Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Retrograde

Chapter Ten

Lady Mito Uzumaki, many years before Naruto was born

Mito silently appraised her niece sat across the tatami from her. She was in perfect seiza even though they were alone and her expression was unreadable. It made Mito frown, but she supposed it couldn't be helped.

"Mikoto. There is still time for another to be chosen," she softly murmured. "It doesn't have to be your daughter."

Mikoto shook her head. "No, it must be Fumiyo, Aunt Mito," she firmly said. "We've searched among the entire clan and she is the only one other than Great-Grandfather who possesses chakra with the closest compatibility for sealing the Nine Tails. It must be her."

A sigh escaped her, and Mito carefully folded her hands in her lap. Yes, it was important to find someone to take her place and become the next vessel to the Kyūbi, but that was years away. Many, many years away. There was no need to start searching quite so early.

"It's only been a year since Shirasu died protecting you and the children. Don't you want her to spend a little more time by your side? Fumiyo is still training to become a genin in the Eddy," she gently reminded her. Fumiyo was about her granddaughter Tsunade's age and she had only entered Tobirama's ninja academy less than a year ago, so the same could be said about her niece's daughter. Surely Mikoto could wait until she at least finished her basic schooling. "There's still time."

Again, she shook her head. "Ever since I was made both clan head and village leader, Father and the other elders saw fit to inform me of the situation with the Mist. We weren't randomly attacked by the whirlpools that morning, Aunt Mito," she told her with barely contained rage. "They targeted Shira since he was the famed Black Reaper loyal to the Uzumaki who cut down and slaughtered many of their men. The Mist distrusts us and our sealing techniques, so they killed him in order to deal a heavy blow to our forces." Her dark eyes flashed as she grits her teeth angrily, a look of pure hatred taking over her expression. "I want nothing more for Jin and Fumiyo to always be by my side, but that's not possible. Not with the Mist threatening us now that both Uncle Hashirama and Tobirama-sama are gone." Mikoto met her gaze and there's nothing but despair in her eyes now. "I love them both so much and I wouldn't survive if something were to happen to them too."

Her niece's pain suddenly washes over her through the Kyūbi's chakra, and it brings tears to her eyes. She didn't know this had been the full extent of her pain and considering how deeply it attacks her Mikoto must have been living this way ever since Shirasu's passing. "Mikoto, that's all the more reason for her to stay with you at least a little longer," she said softly. "You have the entirety of the Hidden Eddy, including my sorry excuse of a nephew, supporting you."

"Elder brother Haru meant no harm, Aunt Mito."

She clicked her tongue in irritation. "Haruka spent the first six months of your reign as Uzukage making assassination attempts on you and your children," she reminded her. Her brother's foolish son had made several failed attempts on their lives with a variety of methods. The only thing she could commend the boy for was his creativity. "I cannot believe you continue to let him live."

Mikoto sighed tiredly. "Please. Not this again. Haru was only lashing out because I was chosen as clan head over him and the other candidates. It wasn't my intention for that to happen when I sealed Shira. He understands that now," she tried to defend him.

"Mhm," she hummed skeptically. "Ensure that he remains loyal, Mikoto. You may trust him with Jin and Fumiyo for now, but there may come a day where he decides to betray you."

"He won't. Haru knows I'll show him no mercy should anything happen to my children." A dark shadow came down over her face as she said this, abating some of her fears.

She nodded sharply, pleased. "Good."

"But if you distrust him so much, Aunt Mito," Mikoto begun with a sly expression, "then that's all the more reason for you to take in Fumiyo."

Mito's mouth thinned and she shook her head. "Persistent, I see," she murmured tersely. "How about we make a compromise, Mikoto? I will take your daughter as my apprentice once she masters the basics of our sealing style and train her until she is capable of subduing the Nine Tails."

Her niece frowned as her brow furrowed in confusion. "Subdue the Nine Tails," she repeated. "Do you intend for her to be some sort of failsafe should it escape? Why? If it could break free from your seal, it would have already done so."

"True, but with Hashirama gone there is no one capable of stopping the beast should something happen," Mito calmly explained. The passing of her husband had keenly made her aware that there was no longer a sealing master strong enough to stop the Kyūbi should the beast escape. If it somehow broke free from her grasp, she wouldn't be able to stop it in such a weakened state. It was a frightening thought that had often kept her awake late into the night. "No one in the Hidden Leaf at least."

For the first time since their meeting had begun, Mikoto relaxed her posture as she worriedly chewed at her lip. Her dark eyes flicked up to meet hers. "Is there really no one?" she whispered.

Mito shook her head. "No, Mikoto. So, if you're really intent on sending your youngest away, I'd rather train her to protect the Nine Tails jinchūriki instead of becoming one." She softened her voice and gently took her hand in her own and squeezed. "At least think about it, child."

Before she can respond, there was a knock on the door. "We're coming in," someone called out before it slid open to reveal three people on the other side.

"Mama!" The two children ran immediately to their mother, completely forgetting about their uncle.

"Uncle Haru took me and Jin-niisan out into the woods and showed us how to pick flowers to make sealing inks," the little girl excitedly told her. "Look!" She held up a small bunch of deep violet flowers held together with twine for her to see.

A smile overtook Mikoto's face as she gathered her children in her arms. "Oh! They're so pretty, Fumiyo-chan," she cooed. "Perfect for mixing into the ink. Good work you two."

"Can we show Papa?" the older boy quietly asked.

"Of course, we can, Jin-kun!" Mikoto readily agreed with an excited grin of her own. She scooped them both up into her arms before sweeping out of the room without sparing a backwards glance.

A sigh escaped Mito and she slowly felt whatever bad mood she had been keeping contained threaten to burst free as her nephew occupied the space in front of her. Haruka neatly folded his legs beneath him as he sat on the cushion and offered her a hesitant smile that quickly faded under her withering glare. He looked away, busying himself with pouring a cup of lukewarm tea from the forgotten tray beside them.

"You should have been executed," she hissed in a low voice. "It is only by your sister's grace and love that you continue to live."

Haruka nodded as he replaced his cup back on the tray. "And I'm grateful for Mikoto's mercy," he told her with a hard look. "But I also know that if I make a single misstep, she won't hesitate to cut my head clean from my shoulders – beloved brother or not. It's why she's left Jin and Fumiyo in my care despite the protests."

