Everything finally made sense now.
The doubts he had during the Chakra Aptitude Test, Mikoto's sudden change in behavior, and Sarutobi Ao's grievous injury—all of it traced back to that one exam.
Though it was only Minato's guess without solid proof, based on all the clues before him, he was now over seventy percent certain about his conclusion.
Otherwise, Mikoto wouldn't have carried such cold, killing intent even within the village itself, nor would Ao have suffered a permanent crippling wound to his right leg.
Such things would have been impossible if everything had happened entirely within the village.
Yet what puzzled him most was why the village elders would do something like this.
After all, the Chakra Aptitude Test alone should have sufficed for them to observe everyone's abilities.
It was already difficult enough sending inexperienced students—barely trained Genin—outside the village on missions.
In fact… some might even be killed by enemy forces.
Sarutobi Ao was a prime example. Even with his strength at the time, he still ended up with a lasting injury. What about the others?
Tomorrow was the day for classes at the Ninja Academy. There were things he needed to confirm…
...
"Thank you, Lady Mito. I'll be going now."
After finishing her lessons for the day, Kushina bowed politely and left, guided by an adult.
Once she was gone, Mito—who had still been smiling—began coughing violently. For a brief moment, her pupils turned vertically slit-like, giving her an eerie appearance.
But just as suddenly, she suppressed it.
Even so, the chilling aura lingering in the room left the attendants too frightened to speak.
"Go summon the Third Hokage," Mito ordered. One of her guards vanished instantly.
...
A dozen minutes later, the Third Hokage arrived at Lady Mito's chambers.
As he stepped through the door, his brow furrowed slightly—the air was unnaturally cold.
He narrowed his eyes and hurried to Lady Mito's bedside.
"Lady Mito... You." He looked upon her increasingly frail appearance helplessly.
Mito slowly opened her eyes and said, "You felt it, didn't you… the Nine-Tails' chakra stirring again."
The Third gave a solemn nod, sorrow flickering across his face.
"My time is near," she whispered. "I barely managed to suppress it again just now. My strength is gone… I can no longer contain it."
She had spent what little chakra and vitality she had left once more to quell the beast's resistance moments ago.
The Third clenched his fists tightly.
Though he had always known this moment would come eventually, he still struggled to accept it emotionally.
"Then we'll hold the sealing ritual tomorrow," Mito continued. "Let Kushina become the second jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails!"
"Kushina becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki means... Mito is nearing the end of her life."
"Hmm! I'll make the arrangements right away," the Third Hokage said with a heavy nod. However, to maintain the balance of Tailed Beasts, this step was unavoidable.
...
Minato arrived at the Ninja Academy very early, but today he didn't go directly to his classroom. Instead, he hid himself at a high vantage point, observing a specific class in a certain grade.
Only when he saw Hiashi Hyuga, Hizashi Hyuga, and Shikaku Nara arrive for class like always did his mood start to calm slightly.
Good, no one seems to be in trouble.
When Minato returned to his own classroom, it was already almost time for lessons to begin.
"You actually came so late? Now that's something you don't see every day," Yu Akasaka teased with a chuckle as soon as Minato entered.
Though they initially had some conflicts, their relationship had long since improved following that Chakra Aptitude Test experience.
Minato smiled slightly, glancing around the room — then froze.
Because at this time, Kushina Uzumaki still hadn't arrived for class.
The distance between Minato's seat and Kushina's wasn't too far. As Minato returned to his seat, Mikoto looked at him and smilingly said, "You and Kushina aren't planning to be late together, are you?"
For Mikoto's teasing, Minato gave an embarrassed laugh — it was the first time she'd ever joked with him like this, as far as he could remember.
Soon enough, Moto Kouda began class as usual, though he seemingly felt no surprise regarding Kushina's absence.
Meanwhile...
"The Ninja Academy was supposed to have classes today. Why did you call me here?" Kushina spoke openly while entering Mito's room. When she finally stepped inside, she was startled by the people gathered there.
Her expression instantly turned wary because these people were completely unfamiliar to her.
Kushina's eyes landed on one figure among them. Not particularly due to his appearance, but rather his clothing.
That red-and-white long-sleeved robe combined with a face she seemed to have seen somewhere before.
"The Third Hokage?" she gasped in shock. The man standing before her was one of the three faces carved into the Hokage Rock.
Although Kushina Uzumaki had been brought to Konoha under orders from the Third Hokage, the two had never actually met.
The Third looked at Kushina with a complicated gaze. Being about to place such heavy burdens on this young girl made him unsure how to face her properly.
"So you're Kushina Uzumaki?" Danzo, standing beside the Third Hokage, coldly stared down at Kushina with indifferent, emotionless eyes.
This attitude immediately triggered strong dislike from Kushina.
"Kushina, come here to me." At this moment, Mito called weakly from the large bed. Hearing this, Kushina rushed over immediately.
When she clearly saw Mito's condition now, her young face suddenly showed anxiety as she asked urgently, "Grandma Mito, what's wrong with you?"
Compared with last night, Mito's complexion appeared even more pale. More importantly, Kushina could sense it — Mito's life force was fading fast.
She was like a flickering candle in the wind, barely holding on before being snuffed out at any moment.
That also meant her life had reached its end.
Mito trembled as she raised her arm and gently touched Kushina's cheek. "Grandma is about to go."
When Kushina heard those words, her mind went blank, and a wave of sorrow washed over her, bringing tears to her eyes and a sting to her nose.
"Please don't leave me..." Kushina choked out, tears immediately streaming down her face.
This wasn't the first time she had experienced separation through death.
Precisely because of that, Kushina understood all too well just how painful it truly was.
"People are gonna die someday; there's no need for you to be so sad," Mito said with a smile, gently wiping away Kushina's tears.
But Kushina couldn't control her emotions. In just over half a year, Mito had already become family to her.
Both being members of the Uzumaki clan, finding each other here—after losing their homeland—felt incredibly rare and precious.
"Aren't you going to listen to Grandma anymore?" Mito said softly, her voice trembling.
"No." Kushina shook her head, struggling hard to keep herself from crying out loud.
Looking at Kushina, her expression full of grief, Mito felt a mixture of emotions surge within her. She moved her lips slightly and said,
"Kushina, can you promise Grandma one thing?"
Kushina immediately nodded firmly.
"Okay then... will you take my place and continue watching over Konoha Ninja Village?"
Mito's aged eyes locked onto Kushina's. Hearing this, Kushina stiffened in stunned silence.
...
...
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>