Chapter 74

"I hardly understand anything about medicine, but your theory looks logical," Mito tiredly rubbed her nose and leaned back in her chair. "I'm willing to try, especially since there's no risk — worst-case scenario, I'll die within a month after resealing."

"And in the best-case scenario, you'll have half a lifetime ahead of you, and I'll have to call you Mito-chan," I smirked slyly.

"Well, it's nice to dream," she chuckled.

"Besides, Kushina will need all the support she can get," I said seriously, "Princess Uzumaki, the honorary elder of the Senju clan, and the wife of the first Hokage — no one would dare touch her, but the same can't be said for Kushina Uzumaki — just a jinchuriki without the support of family and parents. Of course, there's me too, but I doubt the Hokage and the elders would be pleased if someone were to influence the 'village weapon' without their consent. So, baa-chan, your only way out is to stay alive for as long as possible. And then who knows how things will turn out..."

Not to mention that I've already been attempted to be kidnapped once, and I really don't want to give any extra reasons for a second attempt.

"I understand, Ryu-kun," Mito sighed heavily, suddenly looking even older than she actually was, "Toka-chan could take care of Kushina, but even she isn't all-powerful in Konoha, despite all the influence of the Senju. The war has taken its toll even on the strongest clans."

"That's why we should continue to try to improve the seal, rather than settle for what we've achieved," I concluded. "When is the transfer planned?"

"In two weeks, no later — Hiruzen and his gang are too worried about my sluggishness," Uzumaki scoffed, "and Danzo's rats are lurking around too often."

"Then, while there's still time, I'll try to come up with something else," I nodded to her.

After all, I haven't experimented with my own blood yet. Who knows what results can be achieved with a bit of imagination, diligence, knowledge, and ideas. Perhaps saturating the blood with medical chakra is the desired way to reproduce Karin's technique. I'll need to dig into the library, both at the hospital and the clan's, and read about the general properties of blood. Maybe the method of creating blood-restoring pills will come in handy if the idea succeeds.

"Baa-chan, we're back!" a lively voice of Kushina from outside the house interrupted the silence, followed by the slamming of the door.

Quickly jumping to the ceiling, I stuck with chakra and, running a little along it, hung over the door, contorting my face as the giggling Mito began to laugh into her palm. Hurried steps were heard from the corridor, and Kushina burst into the living room, followed by my clone, who walked completely silently.

"Kavarimi," I whispered quietly, forming a seal and swapping places with the clone.

A small puff of smoke under the ceiling quickly dissipated, and I caught training weapons pouches and, acting as if nothing had happened, followed the little one, who ran to her grandmother, sorting through the memories she received.

"Did you have a good walk?" Mito asked.

"Yes, Ryo-nii is so fast and strong!"

"And I'm smart and handsome too!" he added, smiling broadly.

"I'll be like that too when I grow up, dattebane!" the little girl exclaimed, throwing her fist into the air.

Oh kami, here she goes again with her catchphrase!

"You're already beautiful, Kushina-chan," Mito reassured her.

"And to become as smart as me, you need to read a lot and play shogi," I chimed in, "how about a little game?"

"Okay, now I'll win for sure, dattebane!"

Sighing, I unfolded the shogi board and pieces, casting a quick glance at the elder Uzumaki. A few months ago, we had a substantive conversation about Kushina's use of ninjutsu, and since then, the little one has devoted a lot of time to various mental activities, including reading and shogi.