Mito considered her nephew in front of her, silently wondering why he decided to speak with her now. All throughout their visit Haruka had pointedly avoided making eye contact with her, escaping from the room at the first opportunity that presented itself. What could he possibly want to discuss with her that made him ignore the instinct to flee?

A faint idea came to mind and her eyes narrowed.

"Were you eavesdropping on us?"

"Only the bit at the end," he admitted without remorse. Haruka ran a hand through his red hair, briefly revealing the seals tattooed on the skin of his arm as his sleeve fell. "I think you were holding back with Mikoto. There's something you're neglecting to tell her."

"Oh? And what would that be?" she murmured.

Haruka leaned forward and spoke softly so his voice didn't carry. "I think there's something else you fear now that Uncle and Tobirama-sama are gone, Auntie," he told her, sharp brown eyes shrewdly watching her. "Something that instills distrust in your heart toward the new Hokage's administration. Perhaps it's not the Hokage himself, but rather one of his advisors considering how stiff you were at dinner last night. And only you can sense it with that unique power of yours to see the darkness in others' hearts."

A reluctant smile pulled at her mouth. "Very perceptive. I see why you were a candidate for clan head."

"Thank you," he said with a bitter smile. "But I'm sure Mikoto noticed something was awry as well, Auntie – even with her attention split as it is."

"Tell me your thoughts, Haruka."

He nodded, taking a moment to drink his cooling tea. "You're looking to train a bodyguard for the Leaf's Nine Tails jinchūriki. Someone who can protect the village from the beast and the host from the village if I'm interpreting everything correctly."

Mito quietly considered her nephew. He may have made a disgrace of himself in front of their entire clan, but there was no denying he was a fine shinobi. It was a shame he had lashed out the way he had and lost the trust and respect he had earned. "If you were in your sister's place, would you agree?"

"I don't know, Auntie," Haruka told her honestly. "Mikoto and I are different. I haven't lost anyone as important to me as Shirasu is to her, and nor do I have any children of my own." He paused as Jin and Fumiyo's laughter filtered in from outside. They listened for a moment as the children played in the garden and Mito only had to wait a few seconds for both of their parents' voices to join theirs. Haruka met her gaze again, dark eyes solemn. "But I know my sister. All she's done is look to the future. Of the clan, the village, her family. She personally administered the chakra test to search for your successor. And when Fumiyo-chan was the only one to pass, she cried all through the night. All she wanted was to ensure there would be someone ready to take your place if it comes to war with the Mist. But she also knows that her attention is split unevenly between her duties and her children. That's really why she's been so intent on your agreement."

Mito sighed, tightly clasping her hands in her lap. "And she wants to protect at least one of her children so she can better focus on the Mist…"

"Yes," he nodded, taking another drink of his tea, "And that's why she's leaving Jin completely in my care now that he's a genin."

"Mikoto is trying to ensure her children – the most precious people in her life – are taken care of so she can fully devote herself as the Eddy's village leader," she realized.

"She would never recover if something happened to them," he told her as he took a half-hearted bite of the forgotten daifuku before letting a confident smile stretch across his face. "But even though it may seem like she's controlled by her emotions, she's extremely levelheaded despite all appearances. Taking all of this into account, I ultimately think she'll agree to your proposal, Auntie."

The door burst open without warning and closed just as fast before a red blur came running into the room.

"Auntie! Can you look at this seal for me? I can't seem to get this section right."

An apologetic smile tugged at Mito's mouth as Fumiyo came to a stop at her elbow. "Forgive her, Hiruzen," she murmured tersely, gently taking hold of her great-niece's hand and squeezing tightly. "She's very…enthusiastic when it comes to her seal work."

The fifteen-year-old girl froze, her face flushed red in embarrassment, and slowly raised her eyes from the scroll in her hands. She met Lord Third's gaze and gasped. "I'm so sorry for interrupting, Lord Hokage!" she exclaimed, purple eyes wide with shock and remorse. "I just got so frustrated on this new seal I'm working on and forgot."

Hiruzen chuckled, dark eyes crinkling with laughter as he appraised the chūnin. "It's quite alright, Fumiyo-chan," he reassured her. "Lady Mito and I were just about finished speaking anyway. I see you've already recovered. Quite quickly might I add."

Fumiyo nodded readily with a smile. "Yep! Thanks to our Uzumaki blood I'm all better now!" Her expression dimmed, and Mito's hand reflexively tightened around hers again. "...But I can't say the same about the others."

"But they're all alive and recovering – thanks to you," the Hokage murmured softly. He reached out and gently patted her arm comfortingly. "I'm grateful that you happened upon Jiraiya and the others when you did, otherwise they wouldn't be. You should be as well, Fumiyo-chan – after all, you saved the lives of four of your fellow shinobi."

At her nod of agreement, Hiruzen smiled, pleased. He rose from his seat and bowed respectfully to Lady Senju. "Thank you for taking the time to speak with me, Lady Mito. As always, your guidance is immeasurable."

"Of course, Hiruzen," Mito said with a warm smile. "You're welcome to come to me whenever you require assistance." He bowed again and she and Fumiyo watched in silence as he left escorted by her maid. Once he was gone, Mito turned to look at her great-niece. "Was Lord Shimura waiting for him outside?"

She frowned at her odd question and shook her head. "I don't know, Auntie," she answered, removing the brushes and ink from the desk behind them. "I came in through the garden like I always do. But now that I think about it, I think I did sense somebody near the front gate. Why do you ask?"

Mito's mouth thinned at her words. It must have been Danzō waiting for Hiruzen then. No one else in the village harbored the same negative feelings that clung to the man like an oppressive cloud. She disliked his extremist views on protecting the village and it was reason enough to keep him away from her young student.

"No reason, child. Forget I said anything," she quickly dismissed. "Now, show me this seal of yours. What seems to be the problem?"

Fumiyo deposited the items in her hands on the table and sat on the cushion beside her before opening her scroll with a practiced flick of the wrist. "This grouping here," she said, pointing to a specific section of the incomplete seal. "I keep reworking it, but I can't seem to get it right."

"You haven't come to me with something like this in a long time," Mito noted as she brought the scroll closer. "You usually have no problems creating new seals…" She trailed off as she recognized some of the script already integrated around what was clearly the base of their clan's sealing style at the center. "This is a sealing barrier. Where did you get this, Fumiyo?"

