Chapter 77: The Rejuvenated Mito and a Swordmaster’s Secret Past

"You young ones are always trying so hard—an old woman like me can't afford to be lazy!" Mito Uzumaki declared with a laugh, interrupting the training session. "Hikari is also training seriously. I can feel her strength growing... Has her blind eye really recovered?"

"Yes," Gin nodded. "Mom's been pushing herself. The eye is healed, but the Sharingan hasn't awakened again—yet. Still, the progress is remarkable."

"If you want to train too, Mito-sama, I've brought something for you," he continued, handing over a small bottle. "Longevity pills. They'll extend your life by ninety-six years... and return your youth. Tsunade-sensei, there's one for you as well."

"Extend life by ninety-six years? That's... that's too much," Tsunade said, taken aback, eyeing the bottle. "You've already given us so much…"

Mito and Tsunade both hesitated, overwhelmed by the generosity. The benefits of their contracts with Gin were already incredible. And now, this—pills that could turn back time.

"It's alright," Gin reassured them with a grin. "We're a family now. These are internal privileges. All my contract holders get access to them—Kushina, Mikoto, Minato... everyone. Take them proudly. I want you to live long... and keep working for me!" He chuckled.

"Everyone?" Mito blinked in surprise. "Even... even Kureha? She's so young!"

"Why not?" Kushina bristled. "Youth isn't a disqualifier! Besides, these pills boost chakra and vitality, not just lifespan."

"Alright, alright, we get it," Mito and Tsunade laughed. "Thank you, Gin. We'll accept them—with gratitude."

They uncorked the bottles and found five pills inside.

"The first gives fifty years, each following pill half as much," Gin explained. "Don't share them. Take them for yourselves—for now."

As they swallowed the first pill, warmth surged through their bodies. As experienced healers, they immediately sensed the surge of cellular regeneration, the accelerated vitality, the purification flowing through their bloodstreams.

Mito, in particular, felt a resurgence unlike any she'd known since her youth. Years fell away from her in moments—her body no longer needed chakra seals to maintain a youthful form. Her aura changed, glowing with strength and health. The ancient weight lifted, and in its place came vigor.

"I haven't felt this light in decades," she whispered, stunned.

In her sealed inner world, the Nine-Tailed Fox stirred.

"What… what is happening?" Kurama muttered, sensing the impossible. "This woman... has she truly rejuvenated? Her life force is overflowing! Damn it! This isn't the future the Sage predicted! That blue-eyed brat... Is he the reason I'll be sealed inside her forever?"

The fox raged, howling curses at Mito, Madara, Hashirama—at fate itself. But Mito calmly shut the sealed space, muting him like a bothersome background noise.

Over the years, she had come to see the Nine-Tails not as evil, but as a sentient being with emotions, wisdom, and pain. But she couldn't release him—not yet. Someday, perhaps. When he no longer posed a threat, and she was strong enough to guarantee peace.

"Thank you, Gin," Mito said sincerely. "I haven't felt this free in a long, long time."

"And I thank you too," Tsunade added warmly, smiling at her student.

Gin waved them off. "You already thanked me! Now, let's get back to work. We're heading to the Pirate World for sword training. Want to join?"

Mito and Tsunade's eyes sparkled.

"Of course! We've always been curious about that world," they said eagerly. "It seems so full of possibility—so much less... oppressive than our own."

"Just remember," Gin cautioned. "You can visit after the contract, but we still need to be careful. Leave shadow clones here while you're gone. Until we unite the Ninja World, we can't risk too much."

"Got it," they nodded, summoning clones.

On Shimotsuki Island, Gin turned to Kushina. "You don't need to train today. Show Mito-sama and Tsunade-sensei around. Carefully."

"Understood! Leave it to me!" she grinned, leading the two women on a tour of the island's tranquil paths and hidden beauty.

Gin, meanwhile, returned to the dojo with Hikari to resume training under the stoic swordmaster, Koshiro.

"Gin," Koshiro said firmly, observing his form, "focus on your foundational technique. Let Ittoryu be a complement. You're close to mastering basic fencing—once it's perfect, it'll open the path to true swordsmanship. Never forget the basics."

"I know, Teacher. The stronger my foundation, the faster I improve at Ittoryu," Gin replied, drenched in sweat, but glowing with determination.

Koshiro watched him with growing respect. The boy wasn't just talented—he was methodical, relentless, and wise beyond his years. He had the rare gift of "growth through labor," and it was addicting even to witness.

"You truly are a prodigy," Koshiro said. "I once dreamed of becoming the greatest swordsman myself. But… I gave up on that dream."

"Oh?" Gin's brow rose. "Why?"

Koshiro turned his gaze toward the sky, nostalgia and sorrow flickering in his eyes, before softening into a wistful smile.

"Because I found something more important than that dream."

"Love and family?" Gin asked gently.

Koshiro turned, eyes narrowing with surprise. "Why do you say that?"

"Because I saw the sadness… then joy… on your face," Gin said. "And because you love Kuina dearly, but sometimes you look... guilty. I think something happened to your wife. You have a story, don't you?"

Koshiro paused, then nodded solemnly.

"You're very perceptive," he said. "Yes, I'll tell you."

He began to recount his past. Years ago, he had set out to sea, challenging swordsmen, seeking strength. Along the way, he fell in love—and twin daughters were born.

"They were both beautiful," he said softly.

Gin's eyes widened. "Twins? You had two daughters?"

"Of course," Koshiro said, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Gin's mind raced. In his past life, watching the anime, he always thought it strange how Tashigi looked so much like Kuina. But what if it wasn't a coincidence?

"I met a girl in Loguetown," he said slowly. "She looked exactly like Kuina—same age, same face. I thought it was a coincidence, but... if you had twins... could she be your other daughter?"

Koshiro froze.

"You... you saw her?" His voice trembled. "Was anyone with her?"

"Yes. A woman—probably her mother," Gin replied.

Koshiro staggered back, then clasped Gin's shoulders, eyes wide. "That must be her... that must be my wife! I took Kuina with me, and we separated because of a misunderstanding. I didn't know she was in Loguetown all this time…"

He turned to the horizon, voice thick with emotion. "All these years... I never even looked there. I blamed myself, thinking she left forever…"

Gin remained silent, letting the weight of reunion and regret settle around them.

Tashigi... a daughter of Shimotsuki Koshiro? Kuina's twin? It changed everything—and nothing. But the truth was beginning to unfold.

And for Gin, this world only grew deeper, stranger, and more full of unexpected ties.