Deep in the Uchiha clan grounds, the gurgling sound of water flowed within the tea room.
Fugaku Uchiha knelt at the head seat, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the warm teacup.
A scroll detailing Night Namikaze's fight with A (Ei) lay open before his knees, while another recorded today's absurd farce at the Police Force.
His deep gaze shifted between the two scrolls, gradually losing focus.
"Defeating the Cloud heir... a ninjutsu never seen before? A secret technique, or a new Kekkei Genkai..."
He whispered the key terms from the intelligence report.
Such a battle record at such an age had already transcended the category of "genius."
Even rarer was the intellect to remain clear-headed in the vortex of power, even turning the situation to his advantage.
If possible, he would indeed be willing to place a bet.
However...
His gaze fell back on the scroll recording Yakumi's public declaration and Weaver-Moon's flustered flight, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
Weaver-Moon Uchiha... her identity was far from as simple as an ordinary clansman.
Her lineage was quite special within the clan. If possible, he wouldn't mind using this to recruit Night.
Not to mention Night's entangled relationship with their rival, the Senju Princess.
Unfortunately, this matter was no longer something he, the Clan Head, could decide alone.
Forcible interference would not only trigger a strong backlash from the radical faction within the clan but might also be counterproductive, pushing the sharp blade that was Night Namikaze away completely.
"Let nature take its course..."
Fugaku finally sighed lightly and slowly rolled up the two scrolls. Since he couldn't place a bet and shouldn't easily pick a side, he might as well just watch the changes quietly.
---
Meanwhile, having just finished his "slacking off" for the day, Night was about to sneak back to his lab when he was blocked by a figure at a street corner.
Tsunade stood there, the setting sun casting a somewhat brilliant glow on her.
Her arms were crossed, her expression seemingly calm, but the slightly tight corners of her mouth betrayed her true emotions.
"Done with your work?"
Her tone was flat, but her eyes weren't as cold as they had been in the past few days.
Night relaxed slightly, thinking the sincerity of delivering meals for days had finally taken effect.
"Just finished." He responded calmly.
Tsunade stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly looked away, her tone becoming a bit stiff. "Grandma Mito wants to see you."
Night was slightly stunned. Why did Mito Uzumaki suddenly want to see him?
Surely Tsunade didn't run to complain to her elder over such a small matter?
Before he could think further, Tsunade turned to lead the way, her tone leaving no room for question. "Let's go."
She walked quickly, her back revealing an imperceptible urgency.
Night keenly sensed that beneath her seemingly calm tone lay a trace of extremely subtle... trembling?
Like suppressing some kind of unease.
The two walked through the streets of Konoha in silence. The closer they got to the Senju clan grounds, the quieter the surroundings became.
Finally, they stopped in front of the small courtyard with Warring States period architectural style deep within the clan grounds.
Everything inside the courtyard was identical to his last visit, as if the passage of time was merely a decoration here.
The moment he stepped into the courtyard gate, Night's Mind's Eye of the Kagura activated spontaneously.
The massive, warm chakra within the courtyard still existed, powerful vitality venting out constantly, locked down by the barrier around the courtyard.
This was not a good sign. It meant the master of this place could no longer control the surging life force within her body.
That scattered vitality was as vast as an ocean, which should have been full of vibrant life, but now it exuded an unspeakable sense of decay.
Just as the two entered the courtyard, Mito Uzumaki, who was watering flowers, stopped her movements.
She turned slowly to look at them. A trace of elusive but extremely cold and evil chakra quietly escaped, like an undercurrent lurking in the deep sea.
Even though it was fleeting, it made one's hair stand on end, triggering internal warnings.
The Nine-Tails!
Night's eyes narrowed slightly, but his face showed no abnormality.
He finally understood where Tsunade's trembling came from.
As Mito Uzumaki's closest granddaughter and a top medical ninja, she naturally knew her grandmother's physical condition better than anyone.
"Grandma, we're here."
Tsunade forced her usual smile, but it looked strained no matter how one looked at it.
"It's little Tsunade and little Night. Come in and sit."
Mito's voice was gentle, without any sign of aging, a smile on her lips.
After bowing respectfully, Night followed her into the house and knelt on a cushion as instructed.
Tsunade sat close to Mito, her movements revealing her dependence.
Mito's gaze fell on Night, scrutinizing him carefully for a moment before nodding gently. "Very pure Uzumaki bloodline. Even thicker than mine when I was young. Child, you are very good."
"You flatter me. It was only awakened by chance."
Night responded humbly. Any lie would be futile in front of her, so he dared not be too presumptuous.
"No need to be modest. Bloodline cannot be faked. Moreover..."
She paused, implying something. "Your background wasn't good. To have achieved what you have today, you relied on more than just bloodline."
Night's heart stirred, but his face remained calm.
Mito didn't probe further. Instead, she looked at the somewhat nervous Tsunade beside her, patted the back of her hand, and said soothingly, "Don't worry, Grandma isn't that fragile yet."
She looked back at Night, her expression becoming solemn. "Child, I asked Tsunade to bring you here because I have a favor to ask."
"Please speak."
"I can feel that I don't have much time left."
Mito's tone was as calm as discussing the weather, but it made Tsunade clench her fists abruptly, her knuckles turning white.
"This body is nearing the limit of perfectly containing the Nine-Tails' seal."
She spoke slowly. "Once I depart, the seal will loosen. The disaster of the Nine-Tails breaking free must never be repeated. Konoha... needs a new, sufficiently strong vessel."
Night listened silently, thoughts racing in his mind.
He knew that according to the original trajectory, the next Jinchuriki would be Kushina Uzumaki.
What was her intention in bringing this up now?
Mito's gaze seemed to pierce through the flashing thoughts in his mind. "For the next Jinchuriki, I have chosen Kushina. Her bloodline is pure, her will is resilient; she is an excellent choice. But... she is still too young, her power has not fully matured."
She looked at Night meaningfully. "Since you have awakened the Adamantine Sealing Chains, you should know this technique's suppression power over Tailed Beasts. I hope you can assist in the transfer of the Nine-Tails.
Help me protect Kushina's safety. This is not an order, just a... request from an old woman about to pass away."
The room fell into a brief silence, quiet enough to hear a pin drop.
Night met Mito's eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through worldly affairs.
He understood. This wasn't just about protecting Kushina; it was a subtle entrustment and recognition.
Mito Uzumaki was tying an invisible thread between him—a powerful kinsman who had appeared suddenly—and Konoha's future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.