Her great-niece jumped at the sudden sharpness in her voice, nearly knocking over the ink in front of them. She quickly recovered and met her dark gaze head on. "From Grandfather, Aunt Mito," Fumiyo told her. "I showed him the set of cursed seals you had me remake without the dangerous sections. And he gave it to me after I proved I was able to produce the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Why?"

Mito frowned at the seal, unsurprised by her brother's behavior. "Jōichirō gave it to you. Of course, he did," she sighed. "This is one of our clan's forbidden sealing jutsu. Forbidden because unlike other barriers it will eventually draw on the user's life force in order to be maintained after draining them of their chakra even after they have fallen unconscious." She met Fumiyo's horrified eyes and gently pat her hand in reassurance. "Don't worry, child. Your grandfather wouldn't have given it to you if he didn't think you could handle it."

"He only told me it was an impenetrable barrier!" she exclaimed, "Stronger than one formed using chakra chains. I knew there was something wrong when I started working on it!"

"Yes," Mito agreed, "that's all true." She pointed to the unfinished section she was having trouble with. "But you seem to be on the right path rearranging it so that it will only draw on stored chakra. It would have to be a considerable amount kept separate from your own so that it could be maintained for any length of time, though." Her expression turned severe and Fumiyo's spine straightened reflexively. "But only use it as a last resort, Fumiyo. Understand?"

She nodded vigorously. "Yes, Auntie, I understand. Don't be unnecessarily reckless, got it."

"Mhm."

"I won't, promise!"

"Then tell me again what happened when you returned from the Hidden Eddy."

Fumiyo sighed, pulling on a loose thread hanging from the sleeve of her haori. "Must I, Aunt Mito? I already told you when you and Tsuna came to see me at the hospital." Her great-aunt merely sent her a pointed glare and she sighed again, scooping up a brush and dipping it in the ink. "When I was on my way back to the village, I sensed Jiraiya's chakra and could tell that he was hurt along with the others who were with him," she reluctantly began.

Mito resisted the urge to roll her eyes and sigh heavily. "Yes, yes, I know this part. You sensed them, went running to help, and engaged with the enemy before making the decision to take on all of them alone to save the others," she quickly recounted. "The part I don't quite understand is why they were muttering about yokai and demons in their half-conscious states."

She watched as Fumiyo determinedly stared down at the scroll in an effort to avoid her gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about, Auntie," she firmly denied with a flourish of her brush. "That sounds like complete and utter nonsense."

"Just tell her, Miyo-tan," a new voice said.

Fumiyo let out a yelp, hand flying to her chest and almost splattering black ink all over her clothes. She whipped around to glare at the newcomer. Two pairs of identical violet eyes met with neither willing to back down and she shook her head at him. "I hate when you do that, Papa! I wish you'd give some kind of warning before just popping up like that!"

"You've become quite strong, Shirasu. Able to summon yourself from the Far Shore by your own will, I see," Mito observed as she looked over the wild haired man.

Despite the many accomplishments marked in his ninja file and the proud way he held himself befitting the spouse of a shinobi clan head, seeing Shirasu's long unruly black hair and constantly open kimono tucked into his hakama that bared his chest for all to see reminded her of the poor opinion she had once held of her niece's choice in husband. But seeing him standing beside Fumiyo now with those horns and fangs that caused him to bear the visage of the great Shinigami reminded Mito of the sacrifice he'd made that allowed her the honor of teaching the girl.

"Hello, Lady Mito," Shirasu greeted. He flashed her a wide grin as he dropped a clawed hand on his daughter's head, silencing her. "Forgive the girl, would you? She just didn't want to anger and disappoint you."

"That depends on what she has to say," Mito decided.

Fumiyo removed her father's clawed hand from her head and clung to it like she had as a little girl. His chakra seeped into her skin, washing over her like a warm blanket and calming her nerves. She met Mito's expectant gaze. "I summoned Papa using the mask and he cut them down," she finally admitted.

"Tell her the other thing, Miyo-tan," her father gently urged.

She nodded reluctantly. "When the summoning was about to expire…You know how Papa's basically just a mass of chakra? Well, we kinda connected our chakras until he was a like a cloak over mine." Mito's eyes narrowed and she glanced between the spirit and the girl. "So, I fought with Papa's strength added to mine, you know."

Mito's mouth thinned to a line. "I see. The chakra transfer technique," she said. "Now I see why you were so hesitant to tell me the truth, Fumiyo. You were reckless after all." She raised a hand to stave off her outburst. "But I'm impressed. Was that the first time?"

Relief flooded the girl's expression and Fumiyo relaxed back into her chair. "No. Mother and Grandfather both said they noticed my chakra seems to fully resonate with Papa's now since he's almost always by my side. We practiced a few times during my visit after Mother suggested trying the technique. Papa helped me improve my swordsmanship even more this way."

"I see." Mito nodded thoughtfully to herself. If Fumiyo and Shirasu could fully master the technique, then perhaps the girl's kenjutsu would improve. He was after all one of the best swordsmen produced by the clan in years. Her swordsmanship needed improvement and Mito had little to teach the girl in the art of the blade. Taijutsu, fūinjutsu, ninjutsu and interpersonal relations between shinobi were more within her purview when it came to her training. Mito's own skill with a sword was lacking and Fumiyo required a more tactile approach when learning something new. "Then it seems you have found a way to fix the mistakes in your kenjutsu."

A wide grin spread across Shirasu's face. "Added to the training I've already given her, Miyo-tan should surpass me in no time," he proclaimed proudly as he wrapped his daughter in a hug. "Maybe she'll hold the title of Black Reaper next."

"Or perhaps she will earn a name of her own one day," Mito mused before turning her gaze onto her pupil. "But, Fumiyo, be more careful. Should anyone learn about the nature of your father's mask, there are those who will try to steal it so that they may command the power of the Black Reaper and use him as a weapon."

Fumiyo's fingers tightened around the brush in her hand and she nodded readily. "I won't let anyone take Papa away," she vowed in a low voice. "Just like I won't let anything happen to you or your successor, Aunt Mito. Neither of you are weapons." There was a spark of fire in her eyes as she said this, and it left little doubt in Mito's heart that the girl would ever waver from the path she set her on.

"Good," Mito said after a moment. "But do refrain from any more acts of recklessness in the future, child." Fumiyo silently nodded, already fully absorbed in the seal in front of her. Mito watched her work for a moment before turning her attention to Shirasu. "With all the chaos, Fumiyo hasn't told me much about your visit to the Eddy yet. Is all well with Mikoto and the others?"

