Chapter Text
Death was slow, caving her in like darkness.
Mito remembered. Her spouse, her children, her children's children, and most importantly, the war and the struggle to defend her village, flashed through her mind like a ticking clock. Her final breath was taken in a dimly lit room when she was clutching a small hand intwined within her wrinkly one. The last Uzumaki-Kushina, who had recently inherited the Jinchuriki from her and was now its new jailor. She prayed for young Kushina to live a full life and fill herself with love in order to be strong against the many unknown threats she would face in the future.
As Mito sank into darkness, she was sad, but delighted to finally reunite with her husband, family, and comrades. Now she may rest from the many years of anguish and being alone to herself waiting for someone else unfortunate enough to carry the Jinchuriki's burden. Mito's eyes fluttered, letting light leak into the shadows.
Was this the eternal paradise? as the light became brighter, Mito's heart swelled with anticipation.
Dear I'll be home to see you She smiled softly.
Life was unexpecting in many ways, in more ways than one for Mito Uzumaki. She was supposed to have been laid to rest and seen her family, yes she was supposed to be in the arms of her husband forever with him eternally. So why was she reincarnated as a baby? Mito wouldn't have believed it if it wasn't for the fact she heard conversations and arms holding her comforting her or the fact when she finally opened her eyes, she was being held by her very own granddaughter.
Yes Mito Uzumaki was the child of Tsuande Senju- her very own granddaughter. Her granddaughter Tsunade- It felt weird to even say have a child and was a mother all in one. Mito thought it could've have a been a tasteless joke. A very tasteless one, but she was here somewhere and wonder how all of this has occurred.
Where was Kushina? How is Konoha? Why haven't Tsuande returned? The thoughts swarmed in her head. On the other hand, Tsuande seem to be a active parent as her assistant- named Shizune and is the aunt of Mito looked after her.
"Mito-chan you looked so much like mommy."Gazing into a mirror, Tsuande beamingly held out an one-year-old Mito. Mito blinked as the realization of her appearance dawned. Her first hint was red hair. Naturally, her hair has turned red once more. Her eyes and face were identical to Tsuande's, but her father must've gave her a tan complexion and a nose and lips.
Speaking of said father, Tsuande never mentioned him, but Mito knew she obviously was conceived by two people. She may be a baby now, but she will ask...her mother about the nonappearance of her father. For now, Mito decide to piece information considering an amount of time had passed since her death. She will try to crawl and reach for newspapers to read-though she was a baby and was helpless at the moment, at least she maintain her old memories thankfully. Even then Tsuande or Shizune will pick her up and accompanied her with toys, read books, and show off their jutsus to entertain her.
"Finger painting Mi-chan?" Tsuande peered at her daughter using her finger to paint what look like calligraphy. Mito hum in response reteaching herself- Damn these baby motor movements! as she sloppily traced along the lines. Shizune came in shortly after carrying a bag of rice.
"Seems like Mi-chan is interest in seals." She giggled.
"She have a long way to learn- for now I want her to grow and experience a happy childhood." Tsunade smiled softly. "Besides...my Mi-chan is the strongest of all as clearly she takes after her mommy!'' Mito pick her painting up displaying it to the two women in proudness.
"Ooh how pretty" Shizune cooed as Tsuande took the painting to examine it farther. "Mi-chan is such a smart girl isn't she?" Tsuande asked.
"She absolutely is and I have an idea Tsuande-sama, Mi-chan will be learning once she's a little more older, why won't we get her supplies to continue her finger paintings since she seems to like it so." Shizune quipped. Tsuande made a face at that, considering she wanted her daughter to play with dolls and..do girly things, since she herself as a child had a short upbringing playing outside the next minute then being transfer onto a team to fight for her village...
to kill or be killed Tsuande bit her lip.
Mito notice the indecisiveness on her mother's face as she crawled over and tug at her pants. Tsuande-chan is worry about me, you change so much into a wonderful woman. I'll be alright I am here with you once again Mito will be a support and be with Tsuande every step of the way, she will push her to new heights and be the daughter-she will even protect her when the time comes. Now all she can do is somehow encouraged her mother to let her learn, puckering her lips and blinking her eyes to give off a pout look Mito looked up as Tsuande heart swells.
"Oh! I can't say no to that face!" She picked Mito up spinning her around a few times as giggles arose from the red head.
"Shall I go back out and gather the supplies Tsuande-Sama?" Shizune asked as she turn halfway to the door, but Tsuande waved her hand off.
