The Senju Clan.
At the dining table, Kushina, unusually silent, sat with her head lowered, quietly and diligently preparing the meal.
Beside her, Tsunade had already finished eating. With her arms crossed over her chest, she watched Kushina with a half-smile, amusement dancing in her eyes.
It wasn't until Kushina awkwardly finished every dish in front of her—down to emptying the rice cooker—that she finally lifted her head and, with a guilty look, glanced at Tsunade.
"Sister Tsunade, um... do you need something?"
Seeing Kushina's guilty expression, Tsunade couldn't help but smile. She could see right through the younger girl's thoughts, and she understood.
"Kushina, yesterday Jiraiya and Minato came to see me. That blond brat does have remarkable talent when it comes to the Flying Thunder God Technique—he's already progressed to…"
Tsunade's teasing voice trailed off as she tossed a scroll onto the table, containing the training notes Minato had left behind.
However, at the mention of Minato, Kushina immediately puffed up with indignation. She glared and said, "Sister Tsunade, how could that sissy guy compare to Shirou?"
In her eyes, Shirou was the best—no one could compare to her Shirou.
"Kushina, sometimes you need to take off your blinders. Admitting someone else's strengths isn't hard. What's hard is recognizing your weaknesses—that's the only way to grow stronger."
Tsunade shook her head and gestured toward the scroll.
"This is what Jiraiya's disciple left behind. As for Shirou and Minato's progress in the Flying Thunder God Technique, well… one excels in spatial talent, while the other relies on someone's expertise in seals to make the technique even more stable."
Tsunade remained fair in her evaluation of the two, not favoring either.
"If the strengths of both were combined, then I think the Flying Thunder God Technique would once again astonish the ninja world. Unfortunately, spatial talent requires more time to hone unless you rely on external forces to push further.
"On the other hand, a lack of skill in seals also demands extensive study of sealing techniques and the use of external forces—both of which take time."
Tsunade's calm analysis left Kushina fuming. Though she was unwilling to admit it, she had to acknowledge the truth.
When it came to the Flying Thunder God Technique, she had personally solved about 80% of the issues related to the sealing formula. After all, the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques were unparalleled.
And Kushina wasn't just an Uzumaki—she had inherited all the clan's legacy. Her talent in sealing techniques was exceptional, and as a young girl motivated by love, she was practically supercharged.
"I believe in Shirou!"
Kushina pouted, puffing out her cheeks. Her eyes darted toward the scroll Tsunade had tossed over, and a flash of realization crossed her face. She quickly grabbed the scroll.
"Hmph, I don't know about anything else, but I do know that Konoha has plenty of Jonin who've completed A-rank missions. But how many of them get special favors?"
Kushina was implying that Minato had benefited from favoritism, while Shirou had been unfairly treated—forcing them to rely on their connections.
Watching Kushina grab the scroll, Tsunade chuckled and raised an eyebrow. "Kushina, just make a copy of the scroll and return it. Don't go giving it away entirely."
Her words instantly exposed Kushina's intentions, causing the girl to flush bright red.
"Sister Tsunade, you're just making fun of me! I'm not stupid. Besides, isn't this what you're hinting at anyway?"
Seeing Kushina's flustered, youthful demeanor, Tsunade shook her head with a smile. She then continued:
"Kushina, take the next few days to focus and prepare."
Though she didn't say it outright, Kushina's heart skipped a beat. Her expression didn't change, but a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Sister Tsunade, don't worry. It's just a stinky fox. I'm very strong now!"
Although she had long been prepared to become the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, now that the time had come, her feelings were still complicated.
Once she became a true monster, would Shirou still treat her the same?
For some reason, this thought crossed Kushina's mind.
"Kushina!"
Suddenly, a warm embrace enveloped her, causing Kushina to blush furiously. Wide-eyed, she quickly wriggled free.
"Sister Tsunade, I'm not a child anymore."
"Ahaha, so Kushina's all grown up now."
Tsunade's teasing smile made Kushina puff out her chest proudly. "Sister Tsunade, don't underestimate me. Grandma Mito said that with my sealing skills and the Adamantine Sealing Chains I've awakened, even half of that fox isn't my opponent.
"Besides, there's Mikoto and Shirou's Sharingan. If that fox causes trouble, we'll just lock it in a little black room!"
