Some time ago, Uzumaki Mito had spoken to him about the matter of the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki.
She had given him two choices.
One was Seisui, and the other was the one originally intended for the role — Uzumaki Kushina.
From her perspective, Seisui was the most suitable candidate to become the Nine-Tails' host.
If Kushina were chosen, there would always be a risk — during childbirth, the seal would weaken, and the Nine-Tails might break free. It was a potential danger that couldn't be ignored.
If it had been in the past, there would have been no alternative — Kushina would have had to take on the burden.
But times had changed.
The Uzumaki clan in Konoha no longer consisted of just Kushina. There was also Seisui, Nagato, and Mina Uzumaki.
Of course, choosing Nagato or Mina to be the jinchuriki would be even riskier than choosing Kushina.
But now, with Seisui here?
Compared to Kushina, he was far more suited for the role.
Both belonged to the Uzumaki clan, yet Seisui had grown up in Konoha itself.
He was someone who embraced and embodied the Will of Fire — loyal to the village, steadfast in spirit.
Not only that, but Seisui possessed immense chakra reserves and exceptional strength.
Even if he hadn't yet mastered sealing techniques, as long as he could use the Adamantine Sealing Chains, the Nine-Tails would never break free.
And unlike Kushina, Seisui didn't have to worry about the weakness that came with childbirth.
Besides, just because he hadn't learned other sealing arts yet didn't mean he never would.
As the head of the Uzumaki clan, he had access to every sealing technique in Konoha — and even those beyond it.
When you compared the two, Kushina now seemed more like a backup candidate.
She might have been the first choice once, but that was before Seisui came along.
Times had changed.
Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was thinking this through, Seisui entered the room — Uzumaki Mito's sickroom — with Uchiha Haru at his side.
"Grandma Mito!" The moment Seisui saw her frail figure, he rushed forward instinctively.
They shared no blood relation, but to him, she had always felt like a kind, loving grandmother.
She had helped him more than anyone else ever had.
To say there were no feelings between them would be inhuman.
"You were fine not long ago. Why are you—" Seisui's eyes grew moist, though he forced the tears back.
Seeing his expression, Mito smiled warmly.
"Yes… that's how a man should be."
"Don't cry like them. A real man must stay strong."
Despite her weakening body, her voice was gentle yet full of dignity.
She reached out and patted Seisui's head with trembling hands.
"Seisui, from now on, I'll be entrusting Kushina to you."
"And Nagato, Mina — they're your responsibility too."
She wasn't speaking of marriage — she meant the future of the Uzumaki clan itself.
"You must have already realized it — this old woman doesn't have much time left."
Seisui's eyes reddened again as he nodded solemnly.
Beside him, Uchiha Haru stayed silent, her eyes filled with concern.
She wasn't good at expressing herself, but her quiet gaze said enough.
Noticing her, Mito smiled kindly.
"Haru, I'll have to rely on you to take care of Seisui from now on."
"After today, a monster will reside inside him."
"If it ever goes berserk, you'll need to use your Mangekyo Sharingan to suppress it."
Haru blinked, momentarily stunned.
A monster that required the Mangekyo to control?
Seeing her confusion, Mito chuckled softly.
"It's a powerful creature — a tailed beast."
"Tailed beasts possess boundless chakra and immense destructive power."
"There are nine in total, each named after their tails. And among them, the Nine-Tails is the strongest."
"This monster — the Nine-Tails — is savage and violent, its chakra capable of clouding hearts."
"But your Uchiha clan's Mangekyo Sharingan can suppress such a being."
Her words weren't exaggerations. It was true — the Mangekyo could indeed control tailed beasts, even if only temporarily.
If the Nine-Tails ever broke free, Haru would be the final safeguard.
After all, when a jinchuriki's seal failed, death was inevitable.
Still, this was just a precaution.
Given Seisui's enormous chakra reserves and overwhelming power, the chances of the Nine-Tails breaking loose were slim — but not impossible.
That's why Mito wanted the Uchiha's strength as insurance.
Her gaze softened as she looked at Haru.
Her resentment toward the Uchiha clan had always been directed at Madara alone.
Toward others, she held no ill will — especially not someone who clearly cared for Seisui.
She and Hiruzen had even read the mission report describing how Haru awakened her Mangekyo — through the grief of losing Seisui once.
Even Danzo, who hated the Uchiha, couldn't deny Haru's devotion.
That same Danzo now stood silently in the corner, occasionally snorting as his sharp eyes swept over Seisui.
He still hadn't forgotten the way Seisui and Minato mocked him behind his back.
Damn brats, he thought darkly. One day you'll kneel before me and call me Hokage-sama.
Meanwhile, Mito continued softly,
"You, Seisui, Haru, Minato, and Kushina — you must all look after each other."
Her voice was growing weaker, her body frail and pale as parchment.
Everyone in the room could tell — her time was almost up.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression hardened.
"Sealing Squad — ready!"
At his command, several shinobi appeared, each carrying massive scrolls.
Seeing them, Mito's eyes regained a final spark of strength — the unmistakable brightness before the end.
"Seisui… I didn't ask your permission before deciding to make you the Nine-Tails' vessel. Please, forgive—"
Before she could finish, Seisui shook his head firmly and looked around the room.
"If it's for the village, I'll do it."
"To serve Konoha is an honor!"
He smiled — and in truth, he was genuinely excited.
This was the Nine-Tails!
A limitless source of chakra — and the key to the legendary Nine-Tails Mode.
Mito blinked, momentarily surprised, then sensed the sincerity in his chakra.
Her guilt deepened — she hadn't expected him to accept it so readily.
"Even if the Nine-Tails must be sealed inside me," Seisui declared,
"if it's for the sake of the village, I'll gladly bear it!"
"I'm stronger than Kushina and the others, so it's my duty to stand before them."
"To shield them from the storm!"
"I'm stronger than most shinobi of the village — that means I should stand in front."
"With great power comes great responsibility."
"Wherever the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal!"
"Let all causes and consequences be borne by me!"
His words stunned everyone.
Even Tsunade and Nawaki, still teary-eyed, could only stare at him.
Hiruzen's eyes filled with emotion.
Yes… this is the one I've chosen.
A true heir of the Will of Fire.
Though Seisui's version of that will differed from his own, the essence was the same.
"This… this is the new leaf, isn't it, Sensei?" Hiruzen murmured.
The new generation — perhaps they truly will surpass us.
"Tch, what a smooth talker," Danzo muttered under his breath, glaring daggers.
To him, Seisui and Minato were dangerous — second only to the Uchiha.
I'm the true bearer of the Will of Fire! he thought bitterly.
Just you wait, Hiruzen. When I'm Hokage, I'll show you how it's really done.
Ignoring the tension, Mito straightened slightly and spoke with resolve.
"Then let's begin the transfer."
"The Nine-Tails will be drawn out — it's… a little big."
"So, bear with it."
Seisui nodded heavily and lay down on the prepared bed as instructed.
Golden chains burst forth from Mito's back, while three chains sprouted from Seisui's.
Her fingers moved into a series of slow but steady seals
"I'll pull the Nine-Tails out. The moment it appears, use the Adamantine Sealing Chains to restrain it," she said calmly.
"Then draw it into your body."
"After that, all you need to do is keep it suppressed."
"I'll use the Eight Trigrams Seal along with the sealing squad to stabilize it within your abdomen."
"Once the seal is complete, you'll only need to infuse chakra into it regularly to maintain the balance."
"That's why the Uzumaki are the best vessels — our vast chakra allows us to uphold even the strongest seals."
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