"I'll go. You stay with Mi-chan and prep dinner. Besides there a few things I want to pick up since her birthday is coming up.'' Tsuande nuzzled Mito's nose as she placed her down before heading out the door.
Walking through the village with a calligraphy set and bags, Tsuande peered at a hot springs sign.
There'll be another day to go besides Mi-chan and Shizune are waiting for me Just as blonde passed through, something caught the corner of her eye- a white hair man was hunched over the outside wall and as Tsuande turn to take a closer look, the man was giggling uncontrollably.
Now if it one thing, she hated it was perverts next to empty sake. Storming up behind the man and tugging his hair as she glare at the weirdo. The man realizing he been caught widened his eyes upon by who.
"Hime..." he squeaked. Tsuande dropped once she realize just who this was.
"Jiraya? Never mind that.'' She cleared her throat then hit him on the head. "Idiot! What the hell were you doing peeking on women in the hot springs?!!" The white-hair man known as Jiraya rub his head whining about the pain and how cruel she was being.
"I haven't seen you in nearly a year and yet you hit your ex teammate!" he cried.
Raising a fist, Tsuande stepped forward with a shine of glint in her eyes stating get to the point, as Jiraiya got the hint.
"Woah woah hime! I didn't even know you were here! I was just passing through honest!" raising his hands in defense.
Straightening himself out, Jiraiya paused before taking a serious face, one meaning he was about to tell her something of importance. Tsuande nod her head for him to continue.
"Konoha went into a fall- the Jinchuriki was released" Tsuande stood there stunned for a second before she collect herself.
"Released? How?"
"I would tell you, but we're out in open, it'll be a lot" Tsunade nod as she motion Jiraiya to follow her.
Arriving to the house Tsunade rented out, the two were now inside as Jiraiya took notice of the inside whistling.
"You kept up a nice place hime" he complimented. Tsuande shrugged as Shizune came in pouring the two legendary Sannin tea as Jiraiya tried to convince Shizune to "model'' for his latest Icha Icha series as Tsuande hit him again.
"Get to the point greasy pervert" Tsuande sneered as Shizune looked at him in disgust.
Jiraiya rub his head moaning in pain. "Alright! Alright!"
Going into nitty details about the attack that happened a year go from the deaths of the Fourth Hokage-Minato and Kushina to Jiraiya and Tsuande's sensei taking up the hat again after the death of his apprentice to finding out the jinchuriki was sealed into Minato and Kushina's very own child to the absolute many losses and destruction the tailed beast had left.
While the adults discussed the matter, a quiet Mito was listening as she peeked around the corner. Shizune put her down for a nap earlier, but she was bored and decide to baby walk to get use to having legs again. That was when she felt an enormous charka- knowing it was her mother, but then she felt a second enormous charka which confused her, but seem familiar? Coming out the room carefully to avoid detection- her eyes widened recognizing the man that just came through.
Jiraiya. One of the legendary Sannin who was one of Tsunade's teammates. The girl stay behind the corner as he along with Tsuande and Shizune discuss something that will make her stomach churned.
Apparently the Jinchuriki -known as the Nine Tails in Konoha was released and caused a terrible destruction and many deaths, including Kushina's. Mito looked down as little droplet of tears fell.
Kushina... the girl have yet to live a full life...everything she have taught her, shown, and nurture was taken away. Who could've done this? It wasn't until she also heard that Kushina had a child.
"A son" Jiraiya said. "Naruto Uzumaki is the jailor of the Ten Tails and her son."
So a new jailor had taken over Mito thought. Considering on the information provided- the event happened a year after Mito been born and Konoha had a lot of changes since then.
Mito glared at her hands, lost in contemplation. She was grateful that despite Kushina's short life, she was able to at least start a family and live on. She is certain Kushina and her husband, the fourth Hokage, are watching over their son. A question occur though.
Who will Naruto be raised by? A life for a person holding a beast is not easy considering the negative emotions of the beast can turn your own emotions into hatred and bitterness too-though Mito made sure to stay diligent and nurtured herself with love. She remembered the battle that led to the Valley of the End sealing the foul beast into her before it destroy everything in its path.
As the conversation turn into the future of the boy, Jiraiya sighed as he looked at Tsuande.
"Look hime, when I went back after hearing the news-it was a day after since I was in a rush, the old man-sensei inquired me about you taking the hat."
Tsuande nearly choked on her tea as she raised a brow. "Absolutely not. You know how that place is and I felt sick being there considering-many reasons of my own."
Jiraiya nod in understanding. "I know, but you must think on it. Sensei is at his age and he has to deal with so many crap already going on there and he believes you can do it for a reason."
