Jiuxina stood alone in the courtyard.
It had been a while since she and Uchiha Tatsuno had parted.
At this moment, the courtyard was completely dark. If someone turned on the lights, they would see Jiuxina's face flushed red, her bright red ponytail swaying slightly, making her look just like a tomato.
She patted her cheeks, and when the heat on her face had finally subsided, she gently opened the small door in front of her.
This courtyard could be considered one of the most secretive places in Konoha. It was heavily guarded, just like the Hokage Residence, and only a few people were permitted entry.
Jiuxina quietly walked into the small courtyard.
The courtyard was modest in size, but the walls and corridors were adorned with the Uzumaki clan's family crest. Several red lanterns hung in the corridors, giving the place a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
Jiuxina lightly knocked on the door.
After a short moment, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard, and an elderly woman with white hair opened the door.
"...Grandma Rei, good evening."
The usual "blood red pepper" of Konoha instantly became as polite as a young lady.
The white-haired elder smiled. "Back from training?"
"Yes. Did Grandma fall asleep?"
"No, she's still awake. She said she was waiting for you tonight."
Jiuxina nodded and said, "Thank you for your trouble," before stepping inside.
Inside the room, a woman sat quietly on a chair.
Despite appearing only about twenty years old, with her long, bright red hair tied elegantly and two ornamental pendants hanging down, and a violet diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, the woman's true age was far beyond her appearance. She wore the traditional attire of the Uzumaki clan, decorated with white and silver embroidery.
When Jiuxina entered, the woman rose gracefully. The silver-threaded fabric of her dress rippled like blooming petals.
"Kushina, back from a date?" the woman said teasingly, her voice calm and aged, despite her youthful appearance. She was Uzumaki Mito—the wife of the First Hokage.
Jiuxina's calm demeanor immediately shattered, and her face flushed like a ripe tomato.
Mito seemed to enjoy teasing her junior.
Jiuxina widened her eyes and protested, "Grandma, don't say such weird things! It wasn't a date!"
"What do you mean weird? You even asked me for a day off today, saying you wanted to meet someone." Mito smiled mischievously, resting her chin on her hand.
Jiuxina's face reddened even further.
She insisted, "It was special training! You can't call ninja matters a date!"
To anyone else, Jiuxina's words—mixing up things like shadow clones and kunai—sounded like classic Uzumaki babbling.
After teasing Jiuxina a little longer, Mito let her sit down and gently patted her shoulder.
"Sigh, I really am getting old," Mito said, a hint of genuine emotion in her voice.
"No way! Grandma, you're still beautiful! The most beautiful person in all of Konoha!" Jiuxina said sincerely, massaging Mito's shoulders.
Mito chuckled. "When I was young, I was considered a renowned beauty in the Land of Fire. Even Hashirama was lucky to marry me."
She smiled fondly. "That fool was truly blessed. To think a tree stump like him could win the heart of a princess from the Uzumaki Clan."
Jiuxina stuck out her tongue playfully but didn't respond. After all, the First Hokage was her senior and a legendary figure.
Mito continued with a soft sigh, "If not for the chakra I stored with my Strength of a Hundred Seal, I would look like an old woman like Grandma Rei by now."
Then she chuckled, changing the subject.
"So, tell me, did you have fun today? What's the boy's name?"
Jiuxina, embarrassed, replied shyly, "I had a lot of fun. His name is Uchiha Tatsuno."
"...Uchiha Tatsuno? Uchiha..." Mito frowned slightly, as if recalling something.
Jiuxina panicked inwardly.
Having studied Konoha's history, she was very aware of the turbulent past between the Uchiha and Senju clans during the Warring States Period. She also knew that even decades later, the Uchiha were viewed with suspicion.
Quickly, Jiuxina tried to explain, "Grandma, Tatsuno is a good person! He's an orphan like me! He's not like the others!"
Mito didn't immediately respond.
At that same moment, in his own small cabin, Uchiha Tatsuno sneezed loudly, unaware he had just been given a "good person card" by Jiuxina.
Finally, Mito chuckled, gently stroking Jiuxina's head.
"The conflicts of the Warring States era are long over," she said softly. "The Uchiha are Konoha villagers, just like anyone else. Old women like me shouldn't meddle in the affairs of the young."
"But you know, it reminds me of something."
"What is it?" Jiuxina asked curiously.
"Back when Hashirama and I married, Madara's younger brother, Izuna, also liked me. On the day Hashirama came to formally propose, Izuna tried to interfere."
Jiuxina's mouth opened wide in shock.
Mito continued with a nostalgic smile. "We fought, of course. Izuna was strong, but I was no weakling either. I wounded him badly with the Thunder God Slash."
"And after that?"
"After that... Izuna eventually died. Not directly because of me, but... those were chaotic times," Mito said quietly.
Jiuxina could only remain silent. It was a tragic reminder of the brutal world that shinobi once lived in.
Mito, as the First Hokage's wife and Konoha's first Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, had lived through an era few could imagine. Her long life was a miracle, but also a lonely one.
Most of her longevity came from the Uzumaki clan's enormous chakra reserves and vitality, and from her Strength of a Hundred Seal, which preserved her youth.
Yet even so, her chakra was slowly dwindling, and she was approaching the end of her life.
That was why Hiruzen Sarutobi had been tasked with finding a new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
Mito had chosen Jiuxina, not only because of her pure Uzumaki bloodline but also because she saw her younger self reflected in the lively, stubborn girl.
After a brief silence, Mito asked gently:
"...Kushina, what do you think of Konoha?"
Jiuxina looked up, serious for once.
"The village..."