Chapter 28: Never Rely on Others for Your Safety

"So you're saying that Kushina's identity as a Jinchuriki was discovered because she smells like a fox?" The Nine-Tails processed this information in its own way. What do foxes smell like?

Probably like fox stench!

After jumping to that conclusion, the Nine-Tails lost it, roaring furiously that it would devour Takuya.

The Nine-Tails' struggles sent waves of searing heat and sharp pain through Kushina's abdomen, making her wince.

"You go ahead and deal with that," Takuya said calmly, recognizing the situation. "I'm not in a rush."

"Stupid fox! Calm down!" Kushina snapped, her patience wearing thin.

What's your problem anyway?

"That brat dared to say I stink like a fox! I'll eat him!" the Nine-Tails growled in her mind.

"..."

Are you serious right now?

Or just plain dumb?

In her mind's eye, Kushina stared incredulously at the raging beast. When did Takuya ever say you stink?

You're just making stuff up, you smelly old fox!

"Aaargh!!" the Nine-Tails howled in frustration.

Kushina wasn't having it anymore. She crossed her arms, glaring, as she controlled the Adamantine Chains, using them like whips to lash at the beast.

"I'm going to eat you! Eat you!!" the Nine-Tails roared in a fury.

It had been sealed away for decades, and even Mito Uzumaki hadn't treated it like this. Now Kushina was using her chains to whip it into submission?

The Nine-Tails was livid.

"Hmph!" Kushina didn't care one bit, using the chains to bind the Nine-Tails' mouth shut. The beast now resembled a captured crocodile with its snout taped shut.

She didn't stop there, though. Kushina bound the Nine-Tails' front and back paws, pulling its tails higher every time it struggled, until its own tail was nearly over its head.

The Nine-Tails' eyes widened in horror as it realized what was about to happen. To avoid the embarrassment of being stuck with its own tail over its head, it finally gave in.

Finally calmed down.

Kushina noted that this method was effective against the Nine-Tails and made a mental note of it before exiting her mind space, feeling quite satisfied.

"All done. Let's continue," she said cheerfully, dusting off her hands.

Poor Nine-Tails, Takuya thought, offering it a silent moment of sympathy before lowering his voice.

"Kushina, since the war began, the number of ANBU guarding you has decreased significantly," he said seriously. "You shouldn't move out of the Senju Compound anytime soon. Instead, find a way to dig out a secure space beneath your room."

"When you sleep, leave a shadow clone in your bed and sleep in the hidden space below. Understand?"

"What?" Kushina was confused. Why go to all this trouble just to sleep? Is someone after me?

But this is Konoha! Even with ANBU watching, could something really happen here?

"Remember, never rely on someone else for your safety," Takuya said, his tone grave.

"During wartime, many ANBU are sent to the front lines to gather crucial intelligence, leaving fewer to protect the village. If someone targets you, it'll be dangerous."

"And as for your identity as a Jinchuriki, while it might be hidden from some, it won't escape the notice of spies from other villages.

"As soon as they realize you're living in the Senju Compound and know you're an Uzumaki, they'll figure out you're the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki."

The identity of Konoha's Jinchuriki wasn't hard to deduce for anyone with half a brain.

Uzumaki clan, red hair, massive chakra reserves—those three traits alone were enough to give it away.

And with Kushina having been brought to Konoha from Uzushiogakure, the secret was bound to get out.

Takuya was sure that Kushina's details were already on file in the intelligence offices of other villages.

Otherwise, how could you explain how Kumogakure's forces managed to time their infiltration so perfectly when Konoha was fighting against Amegakure and Sunagakure? They almost captured Kushina and even made it to the borders of the Land of Fire.

If Minato hadn't intervened, Kushina would have either ended up a prisoner in Kumogakure or had the Nine-Tails extracted from her, leading to her untimely death.

In critical moments like those, neither ANBU nor Root could be relied upon.

Konoha's focus on the war with Amegakure meant the village's defenses were much weaker.

If shinobi from other villages managed to infiltrate, Kushina would be in real danger.

Strong?

Lots of chakra?

So what?

With a well-laid plan, there are countless ways to subdue you and whisk you away.

"I understand. I'll prepare everything as you said," Kushina replied, realizing this wasn't a matter to be taken lightly.

In Konoha, she might have been restricted in her movements and unable to leave the village, but at least she could live peacefully without anyone openly acknowledging her as a Jinchuriki.

No one discriminated against her, thanks in large part to Mito Uzumaki's influence.

But if she were captured and taken to another village, there was no doubt she'd be imprisoned, tortured for her Uzumaki bloodline, and left wishing for death.

"Today's conversation—I won't tell anyone, not even Tsunade. This will be our secret!" Kushina said with a playful wink and a sweet smile before Takuya could even caution her.

"..."

Did she just flirt with me?

Man, kids in the shinobi world really are too mature for their age, Takuya thought, feeling a bit flustered.

If it had been Mikoto, he might've joked back, but this was Kushina. He knew better than to mess around.

Otherwise, the ANBU might just run off to report him right away.

"Alright, let's get you home so you can start preparing. Better safe than sorry," Takuya said, standing up.

"Okay," Kushina agreed, standing as well and obediently following Takuya out of the park toward the Senju Compound.

Though the Senju clan had been largely assimilated into the civilian population, with only the direct descendants of Hashirama Senju remaining, the compound still stood within the village.

Unfortunately, no matter how deep the clan's pockets, even they couldn't withstand the extravagance of the "Great Fat Sheep" of the shinobi world.

Within a few years, the entire Senju Compound would likely be reduced to just the ancestral home, with the rest being sold off to cover debts.

The Third Hokage might have helped settle those debts, but it came at the cost of splitting and selling off parts of the compound.

But Kushina trusted Takuya completely. She knew he wouldn't lie to her or endanger her, even knowing she was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.

So she followed his instructions without hesitation.