A wide grin spread across his face. "Yep! My little granddaughter's growing so fast, ya know!" he excitedly told her. "She can walk now and everything. And talk, too! Kushina-tan said her first word while we were there, and it reminded me so much of when Jin and Miyo were small." Shirasu paused for a moment and Mito watched as the excitement in his eyes dimmed. A bittersweet smile pulled at his mouth and he stroked a gentle hand through his daughter's long hair. "It feels like it was yesterday they were just big enough to hold in my arms and now look. Jin's already married with a child of his own and Fumiyo's becoming a great sealing master like her mother… Has it really only been nineteen years since Mikoto and I married and we had Jin?" He trails off with a quiet exhale and Mito politely looks away when she spots the tears.

"Mother and Uncle Haru told me that the Eddy has reached a tentative armistice with the Mist and their allies," Fumiyo said, breaking the silence. "They don't know how long it'll last, so Mother's looking far into the future again." She glanced up from the scroll to meet Mito's gaze. "…I held Kushina and sensed that her chakra is similar to ours, Aunt Mito. I think you can imagine what Mother wishes for."

Yes, she could imagine what Mikoto wanted. It was the same as she initially desired for Fumiyo before she and Haruka dissuaded her. But the last decade of searching for another compatible for the sealing had ended in failure. There were only two among the clan who could possibly withstand the process, but the stress of containing the beast would drastically decrease their lifespan unlike her or Fumiyo. Finding a true successor was imperative for that reason alone considering how volatile the Kyūbi's chakra was.

Her mouth thinned to a line and she held back a sigh. "What does your brother have to say?" she asked. "I'm sure he feels strongly about this."

"Jin-niisan and Uka threatened to take Kushina and disappear if Mother tried to immediately send her here," Fumiyo readily informed her. "But Grandfather and Uncle Haru were able to convince her to wait until she was old enough to enter the academy."

Relief immediately flooded Mito and she nodded. "Good. It took months for me to convince her to let me train you," she remembered. "At least no one can say Mikoto isn't doing everything she possibly can to protect the Eddy as Uzukage."

"Just like I'll do everything to protect you and later Kushina when the time comes," Fumiyo promised with a sharp grin and a crack of her knuckles. "And I'll be the best aunt in the world to her just like you, Aunt Mito."

Mito observed with a critical eye from the tree line of the training ground as Fumiyo sparred against Tsunade and Jiraiya.

The tides of a second shinobi war were slowly creeping its way towards Konohagakure and the surrounding nations. The short period of peace Hashirama had brokered between the Five Great Nations was rapidly coming to a close. It had lasted much longer than Mito had anticipated, but now it meant that the current generation of Konoha shinobi was going to be deployed to the battlefield.

Thankfully, her young student had quickly risen to the rank of jōnin and under Mito's careful instruction Fumiyo had become a skilled interrogator. When the time came, she was sure the girl would be well prepared when she was sent on the frontlines.

Droplets of water splashing against her face brought Mito out of her thoughts and she watched as Fumiyo released a water jutsu aimed at Jiraiya. It quickly overpowers his Fire Release but Tsunade uses her momentary distraction to leap up into the air and come crashing down where she stood. But Fumiyo jumped back and quickly tossed a rigged kunai. Tsunade crashed down where she previously stood with a yell, adding another crater in the ground with her leg just as an explosion triggered by the paper bomb went off. The combination of the two stirred up a thick cloud of dirt and debris that obscured their vision.

Tsunade and Jiraiya immediately moved to stand back to back. "Where'd she go?" Tsunade demanded as she searched for Fumiyo.

"I don't know," Jiraiya answered as he raised a kunai defensively in front of him. They fell silent as the cloud slowly dispersed before he suddenly let out a shout. "Get down!" A volley of shuriken flew at them from the trees and he shoved her out of the way.

Fumiyo leapt down from her hiding place in the leaves, her long black robe billowing behind her as she attacked. "Wind Style: Immense Breakthrough!" Her jutsu knocked back Jiraiya and stirred dirt back into the air, but she kept going, sending a rapid volley of shuriken at him.

But Tsunade immediately intercepts, quickly deflecting all of them away with her kunai. "What, are you afraid, cousin?" she taunted as she dropped into a defensive crouch in front of Jiraiya. "All day you've been only using long range attacks."

"Of course not, Tsuna," Fumiyo reassured with a playful laugh. She pulled back her arm and a kunai of her own filled her hand. A grin stretched across her face and she dropped into a fighting stance. "I'm just well aware how much your punches can hurt." And without any warning, she shot forward.

The two young women fought with equal fervor, filling the training ground with the sound of metal scraping on metal until Jiraiya recovers. "Tsunade!" He quickly weaved two hand seals as she leapt out of the way. "Earth Style: Dark Swamp!" The ground turned to mud where Fumiyo stood in an attempt to prevent her from using her Wind Release, but it fails to capture her. A log immediately took her place and unceremoniously fell into the mud with a wet sticky sound.

"Damn!" Jiraiya swore. "Where'd she go now?"

"Right here!" Fumiyo materialized behind him, swiftly sending him clear across the training ground with a series of midair kicks. She lands back on the ground and immediately strikes at Tsunade barehanded. They trade blows and it's clear to see that Tsunade easily overpowers her in terms of strength. But this doesn't stop Fumiyo. Instead, she uses speed to dodge her kicks and punches, quickly weaving in and out to land her own strikes whenever she found an opening.

Mito closely watches their spar, focusing on every time Fumiyo was able to land a clear hit on Tsunade. A pleased smile spreads across her face when she sees the familiar strings of script quickly spreading across her granddaughter's body. She's finally done it.

"Impressive," a familiar voice noted.

She glanced at the dark-haired young man standing beside her. "I agree," she hummed, turning back in time to see Tsunade drop to her knees as Fumiyo's fūinjutsu completely immobilized her.

"Not once did I see her weave any signs," Orochimaru observed through narrowed eyes. "The only hand seals I saw her make were for her elemental jutsu. But regardless, they should have realized Fumiyo was preparing some kind of sealing jutsu."

"If you were in their place, would you have noticed, Orochimaru?" she asked curiously.

He fell silent and his golden eyes narrowed as he watched Fumiyo engage Jiraiya next. "I would like to think so," he finally said. "Like Tsunade noted, she had only been using mid to long range attacks; consistently remaining out of their reach for most of the fight. And Fumiyo is already acknowledged as a sealing master. It's hardly a stretch to imagine her being able to incorporate fūinjutsu into her taijutsu."

