---
As the evening settled, Kurama sensed his opportunity.
Uzumaki Mito, the first Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, walked toward the bathroom.
Kurama knew this was the perfect moment to weaken the seal restraining him.
When a Jinchūriki relieves themselves, their chakra naturally fluctuates, loosening the seal, if only slightly. Unlike what many believed, it wasn't necessary for a Jinchūriki to be enraged or desperate for power for the Nine-Tails' chakra to leak out.
This was the brilliance of the Eight Sign Seal—a combination of two Four Sign Seals—designed by the Uzumaki clan. This seal not only restrained the Nine-Tails but also channeled small amounts of its chakra into the Jinchūriki's body, allowing them to wield its power without fully unsealing it.
A feat far superior to the primitive sealing methods used by the shinobi of Kumogakure.
Mito took a deep breath as she squatted down.
Kurama heard the quiet sound of running water.
That was when he felt it.
The seal wavered.
A faint, red chakra seeped from Mito's body, spreading around her like mist.
Mito stiffened, feeling the surge of power course through her.
"This is... the Nine-Tails' chakra? Why now?" she murmured in confusion.
This had never happened before. In the past, the Nine-Tails' chakra only leaked when she was in extreme emotional distress.
But since her husband, Hashirama Senju, had died, Mito had remained calm, composed, and utterly in control.
She had once lived freely, expressing her emotions without fear. With Hashirama by her side, she could laugh, cry, and get angry without restraint. She had never needed to suppress the Nine-Tails—because if she lost control, Hashirama's Wood Style would immediately subdue it.
But that was decades ago.
Since his death, she had maintained a perfect grip over her emotions. Yet now, chakra was leaking on its own.
Something was wrong.
Mito frowned. The chakra was leaking, but she didn't feel any discomfort.
Meanwhile, deep within the seal, Kurama could sense it clearly.
His vision sharpened as he peered through the veil of time, seeing the scars left behind by Hashirama's power—the marks of a godly shinobi who had once defeated him in battle.
Mito composed herself and returned to her room, her mind still lingering on the strange occurrence.
"I'll consult the Nine-Tails when I have time," she murmured.
For now, she had other things to prepare for. The transfer of the Nine-Tails was imminent.
---
The Seal Weakens
Three days passed in a blur.
In that time, Mito had relieved herself dozens of times, each instance allowing Kurama's chakra to escape.
The first time had the most significant effect, weakening the seal by 10%.
After that, the rate of decay slowed.
7%.
5%.
4.4%...
By now, the seal had loosened by 30%.
Kurama felt the difference. He had more space to move, more freedom.
Mito, however, remained completely unaware.
---
The Next Jinchūriki
At the entrance of Konohagakure, a group of masked Anbu stood alongside the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
They had escorted a young girl to the village.
She had long, striking red hair and wide, uncertain eyes.
Uzumaki Kushina.
At just six years old, she had been taken from the ruins of Uzushiogakure and sent to Konoha. She believed she had been brought here to start a new life, unaware of the true reason behind her relocation.
She was to become the new Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
"Third Hokage-sama, this is Uzumaki Kushina," one of the Anbu reported.
Hiruzen studied her carefully.
"Take her to Mito-sama."
At this time, Konoha was at its peak. The village had never been stronger—not even during the First Hokage's reign.
There was no Nine-Tails attack, no great internal strife with the Uchiha clan.
The legendary Konoha's White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, was still alive.
The Sannin—Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—were still in the village, thriving under their master's guidance.
The great clans—Hyūga, Nara, Aburame, Inuzuka—stood united, contributing to Konoha's unprecedented prosperity.
Yet, despite all this power, there was one lingering concern.
The Nine-Tails.
As long as it remained an unstable force, the Third Hokage's rule could never be truly secure.
This is why Kushina had been brought here.
If the transition of Jinchūriki succeeded, Konoha's strength would be further solidified.
Hiruzen and his Anbu arrived at Mito's residence.
"Mito-sama, this is Uzumaki Kushina," Hiruzen said with deep respect.
[Kushina pic -->]
Despite being the Hokage, he knew his place.
Uzumaki Mito was one of the village's founders. Her seniority surpassed even his own.
Mito gazed at the young girl.
A feeling of warmth and familiarity welled up inside her.
Kurama, observing from within, saw her as well.
The little girl's long red hair reminded Mito of her past. Of her younger self.
"Third Hokage, please step aside. I wish to speak to her alone," Mito said gently.
Hiruzen nodded and left, along with the Anbu.
Now, only Mito and Kushina remained.
Kushina stood there, confused and nervous.
"Mito-sama...?" she hesitated, her voice small.
Mito gave her a kind smile.
"Don't be afraid, child. Come closer," she said softly. "You can tell me anything."
Something in her voice soothed Kushina's heart.
The little girl hesitated for only a moment before running into Mito's arms.
Mito embraced her warmly.
"Do not fear, Kushina. I, too, am from the Uzumaki clan," she whispered. "I know what you must be feeling—confusion, anger, even fear at becoming a Jinchūriki."
Kushina trembled slightly in her grasp.
"Jinchūriki..." she whispered.
She had heard the word before. But no one had explained what it truly meant.
Mito gently stroked her hair.
"As Jinchūriki, we are not just containers for a tailed beast," she explained. "The tailed beasts are not mere monsters. They are living beings, just as we are. And though we may carry them inside us, that does not mean we must live in fear."
Kushina looked up at her, listening intently.
"The key to happiness, my dear, is to fill this 'container' with love," Mito said.
Kushina's small hands clenched her robe.
She didn't fully understand yet.
But for the first time since arriving in Konoha, she felt less alone.
Deep within Mito's body, Kurama watched it all unfold.
From the Nine-Tails' memories, he knew exactly who he despised the most.
Uchiha Madara.
That man had used the Sharingan to forcibly control him, treating him like a mindless tool.
Compared to that, being sealed within a Jinchūriki wasn't so bad. At least here, he retained his consciousness, his will.
Just as he had done in the past, Kurama would rather lend his power to a human than be enslaved by an Uchiha's eyes.
Then, a voice rang in his mind.
[Ding! Due to current conditions, the Host is presented with three choices:]
1. Break through the seal during the Jinchūriki transfer and gain freedom. (Reward: None.)
2. Enter Uzumaki Kushina's body and become her tailed beast. (Reward: 1. Human Form; 2. Learning Talent.)
3. Remain sealed within Uzumaki Mito and perish alongside her. (Note: The Tailed Beast can resurrect after death.)
Kurama's eyes gleamed.
The time to decide had come.
---
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