Inside the bedroom, Kushina sobbed uncontrollably.
"Grandma is going to die… they all say she's going to die. What should I do? In the entire village, she's my only family…"
With a soft sigh, Ruofeng wrapped his arms around her.
The death of Mito Uzumaki was already inevitable.
She was simply too old.
By all calculations, she was at least seventy years old. In the shinobi world, living to seventy during an era of constant warfare was already considered remarkable longevity.
Ruofeng understood why Kushina was so heartbroken. In fact, it was deeply tragic.
Although Kushina lived within the Senju clan, she was never truly welcomed. Her arrival symbolized one thing—the approaching death of Mito.
Because of this, many within the clan treated her coldly, sometimes even harshly. Only Mito herself genuinely cared for her.
Though Nawaki and Kushina were friends, his straightforward, carefree nature meant he could never truly understand her pain. Tsunade did care for Kushina, but she was almost always away on missions.
In the entire village, only a handful of people truly showed her warmth—Ruofeng, Mikoto, and Nawaki.
Everyone else either avoided her or treated her with distant politeness. As for ordinary villagers, they were blocked by the guards assigned to protect her. After all, she was a future jinchūriki—security was mandatory.
Of course, Kushina had not yet been definitively chosen.
Among the Uzumaki brought to Konoha, there was also Uzumaki Reiko. Ruofeng had seen her a few times. She trained in sealing techniques within the Senju clan and rarely appeared in public.
Still, for Kushina, none of that mattered.
Her only family was dying.
And that alone was enough to crush her.
Through her tears, she said, "I didn't know where else to go… so I came to you. Ruofeng, you know medical ninjutsu. Can you save Grandma?"
Ruofeng forced a bitter smile. "This is the end of her natural lifespan. There's no way to restore that. It's simply impossible."
He knew that perhaps, in the future, he might obtain something capable of extending life. But not now.
And strictly speaking, he had no real connection to Mito. There was no reason—and no way—for him to interfere with fate itself.
Kushina continued to cry.
After a moment of silence, Ruofeng asked quietly, "Since Grandma Mito is reaching the end… what have they decided?"
At his words, fear flashed across Kushina's face.
She understood exactly what he meant.
"I… I don't know," she said hesitantly. "Grandma said my physique is more suitable… but Reiko's sealing techniques are stronger…"
Ruofeng stared at her seriously. "If you have a choice, don't become a jinchūriki. A jinchūriki's life is destined to be tragic."
Kushina nodded.
As an Uzumaki, she understood better than most what becoming a jinchūriki meant—sealing a terrifying monster inside one's body, enduring countless cold stares, bearing endless loneliness and isolation.
For someone already so alone, that fate was unbearable.
Time slipped by in heavy silence.
Suddenly, a maid's voice came from outside. "Young master… someone else has come. They seem to be looking for Miss Kushina."
Ruofeng turned to her, his gaze steady.
Kushina sprang to her feet in panic. "Is it really happening? Is Grandma really about to—"
"Don't think like that," Ruofeng said gently. "It might be good news."
Holding her hand, he led her into the living room.
The two maids he had warned earlier still stood there, motionless.
A group of people had arrived—and among them was Nawaki.
He walked forward, his expression subdued. "Ruofeng… I'm here to take Kushina back."
Ruofeng looked straight at him. "Is it true?"
Nawaki understood his meaning. Over the past year, the two of them had spent so much time together that topics like jinchūriki and village secrets were no longer unfamiliar.
After a quiet sigh, Nawaki said, "I'm not sure yet. But my sister is rushing back. Maybe she'll have a way. Her medical ninjutsu has improved a lot this past year."
Ruofeng nodded. "Yeah… maybe Sister Tsunade can do something."
After a brief pause, Nawaki added, "I'll take Kushina back now. If you can, come with us. Grandma wants to see you."
"See me?" Ruofeng was startled.
Nawaki nodded. "Yes. Grandma knows about you and Kushina. That's why she wants to meet you. Maybe… she hopes you'll look after Kushina in the future."
Ruofeng understood instantly.
If Kushina truly became the jinchūriki, she would face even greater isolation. Mito wanted to ensure that at least one person would remain by her side.
And that person was him.
After a moment of silence, Ruofeng said softly, "I understand. I'll come too."
Turning to the maids, he instructed, "When my grandfather returns, tell him everything."
They nodded respectfully.
On the way, Nawaki sighed. "Grandma is too old. She might not survive this. Once she's gone, they'll have to choose between Kushina and Reiko."
Ruofeng nodded. "I know. But the Nine-Tails isn't something that will behave obediently. It's extremely dangerous."
Nawaki forced a bitter smile. "If I could, I'd choose to become the jinchūriki myself. The Nine-Tails is dangerous, but it's also an immense power. If Grandma dies, the Senju clan will need that strength to stand firm."
Before Ruofeng could reply, a fierce gust of wind suddenly rushed toward them.
A massive fist appeared out of nowhere, slamming straight toward Nawaki—and then veering toward Ruofeng.
Ruofeng reacted instantly, raising his arms to block. "Sister Tsunade!"
A tremendous force crashed into him. Chakra surged to protect his hands as he staggered back several steps.
Looking up, he saw Tsunade standing before him, her expression weary yet sharp.
Still dressed in her shinobi attire, her eyes carried exhaustion—but also a hint of surprise as she studied him.
"Not bad," she said lightly. "You actually managed to block my punch."
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