Mito hummed at his observation. Fumiyo had completely mastered all aspects of their clan's sealing techniques and fūinjutsu in general over the past decade. Now she was able to take apart and reassemble jutsu on her own without turning to Mito for help anymore and crafting new jutsu to suit her needs was second-nature. She had even created the new technique she used for interrogation after taking a mere glance at a set of cursed seals during one of her visits to Uzushio. And with her high Uzumaki chakra reserves combined with fine chakra control it would be hard for anyone in Konoha to rival her. Even with Jiraiya's own impressive fūinjutsu talents he wouldn't be able to compete against Fumiyo.

"She probably had her jutsu already prepared and stored away before she'd even stepped onto these grounds," Orochimaru mused as he watched Jiraiya cautiously attack Fumiyo. "Is her fighting style common among your clan?"

"Very common," Mito told him. "Though it usually takes many years of training to reach the level she has. Even I struggled to produce seals of the same high quality when I was her age." Orochimaru hummed but said nothing, eyes narrowed as he closely observed the spar in front of them. He seemed interested, almost itching to join them. "Did you want to join? Perhaps make it a more even fight against Tsunade and Jiraiya."

Orochimaru shook his head with a faint smile. "No, I'm afraid that wouldn't work. Fumiyo and I don't quite get along, Lady Mito." He paused for a moment to find the right words to properly explain. "Hm… how can I put it? We don't exactly share the same philosophy when it comes to certain topics and thus makes it difficult for us to effectively work together."

Mito doesn't respond as her attention shifts to focus on the familiar chakra signature slowly making its way toward them. A wave of anger and frustration accompanies it and she discretely peeked over her shoulder. Fortunately, she doesn't have to look far to find the source.

The young girl came to a stop beside her, round face obscured by long red hair as she stared resolutely at the ground. "Hi, Lady Mito," she said.

"Hello, Kushina-chan." A frown pulled her mouth down as she took in the girl's appearance. Mito hooked a finger underneath her chin and tipped Kushina's head back so she could look her in the eye. "Are you okay?" she softly murmured.

Kushina looked away with a huff and a stubborn twist of her mouth that reminded her of Fumiyo. "I'm fine," she mumbled.

Mito raised a delicate brow. "Oh?" She took her hands in one of her own and brushed back her messy hair with the other. "Then why are your knuckles freshly bruised and your hair damaged?"

Her face flushed red in embarrassment and she jerked away from Mito, quickly hiding her hands behind her back. "Nothing happened! I swear!"

"I think something did," Orochimaru disagreed from behind them. "Fumiyo, it looks like your niece has gotten into another fight," he called out.

Fumiyo reacted immediately and violently flipped Jiraiya over her shoulder with a growl, hand flying up to form a half seal as she sprinted across the field. She shouted "Release!" and freed Tsunade before abruptly stopping in front of Kushina. She carelessly dropped to her knees, fury burning bright in her purple eyes as she took in the girl's appearance. Pure rage rolled off her and violently crashed against Mito like a tidal wave, but only concern and worry show on her face.

"Oh, kiddo," she sighed as she gently gathered her into her arms. "I hope you beat the pulp out of whoever did this."

Kushina tightly hugged her back. "I tried as hard as I could," she mumbled into her shoulder. "He was a genin and bigger than me, but I still got some good hits in."

"Good," Fumiyo praised, all but crushing the girl to her chest.

"But he called me an outsider, Aunt Fumiyo!" And the girl burst into tears. "All because of my hair! It's always because of my hair! I hate my hair!"

Mito sighed as she met Fumiyo's gaze. They'd had this very same conversation when she was her age. Like Kushina, Fumiyo had relied on violence when facing the children teasing her, but she had her close relationship with Tsunade to deter them.

"Well, I love your red hair, kiddo," Fumiyo told her. "It's just like mine and your papa's and many of our Uzumaki cousins."

"But Mom's an Uzumaki and she's blond like Tsunade," Kushina sniffled. "I wish I looked more like her."

Fumiyo chuckled softly as she carefully fixed her hair. "I'm going to let you in on a secret, kiddo — Uka hates her blond hair," she whispered. "She hates how it makes her stand out among the clan so she prayed and prayed you wouldn't inherit it. Your mama was so happy you got your papa's bright red hair."

"Really?"

"Mhm," Fumiyo hummed with a small smile as she stood and took her hand. "Really, kiddo. We all love your hair so don't listen to those brats."

"I've got to agree with your auntie," Jiraiya grinned. "That red hair of yours makes you unique around these parts. I'm sure you'll grow up to be a real looker just like her and have all the boys' tongues wagging."

A dark shadow comes down over Fumiyo's face, but Tsunade reacts first. "You pervert!" And he went flying clear across the training ground with a swing of her fist. She stomped after him with an exasperated Orochimaru trailing behind her.

Fumiyo rolled her eyes before flashing Kushina a grin as she cracked her knuckles. "How about you introduce me to that genin and then we go get ramen for dinner?" she suggested.

Kushina nodded happily and the two began making their way back to the village after bidding Mito goodbye. She watched them until she no longer could, a fond smile curving at her mouth. But a cool chill suddenly runs down her spine and wiped it away. Mito quickly scanned the now dark trees around her with sharp eyes, immediately locating the disturbance. He had concealed himself relatively well for her great-niece to not have immediately sensed him and she was sure she wouldn't have either if it weren't for the constant darkness that rolled off him at all times.

"Hello, Lord Danzō," Mito called out.

After a moment Danzō Shimura stepped into view. He bowed politely with an amiable smile that she didn't return. "Good afternoon, Lady Senju," he returned. "Forgive my intrusion. I would have revealed myself sooner, but I didn't want to disrupt what appeared to be a delicate situation."

Mito stiffly nodded. "Thank you. It is much appreciated, my lord."

When she said nothing more, Danzō stepped toward her, closing the distance between them with a few strides. "I couldn't help but notice how close your young successor is to your disciple, my lady," he begun, trailing off and leaving his words hanging awkwardly when she didn't immediately respond.

"Yes, they share a close bond," Mito agreed with a cool smile that made the confidence in his eyes falter. "Something to be expected when the two are aunt and niece. I am grateful for such a relationship, especially when the Hidden Eddy's village leader has entrusted her very own granddaughter to take my place."

