Naruto: Kushina's Redemption, My Revenge

Mito Uzumaki felt emotionally drained.

That kid Chinya was far too inscrutable.

Even though he had already realized she knew about his disguise, and his behavior had completely changed, his words remained impeccably measured.

With a sigh, Mito said, "Chinya, can't we just talk openly? What we discuss today will never leave this room. If you hold resentment toward me because of Kushina, then by all means, share your thoughts. Right now, I'm simply speaking as Kushina's elder—and yours."

Chinya met Mito's gaze calmly, his expression unflinching. "Lady Mito, as Kushina's elder, you never asked whether she wished to become a Jinchuriki. So why would my opinion matter?

No matter what I think, Kushina will still take your place and become Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, won't she?

So... does it really matter?"

Mito's eyes flickered slightly.

It was indeed exactly as Chinya said—Kushina becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki was practically a foregone conclusion.

In that case, neither Chinya's nor Kushina's opinions truly mattered.

But...

Mito locked her gaze onto Chinya's, saying earnestly, "It *does* matter—because your opinion matters to Kushina."

Chinya held her stare for a long moment before finally saying, "I want Kushina to be happy—always."

Chinya's meaning was obvious.

Becoming a Jinchuriki meant enduring pain and loneliness for one's entire life.

Mito herself had fared relatively well—after all, she was the wife of the First Hokage and possessed a powerful sealing technique. The Nine-Tails had rarely ever gone out of control within her.

However, other villages' Jinchuriki lived terribly difficult lives.

Jinchuriki constantly struggled with their tailed beasts for dominance over their own bodies—a painfully agonizing process.

Furthermore, if a Jinchuriki lost control of their immense power, innocent people could die, causing people to fear and despise them even more.

The most excruciating pain came when the tailed beast was ripped from its host.

A Jinchuriki and their tailed beast shared a bond of life and death; extracting the beast would mean certain death.

The pain of such extraction was indescribable—it could tear a soul apart.

For Chinya to say he wanted Kushina Uzumaki to remain happy forever was tantamount to declaring his opposition.

Sighing deeply, Mito murmured, "But… being the Jinchuriki is Kushina's inescapable fate..."

Unexpected anger surged within Chinya without warning. "Destiny is just a beautiful-sounding word used to justify forcing an unavoidable fate upon someone who lacks the strength to choose otherwise. I believe you understand better than anyone here, Lady Mito—this so-called 'destiny' was imposed on Kushina. Please, don't speak to me of destiny."

Gazing intently at Chinya, Mito asked, "If you truly wish for Kushina's happiness, then will you change this outcome?"

Chinya lowered his head slightly. "I'm just an ordinary ninja of Konoha. These aren't matters I should decide. The Hokage and others will handle everything appropriately."

Mito Uzumaki now had a bit of a headache.

Here we go again. Can't we just have a decent chat for once?

Mito knew very well that continuing the conversation would be pointless.

Besides, Chinya would never let his guard down with her.

And Mito already understood the reason.

That reason was Kushina Uzumaki.

As long as Kushina remained the Nine-Tails' second Jinchuriki, Chinya would never truly open up—to her, or to Konoha.

Perhaps…he would even grow hostile toward Konoha.

Finally, Mito asked Chinya one question: "Chinya, is Konoha…important?"

Instead of answering directly, Chinya threw the question back at Mito: "Lady Mito, is Kushina important?"

Mito's expression turned slightly sorrowful.

Was Kushina truly important to her?

Of course she was.

But compared to Konoha?

Konoha meant more.

That was exactly what Mito believed. Predictably, Chinya's thoughts were already clear.

To Chinya, there was something more valuable than Konoha.

Perhaps, in his eyes, Konoha wasn't important at all.

Because from Chinya's perspective, Kushina wasn't truly important to Mito either.

Mito seemed genuinely weary now, speaking more softly: "Chinya, I really do care for Kushina. No matter whether you believe it or not, I sincerely hope both of you can live well in Konoha."

Chinya bowed slightly: "Lady Mito, I certainly believe you care for Kushina deeply. After all, you're her only blood relative. Please rest assured as well—I'm living quite comfortably in Konoha and I've always been genuinely grateful toward Konoha."

At this moment, Mito truly felt tired and waved her hand dismissively: "Good then. Go ahead. During the time you were away, Kushina waited for you every single day. I won't take up your time any longer."

Chinya turned and left the room.

After watching Chinya close the door and walk away, Mito let out a long sigh.

Even though Chinya was just a child, he spoke like some experienced old fox—there was nothing careless about him.

Except when he mentioned earlier that becoming a Jinchuriki was Kushina's destiny, during which his composure cracked for a moment. Otherwise, everything else he said was flawless, without the slightest loophole.

"What a sly little fox he is."

A smile crossed Mito's face—part frustration at Chinya, part admiration for him.

Outside near the doorway, Chinya saw Kushina Uzumaki crouched on the ground, gazing at something intently yet seemingly clueless about what she was even looking at.

Chinya squatted beside Kushina and smiled as he asked, "What are you looking at? You seem completely absorbed."

Kushina pointed her finger toward the floorboards where, between the cracks, a small wildflower had grown: "Look, Chinya! A flower actually managed to grow here. Somehow, it looks prettier than other flowers!"

Looking at the flower sprouting through the floor crack, Chinya's eyes flickered slightly: "Yeah, that's pretty impressive indeed. So full of life! Surviving in a place like this—of course it's beautiful!"

Before Chinya could finish admiring it, Kushina had already hopped onto his back and pointed eagerly beyond the compound: "But now's not the time to be admiring flowers!"

"There's no time to lose. Let's hurry up and go!"

Chinya smiled as he lifted Kushina Uzumaki onto his back, adjusting her legs securely. "Alright, let's go! You've always treated me to meals before, but today I've received my first mission payment. It's my turn to treat you to something delicious!"

Normally, when Genin complete missions with their jonin-sensei, part of the mission reward must be given to the leader.

But Orochimaru didn't take any of Chinya's rewards, letting him keep all the payment for himself.

This C-rank mission reward amounted to a full sixty thousand ryo (a unit of currency in the ninja world), which all went into Chinya's pocket.

Riding on Chinya's back, Kushina Uzumaki playfully punched the air with her tiny fist. "Then I'm definitely going to eat until I'm stuffed!"

"No problem!"

With Kushina Uzumaki on his back, Chinya strode joyfully away from Mito Uzumaki's residence.

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