Upon hearing Chinya claim that Konoha had strayed far from Hashirama Senju's original vision, Mito Uzumaki could finally hold back no longer.
Mito snapped, "Chinya, you don't have the right to question Konoha!"
A sly grin crossed Chinya's face. "Back then, my parents were persecuted by the Uchiha Clan and hunted by Konoha. Don't I have the right to question Konoha?
Then next time, I'll bring Kakashi—someone who lived through the aftermath of Sakumo's disgrace. Perhaps he will have the right to question Konoha.
If even Kakashi can't question Konoha, then Kushina surely can. She's never forgotten her identity and always sees herself as one of the Uzumaki."
Suddenly, Mito seemed somewhat deflated.
Both Chinya and Kakashi had suffered unjust treatment at the hands of Konoha.
Looking straight into Chinya's eyes, Mito asked, "Chinya, weren't you always fond of hiding your true self before? Why didn't you hide this time? Could it be because my time is limited and you didn't want to pretend anymore? Aren't you afraid I'll tell Hiruzen about this?"
Chinya smiled as he replied, "Mito-sama, I'm about to start working for Hokage-sama and Danzo-sama regarding matters concerning the Uchiha. Even if they know I'm dissatisfied with Konoha, what does it matter?
Right now, my position and strength make me the perfect tool for dealing with the Uchiha Clan. Besides, Kushina will soon no longer be the Jinchuriki. From their point of view, there's no longer any conflict between me and Konoha.
Do you believe it? If you told Hokage-sama about my discontent, he would only try to placate me, to keep me satisfied. Because Hokage-sama still needs me for the hard jobs others won't touch.
I am no longer the person I was before. As long as I remain opposed to the Uchiha Clan, the Hokage will always need me to serve him.
Moreover, in their view, I would absolutely never betray them."
Mito looked at Chinya in confusion, failing to understand why Chinya was so confident that Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others believed he'd never betray them.
Chinya opened his mouth, stuck out his tongue, revealing the cursed seal upon it.
Mito's pupils contracted. "That cursed seal exclusive to the Root Division—the Seal of Absolute Obedience… So that's why. You've already joined the Root Division."
Chinya pulled his tongue back in and continued, "Yes, I've joined the Root Division. And precisely because I joined the Root Division, Danzo-sama agreed to convince Hokage-sama about changing the Jinchuriki. Didn't Hokage-sama already come visit you?
Hokage-sama must have sought your views on whether to replace the Jinchuriki. Whether or not you approve no longer matters.
Tomorrow, I head to the Land of Waves to lead the Uchiha ninja against those from Kiri. At that point, even Hokage-sama won't be able to insist on making Kushina the Jinchuriki again, especially since Danzo-sama supports me.
Because I control those Uchiha. If those ninja discovered that Hokage-sama sent me specifically to target them, no one can predict the consequences.
This is wartime. Hokage-sama will never allow unstable factors to arise within the village. And your time is also nearly up. So the outcome has already been decided, Mito-sama."
Mito Uzumaki stared silently at Chinya Uzumaki for a long time.
Then she sighed and said, "You've really gone through a lot, Chinya. After planning for so long, you've finally succeeded. From the moment you found Uzumaki Miyuki until now joining the Root Division, everything has proceeded smoothly according to your plan."
"No, that's not it," Chinya Uzumaki shook his head.
"What do you mean it's not?" Mito asked, puzzled.
Chinya fixed his gaze on Mito and replied, "My plan didn't start with Uzumaki Miyuki. It began the day I became friends with Kushina Uzumaki. Since then, I've been striving to ensure Kushina wouldn't become a jinchuriki."
Mito Uzumaki's heart skipped a beat.
Back when Chinya Uzumaki and Kushina Uzumaki became friends… wasn't that during their days at the Ninja Academy?
Chinya and Kushina were about nine years old back then.
Now both Chinya Uzumaki and Kushina Uzumaki are eighteen.
Almost ten years have passed.
Did Chinya really spend nearly a decade trying to prevent Kushina from becoming a jinchuriki?
Frowning, Mito said, "That doesn't make any sense. How could you possibly know back then that Kushina would become the next jinchuriki?"
Smiling faintly, Chinya replied, "Lady Mito, everyone has their own secrets. And since they're secrets, naturally one doesn't want others to know, right?"
Mito took a deep breath, her eyes locked onto Chinya.
The once little boy had grown up, yet she found herself understanding less and less about him.
Right now, Chinya seemed wrapped in mystery—impossible to see clearly.
But looking at him, Mito felt reminded of someone familiar.
Her eyes suddenly turned sharp: "Chinya, I have only one question—could you be the next Madara Uchiha?"
Meeting Mito's gaze calmly, Chinya answered, "I won't be anyone else. I can only be myself—and I will be no one else. No one deserves me to become them!"
Arrogant, decisive, determined, calm, with strong ambition and conviction.
This was what Mito sensed from Chinya now.
With a bitter smile, she said, "My time is running short. As for the future, I can't control it anymore. If Hiruzen and the others have agreed to your request to replace the jinchuriki, how can I not do the same?
Chinya, I have just one demand—or rather, a plea. Don't turn your back on Konoha—even if you're not happy with it. I hope you'll use your strength to change the current state of Konoha. After all, Konoha is still your hometown."
Chinya's eyes darkened as he murmured, "Hometown? Lady Mito, my hometown is where my parents rest. My true hometown disappeared long ago. But I can promise you this—I will never be the one to initiate hostility toward Konoha. I lived there for many years, and I'm also grateful for the protection Konoha offered me over these years."
Hearing his promise, Mito nodded slightly.
"Alright then, Chinya. I hope you always remember this promise. You're about to leave for the Land of Waves, and perhaps we'll never meet again after this. Truthfully, I'm very proud of you."
Chinya bowed deeply. "I wanted to thank Lady Mito for the years she spent guiding Kushina. I will be by her side on her final journey."
Mito Uzumaki gave Chinya a helpless smile. "Even until the end... Well, let it be. I'm tired, Chinya. You should go home and get some rest too."
Chinya left Mito Uzumaki's residence, took a deep breath, and felt like a new man.
Things were mostly settled before, but now that he'd met with Mito tonight, everything was completely sealed.
All that was left now was to witness Mito Uzumaki's passing and the rise of the new Jinchuriki.
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