Her movable fingers began to slowly attempt hand seals, but her body was empty, unable to muster even a trace of Chakra.
Kushina thought with some annoyance, her emotions completely overwhelming her rationality at this moment. The Eight Trigrams Sealing Style that bound her was extremely intricate and firm; if she were alive, she would confidently assert that no third person in Konoha Village, besides Minato and herself, could easily break it.
Alas… the Nine-Tailed is no longer within my body… I can no longer use its Chakra to…?!
She instinctively thought of her usual method of breaking free by borrowing Nine-Tails Chakra, and then suddenly realized that after death, she was no longer a Jinchuriki.
However, at the instant this thought flashed through her mind, deep within her body, a familiar warm current actually responded to her call, faint yet clear!
Is this… the Nine-Tails Chakra?
Kushina was somewhat uncertain. This feeling, this unique Chakra nature, was indeed the Nine-Tailed's. However, it was completely different from the violent, hateful, crimson energy she felt when she forcibly borrowed it during her lifetime. The Chakra responding to her now was unusually gentle and compliant.
She didn't understand the current situation… but right now, with her own Chakra completely sealed, the arrival of this power was like a godsend!
She carefully guided this gentle Nine-Tails Chakra, and slowly, her stiff arms could move with greater range, her hands finally coming together with difficulty. However, the rough and insubstantial sensation, like sand rubbing together, that came from her body during the movements, cruelly reminded Kushina once again—you are already dead, this is not your true body.
But, things had already progressed this far, and an intense longing burned like fire in her soul. Kushina wanted to go out and see, no matter what! The long-suppressed yearning and surging maternal love almost consumed her entirely.
Just one look… as long as I confirm he's doing well… I'll go find Minato immediately… I promise… she comforted herself, finding reasons for her ill-timed "willfulness." Her hands began to slowly form familiar hand seals, and with the help of that gentle Nine-Tails Chakra, the steps to release the seal were reconstructed one by one.
"Eight Trigrams Sealing Style: Release."
The last seal was finally completed! Kushina inwardly thanked her past self who had diligently studied Sealing Jutsu, striving for perfection.
"Crack…"
Something shattered. The darkness before her was no longer absolute; there was finally a faint light. Although it still seemed to be a dim place outside, that bit of light was enough to make Kushina feel incredibly excited and expectant.
As the seal was released, the power that had been constantly dragging her into the abyss of sleep also receded. Kushina quickly moved her body, her movements gradually becoming smoother from their initial stiffness. Accompanied by a faint, rustling sound like falling sand, she finally stumbled out of the sealed cocoon that had bound her.
"This is…"
Kushina steadied herself and looked around the room in confusion. It was dark, filled with various scrolls, and the air was thick with the smell of old paper and dust. In front of her, two other large cocoons, similar to where she had just been, stood silently, labeled "First" and "Second" respectively.
— — — — — —
"Old Man, you still haven't let it go?"
"I'm sorry, Jiraiya, this is the only thing I cannot agree to. Everything this Old Man does is for Konoha."
"Don't cling to the past any longer… Can't you, as Hokage, make a decision on this matter?"
"No, Jiraiya! This cannot be given to you! Right now, I am still the Hokage!"
"But, Old Man, you must understand!" Jiraiya retorted without backing down, "A person who can't abandon anything, ultimately can't change anything!"
"But this has nothing to do with being Hokage! Do you think I don't know your little scheme? Don't even think about it! This Old Man doesn't want to hear rumors of the Konoha Fifth Hokage being a pervert!"
The Third Hokage finally lost his patience. He snatched the crystal ball from the table, scolding loudly, disappointed.
"Tch…" Jiraiya clicked his tongue unhappily, his gaze still lingering on the precious crystal ball that could observe various parts of Konoha.
Just now, after Naruto left, the two began discussing matters related to the succession of the next Hokage. At first, everything went smoothly, after all, Jiraiya possessed all the qualities of a Hokage, except for his lecherous tendencies, and even the Jonin vote was just a formality.
However, when the Third Hokage used the Telescope Jutsu to check the situation in Konoha and the shelters after the battle, looking for areas that needed priority attention… the dispute over the crystal ball's ownership occurred.
Seeing the perverted expression reappear on his disciple's face, the Third Hokage rubbed his forehead helplessly and added, "Also, a Hokage order like 'allowing white-haired old men free entry into women's hot spring baths' is absolutely impossible to pass."
Jiraiya immediately deflated like a punctured ball. The Third Hokage looked at him and could only sigh silently in his heart. All three of his disciples had some troublesome habits… However, compared to squandering money in casinos and indulging in women, it was much more acceptable than going down the path of a rogue ninja.
"Alright, the Village still needs our efforts now." The Third Hokage said seriously, bringing the conversation back on track, "One last thing—after your succession ceremony, immediately announce Naruto's identity officially in the name of the Hokage."
Jiraiya was stunned by the news. The Third Hokage explained in a deep voice.
"Over these years… the Village indeed owes Naruto too much. The villagers need some excuses for their past actions, so why not give them an outlet… I will bear this responsibility."
Jiraiya fell silent. He understood that the Third Hokage indeed bore responsibility in this matter… But what about himself? As a master, he had ignored his deceased disciple's orphan for so many years… Alas, this was not something that could be easily overlooked with just a scolding.
Just as the atmosphere in the office grew heavy, the Hokage office door was flung open! An Anbu member rushed in, reporting urgently.
"Hokage-sama, this is bad! The seal… the seal has been broken! There's a dangerous situation! We can't stop her at all!"
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