Lockdown

Mito Uzumaki stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi for a long time. Sensing her gaze, Hiruzen felt a chill run down his spine.

Mito Uzumaki scanned Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group, then issued her orders:

"You must be exhausted from fleeing all this way, and you're all injured. The Senju Clan has specialized Medical Ninjas. I will have them treat your wounds shortly. Go and get some rest for now."

"Also, you are to remain within the Senju Clan Land for the next few days. You are not to go anywhere."

"Tobirama's death must not be spoken of for now. No matter who asks you, you are not to say a word. Do you understand?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others exchanged glances, unsure of what Mito Uzumaki was planning.

Concealing the news of the Hokage's death, and then placing them under house arrest?

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt bitter. His status as the successor to the Hokage had truly become a hot potato. If he obediently followed Mito Uzumaki's instructions and stayed in the Senju Clan Land, what would happen if he were simply "physically erased"?

Mito Uzumaki's status was not as simple as just being the widow of the First Hokage. She was a high-level combatant of the Uzumaki Clan during the Warring States period, a red rose who had carved her way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi truly treated Mito Uzumaki as a mere trophy wife, he would have lived his life in vain. At this very moment, his life was held in the palm of her hand.

For all he knew, there could be a dozen elite Senju ninjas hiding just outside the door, ready to take them all down the moment she gave the order.

"Mito-sama, we..."

Danzo hesitated, trying to speak up. After all, he wasn't a fool. If they continued to stay here and Mito Uzumaki decided to do something unfriendly, they wouldn't even have a chance to escape.

"Danzo, Mito-sama has already made the arrangements. We should just rest easy and stay here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Shimura Danzō a look and immediately agreed to Mito Uzumaki's request.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not have much contact with Mito Uzumaki; he only ever saw her when he was by his master Tobirama Senju's side. Hiruzen could clearly see the attitude Tobirama Senju held toward her.

It was one of deep respect.

He might not trust Mito Uzumaki, but Hiruzen Sarutobi trusted his master, Tobirama Senju.

Since his master had chosen him to be the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi was willing to bet his life on the belief that Mito Uzumaki, whom his master respected so deeply, would not go against his master's wishes and strike him down in the shadows.

This monkey is at least sensible.

"Then you may leave. Once you go out, someone will lead you to where you will be staying."

Mito Uzumaki said indifferently.

After Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group left, Tomoki Senju, who had been guarding the door, walked in. He now harbored a grim suspicion in his heart.

The Shadow Guard Squad had all returned, looking listless and battered, their clothes in tatters—the very picture of a defeated army. But where was his clan head, Tobirama Senju?

It couldn't be that Clan Head Tobirama was dead.

"Clan Head..."

Tomoki Senju felt a sense of unease in his heart as he tentatively asked Mito Uzumaki.

"Go, set the Konoha barrier seals to wartime status. Take my hand-written order and have the Anbu place the entire village under martial law."

"Now, send out all the remaining ninjas in the clan. Keep a close eye on the ninja clans currently in Konoha. If there is any unusual activity, report it to me immediately, especially the Uchiha!"

"Also, send someone to notify Toma and have him rush back from the front lines immediately."

Mito Uzumaki's rapid-fire orders made Tomoki Senju's mind go blank. Had someone attacked the gates of Konoha, or were the Uchiha planning a rebellion?

Even the young clan heir of the Senju, Toma Senju, was being recalled from the front lines.

(Hashirama's son; he wasn't even given a name in the original work, so I made one up. At this point in time, Nawaki hasn't been born yet, so he should still be alive.)

"Mito-sama? What exactly happened? It isn't that the Clan Head..."

"Are you not going yet?!"

The chill in Mito Uzumaki's tone made Tomoki Senju shudder. He had spoken too much today.

"Yes, Mito-sama!"

Tomoki Senju hurried out the door to execute Mito Uzumaki's orders.

Only Mito Uzumaki was left alone in the room. She sat back down in her chair, her entire demeanor instantly collapsing, completely devoid of the calm and composed appearance she had held just moments before.

"Hahaha, Mito, that bastard Hashirama's brother is dead too. It seems the Konoha that Hashirama built isn't far from destruction!"

A gloating voice rang out from the depths of Mito Uzumaki's heart.

Inside the Sealing Space within Mito Uzumaki

A massive fox sat in the center, its nine tails firmly bound by chains, unable to move.

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox laughed wantonly, causing the chains to jingle, the harsh sound echoing through Mito Uzumaki's mind.

"This is retribution, Mito. You've imprisoned me for so many years, but what good has it done? Has the ninja world found peace?"

"..."

The Nine-Tailed Demon Fox could perceive everything outside, naturally including Mito Uzumaki's current emotions.

Sadness, despair, pain—the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox felt every negative emotion clearly, but it felt no sympathy, only wanton mockery.

"Hmph, demon fox!"

"Konoha will not perish or vanish, and Hashirama's efforts will not be in vain. From now on, I will protect Konoha well."

Mito Uzumaki's thoughts stirred. Several massive chains appeared out of thin air, binding the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's mouth shut and twisting its body into a tangled knot.

"Mmph! Mmph! Mmph!"

"Mito, I—"

"."

Having finished dealing with the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, Mito felt much better. She returned to her previous calm demeanor, murmuring to herself:

"With me here, Konoha won't be turned upside down!"

Military Police Force

Uchiha Nan sat in the room belonging exclusively to the Captain. The Military Police Force had three captains, each with their own office. The other two captains were currently rotating shifts stationed at the front lines, leaving only Uchiha Nan behind at the Uchiha headquarters to oversee the entire Uchiha clan.

After sixteen years of struggle, Uchiha Nan had become a high-ranking member of the Uchiha clan. Aside from the Clan Head, Uchiha Tomita, Uchiha Nan was now the second-in-command of the Uchiha clan in Konoha.

Uchiha Nan possessed the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and his mastery of Lightning Release was nothing short of supernatural. He had independently developed the Lightning Release: Chidori (obtained via a lucky draw), was proficient in various Fire Release techniques of the clan, and was quite skilled in swordsmanship (also obtained via a lucky draw), having once fought to a draw in a sword duel against the Hatake Clan's genius, Hatake Sakumo.

Relying on his own efforts (the hard work of over a decade of lucky draws), Uchiha Nan commanded immense prestige within the Uchiha clan.

Thud.

Uchiha Nan's door was pushed open by Manji. Manji leaped lightly, jumping into Uchiha Nan's arms.

"Nan, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others have returned. Not long ago, they headed toward the Senju Clan Land. They haven't come out since entering the Senju compound."

"Furthermore, the entire Senju clan has been mobilized. Ninjas from within the Senju clan are spreading out from all directions toward Konoha. A few of them should be near the Uchiha clan grounds by now."

"The Anbu ninjas have also been deployed, scattering to various locations throughout Konoha."

"Some of them are very strong; the Ninja Cats didn't dare get too close for fear of alerting them. Some have retreated, while others can only watch and observe from a distance."

"It won't be long before there are likely Anbu or Senju clan ninjas even in the vicinity of the Military Police Force."

Uchiha Nan's hands skillfully stroked Manji. He did not feel any concern over Mito Uzumaki's actions.

"Someone come in! Call a meeting!"

Since Mito Uzumaki had made a move, he, Uchiha Nan, naturally could not just sit here idly.