of these people, the Ninja Trial would have been enough. It is indeed a bit extreme to let these students who have no experience as ninjas and immature Genin go out of the village to carry out missions. It is even possible that some people will be killed by the enemy during the mission. Sarutobi Ao is an example. With his original strength, he now has a permanent leg injury. Then what about the others? Tomorrow is the day for the ninja school. He has to confirm some things.
"Grandma Mito, thank you. I'm leaving." After finishing today's class, Kushina said very obediently, and then left under the guidance of the adults. After she left, Mito, who still had a smile on her face, began to cough violently. At a certain moment, her pupils turned upside down, which was extremely weird. However, that appearance was fleeting and was suppressed by Mito. Even so, the cold feeling that just permeated the house still made the maids around her silent.
"Go and find the Third Hokage," Mito ordered, and a guard flashed out directly. Ten minutes later, the Third Hokage came to Mito's room. When he stepped into the door, his brows frowned slightly. Because in the air, he felt an extremely cold breath. Immediately, the Third Hokage's pupils shrank, and he hurried to Mito's bed.
"Lady Mito, you..." The Third Hokage looked at Mito, whose face was becoming increasingly haggard, but he had no way to help. Mito, who had originally closed her eyes, opened them and said, "Little monkey, you felt the Nine-Tails' chakra, right?" The Third Hokage nodded. "My life is coming to an end soon. I was almost attacked by the Nine-Tails' chakra just now.
I can no longer suppress it." Mito's words were hurried, but her voice was extremely weak. When the Nine-Tails attacked her just now, she once again consumed her already limited chakra and vitality to suppress it. The Third Hokage clenched his fists tightly. Although he knew that this would come sooner or later, he was still reluctant to accept it in his heart. "Let's hold the sealing ceremony tomorrow and let Kushina become the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!" Kushina becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki means that Mito's life will come to an end. "Understood! I'll arrange it right away." The Third Hokage nodded heavily, but in order to maintain the balance of the tailed beasts, this step was inevitable.
Minato arrived at the Ninja School very early, but today he did not reach his class first. Instead, he hid at a high point somewhere, observing a class in a certain grade. When he saw that Hyuga Hiashi, Hyuga Hizashi, and Nara Shikaku all came to class as usual, he calmed down a little. Fortunately, no one was missing.
When Minato returned to the class, it was almost time for class. "You actually came so late, what a surprise." As soon as he entered the class, Akasaka Yu in the front row teased him. The two had some conflicts at first, but they had long since gotten over it because of the Ninja Trial, and their relationship was pretty good. Minato smiled, glanced at them, and then paused.
Because it was already this time, Kushina had not come to class yet. Minato's seat was not too far from Kushina's. When the former returned to his seat, Mikoto looked at Minato and said with a smile: "You and Kushina, are you going to be late because of your new relationship?" Minato laughed awkwardly at Mikoto's teasing. In his impression, it was the first time that Mikoto joked with him like this. Afterwards, Mr. Shirota came to class as usual, but he didn't seem to feel anything strange about Kushina's absence.
At the same time, "Grandma Mito, we have classes at the Ninja School today. What do you want me to do?" Kushina said without hesitation before entering Mito's room. When she really stepped into the room, she was startled by the people in the room.
She suddenly became a little wary because she was very unfamiliar with these people. Kushina's eyes fell on a figure in the middle, not because of his special appearance, but because of his outfit. The red and white long-sleeved robe, that face, Kushina seemed to have seen it there.
"The Third Hokage?" she said in shock. The man in front of her was one of the three faces carved on the Hokage Rock. Although Kushina was brought to Konoha by the order of the Third Hokage, the two had never met before. The Third Hokage looked at Kushina with a slightly complicated look in his eyes. He didn't know how to face the girl in front of him, as he had to put a heavy burden on her.
"You are Uzumaki Kushina, right?" Next to the Third Hokage, Danzo looked down at Kushina with an indifferent look, his eyes calm. This look of his also caused Kushina's disgust.
"Kushina, come here." At this time, Mito on the bed called out, and Kushina immediately rushed over after hearing the words. When she saw Mito's face clearly at this moment, the expression on her little face suddenly became anxious, and she said, "Grandma Mito, what's wrong with you?" Compared with last night, Mito's face looked even paler, and more importantly, in Kushina's perception, Mito's breath was already extremely weak. At this moment, she was like a candle swaying in the wind, which could go out at any time.
And that also meant that her life had come to an end. Mito raised her arm tremblingly, stroked Kushina's cheek, and said, "Grandma is dying." Kushina's mind suddenly became blank when she heard that, and then, the bitter emotion spread to her heart, eyes, and nose. "Don't leave me." Kushina's voice choked, and tears immediately fell from her eyes. It was not the first time she had experienced separation from life and death. That's how Kushina could understand how painful it was.
"Everyone will die, you don't have to be so sad." Mito smiled and slowly wiped away Kushina's tears. But Kushina couldn't control her emotions. For more than half a year, she had already regarded Mito as a relative in her heart. They all came from the Uzumaki clan. It was not easy for them to meet here after their homeland was destroyed. "Don't you listen to grandma?" Mito said in a trembling voice. "No." Kushina shook her head and tried hard not to cry.
Mito looked at Kushina, who looked sad, with mixed emotions in her heart. She moved her lips and said, "Kushina, can you promise me one thing?" Kushina nodded vigorously. "Well, can you continue to protect Konoha Village for me?" Mito stared at Kushina with her old eyes and said solemnly. The latter was stunned when she heard it.
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