A few days later…
Katsuro and Mito were in her private study - he was the last one to talk to Granny Mito.
"Katsuro, I can rest assured knowing you will take care of everyone, and you'll make sure to protect my husband's clan, won't you?"
"Of course, Grandma, you can rest easy. I will handle everything," he replied, voice breaking slightly.
"That is why I made you hei- no, Patriarch, afterall." She spoke with a smile, but it pained Katsuro who saw her trying not to make him worry.
But Granny Mito interrupted his thoughts. "Suro, you won't go on a rampage and destroy the village after I die, will you?"
Despite knowing Granny Mito was trying to cheer him up, he couldn't reply. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come out.
Seeing this, Mito's expression softened. "Katsuro. There is not one moment I have regretted taking you in. You were a cheeky child, and still are, but always, without fail, tried to take care of your family, using your mischievousness as a cover for the softness beneath. I fear in the coming days in the brewing war you may lose this softness. But even more than that, I fear that you will be forced to. You know first hand how cruel the Shinobi world is. Do what you need to do, but remember there are things that are out of your control as well. I hope that you won't completely lose your light, but remember no matter where I am or what you do, your Granny Mito will always be so proud of you, Katsuro."
Katsuro, listening to Mito's final words of advice, finally could not hold back the tears building in his eyes. Crying like he hadn't since his parents had died, he let out the emotions that had been building since Granny Mito told him she was going to die.
How pathetic, he thought to himself, Granny is about to die, and here she is, still comforting me.
The scene of grandmother and grandson - not by blood, but with a bond stronger that - would bring even the hardest of souls to tears. As the time came, Tsunade, as Mito's granddaughter and the Third's student, Mito and Kushina as the Jinchuriki, and Katsuro, walked together to the secret secured location on the outskirts of the village.
There is so much I still have to tell her, how thankful and grateful I am to her for raising me, teaching me, providing everything for me. I want to tell her not to worry, to rest peacefully. I want to tell her to watch over me, and that I will handle everything.
They walked past the numerous ranks of Anbu, into the inner section to find Danzo, Hiruzen, the 2 elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and more Anbu. They were not happy to find someone not under their control and leadership presiding over the ceremony, but had no choice but to permit it. They considered it the last wish of the dying Mito and granted it out of the respect they had for the woman who had stood beside the God of Hashirama. Tsunade, who had hardened herself despite her obvious grief, and Kushina, still crying, both sought comfort in Katsuro and Mito. Hiruzen, seeing this, frowned. I need to do something about this, the Nine Tails Jinchuriki and my own disciple, the next Senju Clan Leader with considerable influence, both reliant on this man.
If Katsuro knew what Hiruzen was thinking, he would have laughed, and looked forward to the Hokage's reaction when he found out who the Clan Leader really was. But at the moment, he was preparing for the ceremony. Kushina, after saying her tearful final goodbyes to Mito, was knocked out for the transfer, and Tsunade was standing back, leaving just Mito and Katsuro at the centre of the ground.
"Why the long face, Grandson, did you swallow a toad?" she joked.
"Grandmother Mito, I have so much to say to you. There is so much I'm grateful for…" Katsuro continued to mutter looking up at Mito's eyes, "but watch over me, Grandmother. I will carve my name into this world and history. I will make you proud. I promise."
Mito chuckled with fondness. "Didn't I already tell you, dear? I already am."
"I love you, Grandma."
Mito smiled hearing the phrase she had heard all too much recently. "I love you too, Katsuro."
The ceremony continued, and Katsuro did his best to focus on making sure the transfer happened without any hiccups, so as to not embarrass Mito. Even when the chakra of the nine Tails was extracted and was being sealed in Kushina with the 8 trigrams seal, and Mito's vitality was being visibly drained, her face going pale and her cheeks sunken, Katsuro's focus did not waver. He had made her a promise, and he would keep it no matter what - or maybe he just couldn't bear to see the woman that had raised him die. Either way, seeing this, Mito smiled in her last moments, looking at her Grandson's back.
I am on my way, Hashi…
Several minutes later, Kushina awoke, and saw Mito's lifeless body. And as expected of a child her age, she cried. Katsuro comforted her, along with Tsunade, who seemed to have matured during the ordeal. As they each held a hand of the new Jinchuriki, and began to walk out, Danzo called out to them.
"Stop, the Jinchuriki needs to come with us to ensure the seal is safe."
Katsuro really was not in the mood for this and continued walking. Tsunade turned slightly to look at him, but also continued walking.
Danzo signalled for a Root shinobi to act who attempted to grab Kushina by the shoulder. Katsuro intercepted it, and grabbed the Root shinobi by the wrist before crushing it. His killing intent oozed out as the Root shinobi body flickered back in fear of his life.
"I am now the best Fuinjutsu master within the village. Danzo, don't give me a reason to have a look at the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal."
Danzo, who was about to act, was stopped by Hiruzen.
"Let it go for now, Danzo."
"Hiruzen, he's disrespecting me and you as Hokage! You need to show him that he answers to you within the village! Mito is not here to protect him anymore!"
"Yeah, Hiruzen, he is not obedient at all!"
"He will corrupt the Jinchuriki at this rate!"
The two elders chimed in.
"Even so, now is not the time. Starting something now will only alienate Kushina from us."
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