Uzumaki Mito suspected that Sora had found clues about an orphan from the Uzumaki clan and intended to have them replace Uzumaki Kushina as the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki.
However, Uzumaki Mito did not immediately agree to Sora's request.
She also understood why Sora had come to her—he hoped to gain her support in the future.
But Sora knew that even if another Uzumaki orphan was found, Konoha would not easily give up on Uzumaki Kushina.
And... Sora had already found a replacement, but Mito did not approve of them becoming the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki.
So far, every sealing technique she had taught Uzumaki Kushina had been specifically to help her control the Nine Tails.
Now that Kushina had finally learned the sealing techniques, replacing her would render all that effort meaningless.
Moreover, without mastering sealing techniques, the risk of a Jinchūriki losing control would increase significantly.
An out-of-control Jinchūriki was a disaster—one that could bring unimaginable destruction to the village. Countless lives would be at stake.
Seeing Uzumaki Mito's silent and troubled expression, Sora felt his heart grow cold.
Over the years, Uzumaki Mito had treated Uzumaki Kushina with great kindness. Sora had thought that she saw Kushina as her own child. He believed that if he found a way to prevent Kushina from becoming a Jinchūriki, Mito would support him.
But he had guessed wrong.
Compared to Konoha, Uzumaki Kushina was not important at all.
Sora's expression turned slightly cold. "Mito-sama, I apologize for disturbing you so late at night. Consider this matter as if I never brought it up. However, I would like to ask one thing of you—this request will not trouble you."
Hearing the coldness in Sora's voice and sensing his growing hostility, Uzumaki Mito sighed inwardly.
She nodded slightly.
Sora then made his request: "I want Kushina to live with me starting tomorrow."
Uzumaki Mito looked at him in surprise. "You want Kushina to stay away from me?"
Sora denied it. "That's not it. Kushina has a very lively personality, and I worry she might disturb your rest. Besides, she is not your daughter—she is simply a member of the same clan. She has already imposed on you for many years, and it would be disrespectful to continue burdening you.
From now on, I will take care of Kushina. Mito-sama won't have to worry about her anymore. I promise you—I will protect her and ensure she is never harmed for as long as I live."
Uzumaki Mito smiled bitterly. "Sora, in your eyes, is Kushina nothing more than a fellow clansman to me? Over these years, I have truly come to see her as my own child."
Sora responded, "But that doesn't change the fact that she isn't your daughter. Your only child is Tsunade-sama. From the beginning, Kushina was brought to Konoha as a vessel for the Nine Tails. And you... you were brought here to cultivate a Jinchūriki.
You merely grew attached to a container over time."
Sora's words were harsh, cutting deep.
Uzumaki Mito's aged face, already marked with wrinkles, seemed to age even more in that moment.
Her voice was solemn as she said, "Sora, regardless of how you see me or judge me, my feelings for Kushina are real. You are not me. You have no right to deny the bond I have formed with her over the years."
"And perhaps it's not a bad thing for Kushina to become the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki. She has the Uzumaki clan's strong physique, and with the right sealing techniques, I believe she will be able to control the Nine-Tails and turn its power into her strength," Uzumaki Mito said.
Sora looked at Uzumaki Mito calmly.
He had indeed considered the possibility of Kushina making the Nine Tails her ally.
But it wouldn't work.
The system had already told him that certain major events in the future were inevitable.
The child of destiny would undoubtedly be born.
And as the greatest ally of the child of destiny, the Nine-Tails would eventually fall into their hands.
If Kushina became the Nine Tails' Jinchūriki, she would be in grave danger.
That was why Sora was so determined to prevent her from taking on this role.
Sora said to Uzumaki Mito, "I am not denying your feelings for Kushina, Mito-sama. You are a great elder, and Kushina has grown into who she is today thanks to you.
You have done so much for her—it's time for you to rest. Please leave the rest to me. I will take care of Kushina, so I ask that you grant my request, Mito-sama."
Uzumaki Mito rubbed her temples, sighing helplessly. "Why are you so determined to stop Kushina from becoming a Jinchūriki, Sora? She is the best candidate—the best choice for Konoha."
Sora's voice was indifferent. "Everyone thinks Kushina is the best candidate for Jinchūriki. Even you, the only family she has left, see her as nothing more than that. But has anyone ever asked Kushina what she wants?
Who would willingly carry a ticking bomb inside their body, never knowing when it might go out of control?"
Uzumaki Mito fell silent.
She had no way to refute Sora's words.
Finally, Sora said, "As you said, Kushina has grown up.
There are things she cannot decide, but there are also things she can.
I will come to pick her up tomorrow."
Sora bowed to Uzumaki Mito, then turned and left.
After leaving Mito's house, Sora walked along the streets of Konoha, his brows furrowed and his expression dark.
If Uzumaki Mito helped him find Karin's mother in time, then there would be a real chance for Kushina to avoid becoming the Jinchūriki.
Because if, at that moment, Mito declared, "She is more suitable to be the Jinchūriki than Kushina," then Konoha would undoubtedly shift their focus onto Karin's mother.
As for sealing techniques, even if Uzumaki Mito passed away, Uzumaki Kushina—who had already learned them—could pass them down.
Thinking about Mito's claim that her feelings for Kushina were genuine, Sora felt nothing but disdain.
In the end, to Uzumaki Mito, Konoha's interests came before everything—even before her own people.
Konoha had been the Uzumaki clan's strongest ally.
And yet, how had the Uzumaki clan met their end?
Sora had learned the full story of the destruction of Uzushio from Orochimaru.
The Uzumaki clan had made significant contributions to Konoha's peace and prosperity. They had been key in shaping the Will of Fire and had lived by its ideals.
But because other nations feared their powerful sealing techniques, they became targets. Many nations and clans united to invade Uzushio, leading to its tragic downfall. The surviving Uzumaki were forced to hide their identities and scatter across the world.
Konoha had stood by and done nothing.
Uzushio had pleaded for help, but Konoha chose to watch and wait.
And in the end, Uzushio was destroyed. Not a single Konoha shinobi was sent to aid them.
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