Ch 60. Senju & Uzumaki & 9-tails x Lifespan

Soon, Tsunade and Mito entered the house, and the conversation between them flowed naturally, reminiscent of past times. It brought back memories for Tsunade; memories of when her parents died after giving birth to her younger brother, Nawaki. In those days, she often stayed with her grandmother, spending most of her childhood under Mito's care. In truth, it was Mito who had raised her, even more so for Nawaki, whom both she and Mito had nurtured as if he were their own.

Now, as Tsunade looked at Mito, she couldn't shake the weight of sorrow settling in her chest. This woman, her grandmother, had witnessed the death of her husband, the loss of any family she had known except her, and the passing of her children and even grandchildren. She had endured it all, outliving everyone she loved. That perseverance, that resilience, only made Tsunade's heart ache more.

Unable to hold back her concern, Tsunade finally asked, "Grandma, is your vitality already fading? Are you... dying? Even with the Yin Seal?"

Mito, noticing her granddaughter's distress, simply smiled but did not immediately respond. Instead, she led Tsunade to the dining table, where a feast had been meticulously prepared, Tsunade's favorite dishes, all laid out in warm invitation.

As they sat down, Mito finally spoke, "Let's eat first. As for your question, it's complicated. You know, my hair is still red, and as you were taught, for an Uzumaki, that signifies vitality."

Tsunade's gaze lingered on Mito's crimson locks, still as rich and vibrant as ever. "Yes, it really is beautiful… Too bad I didn't inherit it!" she remarked with a hint of regret.

Mito chuckled softly. "But you did inherit something just as valuable, our clan's unique ability of Physical Healing. While you can't use it to heal others like a pure-blooded Uzumaki, with your Hundred Healings Jutsu, your self-regeneration is on par with your grandfather's, perhaps even superior. With your medical knowledge, you can reattach severed limbs mid-combat, something even he couldn't do."

She paused, studying Tsunade for a moment before continuing, "It's unfortunate, though, that Hashirama's power was too overwhelming to be passed down easily. What you did inherit was the general Senju physique, strong, resilient, but not as monstrous as his. Your second grandfather, Tobirama, had a similar case. His chakra reserves were immense, comparable to the weakest of the tailed beasts, but nothing close to Hashirama's."

Mito's expression grew distant as she recalled the past. "Your grandfather's chakra… It wasn't just vast, it was unparalleled. In both quantity and quality, and in recovery rate, his reserves were akin to that of the Nine-Tails itself. Tsunade, even if you gathered all the other eight tailed beasts together, they wouldn't match half of the Nine-Tails' chakra. Nor did they possess its incredible chakra recovery ability, while other tailed beasts had some kind of blood-line like abilities, 9-tails had chakra just immense chakra!"

Tsunade listened intently as Mito continued, her voice steady yet filled with reminiscence. "As for me, as the princess of the Uzumaki Clan and its most talented member, I inherited all of our clan's abilities. My chakra reserves far surpass those of your second grandfather, Tobirama. You see, inheriting any of the three main Uzumaki traits Mind's Eye, Physical Healing, or Adamantine Chains, grants users greater chakra, vitality, and longevity. Especially Physical Healing. You can imagine, then, just how much vitality I possess. Among all shinobi, second only to Hashirama."

A soft sigh escaped her lips. "But your grandfather was… different. Perhaps an anomaly, an atavism of the Senju bloodline. Most Senju are born with immense strength, a natural talent for Water and Earth Release, and more chakra than the average shinobi. But they don't have the same high vitality as the Uzumaki."

She folded her hands together, her gaze steady. "My strength is at its peak, on the highest level of a Kage, similar to your 2nd Grandfather. But as the most gifted Uzumaki of my time, I can forcibly extract and wield the Nine-Tails' chakra, amplifying my abilities even further. The Nine-Tails' chakra brims with life force, and combined with my own vitality as an Uzumaki and my near-perfect Jinchūriki state, I have never lacked in vitality.. Unlike most shinobi, I have not spent my life in constant battle, nor have I overexerted my body beyond repair."

Mito then turned to face Tsunade directly, her gaze warm but firm, "Tsunade, a person's lifespan isn't determined by their body alone. The soul also plays a role."

A pause hung between them before Mito continued, her voice softer now. "I am tired, Tsunade. My soul is weary. It longs to return to the Pure Land… to be with your grandfather."

Tsunade's breath hitched slightly, but she said nothing.

Mito gave a gentle smile, though there was a certain sadness in her expression. "You know, your grandfather's body was perfectly healthy when he passed away. There was no external damage, no fatal wound. As the most complete inheritor of the Sage Body, and as a natural-born Sage, his vitality should have been almost endless and he was not old. And yet… even he left this world."

She exhaled, a peaceful acceptance in her voice. "So, you see, I am perfectly healthy. I am not sick, nor am I frail. I am simply… tired."