Chapter 31: Sealing Part of the Nine-Tails' Chakra
Inside the tent...
"Tsunade-nee," said Kushina Uzumaki, usually bold and brash, but this time forcing a strained smile.
Seeing her expression, Tsunade offered a comforting, indulgent smile, stepping forward to gently ruffle Kushina's red hair. "Kushina, I believe you'll become as strong as Grandma Mito."
Despite Tsunade's encouragement, Kushina's mood remained low, though she managed a weak smile. "Don't worry, Tsunade-nee, I'm a kunoichi aiming to become Hokage."
But the usual spirit behind her declaration was missing, as if she were trying to motivate herself.
After Kushina left, Jiraiya's face turned serious. "Tsunade, has Kushina been sealed already?"
Tsunade nodded, sighing. "During our last supply mission back to the village, Kushina had part of the Nine-Tails' chakra sealed within her. It's her destiny; she needs to get used to it sooner or later."
Sealing a tailed beast is safest when a portion of its chakra is sealed first. This allows the host to adapt, and any issues can be addressed in advance.
Jiraiya frowned. "Tsunade, isn't she a bit too young for this? Weren't we going to wait until she was an adult?"
Jiraiya was puzzled by the rush. Even for gradual adaptation, it seemed too soon.
But Tsunade let out a faint, sorrowful sigh, her eyes showing a hint of sadness. "Jiraiya, Grandma Mito wanted to see Kushina adapt to being a jinchūriki before she passes."
Hearing this, Jiraiya fell silent. The term "jinchūriki" is feared across the five great ninja villages, despite referring to living people.
"Tsunade, let this mission be a chance for Kushina to unwind a bit."
"Understood."
After Jiraiya left, Tsunade's somber expression transformed into a faint smirk, and her sadness faded.
There's no denying it—ninjas are masters of deception. And a kunoichi like Tsunade? She's practically an expert at it.
'If even Jiraiya thinks this is rushed, what about the village's conservative elders?'
Once alone, Tsunade gazed toward Konoha with a mocking smile.
The deaths of Nawaki, Dan Kato, and others had made her—and the Senju clan—more cautious.
Kushina Uzumaki must be the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki! The current, weakened Senju can't risk losing the Nine-Tails as a protector. Without it, the Senju would likely be trampled on by others.
---
Outside the camp, in the forest, the Konoha ninja readied themselves. When Jiraiya arrived, he waved his arm, and the ninjas disappeared into the trees in a flurry of motion.
Uchiha Yosuke, wearing a sturdy silver-gray armor, leapt through the forest. Half the squad carried large, heavy sealing scrolls, while the others positioned themselves to protect them.
Sealing scrolls are precious and limited, only used to deliver supplies to Orochimaru's frontline elite forces. If this were a mission for a thousand-ninja battalion, the cost would be astronomical. Even the great nations wouldn't be so extravagant.
After all, sealing scrolls themselves are strategic resources. If they're destroyed or captured, it would hurt even the five great ninja villages—let alone smaller ones.
Some minor ninja villages might never even see a sealing scroll.
"Kushina, are you okay?" Minato Namikaze looked at Kushina with concern as they sped through the trees.
Normally spirited, Kushina uncharacteristically maintained a calm and steady voice. "Stay alert."
Watching from nearby, Shikaku Nara raised his brows in suspicion, then subtly distanced himself from Kushina, having an inkling of what was going on.
He wasn't wrong to be cautious. The Nine-Tails' chakra within her was freshly sealed and prone to causing her distress.
Ahead, Yosuke Uchiha, leaping beside Hiashi Hyuga, observed this with a smirk.
Unbelievable! One minute they're on my side, the next, they're calculating against me.
Kushina's Nine-Tails chakra seal was something Tsunade had confided to him, instructing Jiraiya to keep it secret. But Jiraiya and Tsunade both turned out to be schemers.
Jiraiya quickly told his student, Minato, reasoning it wasn't classified information for someone already aware of Kushina's status as a jinchūriki candidate.
In the center of the formation, Jiraiya watched, wondering, 'Could it be that Tsunade actually didn't tell Yosuke Uchiha this time?'
For once, Jiraiya was stumped. Tsunade was known for defying protocol, and he hadn't expected her to comply this time.
'This is a headache!' Jiraiya thought, shaking his head. He glanced between Yosuke and his own student, Minato. Minato, despite being from a civilian background, could help bridge relations between Konoha and the Senju through his connection to Kushina.
So, regardless of their mentor-student relationship, Jiraiya would still support Minato here.
---
Back at camp...
Perched atop a tree and gazing in the direction of Kushina's group, Tsunade's expression was serious. A masked ANBU appeared in the shadow behind her.
"Tsunade-sama, the rogue ninjas from the Land of Lightning have received word and entered the area."
Upon hearing the report, Tsunade nodded grimly. "Proceed according to plan, and notify Fugaku Uchiha that he's temporarily in charge of the camp."
"Understood!"
Once the ANBU vanished, Tsunade took a deep breath, her expression hardening with a hint of malice.
"Let's settle the score from Uzushio's downfall."
The Land of Lightning harbored a powerful mercenary ninja unit known as "Red ring ninjas," known by all five great nations to be secretly funded by the Hidden Cloud. They'd been pillaging and raiding for years, stealing countless jutsu and techniques for the Hidden Cloud.
The destruction of Uzushio was a collective action by several hidden villages, but the red ring ninjas from the Land of Lightning benefited most, acquiring much of Uzushio's sealing knowledge. This would later enable the Hidden Cloud to become experts in tailed beast sealing.
"Kushina, I hope you'll grow strong quickly."
Tsunade sighed to herself. She'd wanted to avoid pushing Kushina too soon, but with mounting threats to the Senju, she had little choice but to speed up her plans.
Kushina would need to mature rapidly to gain the strength to protect herself. This mission was not only a challenge for her but an opportunity to find closure with her past.
***
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