"Huh?"
Kushina froze the moment she pushed the door open.
"Mikoto? What are you doing here?"
She stood in the doorway of the office, one hand still gripping the doorframe, crimson eyes full of confusion. This was clearly Aomizu's office—she'd been here more times than she could count. But at this hour, Mikoto should have already returned to the Uchiha compound.
Yet there she was.
Calm, composed, sleeves neatly rolled up, as if this were the most natural place in the world.
"Aomizu has been busy all day," Mikoto replied gently, as she bent over to organize the bento boxes on the table. "If I hadn't brought dinner, he would've had to cook again after getting home."
Her movements were practiced and intimate—stacking bowls, wiping the table, checking what had been eaten and what hadn't.
It was the kind of scene one would expect from a wife.
Kushina's brow furrowed.
She glanced from Mikoto… to Aomizu… and back again.
Something felt off.
She couldn't quite articulate what it was, but a strange discomfort tugged at her chest.
Before she could think further, Aomizu spoke.
"Lady Mito wants to see me?"
He looked surprised. "Why so suddenly?"
That snapped Kushina out of her thoughts.
Uzumaki Mito was a special existence in Konoha.
She held no official authority, yet her status far surpassed most shinobi. She was the First Hokage's wife—and more importantly, the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Even the Third Hokage treated her with deep respect.
And now, she was old.
Very old.
At her age, maintaining the seal required stability. Unnecessary contact with outsiders was usually avoided.
"Because you saved me from the Cloud Ninja today," Kushina replied. "Grandma Mito wants to thank you in person."
But as she said it, something unusual happened.
A faint blush crept up her cheeks.
Her eyes flickered toward Aomizu, then quickly darted away.
The infamous Kushina Uzumaki—hot-blooded, loud, fearless—was suddenly shy.
If the boys she'd beaten senseless back at the Academy could see her now, they'd swear this was an impostor.
Mikoto noticed.
Of course she did.
She paused her movements, eyes soft but sharp, quietly observing Kushina's expression.
"I see," Mikoto said after a moment. "Then you should go. Lady Mito shouldn't be kept waiting."
Her tone was calm, but something thoughtful lingered beneath it.
After exchanging farewells, Kushina and Aomizu left Konoha Hospital together and headed toward the Senju compound.
The streets were quieter now.
Lantern light reflected off stone paths, and the night breeze carried the scent of trees and clean water.
As they walked, Aomizu suddenly spoke.
"By the way—how's Yumiko doing now?"
Kushina blinked, then smiled.
"She studies Sealing Techniques with Grandma Mito every day. She's already asleep by now."
Her voice softened slightly.
"She'll probably join the Sealing Squad soon."
Aomizu nodded.
Minato really did have a strange fate with red-haired girls.
In the original timeline, he saved Kushina from the Cloud Ninja.
This time, it was Yumiko—rescued from Grass Ninja instead.
Tomato scrambled eggs… still unavoidable, it seemed.
Soon, the massive gates of the Senju compound came into view.
Aomizu slowed his steps.
He was familiar with the place—he'd once escorted a very drunk Tsunade home—but actually stepping inside the compound grounds was a first.
Contrary to expectations, the estate wasn't luxurious.
It was spacious, yes—but simple.
Clean stone paths, wooden buildings, old trees.
No excessive ornamentation.
Anyone unfamiliar with its history would never guess this was the home of two Hokage.
They had barely taken a few steps inside when—
Aomizu saw something he would never forget.
Tsunade.
Fresh from a bath.
Wrapped in nothing but a loosely secured towel.
Moonlight spilled across her skin, highlighting every dangerous curve.
With each step she took, gravity asserted its cruel authority.
Aomizu's brain stopped functioning.
"Yo, Kushina!"
Tsunade waved cheerfully, completely unaware of the catastrophe unfolding behind her.
"You're back already?"
Then she noticed Aomizu.
"Oh? You too? Perfect—drink with me later."
She grinned.
"I've been stuck at the Research Base forever. No gambling, no booze—I'm dying here."
"Kyaah—! Lady Tsunade!"
Kushina screamed and rushed forward.
"Cover yourself!"
She grabbed the towel and tightened it with all her strength, then spun around, glaring at Aomizu.
"No peeking!"
Aomizu's survival instincts kicked in.
He forcibly disabled his auto-targeting vision and turned his head away with extreme effort.
Behind him, Kushina shoved Tsunade toward her room.
"Kushina! Stop pushing—I can walk!"
"Shut up and walk faster!"
The door slammed shut.
Moments later, Kushina returned, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"You didn't see anything, right?"
"What could I possibly have seen?" Aomizu replied smoothly. "Let's go—Lady Mito is waiting."
Kushina snorted, unconvinced, but didn't press further.
Soon, they arrived at Uzumaki Mito's room.
Normally, she would already be asleep at this hour.
But tonight, she sat upright on her bed, slowly reading a scroll by lamplight.
"Grandma," Kushina said softly. "I brought Aomizu."
Mito looked up.
Age had taken much from her.
Her once-vivid red hair had faded, her body frail, her skin marked by time.
Nothing remained of the legendary beauty she once was.
Such was the fate of shinobi.
No matter how great one's power, age and death were unavoidable.
Perhaps that was why Orochimaru obsessed over immortality.
After all, even the Sage of Six Paths had grown old and died.
Seeking eternal life was condemned as heresy.
Yet… it was undeniably human.
"Lady Mito," Aomizu said respectfully, bowing.
He admired her deeply.
This was a woman even Uchiha Madara remembered.
Mito smiled warmly.
"A fine young man," she said. "No wonder Kushina speaks of you so often."
"G-Grandma!"
Kushina's face turned bright red.
"That's not true! You're saying nonsense!"
Mito chuckled.
"All right, all right. Kushina—step outside. I need to speak with Aomizu alone."
Kushina pouted but dared not disobey.
Once the door closed, Mito's expression grew serious.
"Aomizu," she said slowly. "Do you know about the Nine-Tails? About Jinchuriki?"
"Of course," he replied quietly.
"Then you should understand," Mito continued, "that becoming a Jinchuriki is a lonely fate."
"Friends grow distant. People fear what they don't understand."
"The heart of the host becomes fragile."
Her hands trembled slightly.
"Kushina acts carefree… but she is deeply sensitive."
"I feared she would break."
"I hoped Yumiko could help—but she has her own pain."
Mito looked directly at Aomizu.
"But then, Kushina met you."
"You are one of her few friends."
"The only one who has truly entered her heart."
Her voice softened.
"So I ask you—be her pillar."
"Don't let her face that loneliness alone."
Aomizu didn't hesitate.
"I will."
And in that moment, the future quietly shifted.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)