Some time ago, Uzumaki Mito had already spoken to him about the matter of the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki.
She had given two choices—
One was Seisui, and the other was the originally intended Uzumaki Kushina.
But in her eyes, Seisui was clearly the better candidate.
If Kushina were to become the jinchuriki, the seal would weaken during childbirth—a hidden risk.
In the past, there had been no alternative, so Kushina was chosen.
But now, times have changed.
The Uzumaki clan in Konoha wasn't limited to Kushina anymore. There was also Seisui, Nagato, and Mina Uzumaki.
Of course, if either Nagato or Mina were chosen as the jinchuriki, it would be far riskier than Kushina.
But wasn't there still Seisui?
Compared to Kushina, Seisui was far more suitable.
Both were of the Uzumaki bloodline, but Seisui had grown up in Konoha and truly carried the Will of Fire in his heart.
His loyalty to the village was unquestionable.
His strength was already extraordinary.
Even though he hadn't yet mastered advanced sealing techniques, with his Adamantine Sealing Chains, immense chakra, and sheer power, the Nine-Tails would never break free.
And unlike Kushina, he didn't have to worry about childbirth weakening the seal.
Besides, not knowing all sealing arts now didn't mean he never would.
As the Uzumaki clan head, every sealing technique within Konoha—or even beyond—was available to him.
Compared side by side, Kushina now seemed more like a backup plan.
Though she was the initial choice, as Mito said—the times have changed.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was mulling over these thoughts, Seisui burst into the room, Uchiha Haru following close behind.
"Grandma Mito!" Seisui called out as soon as he saw her frail figure, instinctively rushing forward.
Though they weren't related by blood, Mito had always felt like a kind, loving grandmother to him—and her help to him had been immeGhostble.
Anyone who said they felt nothing for her would have to be made of stone.
"You were doing fine just a while ago, how come you…" Seisui's eyes reddened, though he held back his tears.
Seeing his expression, Mito smiled warmly.
"That's how it should be."
"Don't cry like those weaklings. A man must stand firm."
Her voice was calm, without the slightest trace of fear toward death. She reached out and gently ruffled Seisui's hair.
"Seisui, from here on, I'm entrusting Kushina to you."
"Same goes for Nagato and Mina."
She wasn't talking about marriage—she meant the future of the Uzumaki clan.
"You must have realized it already—this old woman doesn't have much time left."
Seisui nodded silently, eyes red.
Beside him, Uchiha Haru stood quietly, concern written across her face.
Though she wasn't good with words, her worry was plain as day—and Mito could see it clearly.
After soothing Seisui, Mito turned to Haru with a gentle smile.
"I'll be relying on you to look after Seisui from now on."
"After today, there will be a monster living inside him."
"If that monster ever loses control, I'll need you to use your Mangekyo Sharingan to restrain it."
Haru blinked in confusion at that. A monster?
Mito chuckled softly.
"It's a powerful being known as a Tailed Beast—a creature with endless chakra and terrifying destructive power."
"There are nine of them in this world, each named for the number of tails they bear. The Nine-Tails is the strongest."
"This creature is fierce, cruel, and its chakra can corrupt the hearts of men."
"But your Mangekyo Sharingan has the ability to control it."
She wasn't making it up—it was true.
While the control wouldn't last forever, in case of a rampage, Haru's eyes would be the final safeguard.
Once a tailed beast escaped its seal, the host would surely die.
So this was simply an extra layer of protection.
Given Seisui's vast chakra and immense strength, the chances of the Nine-Tails breaking free were minimal—but not zero.
Mito's serene gaze softened as she looked at Haru again.
She bore no hatred toward the Uchiha clan—only toward Madara.
And she could feel Haru's feelings for Seisui.
She and Hiruzen had even read Haru's mission report—the one describing how she awakened her Mangekyo after Seisui's death.
Even Danzo, spiteful as he was toward the Uchiha, couldn't deny the depth of Haru's emotion.
He stood in silence, only snorting coldly when his eyes met Seisui's.
He still remembered Seisui and Minato mocking him behind his back.
Damn brat… one day, you'll kneel before me and call me Hokage-sama!
Meanwhile, Mito continued her final instructions. "You four—Seisui, Haru, Minato, and Kushina—must get along well."
Her voice grew weaker and weaker, the vitality draining from her face.
Everyone in the room could feel it—her time was near.
Hiruzen's expression hardened. "Sealing team!" he called out.
At his command, several ninja carrying massive scrolls entered the room.
Seeing them, Mito straightened up slightly, her fading strength suddenly returning—the light before the end.
"Seisui," she said softly, "I'm sorry for making this decision without your consent, but—"
Before she could finish, Seisui shook his head, glancing around the room.
"If it's for the village, I'll do it!" he declared.
"I'm honored to contribute to Konoha!"
He smiled—a bright, unhesitating smile.
Come on, it's the Nine-Tails!
It meant limitless chakra and the potential for Nine-Tails Mode!
Mito froze for a moment, then felt the genuine joy radiating from him.
Her guilt deepened—she hadn't expected his resolve to be this pure.
"Even if you seal the Nine-Tails inside me, if it's for the village, I'll bear it willingly!"
"I'm stronger than Kushina and the others—so I should be the one standing in front of them."
"To shield them from the storm!"
"My strength surpasses most of the village's shinobi—so it's my duty to stand before them too."
"With great power comes great responsibility!"
"Where the leaves dance, the fire will never die!"
He clenched his fists. "Let all burdens fall upon me!"
His words struck everyone silent.
Even Tsunade and Nawaki stopped crying and stared.
Hiruzen's eyes shimmered with tears—this was exactly why he had faith in Seisui.
This was the new generation of the Will of Fire!
Though Seisui's beliefs were his own, Hiruzen could still see the same flame within them.
"So this… is the new leaf, sensei," Hiruzen murmured, emotion thick in his voice.
The new generation truly surpasses us.
"Tch. Slick words," Danzo muttered, scowling.
He didn't believe a single thing Seisui said. To him, Seisui and Minato were dangerous brats—almost as bad as the Uchiha.
I'm the one who truly upholds the Will of Fire! he thought bitterly, fists tightening. I'll become Hokage… and I'll freeze those pests in their tracks—Seisui, Minato, and that Uchiha girl too.
Just watch, Hiruzen. I'll be a better Hokage than you ever were.
Meanwhile, Mito smiled faintly. "Alright. Then let's begin the transfer."
"The Nine-Tails will enter your body—it might feel… a bit much."
"Bear with it."
"Understood!" Seisui nodded firmly, lying down as the sealing team instructed.
Behind Mito, several golden chains manifested—her Adamantine Sealing Chains.
Three similar chains extended from Seisui's back.
Seeing this, Mito began weaving hand seals—slow, deliberate, steady.
"I'll draw the Nine-Tails out," she explained. "When it appears, use your chains to bind it immediately."
"Pull it into your body and keep it restrained."
"I'll then apply the Eight Trigrams Seal over your stomach."
"Once that's done, you'll only need to feed chakra into the seal to maintain it."
"That's why the Uzumaki are the best containers—we're born with vast chakra reserves strong enough to keep a beast caged forever."
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