"If that girl's going to become the new jinchūriki… then doesn't that mean Lady Mito…"
Jiraiya's pupils shrank, his face filled with shock. But it wasn't just because he'd learned from Hiruzen that Kushina Uzumaki was to become the next Nine-Tails' vessel.
The "Lady Mito" he spoke of was none other than the former head of the Uzumaki Clan, the wife of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—and one of the co-founders of Konohagakure itself!
Years ago, during the climactic battle between Hashirama and Madara Uchiha at the Valley of the End, it was Madara who controlled the Nine-Tails, wreaking havoc on the battlefield. It was Lady Mito who turned herself into a living vessel, sealing the beast within her body and tipping the scales in Hashirama's favor.
Madara was believed to have perished in that battle, sending shockwaves throughout the ninja world.
But for a jinchūriki, having a tailed beast extracted meant certain death. Which could only mean… Lady Mito's time was drawing to a close.
That was why the village's top brass had worked tirelessly to locate Kushina Uzumaki—one of the last surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan—and bring her to Konoha. The entire operation had been carried out under strict secrecy, so much so that not even Jiraiya himself had been informed.
If word got out to the other villages that Lady Mito was dying, it would stir unrest. The power of a tailed beast was far too tempting for any nation to ignore.
Hiruzen nodded gravely. "About six months ago, Lady Mito came to me herself. She said her life force was fading—at best, she had three years left…"
His voice trailed off, eyes clouding with sorrow. To him, Mito was more than just a village legend—she was his sensei's wife, his own teacher by extension, a woman who had sacrificed everything to seal the Nine-Tails within herself for the village's safety.
"That's why we mobilized in secret," he continued. "A little over a month ago, we found Kushina in a remote village on the border of the Land of Fire—an orphan, both parents gone. We brought her back to Konoha. Luckily, her life force is incredibly strong—strong enough to become the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki."
Jiraiya remained silent, listening intently.
"I'm telling you all this," said Hiruzen, "not just because you discovered her unique chakra… but because I entrusted Namikaze Minato to your tutelage. For some reason, that boy seems to care a great deal about Kushina. He's sharp—too sharp. Even if we said nothing, he would've figured it out eventually. In fact, the very day he met her, he already noticed the ANBU I placed at her side."
Jiraiya blinked in disbelief. "He noticed ANBU? Your personal detail?"
The Third Hokage chuckled. "Not only did he notice them—he tailed them, followed them all the way to where Kushina lives. When they caught on, he used a Transformation Jutsu as a decoy and slipped away."
"…This kid's really only seven?"
Jiraiya was stunned. He'd already been impressed when Minato passed his earlier tests, but this? This was on a different level.
"That's why," said Hiruzen, his eyes shining with conviction, "you must train him well. With the right guidance, he could become another pillar of strength for Konoha."
Jiraiya knew exactly what that meant—strength at the level of a Hokage.
"If he really is as you say, then yeah… he could become someone remarkable," Jiraiya agreed. But his expression darkened slightly, a shadow of doubt crossing his face.
Hiruzen caught the shift. "What's on your mind?"
"If Minato really cares about Kushina that much… then what happens when he finds out the village plans to use her as a vessel? Who's to say he won't rebel?"
Love can easily turn to hate. If Minato couldn't accept the village's decision, all their efforts might backfire.
To Jiraiya's surprise, Hiruzen simply smiled and nodded. "You really have matured… not the same reckless brat you used to be."
"As for your concern—I've considered that possibility. But perhaps Minato's way of thinking is beyond what we expect."
"He once told his academy teacher, Shirota-sensei, that the reason he wanted to become a ninja… was to gain the power to protect the people he calls family."
"And to him, that family… is everyone in the village."
Jiraiya's heart trembled. That kind of thinking…
Was exactly like a Hokage's.
The morning passed quickly, and soon it was lunch break.
Over the past week, the class had slowly warmed up to Minato again—not because of anything dramatic, but because he treated everyone just as warmly as he always had. With his gentle nature, it was hard for anyone to dislike him for long.
He'd also grown closer to both Mikoto and Kushina. The three of them now sat together during lunch, chatting over their bentos at their seats.
Suddenly, the classroom door slid open, and a boy entered, flanked by a small crowd. He walked straight toward Minato's desk.
Minato looked up, eyes calm as ever. Mikoto and Kushina, seeing who it was, continued talking as if nothing had happened.
Uchiha En's handsome face darkened with visible irritation at being ignored.
But then, a smirk tugged at his lips, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "So, Namikaze Minato. How much of the Clone Transformation Substitution trio did you manage to learn this morning from that clown Jiraiya?"
His tone oozed arrogance. The way he held himself said he'd already mastered them completely.
Minato raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady. "Lord Jiraiya is a respected elder. Even if you're from the Uchiha Clan, that doesn't give you the right to be rude."
"And as for how much I've learned… that's none of your concern."
En's temper flared. He slammed both palms on Minato's desk, leaning in with a glare. "Cut the crap. You don't get to lecture me. Fight me! I'll show you exactly why I do have the right to say that!"
"Uchiha En, that's enough. Quit causing a scene in someone else's class," Mikoto interjected sharply. Even she looked embarrassed by his behavior. Jiraiya was someone the clan head himself treated with deference—En's father might be an elder, but that didn't give him a free pass.
"Shut up, Mikoto! You're siding with an outsider? Disgraceful," En snapped, shooting her a furious glare.
Mikoto looked like she wanted to argue, but Minato placed a hand on her arm and shook his head gently. "Let him say what he wants."
"Hah! Hiding behind a girl, huh?" En sneered. "What a coward. Letting her defend you—what a joke."
Minato's expression didn't change in the slightest.
But Kushina's patience snapped.
"You think you're tough? Let's fight, then! I'll take you on!" she shouted, leaping to her feet.
In her heart, Minato had begun to occupy a special place. She couldn't stand by while someone like En insulted him.
But En ignored her completely. His eyes remained locked on Minato, a twisted grin on his face.
"So, nothing fazes you, huh? Soft words don't work… tough ones don't either… But now I know your weakness."
He drew back his fist—and suddenly lunged at Kushina!
Before she could even react—he was already swinging.