SWNOVELXO Chapter 148: Chapter 147 – Entrusted
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a breath of relief at the sight before him.
In the end, the elaborate preparations hadn't been necessary. And that was the best possible outcome.
Uzumaki Mito alone had managed to transfer the Nine-Tails without incident—there had even been enough time left for her to say goodbye.
After giving Sarutobi a nod, Uchiha Kaien quietly left the room, passing the news along to the others on Hiruzen's behalf.
"Thank goodness… Seems like even in her twilight years, Lady Mito still has the strength to suppress the Nine-Tails," said Hatake Sakumo, relaxing his posture. He decided he'd take some time later to teach Kakashi a few more taijutsu fundamentals.
"The Uzumaki Clan really is impressive. Kaien, help me out in the lab later, won't you?" Orochimaru added with a soft chuckle. With the crisis averted, it was back to the laboratory for him—though this time he also planned to pass on some knowledge beyond just ninjutsu to his student.
After all, being a ninja wasn't just about raw power. It was about understanding power—where it came from, how it worked, and how to master it.
To Orochimaru, the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan held extraordinary research value.
Of course, as a comrade of Konoha, he couldn't treat Kaien the way he would an enemy shinobi. That meant conducting his experiments with the help of his beloved disciple.
He had even tricked a few other young Uchiha into helping with his studies—dropping Kaien's name, of course, to earn their cooperation.
The moment those Uchiha boys heard that Kaien was Orochimaru's student, they eagerly agreed to assist. Thanks to this, Orochimaru had collected a fair amount of Sharingan data. But even at a glance, he could tell—none of them held a candle to Kaien's eyes.
Eventually, he stopped bothering with the others and dismissed them. From now on, Kaien alone would suffice for his experiments.
"Understood, Orochimaru-sensei."
Kaien nodded and, after passing along the latest news to Uchiha Kagami—the final line of defense positioned on the outermost perimeter—he turned and followed Orochimaru into the lab without another word.
...
The room was now down to four.
Uzumaki Mito's face had finally begun to show signs of age. Her once-smooth, radiant skin had turned wrinkled like any normal elder's, and her posture had hunched with the weight of time.
Yet her expression remained as gentle as ever.
"From now on, you two will be the new Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails," she said warmly. "Don't treat it like a monster. If you approach it with love, I believe you can win its heart."
"Yes, Lady Mito," Namikaze Minato answered respectfully.
He had already sensed the true power of the Nine-Tails once before—and he believed it. If peace between them was possible, he wanted to try.
Only by aligning their hearts could one draw out the full potential of a tailed beast. That was something Kaien had taught him.
Minato was willing to try.
"Grandma Mito…"
Uzumaki Kushina's eyes were red, her tears brimming once more.
This was truly goodbye.
Uzumaki Mito's life was nearing its end.
"Don't grieve, don't fear," Mito said softly, brushing the tears from Kushina's cheeks. "Your fate isn't set in stone. You've built strong bonds—those bonds will carry you through whatever's to come."
Kushina couldn't hold back anymore. She threw herself into Mito's arms and wept like a child.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Minato quietly left the room, giving the last of the Uzumaki lineage their final moment together.
"Minato… Even after becoming the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki, I hope you continue to share your warmth with others," Hiruzen said, taking the opportunity to pass on the Will of Fire.
"This is what the Will of Fire truly means. Lady Mito passed it to you and Kushina… the older generation burns away their lives to nourish Konoha's future."
After performing the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, the soul cannot return to the Pure Land—it is instead devoured by the Shinigami. In the end, Mito had made that sacrifice for no reason other than a moment of emotion from Kushina.
Such dedication was enough to move even Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Minato's gaze was unwavering. He would master the Nine-Tails' power, no matter what.
"I'll work with the Nine-Tails… I'll make it into a strength for Konoha."
...
"You insolent brat! First you rip my soul in two, and now you come at me with this hypocritical nonsense! You humans are all the same—selfish to the core!"
Within the seal, the Yang half of the Nine-Tails roared with fury.
Just moments ago, the old hag—Uzumaki Mito—had truly split him in two, sealing each half inside two different children. And the worst part? He hadn't been able to stop it at all.
Minato frowned as he perceived the sealed space.
"Nine-Tails… this wasn't my intention. Splitting you like this—it was wrong. We shouldn't have done it."
"That's why I swear to you… I'll be your last Jinchūriki. When my time ends, I'll release you. And I'll pass all my knowledge to you."
Minato's voice was calm and sincere.
He genuinely sympathized with the Nine-Tails' fate—and so, he made a promise.
"Hah! Empty words! You're just another smooth-talking brat saying all the right things! I see through you humans and all your lies!"
The Nine-Tails wasn't buying it. Not a single word.
...
"I understand if you don't trust me. That's your right. But I will keep my word. Just not yet. For now… I need your power."
Minato gave a bitter smile. He couldn't deny it—right now, he needed the Nine-Tails' strength more than ever.
...
"Orochimaru-sensei, are we still studying the Sharingan today?"
Kaien followed Orochimaru into his private lab.
The room was brightly lit, filled with rows of bulky old-style computers, whirring as they simulated all sorts of data.
To Kaien, they looked painfully outdated—but for the shinobi world, this was as cutting-edge as tech got.
"Heh… the Sharingan's part of it," Orochimaru said with a mysterious smile. "But we're also digging into Sage Mode."
"Sage Mode?" Kaien tilted his head in feigned confusion.
"That's right. Sage Mode—the unique power said to be mastered only in the three great sacred lands. From my research, I've learned that even beyond its uses in battle, training in Sage Mode can gradually increase one's lifespan… and chakra reserves."
Jiraiya was the perfect example. Nearing fifty, and yet stronger than ever—despite lacking Orochimaru's bio-modifications or Tsunade's Yin Seal. Most of that was thanks to natural energy.
Orochimaru might not know all the secrets behind it yet, but his instincts had led him in the right direction.
"For now, Kaien… summon Manda, will you?"
With Kaien around, Orochimaru figured Manda might actually cooperate for once.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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