Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The Inheritance
"What do you mean by that?" Kushina asked, trying to hold back her emotions despite Mito's keen perception of her turbulent state of mind.
The destruction of her country and village had forced Kushina to live a life of constant displacement since childhood, dealing with death, hunger, and other harsh conditions unimaginable to children in Konoha.
Indeed, Kushina's previous life had been tragic.
So when Mito revealed that the cause of her miserable life was merely due to the so-called Sealing Technique, Kushina's emotions became uncontrollable.
Not only Kushina, but even Mito, who knew the reason, trembled involuntarily whenever she mentioned it, despite her advanced age and weakened state.
After all, it was her homeland.
"Cough, cough." Mito coughed violently. The once powerful life force and chakra she possessed had been ravaged by time, leaving her in her current state.
She could sense that whenever this happened, the being sealed within her body would stir restlessly.
"Are you alright, Lady Mito?" The two attendants swiftly approached, their movements agile, indicating that they were not mere servants despite their maidservant attire.
Mito waved them off and took hold of Kushina's hands. At that moment, her eyes seemed to regain their former vigor.
"Stay still!" Mito said firmly.
Kushina suddenly felt a chill run through her entire body and instinctively pulled her hands away from Mito's grasp.
In that instant, she felt an indescribable force.
It was so cold.
"I'm sorry, Kushina," Mito said, placing her withered palm on Kushina's cheek, instantly filling her with a warm feeling.
This sudden shift left Kushina bewildered, and she looked up at Mito with confusion.
"You have experienced the power of the Sealing Technique just now. Although it may not have great destructive force, for many ninja, it is a more terrifying method than lethal ninjutsu," Mito explained, trying to divert Kushina's attention from the previous topic.
As she expected, Kushina now eagerly sought to know everything about the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki clan, listening intently.
"Moreover, the Sealing Technique can be applied in many areas. In this world full of battles between ninja, such techniques are not allowed to exist. Our homeland became a target and was attacked, leading to the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools."
"Why is that?" Kushina asked, unable to accept Mito's explanation. She did not yet understand the harsh reality of the ninja world, so she could not simply accept the reason given.
Mito sighed softly and said, "You will understand in the future."
She studied Kushina, who resembled her younger self from decades ago, both in appearance and abilities.
"To return to the main point, I said I would give you the reward for passing the Ninja Registration Test. So, starting today, I will teach you all the Sealing Techniques of the Uzumaki clan. Even though our village is gone, they must be passed down," Mito said with a gentle smile.
Kushina's eyes widened, and her mouth opened slightly. In her eyes, Mito was a legendary ninja. Regardless of the First Hokage, Mito herself had been the strongest member of the Uzumaki clan in her prime.
To have Mito personally teach her the Sealing Techniques was something Kushina had never even dared to dream of.
"Whether as a survivor of the Whirlpool Village or a ninja of Konoha, you must study the Sealing Techniques diligently. Only then can you fulfill your dream," Mito said kindly.
After a brief pause, Kushina nodded vigorously in response, recalling the first day she entered the Ninja Academy when she met someone who shared the same dream as her.
As the day grew darker, Minato returned home after parting ways with Mikoto. The three-day Ninja Registration Test had been an enormous strain on everyone's stamina.
However, following Jiraiya's advice, the exhausted Minato had prepared a rather sumptuous dinner despite his lack of culinary skills.
After his meal, Minato took a refreshing hot bath and changed into clean clothes. Although tired, he did not slack off in his training and practiced forming hand seals.
He had not been able to train for the past three days in the Forest of Death.
However, his practice did not last long, as several unexplained questions lingered in his mind.
The Ninja Registration Test itself, its rules, and Sakumo Hatake's order for them to keep it confidential – all these indicated that the situation was not as simple as it seemed.
But what concerned him the most was the Third Hokage's reaction.
He had done his best, but it remained to be seen whether he had earned the Third Hokage's approval.
In the Hokage's office, Sakumo Hatake stood before the Third Hokage, reporting the details of the Ninja Registration Test.
After listening to the report, a slight smile appeared on the Third Hokage's face. "Haha, these kids have grown up so quickly, it's beyond my expectations."
"Yes, Nawaki and Sarutobi Ao have only graduated for a year, but their combat skills and ninjutsu proficiency are already comparable to that of a chunin. They are indeed outstanding," Sakumo said, unsurprised, as he himself had already been a chunin at their age.
The Third Hokage smiled. "I wasn't referring to them. Out of three hundred participants, only ten passed the test, and students from the Ninja Academy took up so many spots. It seems the quality of education at the Ninja Academy is improving."
No one valued the cultivation of the younger generation more than the man before him. He himself had received much guidance and support to reach his current position.
"Indeed, the heirs of the prestigious clans of Konoha – Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Aburame, and Hyuga – are all exceptional, just as expected from the esteemed clans of the village," Sakumo said. In comparison, his own Hatake clan was rather unremarkable in Konoha.
However, that was in the past. With Sakumo's emergence, the Hatake clan had firmly surpassed all the prestigious clans.
"However, Lord Third," Sakumo's expression suddenly became more serious. "That boy named Uchiha Homura is even more surprising. You must understand that for the village, the appearance of such a talented prodigy in the Uchiha clan is not necessarily a good thing."
(End of Chapter)
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