The terrifying thing about Ninja Sects like the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki clans is this: there might be an unremarkable couple living ordinary lives for thirty years, only to suddenly give birth to a child of extraordinary talent—one capable of changing the entire world.
This probability of "geniuses" being born far surpasses anything common people could ever achieve.
It's very simple: a ninja who works hard their whole life may still fall short of what another person's inherited DNA can achieve in just ten months.
That's why later on, ninja villages like Mist carried out plans to exterminate kekkei genkai holders and members of these great clans—it's possible they were genuinely striving to eliminate class divisions between the talent-poor and talent-rich, ultimately contributing to social fairness, justice, and even world peace.
After all, every chaos in this world ultimately traces back to the bloodline of the Six Paths Sage (the originator of modern chakra and founder of the ninja system).
"This child... her parents are ordinary members of the Uzumaki clan, not ninja themselves, but she's different. In some ways, she's quite similar to me, which is why I've chosen her as my successor."
Mito Uzumaki gently patted the head of the little girl beside her while explaining the child's identity to Haseo.
At this time, the Uzumaki clan remained one of the surviving clans. If they had managed to survive under their original fate of destruction, then naturally they wouldn't have disappeared now due to butterfly effects.
Actually, this was quite normal.
Since Mito Uzumaki explained things this way, Haseo naturally could guess the red-haired Uzumaki girl's identity.
Kushina Uzumaki, age six.
Needless to say, talented and gifted individuals always get chosen eventually—the second Nine-Tails Jinchuriki originally from Konoha was now once again selected by Mito Uzumaki.
Haseo carefully examined the child. If he wasn't mistaken, "Kushina Uzumaki" should grow up to become a beautiful woman with a plump oval face, though currently retaining baby fat, giving her more of a round-faced appearance… no, wait—at six years old, you'd just call it an adorable round face.
His piercing gaze made the child instinctively hide behind Mito Uzumaki.
Haseo shook his head; apparently, he just wasn't someone kids naturally liked… although actually, whose fault was that? Who told him to treat all children like mischievous brats?
"Milady Mito, at this point in time, the need doesn't exclusively fall upon the Uzumaki anymore. So you don't really need to worry about this anymore," Haseo finally turned away his gaze after the child completely hid herself behind Mito, addressing Mito Uzumaki thusly.
However, Lady Mito shook her head, saying, "No matter how widely power disperses or how much the threshold lowers for becoming a 'vessel,' the Uzumaki clan remains the most suitable choice. Since our clan has decided to integrate into Konoha, certain responsibilities must still be borne… even though this decision may be unfair to the child."
There's a difference between actively taking on responsibilities and passively accepting them. The Uzumaki will take on the responsibilities that are rightfully theirs, but the village must also uphold justice in how it treats them. Understand this—Uzumaki is merely part of Konoha, not the entirety of Konoha. Do you understand what I mean?"
Haseo fell silent for a moment before finally nodding.
What he meant earlier was that the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki wouldn't necessarily have to come from the Uzumaki clan. However, Mito Uzumaki's words made more sense: Now that the Uzumaki were part of Konoha, and given that they were still the most suitable people to become Jinchuriki, it was natural for Uzumaki members would continue serving as the Nine-Tails' vessels.
That much was only natural. Mito Uzumaki and the entire Uzumaki clan were willing and ready to accept such responsibility—but there was an even more important implication beneath her words. Konoha had to maintain fairness. While future Uzumaki clan members would serve as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, if the village ever required eight Jinchuriki in the future, all eight could absolutely not be filled by Uzumaki alone.
Being a ninja is dangerous enough, but being a Jinchuriki takes that risk to another level—the Tailed Beasts constantly struggle within their hosts, looking for any chance to break free from their seals, and Jinchuriki are always the top priority targets for enemy forces on the battlefield.
We'll take the responsibilities we're supposed to carry, but the village cannot place every burden upon the Uzumaki clan alone… Mito wasn't trying to play favorites with her own family; she just wanted fair treatment and hoped her descendants wouldn't be taken advantage of after she was gone.