''And why I have to be Hokage? Why don't you take up?"
Jiraiya snorted. "I have a spy network, you know this"
"Then find somebody else." Tsunade got up as she motion to the door. "Goodbye Jiraiya"
Jiraiya grimaced as he tried poorly to change the honey-eye beauty mind. "Him-Tsunade you can't be serious."
Shizune stared between at the two as she tried to ease off Jiraiya early depart. "Tsunade-Sama, perhaps think it over."
"No I will not and you know this Shizune. I already lost so much and the last thing I need to lose..." Tsuande shook her head. "Goodbye Jiraiya and stop peeking on women ya hear?" As Jiraiya and Shizune tried to talk, Mito had listen to enough and knew that there was a reason for Tsunade appearance. She supports her granddaughter-mother Mito still has to get used to it but something was telling her it was needed and not just that, but the boy. Someone needs to be there for him- he has no one for him. The Senju and the Uzumaki are distantly related, but family nonetheless and Mito herself is a Uzumaki, though she is now partly. Never mind that, no Uzumaki shall be left behind and Mito will get to the bottom of it.
Stumbling forward, Mito came out as all three adults shifted to turn at a babbling toddler.
"Mi-chan you're already up?" Shizune came forward and pick her up as Mito point to Jiraiya.
Puzzled appear on the white-haired Sannin's face. "Er...hime who kid you kidnap?" A another hit came as Jiraiya hit the ground.
"Fool I didn't kidnap a child-she's mine!" Tsuande snarled as Jiraiya jump in absolute shock.
He stare at the red-haired toddler then at Tsunade than back at her supposed daughter then at Tsunade again.
"You had a child and didn't said anything?" he asked perplexed.
"I wasn't going to until she came in here-"
"Why haven't you told me at least? Is this the reason you don't want to take the hat up?"
Tsuande stared at Jiraiya. "One of the reasons and I do not want Mi-chan existence to be discovered at all." This made Jiraiya frown.
"Hime I understand you want to protect the girl, but anything can happen and it will best if she starts training when she becomes older." he paused before slowly continue, "I know Konoha is not the place you want to return, but with you being a Senju and having a heir, it will rang diasters if they found out you been hiding her, consider the founders being related to you of course-but I promise you, she will be safe there, Sensei, I, and plenty of allies who been on our side before will support you and the girl. You know we will never let Konoha to even push something onto her, it will be a even better reason to become Hokage. Take up like your predecessors had and make changes-hope as well."
Mito peered at Tsuande and Jiraiya as she hum in thought. This could work and it'll provide a opportunity for me to know what happened, but Tsunade can also take up the role and maintain order...though I see she is afraid of what could happen to me Mito opened her mouth as she struggle to let the words out.
"Ko-ko-ha!" All three adults stare at her.
"What was that Mi-chan?" Shizune asked.
Mito spread her arms wide. "Kokoha!"
Shizune smiled. "It seems Mito agrees with the idea."
Tsuande thought on it as Mito peered at her with round honey eyes. "...I see and if this is the best way, I will ensure Mi-chan will be capable enough to defend herself and represent the Senju clan, but most of all make her own choices in the matter. She'll learn to defend herself, but she is not obligated to become a shinobi, though I'm sure Konoha will want to increase their ranks, but it will be up to Mi-chan for her happiness."
"But, she will not go to Konoha until I think she is ready and if you spilled this to anyone other than sensei then so help me Jiraiya, I will personally exterminate your jewels" Tsunade added sweetly with a eerie smile.
Tsunade is just like me Mito mentally smiled in triumph.
Jiraiya immediately backed quickly nodding his head. "I'll let sensei know and we'll keep quiet until you come back." Tsuande hmphed in understanding.
As plans were discussed on arriving to Konoha and training, Tsunade mentioned how Mito began finger painting seals and Jiraiya offer lessons on sealing when she's older. After plans were made, Jiraiya will continue his spy network, but will be sure to check in.
Tsunade smile brightly as she play with Mito, spinning her around out in their yard of their new home. Jiraiya suggest they move to keep a low profile. Luckily it worked as Tsunade can go to the hospitals to treat patients in order to bring a steady income whereas Shizune watched over Mito.
Watching her mother laughed made Mito heart filled with happiness. Over the year, Tsunade always seem to be lost in thought and quite overprotective as well. Mito understands. She is grateful to see a smile and to see her granddaughter become herself again.
Right I am grateful to be here for you again Tsunade Mito smiled.