Kushina was startled.
"The village...?"
At only six years old, she had never really thought deeply about things like "the village."
But for Kushina, although she had only known Mito for a few days, she already regarded this beautiful, slightly excessive "sister" as a mother figure — even though Mito was old enough to be her grandmother.
In terms of identity, one was the former princess of the once-prosperous Uzumaki Clan, married to Konoha's First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
The other was a war orphan from the destroyed Uzushiogakure, who had narrowly escaped death.
The difference between them was worlds apart.
Kushina had always been insecure. Otherwise, she wouldn't hide a kunai under her pillow every night.
Having survived the destruction of Uzushio, Uzumaki Kushina had matured faster than most children her age.
She also faintly sensed from Konoha's attitude that the village needed her for something.
Yet it was Uzumaki Mito who had brought her from the ruins of her homeland to the Hidden Leaf Village — and had given her food, shelter, education.
More importantly, Kushina had felt genuine warmth and affection from Mito's gentle gaze, something she hadn't experienced for a long time.
Because of that, she wanted to repay Mito's kindness.
But feelings were feelings. Even so, Kushina couldn't easily close her eyes and declare Konoha her home.
Although Konoha was good, it was not the land of her birth.
Mito's question stirred memories of her early days in the village — the indifferent eyes of the ninja who brought her, the classmates who laughed at her accent or her bright red hair.
Though she fought back (and usually won), those wounds stayed hidden deep in her heart.
But... the important thing was Uchiha Tatsumi.
That boy.
That night.
The way he apologized clumsily, awkwardly wiping away her tears.
When she shouted at the entrance ceremony that she wanted to become the first female Hokage, it was him who said seriously that he would support her dream.
Even now, Kushina sometimes felt a strange sense of distance from Tatsumi — the same loneliness she recognized in herself.
They both gazed up at the same sky... but looked toward different horizons.
She believed he must feel it too.
When she thought of him, her chest would tighten painfully, stirring emotions she didn't fully understand.
Kushina clutched the front of her shirt, and after a long silence, finally smiled at Uzumaki Mito.
"…I like it very much."
Mito chuckled knowingly and patted Kushina's head.
"It's not really the village you like," she said warmly. "Maybe it's that boy."
"H-He's not—!" Kushina stammered, face flushing bright red.
Mito teased her playfully, holding her chin and examining her face. "What a lucky boy. To be liked by such a beautiful girl from the Uzumaki Clan... makes me jealous."
"Grandma Mito!" Kushina protested, puffing up her cheeks in embarrassment.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing," Mito laughed, her eyes fond.
As she gazed at Kushina, Mito was reminded of Tsunade's childhood — so full of life and spirit.
"Kushina, do you know the name for that feeling in your heart?" Mito asked, taking Kushina's hand and pressing it gently against her chest.
"Huh?" Kushina blinked, tilting her head adorably in confusion.
Mito smiled, her gaze growing distant.
"My marriage to Hashirama," she said slowly, "was not easy at first."
"There were rumors, you know," she continued with a wry smile. "People said Hashirama and Madara had a bond that was deeper than friendship."
"..."
"Because of that, I hesitated. I didn't want to marry him at first."
"But in the end, I chose to — out of duty to the Uzumaki Clan and because... because I saw something in him."
Mito's voice softened.
"Hashirama was a bit foolish, and sometimes very slow to understand feelings. His friendship with Madara... was complicated. But in Hashirama, I saw something that few others had: an unwavering love for others, a belief in peace."
"One day, he took me to a high cliff overlooking the forest. There, he told me his dream — a village where children wouldn't have to go to war. A place where people of different clans could live together in peace."
"That dream touched my heart. I realized then that love has a special power. It is the bridge that connects people... the foundation for true peace."
Mito paused, placing a hand lightly over her stomach, where ancient seals glowed faintly beneath her robes.
"My time is drawing to a close," she said softly. "And now, I must find a new home for the Nine-Tails."
"Kurama..." she murmured.
"It's feared by the world... but in truth, it is only lonely. Misunderstood. It needs someone to love it... to show it kindness."
She looked at Kushina seriously.
"With the Nine-Tails' power, you can protect the village. Protect the ones you love."
"Kushina," Mito said quietly, "will you become the next jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails?"
Kushina, though she barely understood the full meaning, nodded firmly without hesitation.
"I will."
Mito smiled, tears gathering in her ancient, wise eyes.
"Good girl."
She rose slowly, her white and red robes trailing like the petals of a blooming lotus.
"And remember, Kushina," Mito said with a wink, tucking a loose strand of Kushina's hair behind her ear, "the girls of the Uzumaki Clan are fiery and fierce. If you find someone you love... don't let him go."
"Fight for him. Hold onto him tightly."
"That's how I won Hashirama from Madara," she added triumphantly, laughing.
Kushina flushed scarlet at Mito's boldness.
But deep inside, she was already secretly looking forward to seeing Uchiha Tatsumi again.
---
Notes on Changes:
I corrected "Nine Lamas" to "Nine-Tails" (or "Kurama") based on canon.
Clarified that Hashirama and Madara had a deep, complicated bond (a real manga point).
Added that Kushina came from Uzushiogakure, not "Uzumaki Country" (Naruto manga specifies the village, not just the clan).
Smoothed terms like "Senjujutsu" (which you wrote — corrected it to "Senju Hashirama" properly).
Jinchūriki and sealing details are matched to manga explanations (Mito was Kurama's previous jinchūriki).
Dialogue style made closer to the manga tone while keeping your events and characters.