Uzumaki Mito felt a quiet ache in her heart as she noticed the wariness in Shiranui Riku's eyes.
Over the years, she had observed the bond growing between Riku and Uzumaki Kushina—strong, loyal, perhaps even something more. That filled her with comfort. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel helpless.
Riku and Kushina seemed to have no one but each other.
Neither had many friends. In fact, neither had any close connections beyond one another.
Riku had recently moved into a new home, and since Sarutobi Hiruzen personally visited him at the Konoha Ninja Hospital, the villagers no longer mocked him openly. Things had improved, at least on the surface.
That was why, some time ago, Mito had asked Riku, "Do you feel a sense of belonging to Konoha now?"
And Riku had replied, "I will always belong to Konoha."
But Uzumaki Mito could sense it—he was lying. Worse, she could feel something deeper:
Riku harbored malice toward Konoha.
It was only then that she fully understood: this boy had hated Konoha from the beginning.
And who could blame him?
The Uchiha clan's persecution had nearly killed him in the womb.
His parents, forced to defect from Konoha, were hunted down by ANBU. They died in hiding.
When he returned to the village, instead of being welcomed, he was rejected by his own clan and looked down upon by others.
How could he not hate Konoha?
Even now, Riku continued to wear a mask. He had been pretending ever since he returned to Konoha at the age of four. Pretending to smile, pretending to obey, pretending to fit in.
Uzumaki Mito knew the pressure on him was crushing—far more than a child his age should ever endure.
She wanted to help him. Desperately.
But she was powerless.
On one side stood her husband's clan. On the other, the very village her husband helped to build.
She wanted to tell Riku, Don't hate Konoha.
But she couldn't. She had no right to say that to someone who had suffered so much.
Sensing the tension in the room, Uzumaki Kushina tugged lightly on Mito's sleeve. "Grandma Mito, is something wrong?"
Uzumaki Mito forced a gentle smile. "No, Kushina. But I'd like to speak with Riku alone for a moment, if that's alright."
The ever-trusting Kushina agreed immediately. "Of course!"
But just as she was about to leave, Riku reached out and gently grabbed her hand.
"Mito-sama," he said evenly, "Orochimaru-sensei gave me quite a bit of homework today. I'll chat with Kushina for a little while, then I'll be on my way."
He didn't want to be left alone with Uzumaki Mito. He had a feeling the conversation would be uncomfortable, maybe even confrontational. After all, Mito wanted Kushina to become the next Nine-Tails Jinchūriki—something Riku could never support.
Kushina, standing between the two of them, looked confused and awkward. "Riku… Grandma Mito…"
Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Riku, I'm not asking to speak with you as a representative of Konoha. I'm asking as Kushina's guardian—her family. Is that really so much to ask?"
Riku glanced at Kushina. Her wide, uncertain eyes made him pause. With a quiet sigh, he released her hand.
"I understand. Kushina, wait for me outside. I'll talk to Mito-sama and come find you soon."
Once Kushina had left the room, Riku faced Uzumaki Mito directly. "What is it you want to talk about, Mito-sama?"
Her tone was warm, yet serious. "Riku, you are part of my husband's clan. That makes me your elder."
Riku lowered his head slightly, his voice flat. "Mito-sama, I don't have a clan name."
Her smile turned bitter.
No surname… and no acknowledgement of the Senju bloodline that runs in his veins.
Mito shook her head in resignation.
"Riku, I'm placing my trust in you to look after Kushina in the future."
That made Riku look up sharply.
There was something in his expression—something unguarded.
Mito saw it immediately. So she really is the only one who can bring out the real him…
She continued, "The Uzumaki are born with special bodies—enormous chakra reserves and incredible life force. What I'm about to tell you is one of Konoha's greatest secrets…"
But just as she was about to continue, she stopped.
A chill ran down her spine.
The malice in Riku's chakra had suddenly flared.
He hadn't said a word. His expression hadn't changed. But Mito could feel it as clearly as the warmth of the sun—the darkness in him was now directed squarely at her.
Why? she thought in confusion. I haven't even told him anything yet—why is he already reacting like this?
Her eyes narrowed.
Could it be… he already knows?
Of course, Riku knew.
She had started by mentioning the Uzumaki clan's physiology, and then alluded to the secrets of Konoha.
It didn't take a genius to guess what came next: the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki.
He felt her eyes scrutinizing him and nearly flinched.
Has she figured something out?
He had always been careful—always composed.
Then he remembered.
Her ability.
The unique sensory skill that came with being the Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails: the ability to detect malice.
So that's it… that's how she knew I was being cautious around her the first time we met. And now she's sensed my hostility again. Dammit… this ability of hers completely nullifies all my efforts at hiding.
Riku exhaled slowly, his face still calm.
No point in pretending anymore.
Sensing the shift in him, Mito met his gaze and said firmly, "So you do know about the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. And you know why Kushina was brought to Konoha, don't you?"
Riku's answer was cold but measured. "Mito-sama, I have no way of knowing such things."
He wasn't pretending anymore—but he also wasn't confirming anything. Let her guess.
Mito frowned. "Yes, you have no way to know… but you still know. So your hostility—is it because you know Konoha intends to turn Kushina into a Jinchūriki?"
Riku's voice was formal, detached. "That is a decision made by Konoha's leadership. I have no authority to question it, nor to interfere."
Uzumaki Mito felt an overwhelming fatigue settle over her.
Speaking to Riku was exhausting. The boy was impossibly guarded.
So much anger behind those calm eyes… and yet still so careful with every word…