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The next day, news of Mito's condition had spread throughout the entire Hidden Leaf Village.

It wasn't because the Senju or Uchiha clans leaked it—rather, every major and minor clan in Konoha had sent "gifts" that morning to celebrate the birth of the newborn Senju Itachi. Through that, everyone inevitably learned the news.

The Senju storehouse was packed full of an assortment of lavish gifts, but no one was in the mood to count them.

For the younger generation of Senju, Hashirama—the man who had once brought peace to the chaotic world—was already a distant legend. What they grew up hearing instead were the tales of Mito single-handedly crushing the Sand Village during the First Great Ninja War.

Now, the "Konoha Negotiation Delegation" had arrived at the Senju compound once again, every face wearing a grim expression. Mito's approaching death meant the Senju Clan's "stability" would soon be impossible to guarantee.

"Mito-sama, how could this happen so suddenly…" Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone was sorrowful—after all, Mito was his teacher's wife, practically his own mentor as well.

"Human life is not something we can choose the length of. I've lived seventy-seven years—that's long enough." Mito still wore that same gentle, peaceful smile.

Hiruzen fell silent, unsure what to say.

After a long pause, it was Danzo who finally broke the stillness. "I heard that earlier this morning, Senju Nawaki and Uchiha Mikoto's child was born. I wonder—what of the child's talent?"

"You mean to ask whether his bloodline leans more toward the Senju or the Uchiha, right?" Akio cut straight through Danzo's pretense, ignoring the awkward look on his face. "He has both. Disappointed?"

In truth, since Itachi possessed the Sage Body, it was inevitable that before awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, his Senju heritage would hold greater sway. Akio didn't mention this—no need to invite trouble neither side wanted.

"Elder Akio, you misunderstand," Danzo said awkwardly after a pause.

Akio didn't continue to (smack) him down—three strikes were enough.

The air in the room turned tense. Akio and Mito didn't speak, while the others were full of words they didn't dare say aloud. With someone like Mito—who had a "clearly counted" ten days to half a month left—comfort felt too hollow, and mourning too premature.

Eventually, it was Hiruzen, the Hokage, who broke the silence.

"Elder Akio, what about Uzumaki Kushina?" Having accepted that Mito's time was ending, Hiruzen had no choice but to focus on the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.

"Kushina has agreed. But she's a princess of Uzushiogakure, after all. If she's coming to Konoha to serve as your Jinchūriki, don't you think you owe us some compensation?" Akio's expression made it clear—he was naming a price, as though selling Kushina outright.

Hiruzen froze. He had expected either a simple agreement or a flat refusal, but not… negotiations.

He exchanged glances with the other elders. Koharu and the Hyūga clan head both shut their eyes, signaling their intent to stay out of it.

Which left, of course, Danzo to "step up."

"Elder Akio, having Kushina become the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki benefits the Uzumaki as well. We won't restrict her personal freedom—she'll still be Uzushiogakure's Jinchūriki too."

Akio's eyes widened. "Go on, try restricting her freedom and see what happens!"

Danzo faltered. "But the Nine-Tails…"

"You think I care about that damn fox? Half of it's sealed with me—it's been sulking for years! You see me making anyone my Jinchūriki?"

Mito let out a small laugh. "Granduncle, the Nine-Tails is cursing you right now."

"Tell it to calm down. Actually—no, tell it to behave and cooperate with its next host, or I'll seal it tight and toss it into a dark corner where it'll never see the light again," Akio said gruffly.

Mito shook her head, smiling faintly. Clearly, the fox inside her was still raging.

When Akio finished, he turned back to Hiruzen and Danzo, his eyes gleaming with blatant greed. Kushina might have volunteered for this, but that didn't mean the Uzumaki should walk away empty-handed.

Hiruzen sighed. "Fine. We can discuss the specifics of the compensation later. But I have one request: I want Kushina's status as the Nine-Tails' host kept secret for now. The story will be that Konoha hasn't yet found a suitable candidate. It won't stay hidden forever, but even a short delay helps."

Akio blinked, then exchanged a look with Mito.

"Becoming Hokage really turned you into a schemer, didn't it, Hiruzen?"

Hiruzen forced a smile. He didn't know what "schemer" meant, but judging by the tone, it wasn't a compliment.

"I understand now. Unless I reach the level of strength Lord Hashirama once had, I'll have to rely on strategy like this."

Akio sighed but said no more. Being Hokage hadn't been easy for Hiruzen—trouble after trouble, not to mention Akio's own "occasional mischief." (Though he'd never admit it.)

Once everything was settled, Akio didn't haggle further. Instead, he let Izumi handle the actual negotiations with Hiruzen.

"Great-Grandpa, that was brilliant!" Kushina exclaimed happily when she heard Akio had "sold her" to Konoha.

"Heh, managed to fetch a good price for you. Turns out you're worth quite a bit." After Izumi's discussions with Hiruzen, Konoha had ended up offering nearly the same amount of supplies they once paid for explosive tags.

Kushina: "…"

Even though she knew she was doing this for the good of her homeland, Akio's phrasing still made her feel… weirdly uncomfortable.

As the news of Mito's dwindling life spread, Akio's three disciples all returned to Konoha. Beyond them, every major clan of the village, and even the current Daimyō of the Land of Fire, came to visit Mito.

After a week of constant visits, Akio shut the doors, turning away all further guests. He brought Sara with him to greet Mito and his disciples. After all, Sara couldn't spend her life never meeting the people closest to him. As for those he wasn't close to—better they didn't know she existed. Still, his students' stunned faces bruised his pride more than he'd admit.

His two younger disciples, Nagato and Konan, were also in Konoha at the time and had grown quite fond of Mito. Akio let them visit her briefly, but when they began crying, he promptly shooed them out—he couldn't bear the atmosphere.

…

No matter how much Akio joked around, Mito's face grew older day by day. At first, she looked like a woman in her sixties; then each day seemed to age her another year, new wrinkles etching into her skin.

On June 20th, in her room, Mito smiled softly and said, "Granduncle… don't be sad for me."

Then she closed her eyes forever.

"How can I not be sad?" Akio whispered. He bent down, gathered her in his arms, and carried her out.

He was alone in the room. With Mito's death, half of the Nine-Tails' chakra had vanished as well, flooding the room with raw energy—kept contained only by Akio's seals.

Holding her gently, Akio slipped through space, emerging outside where a prepared coffin awaited.

Around them, the gathered crowd's quiet sobs filled the air. Akio looked up at the sky.

If he started crying now, how could he ever hold his head high again…?

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