"Lady Mito, I think your concerns won't actually happen. Once multiple vessels become necessary, then the previous plans would definitely be partially disclosed to the upper levels of Konoha leadership. And at that time, even out of caution alone, they would never allow all power to concentrate within the Uzumaki clan."
"When there's only one vessel, naturally only an Uzumaki can handle it. But when there are eight? Then the elders will start thinking about balance and checks and balances," Haseo continued thoughtfully.
Preventing monopoly over power and maintaining equilibrium were basic politics. Currently, Konoha's leaders perfectly represented political beings—perhaps not as capable as the previous generation, but definitely more politically savvy.
"..."
Mito hadn't really considered this point before now, and Haseo's words reminded her.
"You make a good point, Haseo. Still… why does it sound like you hold quite a few grievances against the Hokage and current elders?"
"Cough, misunderstanding, Lady Mito. It was just your imagination."
"Of course it wasn't true at all. The Third Hokage and the elders are all people who fulfill their duties accordingly. My previous statements were nothing more than logical predictions based on their past actions," Haseo quickly added.
Absolutely—what he said was merely a reasonable political prediction regarding Konoha's leadership policies. As Haseo Yu, he was upright and kind-hearted, and had never said a bad word about anyone in his life.
Meanwhile, the young Kushina Uzumaki couldn't understand a word Haseo and Lady Mito were discussing. She also had no idea what heavy burden awaited her in the future. Yet curiosity pushed her to peek her head out again.
"But if the Uzumaki must make sacrifices, was it really necessary to choose a child like this? The malicious aura, ill intent, and violent negativity from that thing might affect her mind—surely mentally stable adults would be more reliable than children. Mokkō might even be a better choice."
Fortunately for everyone involved, Mokkō didn't hear what Haseo had just said; otherwise, she definitely would've gotten angry. That great leader never thought of her for good tasks but always brought her up first when trouble arose.
Was the legendary Kagenami Juusshou—the Kagenami Thirteen Fragrances—meant to be sacrificed?
"First," Kushina Uzumaki explained, "considering stability and long-term effectiveness, a 'vessel' should ideally last a lifetime. Replacing hosts costs too much, so naturally we should pick from among the children. Second, even though Mokkō can use Adamantine Sealing Chains, her talent still doesn't compare to this child's. I can guarantee that."
Kushina's words were trustworthy. In Konoha, nobody knew the Jinchuriki system like she did. Or the Nine-Tails' chakra—and how Uzumaki chakra could suppress it far better.
"As for your concerns about negative effects from the beast, well, that's something you'll all have to watch over her carefully in the future."
As she spoke, Kushina Uzumaki took the child's hand and gently pulled her out from behind herself, nudging the little girl slightly toward Haseo.
Haseo: "..."
"I don't have unlimited time," Kushina continued. "Her parents are only ordinary people… Haseo, since you were the one who advocated bringing the Uzumaki to Konoha, half the future of the Uzumaki rests on your shoulders. This is your responsibility."
This sounded suspiciously like shifting blame onto someone else.
But in a way, it wasn't entirely wrong either. Haseo had been the one to propose the Uzumaki relocation plan in the first place. If the Uzumaki clan were to 'disappear' from Konoha in the future, he would indeed bear some responsibility.
Slightly helpless, Haseo crouched down until his eyes met the young girl's level. After hesitating briefly, he finally placed one hand gently on the child's shoulder.
"How did you get these injuries?"
This first interaction was incredibly awkward. As expected, Haseo had no talent for connecting with kids. And this situation proved far more challenging than when he'd interacted with Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya back in his younger days—not that those interactions had ever gone smoothly either, though at least then all he needed to do was jump straight into a fight.
The little girl looked up at Kushina first, seeking approval. Only when the older woman gave a slight encouraging nod did she finally speak.
"From fighting at school..."
Tears glistened in the child's eyes. She looked hurt and vulnerable, yet stubborn at the same time.
Then she continued quietly...
"Me against ten of them."
Well, apparently despite looking somewhat battered, she hadn't backed down—not one bit.
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