Around seven o'clock, the rain finally stopped.
In the small yard, several trees transplanted from Uzushio Village had grown crooked from lack of care. Their branches leaned under the eaves of the corridor.
Rainwater still dripping from the eaves struck the leaves with soft, rhythmic taps.
After listening for a while, it felt as if one's heartbeat slowed to match the sound.
Red lanterns hung in the courtyard, each bearing the Uzumaki clan symbol.
This was an ancient tradition of the Uzumaki clan—when the death of a clan member approached, red lanterns were lit in remembrance.
The air had cooled since the rain. Uzumaki Mito tucked her quilt around herself as she lay in bed.
At the table, Kushina carefully poured two small cups of sake. A rich, mellow aroma wafted from the cups.
She handed one to Mito, and the other to Uchiha Tatsumi, who sat nearby.
Mito raised the cup, but suddenly began coughing. Kushina quickly patted her back with concern.
Uchiha Tatsumi looked worried as he held his cup.
Once the coughing stopped, Mito sipped her drink and let out a sigh of contentment.
Noticing the concerned looks on their faces, she chuckled.
"I'm not dead yet. What's with those faces?"
"Come on, kid. Drink up. This sake was hidden away by Hashirama himself. He buried it underground. You won't find anything this good anywhere else."
"I don't know how so much went missing… probably Tsunade sneaking drinks again. If you don't drink now, there won't be another chance."
Uchiha Tatsumi had experienced Mito's carefree attitude before. He nodded and raised his cup in silence.
"Funny thing is, I didn't even like sake at first," Mito mused. "But Hashirama would always get drunk with Madara… then Madara would drag him off and make him stay the night."
"I got curious, took a sip once… and realized it was actually pretty good."
"Grandma, is it okay for your body to drink?" Kushina asked hesitantly.
"My health is fine—for now," Mito said with a serene smile. "Before I go, I intend to finish what I started."
She extended her cup, and Kushina poured her another.
At the mention of "death," Kushina's eyes welled up, but she didn't cry. She swallowed her sorrow and poured with steady hands.
"It's been three years since you left Uzushio, hasn't it?" Mito asked softly.
"Are you getting used to Konoha? Have you met someone special?"
"Grandma! You're teasing me!" Kushina blushed, shaking a fist at her. Her crimson hair swayed like a fiery peony.
"Look at you. So feisty already. The moment I bring it up, you're blushing and acting defensive. It's adorable," Mito laughed.
Then, Kushina fell quiet.
"But in the end... you're still my only family."
Mito was taken aback by the words. She looked at Kushina—red hair, bright features, a strong will. So much like herself as a child.
When Hashirama had died, she had felt this same loneliness. Now it was her turn to pass on.
Mito gently placed a hand on Kushina's head.
"Kushina… no one lives forever. I can't stay with you until the end. But I'm grateful I had time with you."
After a pause, she added with a smile, "Could you fetch the scroll I left with Tsunade? I need to speak with Tatsumi privately."
Kushina nodded and quietly stepped out, knowing what was coming.
The room fell still.
Mito pulled back her covers and motioned for Uchiha Tatsumi to help her sit up.
She rose slowly, the long, ceremonial robes of the Uzumaki clan flowing like the petals of a blooming lotus.
She took a seat across from Tatsumi.
"Tatsumi, do you know what the Tailed Beasts are?"
"Yes," he nodded. "They were captured and divided by the First Hokage after the Warring States Era."
"Correct. People learned to harness their power by sealing them into humans. That is a jinchūriki."
She paused, looking into his eyes.
"Do you know why Kushina came to Konoha?"
"To become the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki… to succeed you."
Mito nodded.
"That's right. She came to take my place as the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki."
"Being a jinchūriki is painful. You're carrying a beast inside you. People look at you differently—sometimes with fear, sometimes with hatred. Do you blame me for making her one?"
Tatsumi shook his head. The Nine-Tails was a double-edged sword—dangerous, but also powerful. To someone like him, power meant survival. There was no reason to blame Mito.
Mito smiled.
"You know why I'm telling you this? These are top secrets of the village. But I believe in bonds more than secrecy. Given your relationship with Kushina, you'd find out sooner or later."
"As a jinchūriki, I've developed a sense for people's hearts. I can see you're different, Tatsumi. You have great talent—and one day, you'll be strong enough to protect her."
"But more than that… people like Kushina—jinchūriki—need love. Konoha can guard her body. But it can't fill the loneliness in her heart."
"So I ask you, from one old soul to another—when I'm gone, will you stay by her side?"
---
When Uchiha Tatsumi stepped out into the corridor, Kushina was sitting on the wooden steps with her knees pulled to her chest, staring into the night.
Because of the rain earlier, the air was cool and crisp. From the yard, the Hokage Rock was just visible in the distance.
He sat beside her.
"...Actually, I lied," Kushina said softly. "I'm scared."
"I saw so many people die in Uzushio… I thought I had gotten stronger. But I'm not. I'm still afraid."
"...Granny Mito's death is my fault. If it weren't for me, she might've lived a little longer."
Uchiha Tatsumi silently pulled her into an embrace.
She clung to him as the tears finally came, and for a moment, time stood still.
---
A week later, Uzumaki Mito passed away peacefully in her courtyard.
Kushina became the Nine-Tails' second jinchūriki.
An era had come to an end.
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