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"Shin, what''s going on here?"
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Mikoto, seeing Tanaka-sensei scolding Kai, asked Shin for an explanation.
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"Well, it''s a bit complicated, but I''ll give you the short version."
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Shin cleared his throat.
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"Kai likes Akiko, but Akiko seems to have a thing for Minato. So, Kai, in a fit of jealousy, punched Minato."
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"Wow, Kai likes Akiko? Poor Akiko," Kushina said, shaking her head.
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"By the way, your match ended so quickly. Who won?"
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Mikoto asked curiously.
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"I did, of course. Nawaki is no match for me. I could take him down with one hand tied behind my back."
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Shin glanced at Nawaki, but he wasn''t exaggerating. He really could defeat Nawaki with one hand.
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"You''re so mean, Shin! You bribed me! If you hadn''t, I would have crushed you!" Nawaki protested.
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"Yeah, right. You''d be the one getting crushed," Kushina scoffed. If Shin used his full strength, Nawaki wouldn''t stand a chance.
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"It''s satisfying to see Kai get scolded," Shin said with a smirk.
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Kai was severely reprimanded and forced to apologize to Minato.
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Minato readily forgave him.
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"He forgave him just like that? Shouldn''t he at least try to get even?" Shin remarked.
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"Uzumaki Shin!!!" Kai roared.
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"What? Want to fight me? I''ll break your other leg."
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Kai, who had been fuming, felt a phantom pain in his leg and backed down.
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The other students were surprised. Why was Kai so afraid of Shin?
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Shin was good, but he wasn''t that much better than Kai. What was going on?
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"Alright, no fighting! If I catch you brawling, you''ll be punished!" Tanaka-sensei warned.
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"That concludes today''s test. Class dismissed. Minato-san, go get those injuries treated."
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Cheers erupted as the students celebrated their early dismissal.
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"Shin, don''t forget you owe me Yakiniku," Nawaki reminded him.
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"Don''t worry, you''ll get your meat. Let''s go."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
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Shin, Kushina, Mikoto, and a hopeful Nawaki headed towards a Yakiniku restaurant.
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????
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At the Senju compound, the Sandaime Hokage stood outside Uzumaki Mito''s residence.
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"Mito-sama, Sarutobi Hiruzen requests an audience."
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"Ah, it''s little monkey. Come in."
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Hiruzen blushed at the nickname. Thankfully, they were alone; it would have been embarrassing otherwise.
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"Mito-sama, you summoned me?"
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Hiruzen hadn''t come of his own volition; Mito had sent for him.
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"Hiruzen, I called you here to discuss the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki." Mito had stopped calling him "little monkey," much to his relief.
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"This...?"
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"I''m old, Hiruzen. I don''t know how much longer I can hold on. We need to choose a new Jinchūriki soon."
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Hiruzen was silent for a moment. "What are your thoughts, Mito-sama?"
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"The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki should ideally be an Uzumaki. Only their constitution can properly suppress the Kyuubi. Otherwise, it might go on a rampage or even break free from the seal."
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Mito''s voice was grave. The Nine-Tails was a force to be reckoned with. Without Hashirama, Konoha would struggle to contain its power.
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"I agree."
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Hiruzen was also cautious when it came to the Nine-Tails. Its importance was undeniable, and the Uzumaki were the most suitable candidates for becoming its Jinchūriki.
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"Do you have anyone in mind, Mito-sama?"
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"I can only offer suggestions. The final decision is yours, Hiruzen."
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"First, I recommend Uzumaki Shin. He''s the most suitable candidate. Then there''s Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Akiko."
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"What about Uzumaki Kai? He seems quite talented."
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Mito shook her head. "He is talented, but he''s also consumed by hatred and jealousy. He''s not suitable to be the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
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Any Uzumaki was technically suitable, but Kai''s personality made him a poor choice.
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"Uzumaki Shin?"
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Hiruzen frowned. He had gathered information on the Uzumaki survivors. Uzumaki Hikaru was out of the question; he was an adult and harder to control. Hiruzen didn''t trust him.
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As for Shin, his performance at the Academy wasn''t as impressive as Kai''s. Why was Mito recommending him?
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''Is this for the Senju Clan?'' Hiruzen wondered.
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Shin was close to Tsunade and was practically considered a Senju. Perhaps Mito was trying to secure an advantage for the Senju.
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Hiruzen''s guess was completely off the mark. Mito recommended Shin because of his immense life force, which could suppress the Nine-Tails completely. He would be the safest choice.
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"The Kyuubi is volatile, filled with hatred. I think a female Jinchūriki would be better. Perhaps we can use love to tame the beast. Uzumaki Akiko seems like a good choice."
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Hiruzen lowered his head.
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Mito looked at him, disappointment clouding her eyes. Hiruzen had changed.
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His thoughts were transparent to her.
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She understood why he wasn''t choosing Shin or Kushina. It was because of their close ties to the Senju Clan.
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"Mito-sama, what do you think?" Hiruzen asked, a flicker of guilt in his eyes.
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The Nine-Tails was too important. He couldn''t allow any single clan to control it.
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"You''ve already made up your mind, Hiruzen. Do as you see fit. I''m tired. You may leave."
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Mito waved him away, her disappointment evident.
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"Then I''ll take my leave. If you need anything, Mito-sama, please don''t hesitate to send for me."
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Hiruzen bowed and left.
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Outside, his guilt was overwhelming, but then his expression hardened.
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"Forgive me, Mito-sama, but the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is too important. No single clan in Konoha should have control over it."
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Shin and Kushina were too close to the Senju. Kai''s personality was unsuitable. That left Akiko.
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Hiruzen didn''t want to see the Senju Clan rise to power again.