Love is blind, and this blind devotion fueled Kushina's determination. She was eager to subdue the Nine-Tails as soon as possible, to prove to Shirou that she could conquer the monster within her.
The word monster was like a thorn buried deep in Kushina's heart—a thorn that both Tsunade and Shirou were well aware of.
But neither of them ever said anything. At the very least, this pressure would push her to evolve her strength.
"Kushina, the Nine-Tails is a powerful force. It's not something you need to reject. And from what I've seen in Shirou's eyes, he doesn't seem to mind your power. Perhaps…"
As Tsunade spoke, she glanced at Kushina's puzzled expression and smirked. "The First Hokage's wife was a Nine-Tails jinchūriki, and Shirou's dream is to become Hokage. Maybe, Kushina…"
Whoosh! Kushina's eyes widened, her brain buzzing.
Her thoughts were consumed by the idea: if jinchūriki were Hokage's wives, then Grandma Mito was a living example. It made sense!
If Grandma Mito could do it, then Uzumaki Kushina could too!
Tsunade's meaningful smile carried a hint of complexity. She recalled Shirou's hoarse voice declaring his dream of becoming Hokage amidst the bloodshed of the battlefield.
Kushina's innocent romantic ideals made Tsunade sigh inwardly. For Shirou, the path to becoming Hokage might be difficult.
The White Fang had only just turned thirty, and with the elders clinging to power for twenty more years, how old would Shirou be by then? And there would always be younger candidates…
Still, looking at Kushina, Tsunade smiled. At least she had lit a fire in the girl's heart, which was better than rejecting her power.
"Sister Tsunade, I understand!"
Kushina nodded resolutely as if she had made up her mind. Tsunade raised an eyebrow and teased, "Oh? So what exactly has Kushina figured out?"
This time, Kushina didn't blush or hesitate. Instead, she declared with determination, "I'm going to ask Grandma Mito to seal more of the fox's power into me. I'm going to become the strongest jinchūriki!"
Tsunade was momentarily stunned. She had always known Kushina's thought process could be unconventional, but seeing it in action still left her speechless. Was that really what she had meant?
But Kushina's firm gaze showed her resolve. She was determined to rely on her strength to help Shirou become Hokage.
"Alright, I believe Kushina will be the strongest. But before that…"
Suddenly, Tsunade leaned closer, her teasing smile turning sly. She whispered in Kushina's ear:
"Kushina, I'm a woman too. If you need advice, I can teach you… And since you've been careful this time and haven't let Shirou take too much advantage, I'll keep your little secret."
The gentle words echoed in Kushina's ears, and her face turned crimson. She avoided Tsunade's gaze, her voice trembling in denial.
"Sister Tsunade… what are you talking about? I don't understand! Don't say weird things! Hmph! I'm going back to rest!"
Flustered, Kushina was like a cat with its tail stepped on. She hurriedly fled back to her room, her mind replaying the bold events of the previous night.
The thrill of tasting the forbidden fruit made Kushina feel both shy and deeply exhilarated. She secretly felt fortunate.
Luckily, she had been cautious enough to heal her injuries beforehand, otherwise, Tsunade might have discovered something was off.
In the living room, Tsunade watched Kushina flee in embarrassment and chuckled while shaking her head. "That girl... teasing her is one of the few tender moments I have left."
"Tsunade, you're teasing Kushina again, aren't you?"
At some point, Uzumaki Mito had quietly entered the room. She had witnessed everything just now but hadn't intervened. Instead, she looked deeply at her granddaughter.
"Grandma!"
"Tsunade, I've noticed that you're becoming more and more obsessed with power, even influencing Kushina."
The wise and experienced Uzumaki Mito wasn't fooled. Despite Tsunade's teasing demeanor toward Kushina, Mito could see that it was all to encourage Kushina to strive for greater power.
Faced with her grandmother seeing through her intentions, Tsunade didn't back down. Instead, she smiled and nodded.
"Grandma, I'm only doing this for Kushina's sake. At her age, when her heart is easily swayed by emotions, there's nothing more dangerous than love clouding her judgment."
"So you keep raising her expectations, pushing her to be more resolute in seeking power?"
Uzumaki Mito gave her granddaughter a complicated look before sighing softly.
