Mito and Kyuushin didn't stay long in the sealing space and soon came out. After this incident, Mito realized that Kyuushin's approach to the Nine-Tails was fundamentally different from her own. To her, the Nine-Tails was one of the causes of Hashirama's death, so she could never view it with a normal mindset. This prejudice allowed her to extract chakra from it, but their relationship had always been poor, with no possibility of improvement.
However, Kyuushin was completely different. Although he was surprised to see the Nine-Tails and felt a natural fear of its aura, it was just an instinctive reaction. In his heart, he seemed to hold no prejudice and even had some fondness for it. When Mito sensed this, she almost thought she was mistaken. But Kyuushin genuinely maintained a sense of goodwill towards the Nine-Tails from beginning to end, even when he was speaking ill of it. Now it seemed, as he himself had said, he was indeed the more suitable person to become the next Jinchuriki.
The scales in Mito's heart had already begun to tip. Becoming a Jinchuriki was not only a test of sealing jutsu but also required enduring immense psychological pressure from the beast's chakra and the views of outsiders. She believed a Jinchuriki needed other strong emotions to fill this inner void. But if one already had a fondness for the Tailed Beast, then the external pressures would be significantly reduced.
The more she thought about it, the more conflicted Mito felt. From Konoha's perspective, Kushina was undoubtedly the most suitable candidate. Her talent in sealing jutsu was not low, and given time, she could become a masterful sealer. This way, the Nine-Tails problem would be resolved, and Kyuushin could grow freely, giving Konoha another powerful ninja. But from an elder's perspective, since Kyuushin didn't detest the Tailed Beasts and was prepared to become a Jinchuriki, then Kushina wouldn't need to suffer. The cost would be that all the pain and hardship would have to be borne by Kyuushin, and his future potential would become uncertain.
Mito sighed. Fortunately, there was still plenty of time. She decided to observe their future development first.
Meanwhile, after Kyuushin left, he was about to return to his room when he saw Nawaki standing there, seemingly waiting for him.
"Are you looking for me for something?" he asked directly.
"Ah, Kyuushin, you're out," Nawaki scratched his head. "There is something I'd like to ask your opinion on."
Kyuushin gestured for him to go to a nearby pavilion. After they both sat down, he asked, "What is it?"
"You know my dream is to become Hokage, and I'm not really learning anything new at the academy anymore. I want to graduate early and start taking on missions. Do you think that's okay?"
Kyuushin looked at him strangely. "Shouldn't you be asking your sister or grandmother about this, not me?"
"Actually, I've had this idea for a long time, but every time I ask my sister, she forbids it," Nawaki's voice was a bit low. "So I wanted to ask your opinion. Even though you're younger than me, you're definitely stronger than me." Nawaki looked at Kyuushin with sparkling eyes.
Kyuushin thought for a moment, having likely figured out his thoughts. Nawaki had been suppressed by his sister and Mito for years. Even though he knew Kyuushin's approval would be useless, he still came to ask, probably hoping to gain some sense of validation. As the only surviving grandson of Senju Hashirama, whether he wanted to or not, he would always bear the heavy shackles of the First Hokage. Everyone in Konoha yearned for the glory of Hashirama to reappear in him. Becoming Hokage was his sole purpose. But unfortunately, his sister Tsunade and grandmother Mito protected him too well.
During the Second Great Ninja War, completely inexperienced, he was swept onto the battlefield and hastily lost his life. Thinking of this, Kyuushin felt a bit helpless. This was a problem he couldn't solve right now.
So, he avoided the question and asked one of his own. "Could your sister's refusal be because your strength isn't up to par yet?"
Nawaki paused. "But many classmates who aren't as strong as me have already graduated early."
"Then have you looked into their survival rates?"
Nawaki shook his head.
Kyuushin sighed softly. "Being a ninja isn't a game. It's constantly walking on a knife's edge. If you easily lose your life due to insufficient strength, how will you ever achieve your dream of becoming Hokage?" This was not the peaceful era of later generations, but a time when a major war was about to begin. C-rank missions would be the starting point, and it wasn't impossible for someone to encounter enemy ninja on their very first mission.
"But..."
"No 'buts.' Instead of constantly thinking about graduating, why not make some real progress? Look at me. My current strength is greater than yours, but I still know I have many shortcomings and I'm still learning and training every day. If you really want to graduate early, why not calm down and learn with me? When your sister and grandmother see your progress and that you have the strength to protect yourself, would they still not let you graduate? Even if you're not afraid of death, can you bear to make your sister and grandmother sad? Grandma is already so old; you have to consider her feelings, too."
"Alright," Nawaki could only accept after hearing Kyuushin's words. "But you make it sound like I'll die as soon as I go on a mission."
Kyuushin rolled his eyes and ignored him.
"Then you'll have to teach me in the future, like that water walking thing and so on."
"I know, I know. Now go to sleep; I'm exhausted," he yawned.