Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Chapter 67: The Gentle but Scheming Mikoto

"Still, Grandma, this isn't fair to Kushina."

Inside the room, Tsunade, feeling relaxed around her grandmother, expressed her dissatisfaction openly.

"Kushina might not have grown up in the village, but over the past few years, you must have seen that she’s committed to making this place her home. She doesn't want to be seen as an outsider; she wants to be accepted here, which is why she’s determined to become Hokage."

At this point, Tsunade let out a mocking laugh.

"This so-called 'test' is disgusting. Back when Kushina first arrived, why was she ostracized at the Ninja Academy? Was it really just because she was a foreigner?"

Tsunade knew the truth—it was merely a scheme orchestrated by those in power.

"Tsunade!"

Seeing her getting more upset, Mito Uzumaki frowned. Lately, she had noticed that Tsunade’s resentment toward the Third Hokage and the high-ranking officials had been growing, almost to the point of hostility.

"The family has investigated Nawaki’s death countless times. It was an accident! And as for Dan Kato, from the perspective of the Third Hokage, it's understandable. After all, who would want the princess of the Senju Clan, already strong, to find an even stronger partner?"

Although Mito also harbored her grievances with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the higher-ups, she still shared the First Hokage Hashirama Senju's love for the village and didn’t want to see her granddaughter harbor hatred towards it.

"Yeah, yeah, all for the village. I get it. Just like how Kushina was isolated at the Academy, it’s like how the Inuzuka Clan trains their ninja dogs."

Tsunade peeled back the pretense, leaving Mito shaking her head. She couldn’t help but wonder who Tsunade had inherited her stubbornness from.

"But Grandma!"

After venting her frustration, Tsunade’s face grew serious as she stared directly at her grandmother.

"What if Kushina fails the test?"

This sharp question left Mito silent for a moment before she rasped a reply:

"If she truly makes the wrong choice, then Kushina isn't suited to be a ninja. The Senju Clan can still take her in. Besides, haven’t you already prepared a backup for Kushina?"

At this, Mito raised her head, smiling warmly at her granddaughter.

"The young Uchiha Yosuke you found—he’s Kushina's fallback, isn’t he?"

At the mention of Yosuke, Tsunade scoffed, feigning disinterest. "Even if she can't become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina still has me. Don’t worry, Grandma."

Having Kushina learn the Rasengan was Tsunade's way of strengthening their bond. Even if she couldn’t become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, her connection with Yosuke would serve as a bridge between the Senju and Uchiha Clans.

"Besides, I believe Kushina won’t betray the village."

Tsunade’s resolute smile reassured Mito, who couldn’t help but smile back. This test was meant to determine whether Kushina harbored any betrayal toward the village. If she did, there would be no way for her to become a Jinchuriki.

From the beginning, Kushina’s mistreatment at the Academy was a calculated ploy, a double-edged tactic. If she harbored resentment due to her isolation, she would be disqualified, and the power to choose the Jinchuriki would return to the hands of the Third Hokage.

...

**At the Uchiha Compound**

"Thank Kushina?"

Lying on his bed, Yosuke pondered Tsunade’s peculiar look and her suggestion from earlier.

"Is this supposed to thank her for agreeing to learn the Rasengan?"

By using the Rasengan, Kushina would be marked as Yosuke's ally, serving as a symbolic bridge between the Uchiha and Senju Clans.

"But so much time has passed, and now Tsunade tells me to thank her!"

In an instant, a realization struck Yosuke. Tsunade’s comment had been a subtle hint, especially given the timing.

"Kushina… slurp… if you… if you want, I don’t… I don’t mind… slurp..."

In the dim room, from the other side of the bed, there was a flash of red Sharingan eyes. Mikoto, sucking on an ice pop, seemed to be muttering.

The sounds of her slurping heightened Yosuke’s discomfort in the summer heat, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

With a puff of smoke, the dark-haired Mikoto playfully performed her transformation technique, morphing into a figure with red hair. Seeing her transformation, Yosuke’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

Slurp…

“Yosuke… okay… gulp… gulp…”

Moments later…

In the moonlit room, the disheveled bed lay empty, and Yosuke emerged from the bathroom, looking refreshed.

"Yosuke, you must really like Kushina, huh?" Mikoto teased, hugging him from behind with a gentle smile.

Yosuke sighed, feeling exasperated. "Mikoto, I've told you so many times not to mess around with the transformation jutsu at moments like that."

Mikoto chuckled, wrapping her arms around him. "But, Yosuke… you seem to enjoy it. Shall I transform into Tsuna… next time…?"

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Mikoto’s gentle smile betrayed her playful, cunning side.

"Mikoto…"

Yosuke felt both amused and exasperated, though he had noticed Mikoto's recent behavior had changed.

"Mikoto, don’t worry. I’ll be alright."

Mikoto nestled into him, her voice soft. "Yosuke, if you ever want a child, I’d be happy to…"

Yosuke was momentarily taken aback by her warmth, then smiled back at her.

"Mikoto, wait for me to return."

"Okay."