Chapter 42

Nawaki was overjoyed at the prospect of going out with Jiraiya, so much so that a wide grin stretched across his face. Although he greatly admired Orochimaru, he enjoyed spending time with Jiraiya the most. Jiraiya embraced Nawaki's playful nature and always included him, except for the rare times he'd abandon Nawaki to help a woman in distress. This made Nawaki deeply attached to him.

Before long, Nawaki and Jiraiya, along with an entourage and gifts, set off for the Daimyo's residence. Back in the village, preparations for the Nine-Tails transfer began in earnest.

The chosen location for the transfer was the Senju ancestral home. Despite her frailty, Uzumaki Mito embraced Kushina and whispered gently, "Do not be afraid, my dear. Grandma will watch over you from the heavens. You are a brave child."

"Grandma Mito, I don't want to say goodbye," Kushina wept, her eyes swollen and red, tears streaming down her face. The sorrow in her large, expressive eyes reflected her heartbreak.

"Silly child, I don't want to leave you either," Mito said, her voice full of love. "But this is our destiny. I have wanted to join your Grandpa Hashirama for some time now. Without me to keep him in check, I'm sure he's causing trouble wherever he is."

With Mito's soothing words, Kushina's sobs lessened, though the pain in her chest remained. Outside the ancestral home, Tsunade paced restlessly. Though she wanted to be by her grandmother's side, she had to hold her position as one of the seal's guardians. Like medical ninjas, skilled users of sealing jutsu were invaluable to their villages, and Tsunade was adept in both.

"Let's begin, Monkey," came the somber voice outside. The new leadership group, the revised F4, stood by.

With Danzo imprisoned, Akimichi Torifu had reluctantly taken his place as the Hokage's assistant. While Torifu preferred to stay out of politics and focus on family and food, Mito's insistence brought him into the fray. Danzo's betrayal and disgrace prompted Mito to suggest Torifu for the position, ensuring stability and balance in Konoha's power structure.

Torifu's initial reluctance was deep—he feared entangling the Ino-Shika-Cho families in village politics, wary of what that might mean for their peaceful existence. But Mito's resolve was unyielding. She dragged him into the role and placed the medical division under his oversight, shifting influence away from the Third Hokage and his long-time confidants, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.

Tsunade had been a key force behind this decision, explaining to Mito, "Grandma, even if you don't do it for me or Nawaki, do it for Kushina. If Kushina becomes the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and Danzo is released, what will happen to her?"

Mito had raised Hiruzen and knew his strengths and weaknesses well. She knew Danzo's ambition and ruthlessness. Initially hesitant, she finally agreed after considering the danger Kushina would face if Danzo returned to power.

And so, Torifu, the reluctant assistant, found himself at the center of the village's power play, unable to refuse. He tried every excuse, even pleading, but Mito's decision was firm. Ino-Shika-Cho, now tied to Tsunade's growing influence, had no choice but to stand by her.

The night of the tailed beast transfer, the Senju ancestral home was fortified, guarded by vigilant Konoha shinobi. The villagers knew little of the event, though some later recalled hearing a strange, guttural roar during the night.

The transfer proceeded smoothly. Kushina's strong natural talent, combined with the sealing prowess of the Uzumaki clan and Mito's support, helped her subdue the Nine-Tails. The beast, having spent years trapped, only managed a defiant roar before being sealed within Kushina's body once more.

"Uzumaki Mito!! Damn it, damn it!" The Nine-Tails bellowed in fury within its new prison.

Chains rattled as the massive fox thrashed about, but they held firm. The Uzumaki clan's unique sealing techniques were among the strongest restraints for a tailed beast. Even with its power, the Nine-Tails found itself bound from head to tail.

Unlike the seal Naruto would one day inherit, which allowed the Nine-Tails space to lie down and contemplate, the one binding Kushina left no such luxury. Chains bound its limbs and tails in a humiliating posture, with its head forced to the ground and its body awkwardly restrained.

Anger and humiliation burned in its eyes, but Kushina, consumed by the sorrow of losing Mito, ignored the fox's curses. Despite the uncomfortable sensations the Nine-Tails' struggles caused her, Kushina resolved not to show it any mercy.

The beast's fate was sealed, and with Mito's passing, Kushina embarked on a new chapter, carrying both her grief and the burden of her new role as the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki.

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