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Chapter 18 - Chapter 18: Konoha Needs a Vessel

Inside the Senju estate,

Uzumaki Mito sat alone in her room, holding a letter from her brother, the head of the Uzumaki clan.

It clearly warned her not to go to the Land of Whirlpools. It was likely an enemy trap—they wanted not only the Uzumaki Sealing Techniques but also the Nine-Tails.

A shadow of sadness lingered in her eyes. She was no longer young and could not endure the strain of intense combat.

Even if she went to aid the Land of Whirlpools, she would likely collapse after a single battle. If the Nine-Tails were freed during the chaos, it would be a catastrophe.

And if Konoha lost the Nine-Tails, it would be left vulnerable. War could erupt across the lands at any moment.

Mito was caught between two loyalties: her homeland and the life's work of her beloved.

Her brother, Hashirama,

She could not decide. Her youthful appearance had faded rapidly. Even heroes grow old, powerless against time.

"Hashirama… what should I do?"

She murmured, thinking of the man who had always faced life with a smile—her beloved.

She remembered their conversation: she had asked, "If you die, everything ends, leaving me alone."

Hashirama pointed to Konoha and said, "Do not grieve. Even if I die, Konoha will be there with you. Konoha is me. It will always be with you."

"Nana!" Senju Shinju's shout broke Mito's reverie.

Shinju was in high spirits today, eager to share his joy with his grandmother.

Seeing Mito's aged face, Shinju's steps faltered. Tears welled in his eyes. "Grandma, what's wrong? Don't scare me."

He sobbed, wrapping his arms around her—his most cherished person.

Mito touched his face. The skin was no longer smooth, but with chakra, she restored her youthful visage.

Her hair, however, had turned snow-white.

She patted Shinju's head gently and said, "Little Shinju, look at me now."

"Wow, Grandma!"

Seeing her rejuvenated, he smiled.

"Come, let's take a walk," Mito said, taking Shinju's hand.

They strolled through the Senju estate, circled Konoha, and then returned home.

Mito glanced at Shinju, clarity in her eyes as she made her choice.

"I'm sorry, brother. I will protect Hashirama's legacy."

Yes. Between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools, Uzumaki Mito chose Konoha.

"Summon the Third Hokage. Tell him the old lady has business."

"Yes!" the Senju retainer replied.

Hiruzen Sarutobi entered the Senju estate, his face grave.

Mito did not waste time with pleasantries. "I am old, my time is limited. I need a vessel to seal the Nine-Tails. Make the arrangements."

Hiruzen understood. Mito was dissatisfied with her choices and had informed him that someone needed to go to the Land of Whirlpools.

"Lady Mito, do you have someone suitable in mind?"

"Uzumaki Kushina. She is my granddaughter. Bring her here."

"Yes!"

At four in the morning, Hikaru Kinoshita ran alone through Konoha, without calling Minato Namikaze.

Today was a rest day. Everyone else had a break, and each family had its own activities—a way to strengthen unity.

The Uchiha would hold meetings at the shrine.

The Hyuga would gather for family exercises.

Even Minato Namikaze had matters to attend. Only Hikaru was left.

In this moment, he felt lonely. Running was the only way to release his energy.

He opened his training panel:

[World Mastery Panel]Name: Hikaru KinoshitaAge: 6Abilities: Rubber Fruit, Beginner (91/100)Techniques: Chakra Extraction, Intermediate (759/10000)Skills: Kunai Throw, Advanced (885/10000); Taijutsu, Intermediate (456/1000); Hand Seals, Advanced (2258/10000)Ninjutsu: Rasengan, Beginner; Clone Technique, Advanced; Transformation Technique, Advanced; Substitute Technique, Advanced; Fireball Jutsu, Advanced; Waterball Jutsu, Advanced; Lightningball Jutsu, Advanced; Earth Wall, Advanced; Wind Palm, Intermediate

[Note: Nonessential skills not tracked to avoid complaints of "system abuse."]

Hikaru realized that in three months, even the Rasengan could be mastered by a dog.

Yet, he preferred training his body.

Most of his day was spent in physical training. Each time he pushed past his limits was a personal challenge.

But surpassing his limits became increasingly difficult. Now he could manage breakthroughs every two days.

He controlled his regimen carefully, avoiding fatigue and mental burnout.

In eighteen days, his Devil Fruit would upgrade, a prospect he eagerly anticipated.

While running, immersed in training, he forgot loneliness. His pace quickened, speed surged, and his body's weight felt alive with effort.

Adrenaline surged. His mind buzzed. He sprinted as if racing the wind.

Compared to ninjutsu, taijutsu was intoxicating—the thrill of surpassing limits, the wind rushing past, the impact of every strike. Physical prowess held an irresistible allure.

Although Hikaru had a system, it only accelerated his learning. Mastery still required effort.

The priority was strengthening the body, building willpower. Ninjutsu would follow: once he mastered Multi-Shadow Clone, training would skyrocket, and proficiency would climb rapidly.

"Hi, Hikaru!"

"Mikoto-chan!"

Hikaru stopped. Today, Uchiha Mikoto wore a shinobi-style uniform, her ponytail bouncing as she ran, graceful and striking.

"Mikoto-chan, weren't you going to the shrine?"

Mikoto's cheeks flushed. "Not yet. A ninja can never slack. Training first, shrine later."

"You'll become a great ninja someday," Hikaru praised. Discipline was everything in a world where sweat never betrayed effort.

Mikoto didn't respond. She ran faster. "Hikaru, keep up."

She had always sensed Hikaru was different—resilient, passionate, mature. Unlike others, he wasn't childish.

Though they had been apart only one day, she felt unaccustomed to the separation. Unconsciously, they reached the training grounds.

Hikaru kept pace. They ran with the sunrise, each lost in thought, words unnecessary.

"Hey, that's unfair! Didn't we say today was a rest day? How can you train secretly?" Shinju shouted.

"Exactly! Hikaru's too sneaky," Rokku, Ichi, and Choza chimed in.

"Hikaru, why didn't you call me?" Minato complained.

"Lucky I came!" Shigeru said.

"I saw it ages ago," Hizashi said, pointing to his eyes.

"Why is everyone here?" Hikaru asked, puzzled. Didn't families have their own gatherings?

"We are one unit. We cannot be tied down by trivial matters or left behind," Rokku explained.

"Exactly! Seven times over!"

Hikaru stopped and looked at them, smiling broadly.

This was what bonds meant—mutual encouragement, understanding, growing together, living and fighting side by side.

He raised his hand. "Good. Let us pour our sweat into this… endurance, courage, passion, and bonds. Together, we will experience it all, step by step."

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