Danzō dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Yes. A very important relationship indeed, my lady," he said, but it was clear he wasn't pleased by the reminder. "I had forgotten that Fumiyo was the esteemed Uzukage's daughter."

His words make Mito want to laugh, but she refrains, the corners of her mouth tightening in irritation. "Forgive me, but was there a purpose to your visit, Lord Danzō? I had promised to have dinner with Nawaki tonight."

"Oh, no, my lady. I was merely taking a stroll in order to see the village in all its glory on this beautiful spring day when I stumbled upon Hiruzen's students sparring against yours," he explained with a courteous expression that for all intents appeared genuine. Anyone who saw him was sure to believe it, but Mito could sense the malevolence behind his smile through what little of the Kyūbi's power she wielded. The man was searching yet again for a way to completely control Konoha's strongest weapon with little regard to its host and she again put another obstacle in his way toward whatever dark idea of protecting the village he had. "Fumiyo has become quite the shinobi under your tutelage."

Her eyes narrowed. "I've merely taught her everything she needs to know, and she soaked it all in like a sponge," she murmured in a low voice. "And there's no one else I would trust to watch over Kushina."

His expression closes off, but not before she sees the quick flash of irritation. Message clearly received, he stiffly nodded. "Of course, my lady. If I were in your position, there would be no one I would entrust such an important responsibility to other than my own student." Danzō bowed again though it was clear he struggled to remain composed. "Forgive me for taking up your time. Do enjoy your night with your grandson, Lady Senju."

Mito offered him another chilly smile. "Do enjoy your night as well," she told him before turning and making her way back toward the village.

The vicious rain storm that assaulted the village without warning should have been an obvious sign that something was wrong. But Mito had ignored the howling winds and rumbling thunder that had lasted all through the night. If she had paid heed to the signs outside her window, she would have been more prepared when Fumiyo stumbled into the house the next day.

"Why didn't you send word that you would be a few days late returning?" Mito scolded her. "Kushina and I were growing worried. We're in the middle of war if you've forgotten."

Fumiyo doesn't respond and a chill runs down her spine as a sob tore its way from the girl's throat. Kushina gasped, running from the table over to her aunt. A wave of despair forcefully assaults Mito and she abandoned her tea to rush to Fumiyo's side. Another harsh sob left her, and Mito gently gathered her into her arms.

"What's wrong, Aunt Fumiyo?" Kushina asked with wide frightened eyes.

A low keening sound came from her in response and the warmth of her tears splashed against Mito's skin. "Run and fetch some clean clothes for your aunt," she ordered, pulling Fumiyo to her feet. Mito shifted to fully support the girl's weight against her shoulder and settled Kushina with a sharp look when she didn't immediately leave. Her face was pale with worry, purple eyes glued to Fumiyo's distraught face. "I won't let anything happen to her. Go, Kushina!" The sudden sharpness of her voice makes her jump, but she nods and sprints from the house.

Mito turned her attention back on Fumiyo. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably. Her clothes were soaking wet and mud was caked to the bottom of her sandals. And her long red hair plastered to her skin added to her sorry state.

Just seeing her like this broke her heart.

"Come, child," she softly murmured, pushing her unkempt hair from her face. "Let's get you cleaned up."

It took time, but Mito was able to get Fumiyo into a hot bath. Her sobs had quietened until they'd almost stopped completely except for the occasional hiccup, though her tears continued to flow freely. Mito tried to get her to open up, but every time she would shake her head and clutch at her mouth to stifle a sob. Frustration and worry ate at her, unable to do anything for Fumiyo without knowing what was going on. But she couldn't pry it out of the girl. It would only hurt her more than she already was.

Mito dressed Fumiyo in one of her yukatas and helped her lay down on a futon. "Rest, Fumiyo," she softly murmured, gently stroking her hair back. "I'll bring you some rice porridge, okay? And then you can sleep." Mito squeezed her cool hand tightly in comfort, not liking the glassy look in her eyes.

Her mouth thinned to a line and she clutched at Fumiyo's hand when she noticed it. She's almost completely depleted of chakra, she realized with a frown. It was a rare occurrence for one of their clan, but not impossible. Fumiyo must have been in a difficult fight on her way back from Uzushiogakure for this to happen even though she didn't have a scratch on her body. But it didn't explain the grief that rolled off her and slammed against Mito's senses like a tidal wave.

"I'm going to send word to the Eddy and let Mikoto know you've returned. She'll want to know about the state you're in," she murmured as she begun to pull away. But she barely releases Fumiyo's hand before the girl grabs on again. Wide eyed, Mito stared down at the stricken look on her great-niece's pale face.

"She'll never receive it," she rasped out before bursting into fresh tears.

A chill ran down Mito's spine. "…What do you mean?"

Fumiyo hid her face behind her hands and shook her head over and over again as she cried. "They're gone," she sobbed. "Everyone, Auntie. Gone. All gone. They came and slaughtered them all…"

Panic and fear shot through her, but she kept her expression neutral as she pulled the comforter tighter around Fumiyo. "Rest," she ordered before stiffly rising and walking from the room.

Mito forced herself to breathe deeply and remain calm. Now wasn't the time to be panicking. She needed to be levelheaded right now. Kushina would be returning any minute and Fumiyo was in no fit state to let the girl near her. Especially if it was true. It couldn't be, but with the renewed tension with Kirigakure over the last decade it was possible.

But she needed answers. Now.

She walked stiffly back towards the bathroom and grabbed the basket filled with Fumiyo's belongings. It only took a minute of searching but she found the black and red mask hidden in the weapon pouch. She'd never once summoned the man herself before, but there was a first time for everything, even at her old age. Mito put the mask on and quickly formed the sequence of hand seals she'd witnessed Fumiyo make countless times before firmly clapping her hands together.

The summoning is instantaneous and Shirasu appears before her. Gone is the perpetual grin on his face and in its place is a grim expression she had never seen him wear. Paired with his demonic visage it made him look more sinister than usual and it sent another terrible shiver through her. He met her gaze and all she could see was a deep sadness in his purple eyes.

"She made it to you. Good," he sighed, relieved. "I had to leave her just before she got close to the compound. I'm grateful the summoning was able to last that long, but it ended at the worst possible moment."

Mito stared, not quite understanding. "Leave her?" she repeated.

Shirasu nodded with a frown. "She was so weak afterwards and I absolutely could not let her stay there any longer," he firmly said with a shake of his head. "I traveled back with her the entire way. I'm sure we scared the kids working at the gate and everyone else who saw. Sorry about that."

