Sora originally planned to follow Orochimaru to the Land of Grass, but received an urgent message from his summoning creature.
Uzumaki Mito was dying.
Sora immediately sought out Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-sensei, I cannot accompany you to the Land of Grass. I need to return to Konoha."
Orochimaru looked at him with confusion. "What happened?"
This was unusual behavior. Sora had never abandoned a mission after accepting it. He had just promised Orochimaru he would provide support in the Land of Grass, yet now he was suddenly backing out. This was the first time Orochimaru had witnessed such behavior from him.
"Mito-sama doesn't have much time left," Sora explained.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "I see. You're concerned about what might happen with Kushina, correct?
Although I don't believe there will be any complications with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki transfer, I understand your worry. Even if you came with me to the Land of Grass, your mind would be elsewhere.
In that case, return to Konoha. There shouldn't be any major problems during this mission in the Land of Grass."
Sora nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Orochimaru-sensei."
Indeed, Sora was worried about potential changes to the timeline. Only by witnessing with his own eyes that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki would not be Uzumaki Kushina could he feel at ease.
Besides this concern, Sora also hoped to gain a witness point from Uzumaki Mito before her passing.
He immediately departed and rushed toward Konoha.
Halfway through his journey, a message from Konoha reached him.
It was a letter from Sarutobi Hiruzen, also requesting Sora's immediate return to the village.
It seemed the Third Hokage was uneasy about the situation and wanted Sora back, hoping to utilize his Mangekyō Sharingan as a precaution if needed.
When Sora arrived in Konoha, he found Uzumaki Kushina at home.
She was surprised to see him, as Sora typically informed her by letter before returning to the village.
"Sora, why did you come back so suddenly?" she asked.
Sora looked at her solemnly. "Mito-sama doesn't have much time left. Just a few days at most."
Uzumaki Kushina's body trembled, and her expression froze.
Though she knew Uzumaki Mito had brought her to Konoha for a specific purpose, Kushina had lived with the elder Uzumaki for years. Mito had always treated her kindly, so when she heard that Mito's time was running out, Kushina couldn't help but feel overwhelming sadness.
Sora gently embraced Kushina. "Let me go with you to see her. Otherwise, you might not get the chance."
The seal on the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki was absolutely secure.
Now that Uzumaki Kushina was no longer the designated successor for the Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Mito would certainly not want to be near her during her final moments.
Kushina nodded silently.
She still didn't know that the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki candidate had been changed to Uzumaki Miyuki.
So Kushina believed she was still the intended Jinchūriki.
Trying to appear cheerful, Kushina said, "Sora, whatever happens, I'll accept it. You don't need to worry. Actually, there's nothing wrong with becoming a Jinchūriki. With a tailed beast around, no one would dare bully us!"
She waved her small fist, looking very cute.
Sora lowered his head slightly and whispered, "Actually, I have succeeded..."
Kushina looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant by "succeeded."
Sora took her hand. "Let's go see Mito-sama now. You'll understand everything then."
Sora led Kushina to Uzumaki Mito's mansion. Anbu guards were stationed at the entrance.
Through his Observation Haki, Sora sensed as many as fifteen Anbu hidden around Mito's residence.
At the same time, what struck Sora as unusual was that besides Uzumaki Mito, there were two familiar chakra signatures inside the mansion.
Seeing that it was Sora, the Anbu did not stop them. The two guards stepped aside, as if they had been expecting Sora and Kushina's arrival.
They entered the mansion and approached Mito's door.
Sora knocked. "Mito-sama, Kushina and I are here to see you."
The door soon opened.
To Kushina's surprise, it was Namikaze Minato who greeted them.
Kushina frowned. "Why are you here?"
Minato scratched his head awkwardly. "Oh, it's Sora and Kushina. I'm here accompanying Miyuki to visit Mito-sama."
Inside the room, Uzumaki Miyuki was also present.
Kushina was confused as to why Minato would accompany Miyuki to visit Mito.
Sora looked thoughtful.
After finding Uzumaki Miyuki, Sora had realized that the future "Naruto" would most likely be Miyuki's child.
Because now Kushina's partner was him, and Sora would never allow his future child to become the child of destiny.
So Sora had thought that Miyuki's husband would be Namikaze Minato.
Therefore, when he heard Minato say he was accompanying Miyuki, Sora wasn't surprised.
On the contrary, it felt right to him.
Sora and Kushina entered the room.
Minato naturally stood back next to Miyuki. The two were standing very close, appearing quite intimate.
Sora was slightly surprised. Although he had expected this, he hadn't anticipated that Minato and Miyuki's relationship would progress so quickly.
Sora and Kushina looked at Uzumaki Mito lying on the bed.
Mito appeared extremely weak, as if holding on by a single thread.
She turned her head to look at them, a smile forming on her lips. "Sora, Kushina, you're here."
When Kushina saw how frail Mito had become, her eyes unconsciously filled with tears. "Grandma Mito..."
Mito comforted her. "Don't cry, Kushina. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural processes that no one can escape."
Then she looked at Sora. "I didn't expect Hiruzen to call you back. Although I am very weak now, the chakra stored in my Strength of a Hundred Seal is enough to contain the Nine-Tails. You needn't worry; these arrangements won't change."
Mito turned to Miyuki. "Miyuki, I'm entrusting this responsibility to you."
Miyuki nodded resolutely. "I will be a good Jinchūriki for Konoha. Please don't worry, Mito-sama."
"Wait!" Kushina looked at Miyuki in disbelief. "Miyuki? Why? Why would you become the Jinchūriki? Shouldn't it be me?"
Miyuki, Minato, and Mito all glanced at Sora instinctively.
Kushina finally understood what Sora had meant when he said "I succeeded" before they arrived.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion