"Lady Mito, I pay my respects."
"Thank you for everything you've done for Konoha."
As a member of Konoha, Kawakaede didn't feel much reverence toward the Third Hokage. Outwardly honest, he was, in reality, just a timid strategist.
Yet, before this ageless goddess who willingly became a Jinchuriki for the village, he felt genuine respect. Despite all the pain she had endured, she still loved the village her husband had built and had devoted her life to it.
"It was only a trivial contribution. This is all Hashirama's heart and soul."
Mito Uzumaki's face carried a hint of nostalgia as she spoke. Kawakaede clinked his cup against hers, hiding his face with his sleeve, and drained the glass in one go.
"Now, it's the world of you young people."
"I've heard a great war is about to break out. I don't know how many Konoha shinobi will meet their end in foreign lands."
"War is unavoidable in any era, and this is the last thing Hashirama would have wanted."
As a Jinchuriki, Mito could only sigh. Unless absolutely necessary, she would never fight personally. To Konoha, she was like a nuclear deterrent.
Tsunade poured another cup of water for her grandmother.
"Because war is approaching, I suggested adding a medical ninja to each mission team, but Sarutobi-sensei didn't approve."
Her tone carried a hint of disappointment.
"Lord Sarutobi has his own plans. I think it's only a matter of time before your proposal is accepted."
Kawakaede offered her comfort. For various reasons, the reform had ultimately failed. Only after Tsunade became Hokage herself would she push it through.
"Your intentions were good, but current medical techniques aren't advanced, and truly skilled healers are rare."
"If we assign a ninja who only knows healing to a mission team, wouldn't that reduce their combat effectiveness?"
Mito, with her vast experience, pointed out the main flaw of the reform in one sentence.
Tsunade fell silent in thought. Young and inexperienced, she hadn't fully considered the consequences. Compared to the Third Hokage's superlative foresight, she was like a newborn.
The Third not only used her proposal to gauge reactions from various factions but also suppressed it before formally presenting it. She gathered valuable information without risk. Tsunade still needed years to hone such skills.
"If manpower is insufficient, we can train more. That day will come sooner or later."
"Since fine sake is at hand, why waste time worrying?"
Seeing Tsunade's displeasure, Kawakaede raised his cup to hers in comfort, drinking a sip first.
"Thank you, Kawakaede-kun."
Tsunade forced a smile and took a sip herself.
The heavy topics were put aside.
Using modern knowledge, Kawakaede entertained both the grandparents and the grandchildren, gradually creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Nawaki and Kushina had finished eating, chattering excitedly around the eight-sided sword.
Kawakaede accidentally knocked over a cup, earning Mito's mild disapproval.
He stood, lifted the eight-sided Han sword, held it firmly, and drew it half an inch. A fine sword indeed.
"Kawakaede-kun, it might be inconvenient to carry this sword around daily."
"Today, I'll give you a small reward."
With a smile, he approached Kawakaede.
"Extend your right hand."
Unsure of Mito's intentions, Kawakaede obediently extended his hand.
Mito held a sharp sword, formed a hand seal with one hand, and gathered a powerful chakra. A strange vibration followed.
"Seal it."
When the seal was complete, she pressed the sword into Kawakaede's palm. With a faint "Miao Shou Hui Chun," the eight-sided sword vanished into his hand.
On Kawakaede's palm appeared a huge character: "Sword."
What an incredible sealing technique! No wonder she was the strongest of the Uzumaki clan.
"You can release your sword through chakra stimulation of the seal."
Mito regarded it as a minor act. Normally, ninja weapons are sealed in summoning scrolls for convenience.
At least, Kawakaede had never seen a Kusanagi sword sealed on the body's surface. Even someone as powerful as Orochimaru only stored it internally.
Eager to try, he felt the effect of chakra stimulation.
He raised his hand, and an eight-sided Han sword appeared.
This was the power of space, he realized.
"Lady Mito, your sealing technique is unmatched in the world."
Kawakaede's flattery was perfectly timed. Using spatial power was beyond ordinary shinobi.
"Nothing special. Just inspired by Tobirama."
Mito, no longer at an age to easily express joy, returned calmly to her seat.
"My one hundred healing techniques also benefited from my grandmother's help."
Tsunade was unimpressed by Kawakaede's flattery, thinking him only a handsome young man with no worldly experience.
Kawakaede released the eight-sided Han sword, and it vanished, as if by magic.
"Thank you very much for your generous gift, Lady Mito."
Mito seemed somewhat absent-minded, her gaze blank, not reacting as Kawakaede spoke.
She was immersed in her own internal, sealed world.
A huge cage, water dripping to the floor with a "drip, drip."
Inside the cage, a giant fox figure opened its mouth, speaking human language from the shadows.
"Mito, this one feels dangerous to me."
Crimson eyes peeked from the cage, as if choosing a target to devour.
"Could it be that this chakra frightens your Nine-Tails?"
Mito disapproved of the Nine-Tails dragging him in, standing far outside the cage, unwilling to get closer.
Her evaluation of Kawakaede had reached a new level. For a ninja, personal strength was survival's foundation.
"Ridiculous. Just some threats. Who am I afraid of?"
The pride and malice of the Nine-Tails forbade it from showing weakness.
"So, you're not afraid of those eyes either?"
Mito's words struck at the fox's pride, and it let out a deafening roar within the cage.
"This is just a toy."
With that, Mito left, returning to her normal self.
"It's nothing. No need for thanks."
"Tsunade, please take care of me in the future."
She had heard Kawakaede's words and responded. And because of the Nine-Tails, she felt this young man's strength might be useful to Tsunade.
Even with Tsunade's immense power, she feared accidents during wartime.
"Grandma~"
Tsunade scoffed at her grandmother's words. Did she need anyone to help her hone her strength?
Seeing Tsunade's rare gentle demeanor, Kawakaede was thrilled, already deciding what to name his future child.
"Of course. I will do my best."
Kawakaede beamed brightly, agreeing wholeheartedly.
The feast concluded. None of the three drank much, not even a trace of intoxication.
They bid farewell to Mito Uzumaki.
Tsunade, Nawaki, and Kushina escorted Kawakaede to the door.
"Come by my house for a drink sometime."
Kawakaede was speaking to Tsunade; Nawaki was still very young.
"That sounds good."
Tsunade did not refuse and agreed cheerfully.
"I should be going now too."
Kushina, lively and cheerful, wanted to join the fun after being at school all day.
"Of course."
He recognized Naruto's mother and reached out to touch her red hair.
"It's really beautiful. Too bad mine is silver."
The little girl blushed at the compliment.
"See you tomorrow, big brother."
Nawaki secretly glanced at his elder brother, hoping he understood.
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All the fanfiction is 30-chapter ahead but this "Naruto: Tsunade the Fugitive Healer" is 30 chapters ahead there