His words brought forth an image of the poison green oni-shaped chakra cloak Fumiyo would adopt when they performed the chakra transfer technique, but she pushed it away. "Why would you need to do that? Why is Fumiyo suffering from chakra exhaustion?"

Shirasu fell silent and stared at her without giving anything away. "What has she told you?" he finally said.

"Nothing," she told him, frustration leaking into her voice. "Your daughter is completely incapacitated by despair and grief and I cannot for the life of me understand why. Kushina and I are worried, Shirasu!" He flinched at the sharpness of her voice. "Tell me what's going on!"

"The Hidden Eddy has fallen, Lady Senju," Shirasu solemnly said and her blood ran cold. "The Uzumaki clan is no more."

A noise of disbelief escaped Mito as tears pricked at her eyes. "How?"

"Kirigakure, my lady. They attacked without warning and massacred the entire village," he told her, voice detached and devoid of emotion.

"And Fumiyo?" His eyes quickly darted off to the side before focusing on her again, but Mito saw. "What did she do?"

He sighed tiredly, scrubbing a clawed hand across his face. "She has a scroll," he said reluctantly. "Open it and you'll understand." Before Mito can demand an explanation from him, Shirasu ended the summons.

A huff of irritation escaped her; he was an infuriating man. But she knew Shirasu meant well, especially when it concerned his daughter. Mito turned and sifted through Fumiyo's belongings again and found a plain storage scroll hidden within the folds of her muddied yukata. She opened it with a practiced flick of her wrist only to find it was locked.

Mito quietly crept back into the room Fumiyo was resting in and knelt beside her. Fumiyo's steady breathing as she slept remained even as she lifted the arm weighed down by a set of prayer beads and transferred some of her own chakra. Almost immediately her fingertips ignite with chakra and a complex key was revealed on her palm and inner arm. Mito brought her hand down and the lock came undone to reveal a set of storage scrolls and extra kunai and shurikren.

She silently gathered everything in her arms and brought it all back to her own room. Before she can close the door, a small voice called out to her.

"Lady Mito?" Kushina called out from the end of the hallway. "I've returned. And we have a visitor."

A silent curse escaped Mito and she quickly rushed toward the girl. Kushina stood at the front door clutching a rucksack to her chest with a wide-eyed expression on her face, but it was the person with her that drew her attention.

Hiruzen stood beside the girl dressed in his white Hokage's robes without his formal hat. He sent Mito an apologetic smile as she came to a stop before them. "Forgive my sudden intrusion, Lady Mito," he apologized.

Mito nodded in his direction as Kushina rushed toward her. "I promised your aunt some rice porridge. Do you mind making it for her?" she asked quietly. Kushina nodded readily, though it was obvious she wished to say something but the Hokage's presence impeded her. The girl ran off in the direction of the kitchen, only looking back once to glance at Mito with worried eyes.

Once she was gone, Mito turned to face the Hokage. "I'm sorry, Hiruzen, but I'm afraid this isn't the best time."

He silently appraised her from his position beside the door. "I was told Fumiyo returned from her visit to the Hidden Eddy. My men were concerned that she appeared unwell when she stepped through the gate and brought it to my attention."

Mito kept her expression neutral and met Hiruzen's gaze head on. His men had most likely seen Shirasu's chakra cloak when Fumiyo walked through the village and immediately reported it to him. They were in the middle of a war after all. It was hardly a surprise if they were worried she had been compromised. "Fumiyo is currently resting. She began to run a fever from last night's storm. Kushina and I are now tending to her." He didn't need to know about the matter of their clan quite yet. There were still questions she needed answers to and there was the matter of telling Kushina. The girl needed to be told about the state of her own clan before any outsider was informed.

Hiruzen said nothing except to stare at Mito and she stared back. He wouldn't be able to pry any of the information he was looking for from her and he knew it. Even if he dared ask, she would never say.

He finally nodded, accepting her words. "That's good if that's all it is," he said. "I'm sorry for intruding. Please tell Fumiyo that I hope she recovers soon, Lady Mito."

"Of course, Lord Hokage."

Hiruzen bowed politely to her before taking his leave and Mito saw him out before helping Kushina in the kitchen. The child kept sending her furtive glances every few minutes as they cooked. It makes Mito sigh, but she pretends not to notice. She wasn't the one Kushina needed to deliver the bad news to her.

When they finished, Mito carefully filled a dish with the rice porridge and put it on a tray along with a hot pot of tea. She handed it all to Kushina and smoothed a wayward lock of red hair out of the girl's face. "Bring this to Fumiyo and make sure she eats, okay?" she softly murmured. "I have some things I need to take care of, but I'll come check in on her afterwards."

Kushina nodded readily but frowned up at her. "What's wrong with her, Lady Mito? I've never seen Aunt Fumiyo cry before. Not like that at least."

Mito stroked the girl's cheek, lips pursed as she considered her answer. "Something happened in the Eddy while she was visiting your parents and your grandmother," she told her softly. "It's why she is in her current state. But I'm sure Fumiyo will recover and all will be well again."

Kushina stared up at her with doubt in her purple eyes before looking away, fingers tightening around the tray. "I hope so. I'm really worried about her."

"Give her time, child. Okay?" Mito gently turned her in the direction of Fumiyo's room.

Once she was out of sight, Mito returned to her own room. She reached for the forgotten pile of storage scrolls and opened them all. The first two contained a few sets of clean clothes and her swords along with what looked like some hair combs and kanzashi in an assortment of styles. Mito set all of it aside and cautiously opened the final scroll. The seal opened easily enough with a sizable cloud of smoke that she swiftly waves away.

What she sees freezes the blood in her body and sends a chill of terror through her.

Her dark eyes slowly took in the terrible sight in front of her. Oh, Fumiyo. What have you done? A few dozen oni masks sat before her painted in black and white with a variety of expressions, each one faintly thrumming with chakra. Mito hesitantly ran a searching hand over them before pulling one from the pile. Her hand shook as she stroked a cold finger across its carved fangs and fear shot through her like ice.

What possessed her great-niece to do this?