"It's all Hashirama and Tobirama's fault back then. If even one of them were still here, you wouldn't have to carry such a heavy burden, Tsunade."
Despite her words, the elderly Mito didn't blame her granddaughter. After all, Tsunade was the only family she had left.
"Grandma!"
Tsunade, reverting to her playful, girlish self, hugged Mito, who could only shake her head in resignation.
"You… back when I told you to train, you were either gambling or drinking. I thought you'd live a carefree life. Who would've thought that you'd become exactly what I'd hoped you wouldn't?"
"I don't know if it's right or wrong," Mito said with a sigh. "But I do know one thing: absolute power is the only way to protect yourself and those you care about."
At this, Mito looked at Tsunade with a calm yet serious expression.
"Are certain factions within the clan becoming difficult to control?"
Tsunade chuckled bitterly and shook her head. "Grandma, you know how it is. There's always a small group of people blindly pursuing power. The Wood Release project is becoming too dangerous…"
Before she could finish, Mito cut her off with a cold snort.
"So, those people are colluding with outsiders, using the fact that you didn't inherit the Senju name as leverage against you?"
Two years.
It had been over two years since the Wood Release project began, and those people had waited all that time. Now, with some instigation, their impatience was starting to show.
So what if it's dangerous? What power isn't?
They were willing to take the risk!
"Tsunade, I know you. You're waiting until I'm gone to handle this, aren't you?"
Mito directly exposed her granddaughter's thoughts, leaving Tsunade with no choice but to admit it. She nodded helplessly.
After spending together for years, Mito could see how much her granddaughter had grown, even if she didn't show it openly.
After a moment of silence, Mito looked up at Tsunade with a solemn expression.
"Kushina will soon seal the Nine Tails. I plan to seal 60% of its power into her. As for those people in the clan, sometimes sacrifices have to be made."
"This old body of mine is still around. There's no need for you to shoulder everything alone. Find an opportunity to let those people come to me. If they're not afraid of dying, let them take their chances!"
"Grandma!" Tsunade was momentarily stunned before looking at her grandmother with deep gratitude.
When she was under such immense pressure, with her clan only concerned about power, it was her grandmother who stepped in to help her.
"There's no need to say more. Even if I don't do it, you'd handle it after I'm gone."
Mito looked at her granddaughter with a mixture of affection and sorrow.
Tsunade, who should have lived a carefree life under the protection of two generations of Hokage, was now burdened with the weight of her clan due to a series of unfortunate events.
"I understand. Don't worry, Grandma. Once those radicals fail in their experiments, it will wake up the rest of the clan. Besides, we still have some allies within the clan. I will protect the Senju Clan at all costs!"
Tsunade wasn't one to hesitate. Strong-willed and decisive, she nodded firmly, determined to eliminate the unstable elements within the clan and consolidate its strength.
...
The Hatake Clan.
Once a clan that had joined Konoha during its founding, the Hatake Clan had dwindled over the years. Once small in number, it had now faded into obscurity.
Most Konoha shinobi had forgotten that the Hatake was a clan, thinking it was merely a family with a strong shinobi lineage.
"Kakashi, this is a younger peer I've brought for you. He's a prodigy from the Uchiha Clan, so don't underestimate him—Shisui."
In a spacious backyard, Shirou spoke with a teasing smile. Behind him, a five-year-old boy with short hair bowed respectfully.
"Please guide me, Kakashi-senpai."
Across from them, Hatake Kakashi, wearing his signature mask, twitched slightly at the sight of the younger boy. Still, he maintained his composure and returned the greeting.
"Please guide me as well."
Watching the interaction between Shisui and Kakashi, Shirou smiled.
"Kakashi, Shisui is my new disciple. His talent is on par with yours, especially his speed."
Shisui, humble and gentle, gave a shy smile at the praise, showing none of the arrogance typical of many Uchiha.
Seeing his two disciples together, Shirou couldn't help but laugh internally.
Knowing Shisui's potential, how could he not take him under his wing? With his position, it was the easiest decision to make.
"Konan, you'll oversee their special training."
"Yes, Lord Shirou."
In the past two years, Konan had started to blossom. Though still somewhat youthful, she showed great potential, her gentle smile brimming with confidence as she nodded toward Shirou.
PS: So Kushina healed her injuries. Does it mean she regained her virginity? Sorry that was a strange thing to ask.