Uzumaki Kushina found Uzumaki Miyuki and sincerely apologized to her.
Hearing Kushina's apology, Miyuki was surprised. "Why are you apologizing to me? If it's about becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, there's no need at all. This is what I wanted."
Kushina spoke with guilt in her voice: "Sora has already told me everything. I know that he found you in the Land of Grass and brought you to Konoha. I also know about the deal between you two..."
Miyuki's eyes widened slightly, and she asked in disbelief: "Sora told you? How could that be? With his personality, he shouldn't have let you know. He would normally let you worry and feel guilty."
Kushina nervously twisted her fingers together. "Actually, I noticed that you and Sora seemed to have known each other for a long time. I asked him directly, and he explained everything."
Miyuki let out a small laugh and took a deep breath. "So you figured it out, Kushina. But even so, there's no need to apologize to me. This was a transaction. Sora gave me the life I wanted, and in exchange, I become the Jinchūriki."
Kushina shook her head. "But Sora told me that when he brought you to Konoha, he didn't explain that he brought you here because he wanted you to become a Jinchūriki.
Sora has explained to me all the dangers of being a Jinchūriki.
Almost every Jinchūriki is discriminated against by their village, because most people think Jinchūriki are monsters.
If a Jinchūriki loses control of their emotions, they might transform into the tailed beast, putting everyone in danger.
Moreover, Jinchūriki and the tailed beasts are usually hostile toward each other, and there's always the risk of having your consciousness eroded by the tailed beast..."
Miyuki interrupted Kushina. "Kushina, do you know what kind of life I lived before? I told you I lived a life of displacement and fear, but that doesn't come close to describing everything.
After the fall of the Land of Whirlpools, some surviving clan members and I fled to the Land of Waves, the Land of Tea, and the Land of Waterfalls... but we never dared to stay in one place too long.
Whenever our identity was discovered, we would be captured without exception. They would force us to reveal the sealing techniques of the Land of Whirlpools and study our unique physique.
Our Uzumaki clan's bodies can awaken an ability called 'physical healing.' By biting our skin, we can quickly restore our own or others' chakra and heal injuries.
Once discovered, we would be used as healing tools and forced to live in hell forever.
I kept moving and moving until finally, I was the only one left. I made it to the Land of Grass and found a secluded place to live.
But just as I found some peace, the war started. I was forced to risk going to Kusagakure for supplies. If I hadn't gone there, I would have probably starved to death.
If Sora hadn't found me, I might never have been able to leave the village safely. I could sense that someone was already targeting me.
When Sora found me and directly identified me as a member of the Uzumaki clan, I was terrified beyond words.
When I learned that Sora was going to take me to Konoha, I was very resistant. I hated Konoha for standing by while our homeland was destroyed. At the same time, I was afraid that Konoha, like everyone else, would just use me as a tool because of my Uzumaki heritage.
When I learned from Sora that you, another member of the Uzumaki clan and Sora's fiancée, were also in Konoha, I finally agreed to go.
After coming to live in Konoha, I fell in love with life here. For the first time, I could live without constant worry.
I would rather become a Jinchūriki than return to the life I had before. The Third Hokage has promised that my status as a Jinchūriki will be kept secret, and only a few people will know that I have become the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
So Kushina, you don't need to worry about me being discriminated against.
It shouldn't happen.
Besides, I'm progressing quickly with learning sealing techniques.
Mito-sama said that with the sealing techniques and the physique of our Uzumaki clan, the tailed beast generally cannot break free of control.
So Kushina, there's no need for you to worry about me or feel guilty. I'm not lying when I say this is truly what I want.
If I didn't want this, the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki role wouldn't have been transferred to me at all. You should understand that."
Kushina's mouth opened, wanting to say something, but the words couldn't come out.
Miyuki smiled gently. "Kushina, actually I envy you."
Kushina looked at Miyuki in surprise.
Miyuki explained with a smile, "Because Sora loves you so much, and he's willing to do anything for you. I think anyone would envy that kind of relationship."
Kushina's face turned slightly rosy. "Yes, I've always been very lucky to have Sora by my side. By the way, Miyuki, are you and Namikaze Minato together now?"
Miyuki nodded slightly. "Yes, we are together."
Kushina was surprised. "When did this happen? It seems so sudden."
Miyuki recounted, "Not too long ago. Actually, I had met him before. He's a very nice person—sunny, handsome, and gentle. I had a good impression of him from the start.
About half a month ago, a mission required a sealing ninja, so I was assigned to Minato's team. We were attacked by shinobi from Iwagakure. Minato protected me, and afterward, we just naturally got together."
Kushina smiled slightly. "That's good."
Although Kushina had previously disliked Namikaze Minato, now that Miyuki and Minato were together, she chose to be supportive.
Miyuki said seriously to Kushina, "Kushina, you really don't need to feel guilty about me."
Kushina took Miyuki's hand. "Thank you, Miyuki."
"Okay, Sora finally returned to Konoha, so go spend time with him."
Kushina stood up. "Then I'll be going now. Sora and I will visit you tomorrow."
Miyuki nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for you at my home tomorrow. Come to think of it, you haven't brought Sora to visit me yet."
"Bye-bye."
Kushina left Miyuki's home.
Miyuki watched Kushina's retreating back and pursed her lips.
After wandering the ninja world for so many years, Miyuki had learned to see through deception easily.
Her first meeting with Namikaze Minato had been too coincidental. Combined with the fact that she was about to become the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, it was almost certain that Minato had deliberately tried to get close to her.
However, Miyuki still chose to be with Minato because she could feel that he genuinely cared for her.
But Miyuki also knew very well that Minato would never choose her above all else the way Sora did with Kushina.
Because Namikaze Minato loved Konoha more than anything else.
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