With shaky hands, Mito brought the mask to her face as she infused chakra before weakly clapping her hands. Nothing happens for a minute before the mask became warm against her skin and she pulls it away, dropping it back on top of the large pile beside her. The familiar smoky scent of tobacco filled her nose and Mito looked up. An older gentleman about her age dressed in long heavy robes over a simple kimono smoking from a gold kiseru stood beside her. She raised her eyes to look at him and found long dark red hair that was almost brown framing his familiar face, but it's the ivory horns protruding from the crown of his head and the long, sharp black nails of the hand holding the pipe that give her pause.

He glanced down at her over the end of his pipe and offered her a small smile. "Hello, sister."

A wordless cry left Mito's lips and she forced herself to rise to her feet. "Jōichirō," she sobbed, wrapping her brother in a tight hug.

A deep chuckle rumbled from his surprisingly warm chest as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You've grown old, Mito," Jōichirō's chuckled. "To think we haven't properly stood face to face like this since your wedding to Hashirama. How many years has it been since then? Too many to count I suspect."

"What happened?" Mito demanded, pulling away to look him in the eye. "Shirasu told me Uzushiogakure is—is gone." It's a struggle to say the words and they put a sour taste on her tongue. "I don't understand."

Jōichirō released her with a sigh and folded his hands inside the deep sleeves of his robes. The ivory horns on his head lit up with pale blue chakra that flickered like a gentle flame as he took in her desolate expression. "They came without warning, somehow bypassing our sensor types and the barrier surrounding the village," he told her, his voice soft and detached of emotion. "One moment it was calm like any other day, and the next the air was filled with the screams of our clansmen. I always knew the day Kirigakure would attack would come but I always assumed we would be prepared. But we weren't." He trailed off and his eyes grew distant. "It was chaos. They outnumbered us and no matter how many of us were capable of fighting, we weren't strong enough…"

"But Fumiyo survived," Mito was quick to point out. "She survived and returned to me and Kushina."

"That's good." Relief immediately flooded his expression. "We told her to run after all."

Mito sent a pointed glare at the horns on his head. "You and I both know she didn't run, Jōichirō. You are proof of that."

Her brother looked away as he brought the pipe back to his mouth. "Yes," he conceded, releasing a long swirl of smoke. "My granddaughter is just as stubborn as her mother."

"And just as talented if all of these masks are any indication." Mito fingered the mask in her hands, recognizing it as a noh mask used for stage performances, before lifting her dark eyes to meet his again. "How did she learn the jutsu? Mikoto never said how she was able to successfully seal a piece of her husband's chakra into his mask and I'm fairly certain Fumiyo would have told me if she had told her. Not even the Scroll of Forbidden Sealing gives a detailed set of instructions."

"I don't know, Mito," he admitted with a shake of his head. "I gave her the Scroll of Forbidden Sealing, but—"

"You did what?!" She threw him an incredulous look. "You gave it to her?" Mito turned and hurriedly searched through the pile of masks. She would have noticed something as important as that scroll mixed in among everything Fumiyo had and there was only place she hadn't searched.

And as predicted, Mito found it hidden underneath. The Scroll of Forbidden Sealing was a sacred and important tool belonging to the Uzumaki clan filled with countless forbidden fūinjutsu that had been compiled and hidden away for generations. Many were deemed forbidden simply because of the danger presented to the caster while others for their potential destructive capabilities. But some jutsu were incomplete, scrapped and hidden away because of the possible dangers it could present in any number of ways.

Just like the jutsu that allowed one to seal away a piece of a deceased person's chakra so that they may be called back from the Far Shore.

Mito carefully opened the scroll until she found the incomplete details of the unnamed fūinjutsu. As expected, it tells her very little and she cannot for the life of her begin to follow the thought processes of first her niece and then her daughter that allowed them to complete the jutsu.

"How do you think she did it, Jōichirō?" Mito whispered, staring down at the scroll. "Mikoto would never say…"

"I had help from the Reaper Death God."

They turned and found Fumiyo standing in the doorway clinging to its frame. Her skin was pale and there were dark circles under her red eyes. It was obvious that she was still very weak and the effort it took her to get all the way here was clear.

"You should be resting," Mito was quick to scold her. "Did you eat? Where is Kushina?"

"Resting in my place," Fumiyo grunted. She slid the door shut behind her and leaned against the wall beside it in an effort to remain upright. Her purple eyes settled on Mito. "Mother had me and Jin forge a contract with the Death God when we were teenagers, Aunt Mito. I summoned him and used his power to seal the chakra of every member of the clan I could find so that they could be recalled. It's why Papa and Grandfather look like oni, like the Death God."

Mito turned to stare at her brother, comparing his new look to that of the great Shinigami. Disbelief shot through her and she silently wondered how she hadn't immediately seen the similarities. It explained the ogre-like features and demonic appearance Shirasu had adopted after his death. She'd always assumed his new look was due to his becoming something akin to an ayakashi.

"Every clan member?" Mito asked.

Fumiyo dipped her head once. "Yes. Every one I was able to find," she confirmed as she stared at her grandfather with glassy eyes. "And if there were any survivors, they fled the village unlike me."

"You were supposed to have left the moment I placed that scroll in your hands, Fumiyo-chan," Jōichirō said as he blew out another wisp of smoke.

A dark shadow came down over her face and her eyes narrowed. "Did you really think I was just going to run away while my family died around me?" she hissed in a low voice. "Everyone was so fixated on Kushina needing me once she succeeded Aunt Mito. But I was thinking of her as well. And all I could think was how much she needed her parents too." Fumiyo looked away as she bit at her lip, tears stinging her eyes. "For the first time, I finally understood why Mother sealed Papa's chakra into his mask."

"Will you tell her about us?" her brother curiously asked.

Fumiyo shook her head once. "No," she said, "Jin and Uka asked me not to and I intend to honor their wishes even if I don't agree."

"And what of the Eddy?" Mito asked next. "What will you tell her?"

A haunted look almost too quick for Mito to catch crossed Fumiyo's face. "I'll tell Kushina everything she needs to know," she answered and there was a hard, ominous edge to her words that sent a sense of dread through the jinchūriki.

What else could have happened? Mito silently wondered.

She decides against asking and instead nods. "Good."

But from that day until the day of the Kyūbi's transfer, Mito always wondered what secrets Fumiyo kept about the destruction of Uzushiogakure. She never dared ask, dreading whatever answer her great-niece would give her. Something told her it had something to do with their clan's Scroll of Forbidden Sealing due to how jealously she held on to it.

The only thing she was certain of was that Fumiyo would never speak of the horrors she witnessed during her final visit and that whatever she saw would always haunt her until she died.