One month later.
At the Senju Ancestral Mansion.
This spacious mansion, once only inhabited by a woman.
But today, the high council of Konoha has gathered here along with those considered part of the Hokage's faction of ninjas.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat upright on the not-so-wide cushion, his posture extremely proper.
Beside him was Shimura Danzo, the Hokage Assistant recently released from house arrest and reinstated to his original position, along with Konoha Advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
In the row behind Konoha's high council were Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru, the three disciples of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In the last row was Jiraiya's apprentice, Namikaze Minato.
In this room, whether it was Konoha's Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen or the internally fuming Shimura Danzo, they all put away their usual authoritative habits, like students awaiting instruction.
They had been waiting for a while, yet no one dared to speak, remaining quite obedient.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze slowly scanned the room; in his youth, he had been brought there by Senju Tobirama to learn sealing techniques.
On the walls were various photos of Senju Hashirama—majestic Hokage portraits, amusing candid shots, and warm family pictures.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed softly; another pillar of Konoha was about to fall...
Moments later.
The inner chamber's door slowly opened, and everyone's expressions became solemn!
The elderly Uzumaki Mito led Uzumaki Kushina by the hand, walked slowly to the front of everyone, and sat down: "This child is now ready to take on the responsibility of becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."
"Monkey, you can prepare the layout for the ceremony now. While I can still control the Nine-Tails one last time, let's peacefully transfer the Jinchuriki."
Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed his head deeply, like an Anbu reporting to the Hokage: "Understood, Lady Mito!"
This woman, he had to treat like this.
She was the First Hokage's wife, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the most powerful sealing ninja in today's Ninja World, and Konoha's stabilizing force.
Though Uzumaki Mito never took action, her presence meant so much...
During the First Shinobi World War, initially, Konoha faced the combined assault of four Hidden Villages, but despite the rare military disadvantage, the Four Great Hidden Villages didn't dare directly invade Konoha, only wearing down its available forces on the battlefield.
Even after Senju Tobirama's death and Konoha's evident period of weakness, no one dared to provoke them again.
The reason for this was Uzumaki Mito.
While the other villages also had Tailed Beasts...
If they pushed this woman too hard, under the strategy of mutual destruction without protecting Konoha, even if she couldn't control the power of the Nine-Tails, its destructive release alone would be a loss that the Four Great Hidden Villages couldn't bear.
This deterrent impact even radiated into the Second Shinobi World War.
The Hidden Sand, driven mad by poverty, and Salamander Hanzo, wanting to become the sixth "Kage," tangled with Konoha in a stalemate.
Yet the other three Hidden Villages maintained a watchful attitude, daring only to pull small tricks for easy advantages, not openly declaring war.
They all knew, though Uzumaki Mito had aged, it didn't mean she was unable to fight.
So, even though other Hidden Villages had long coveted Konoha's resources, they could wait a few more years...
Only the Hidden Rain and Hidden Sand, reckless like those with nothing to lose, knew it wasn't worth Uzumaki Mito using the Nine-Tails' power, thus acting exceptionally wanton.
"Kushina, her chakra level is sufficient to maintain the Nine-Tails seal. I will also leave her a corresponding sealing array to help her adapt to life as a Jinchuriki..."
Uzumaki Mito lightly coughed, her gaze nostalgically passing over the photos on the wall, looking at the juniors present.
At this moment, everyone, including Shimura Danzo, looked at Uzumaki Mito with respect in their eyes.
Uzumaki Mito's life was actually far from its end.
As a genius sealing ninja who invented the Yin Seal, extending her life would be an easy matter.
But to best transfer the Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Mito chose to prematurely end her life.
With Uzumaki Mito's status and position, no one could force her to do so; it was all her choice...
"Tsunade, come sit here, I want to see you."
Tsunade promptly rose, sat beside Uzumaki Mito, and held her grandmother's hand: "Grandmother..."
Uzumaki Mito smiled warmly at Tsunade, but a trace of surprise flickered in her eyes.
Uzumaki Mito knew Tsunade's previous condition; lost in indulgence and listlessness, it deeply worried her as an elder, though she could not help.
As a Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito understood a truth: mental wounds are much harder to heal than physical ones.
But now, the Tsunade before her radiated vitality from within, her eyes once again bright and lively.
"Little Tsuna, have you come around? Truly worthy of being your grandfather's granddaughter..." Uzumaki Mito said joyfully.
Tsunade's situation was among the few concerns that she couldn't let go of.
Tsunade smiled, raised a thumb playfully, and said, "Your bloodline also supports me... Compared to my gambling-loving grandfather, I am more like your resilient self!"
Uzumaki Mito smiled but noticed something unusual, casting her gaze towards Tsunade's chest.