Kushina paused, momentarily taken aback.
"The village?"
At only six years old, she hadn't yet deeply contemplated the concept of a 'village.'
However, for Kushina, despite knowing Mito for only a few days, she had always regarded this excessively beautiful 'older sister' as her own mother.
Even though Mito was old enough to be her grandmother.
In terms of their status, one was the princess of the fallen Uzumaki clan, who had married the First Hokage of Konoha.
The other was a war orphan from the Land of Whirlpools, nearly killed in the chaos.
The difference between them was like heaven and earth, incomparable.
Kushina had always been a person lacking a sense of security. Otherwise, she wouldn't have hidden a kunai under her pillow.
Having survived in the war-torn Land of Whirlpools, Kushina was more mature than most children her age.
Therefore, she vaguely sensed from Konoha's attitude that Konoha needed her to do something.
However, it was Mito Uzumaki who brought her from the war-torn Land of Whirlpools to Konoha Village, providing her with shelter, food, and various forms of education.
Most importantly, Kushina felt a different kind of love and warmth from Mito's gentle eyes.
Therefore, Kushina always thought about repaying Mito.
However, feelings were feelings, but she couldn't blindly say how good Konoha Village was.
Konoha was good, but it wasn't her hometown.
Mito Uzumaki's words reminded her of what had happened since coming to Konoha.
For example, the cold gazes of the ninja who brought her here, the voices of peers mocking her academic performance, or the classmates who ridiculed her red hair.
Although she did end up beating them up, she always felt uncomfortable.
But, what was important was... Uchiha Tatsumi.
That boy,
On that night,
Carefully apologizing,
Awkwardly wiping away tears.
When entering the ninja academy, not wanting to be looked down upon, she impulsively declared that she wanted to become a female Hokage.
In the end, it was also that boy who said he would support her in becoming Hokage.
For some reason, Kushina could always sense a sense of detachment from Uchiha Tatsumi.
That was detachment from Konoha and this world, a loneliness of leaving one's hometown.
Because Kushina had also come to this strange land in the same way, she intuitively felt it more deeply than others.
They looked up at the same sky, but saw different places.
She believed that the other person could also feel a little.
Seeing Uchiha Tatsumi's expression, her heart sometimes felt like it was being squeezed tightly, and then inexplicably became sad.
However... what exactly was this feeling surging and brewing in her heart?
Kushina clutched the collar of her clothes, and after a long, long silence, she showed Mito Uzumaki a smile.
"...I like it very much...."
"Hahaha." Mito smiled knowingly, and she touched Kushina's hair.
"What Kushina likes shouldn't be this village, right?"
"Hmm, let me think. Is it that little brat? What a lucky little brat. Tsk tsk, making people jealous. To be liked by such a beautiful girl from our Uzumaki clan."
Mito held Kushina's chin and carefully scrutinized her face.
"Grandma Mito!" Kushina glared, and then stomped her feet, revealing an angry expression.
"Alright, alright. Still shy. I won't say it then."
Mito Uzumaki smiled, looking at Kushina in front of her as if she was looking at Tsunade when she was young.
"Kushina, do you know what this feeling..."
Mito Uzumaki took Kushina's hand,
And then pointed to Kushina's chest, "is called?"
"What?"
Kushina tilted her head adorably, then showed a puzzled expression.
"When I married Hashirama Senju back then, to be honest, I was very unwilling at first."
"Because, at that time, there was a well-known rumor in the Land of Fire, that Hashirama Senju liked Madara of the Uchiha clan."
"....."
"At that time, I was always very worried. So, I opposed this marriage."
"But then, I still married him in the end. Although, I did this with great determination."
"This was my responsibility as the princess of the Uzumaki clan, a responsibility that I, as the princess of the Uzumaki clan at the time, could not shirk."
"But later, slowly, I seemed to like him a little. Although, that person was sometimes very silly, a little dull, and his brain wasn't very bright. Although, his relationship with Madara was indeed a bit abnormal."
"But Hashirama, he possessed something that others didn't. That was love for others. His earnest and persistent character deeply attracted me, making me realize that in this world, only love is the most precious bridge to communicate with others and bring peace."
"One day, he pulled me to stand on a mountaintop. There, he told me that he wanted to build a village. That village could accommodate everyone."
"At that time, the Land of Fire would no longer have wars. Children would no longer need to go to the battlefield. Everyone could abandon the boundaries between clans, work together, and help each other."
"When I heard these things, I was deeply attracted by what he described."
"Love possesses infinite power. But, loving also means protection and responsibility."
Mito Uzumaki touched her stomach, where there were several seals in a place invisible to Kushina.
"My life is coming to an end. Therefore, I now urgently want to find a place for Kurama to live."
"Although it is feared by the world, it is actually very lonely. The world fears it, but it is also afraid of the world. It is very shy, so it needs someone who truly loves and embraces it. It needs to be filled with love."
"And with it, you will have enough power to protect Konoha, and the people you love."
"So I want to ask you a question, Kushina, are you willing to be the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"...I am willing."
Although she didn't know what a Jinchuriki or Kurama was, if Grandma Mito said so, she wouldn't harm her.
Moreover, being able to obtain enough power to protect the people she loved. Her experience in the Land of Whirlpools made her realize the importance of power. Therefore, Kushina immediately nodded in agreement.
"Good child, you are very good." Mito Uzumaki touched her head, then stood up with a carefree smile, her long dress trailing like a lotus flower.
"Lastly." Mito Uzumaki smiled and narrowed her eyes, she tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear.
"The girls of the Uzumaki clan are all very passionate and uninhibited. If you meet a boy you like, don't give up. Don't have any concerns, just boldly snatch him over."
"Back then, that's how I snatched Hashirama from Madara's hands." Mito revealed a triumphant smile.
"Grandma, I am really looking forward to meeting that Uchiha brat."
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