Hiruzen Sarutobi quietly closed the door and walked to Mito Uzumaki's bedside with a solemn expression, bowing respectfully.
"Lady Mito!"
"Your health..."
Mito Uzumaki shook her head gently, and with Tsunade's careful assistance, sat up a little, leaning against the soft cushions on the headboard. She then looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Hiruzen, how old are you this year?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was taken aback, not expecting Mito Uzumaki to suddenly ask his age. However, he could not refuse a senior's question. He slightly bent his waist and replied respectfully,
"To answer Lady Mito, Hiruzen remembers that the year the First Hokage established Konoha, I was five years old. Calculating from then, I am now forty-one!"
Mito Uzumaki nodded gently.
"Mm!"
"Forty-one years old, time truly flies!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood with his hands at his sides, a look of wistfulness on his face.
"And in which year did you become Hokage? How long have you been Hokage?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi vaguely guessed Mito Uzumaki's intentions. After a moment of hesitation, he still replied respectfully.
"Since Teacher Tobirama's unfortunate passing, Hiruzen has regrettably held the position of Hokage for six years!"
Mito Uzumaki seemed quite satisfied with this answer, nodding slightly and smiling.
"You remember it quite clearly!"
"I have seen your contributions to the village over these years. You have developed Konoha to its current state single-handedly. You have worked hard!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart fluttered inexplicably. He quickly lowered his head and said humbly,
"I dare not accept Lady Mito's praise. Compared to the First Hokage and Teacher Tobirama, Hiruzen is still far from it!"
Mito Uzumaki chuckled and shook her head.
"What happened to the courage you showed back then when you voluntarily offered to cover the retreat?"
"The great Third Hokage, the renowned 'Ninja Hero' of the Shinobi world, deserves my praise!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi silently lowered his head, looking at his toes.
When elders praise you, it is often a prelude to them wanting to admonish you.
As expected, seeing his silence, Mito Uzumaki continued,
"However..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes twitched. He thought to himself, here it comes.
"As people age, they tend to become indecisive."
"You are a child I watched grow up. I do not wish for you to become like those politicians in the Daimyo's courts. Do you understand?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's forehead beaded with sweat. He quickly bowed his head and nodded in agreement.
"Hiruzen would not dare!"
Mito Uzumaki hummed and gently shook her head.
"There is no need to be so formal. Everyone becomes a bit verbose in their old age. I simply do not wish for Hashirama's efforts to be in vain. You are doing well as you are!"
"Yes!"
Mito Uzumaki closed her eyes, organizing her jumbled thoughts. Although she had many more things to say, time might not allow her to continue speaking for too long. She could only pick the important matters.
"I have been aware of young Danzo's intentions over the years..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was slightly startled and looked up at Mito Uzumaki in surprise.
"If you have the opportunity, please convey this to Danzo: holding a position you are not worthy of will eventually bring disaster upon yourself!"
"I know you value your long-standing friendship with him, but the more it is so, the less you can allow him to continue making mistakes!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi hesitated, unsure whether to tell Mito Uzumaki that with Orochimaru's help, he and Danzo had become irreconcilable enemies.
"This..."
Mito Uzumaki waved her hand, stopping Hiruzen Sarutobi from trying to explain.
"There is no need to explain anything for him!"
"I watched both of you grow up. I know what kind of people you are!"
What else could Hiruzen Sarutobi say?
He obediently nodded and continued to listen to the elder's final earnest teachings.
"Hiruzen!"
"Yes!"
Mito Uzumaki slightly raised her eyelids and asked casually,
"What do you think of that child, Orochimaru?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled. He finally understood Mito Uzumaki's purpose for calling him in alone. He glanced at Tsunade, who stood silently by, and with a smile in his eyes, nodded.
"Good!"
Mito Uzumaki also smiled.
"That's good then!"
"That child is Nawaki's teacher, and also Tsunade's... friend."
"He even found that little girl Amaruru for me earlier. I like him very much!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in agreement.
"Although Orochimaru can be somewhat reclusive at times, he is quite good to those he recognizes!"
Mito Uzumaki's mood seemed to lighten considerably, and her complexion became more rosy.
"Heh heh!"
"Orochimaru approached me earlier with a request. He wants Nawaki to graduate a year later and become his disciple along with Kushina and a child named Minato Namikaze."
"I made the decision for you and agreed."
Hearing these names, which had always been within his attention, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up in surprise, his eyes meeting Mito Uzumaki's meaningful gaze.
"You mean..."
Mito Uzumaki chuckled.
"Hiruzen, would you oppose this decision of mine?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
"Hiruzen has already guessed Lady Mito's intentions!"
"To be honest, I have already begun paving the way for Orochimaru."
"Earlier, I wanted him to join the ANBU and then smoothly take over command of a portion of Konoha's military power, but..."
"Orochimaru refused!"
Mito Uzumaki was stunned and then gave a wry smile.
"This child..."
"I imagine in his heart, his own strength is more important than becoming Hokage!"
"So be it. Let him have his way then!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded gently, then smiled at Mito Uzumaki.
"Lady Mito, do not worry. I believe in Orochimaru!"
"Before he left Konoha, he told me he would never disappoint me, his teacher!"
"I believe him!"
Mito Uzumaki closed her eyes with satisfaction, an unconcealable smile on her lips.
"Is that so?"
"That's good!"
After thinking carefully, she realized she seemed to have nothing else to say. Mito Uzumaki waved her hand at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I am a little tired!"
"Hiruzen, please bring Kushina and Amaruru in!"
"It is time!"
Tsunade crouched down and held Mito Uzumaki's hand, shaking her head.
"Grandma, please wait a moment longer!"
Mito Uzumaki clasped her hand back, comforted her gently, and gestured to the complex-looking Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Go."
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the elder deeply, nodded heavily, and turned to leave.
Bringing Nawaki and two crying young girls to the bedside, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Mito Uzumaki with hesitation.
"Lady Mito, this matter is of great importance. Should we inform the Sealing Team..."
Mito Uzumaki gently shook her head, a confident look in her eyes.
"No need to trouble them!"
"The fewer people who know about this, the better!"
"I will handle it myself!"
She broke free from Tsunade's persistent grip. The chakra within her, which had begun to stagnate, circulated slightly. The blue diamond-shaped mark on her forehead suddenly emitted a surge of chakra.
Black patterns grew from the mark on her forehead, spreading downwards to her entire body. Under the surge of powerful life force, the dying Mito Uzumaki instantly became younger at a visible speed.
Gently pushing Tsunade away, Mito Uzumaki got out of bed and walked to the red-eyed Nawaki. She gently hugged the young boy, ruffling his hair with force.
After a long while, she reluctantly released him, and Mito Uzumaki gave Nawaki an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Nawaki. Grandma has to go be with your grandpa!"
"From now on, it will be up to you!"
Nawaki pursed his lips stubbornly, trying hard to suppress the urge to rush into his grandmother's arms and cry. He nodded forcefully.
"Yes! Grandma!"
"I will not disappoint you!"
Mito Uzumaki touched his cheek one last time, looking at him with approval.
"That's good. Grandma believes in you!"
"My little man of the Senju clan!"
"Tsunade, take Nawaki outside."
Mito Uzumaki pushed her grandson to Tsunade's side, then calmly turned to face Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Let us begin!"