Uzumaki Yumi and Terumi Mei

The two headed toward the tent.

As Yoru looked over the intelligence in the Scroll, he listened to Terumi Mei's explanations and analysis, nodding from time to time.

But when he heard that Uzushio Village had been destroyed, he really couldn't hold it together.

The Uzumaki Clan had been extraordinarily powerful back then.

With the strength of one clan, they had ruled an entire country. Their clan's princess, Uzumaki Mito, had even married Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi!

Combined with their Sealing Technique, Barrier Technique, and unique constitution, the Uzumaki Clan had reached the pinnacle in terms of status, standing, and combat power. No one dared to underestimate them.

Most crucially, the Jinchūriki sealing techniques they possessed had made all the major shinobi villages green with envy.

After the First Hokage distributed the tailed beasts among the major villages, every major country except Sunagakure received several tailed beasts. The shinobi villages had long coveted such formidable weapons.

If they could put that power to use, their overall strength would see an enormous boost!

But aside from Konoha, they all lacked the means of sealing. They had a mountain of treasure before them but no key to unlock it, and they were frantic with frustration.

So.

During the Second Great Ninja War, the major shinobi villages could no longer endure it. They hit it off immediately and, while Konoha was locked in fierce fighting with Sunagakure and Amegakure, joined forces to wipe out the Land of Whirlpools!

Otherwise, why did all the major shinobi villages master methods of controlling Jinchūriki one after another after Uzushio Village was destroyed?

Of course, the truth behind it was far more complicated than merely the major shinobi villages joining forces.

After all, the reason the Uzumaki Clan had reached such heights was not just because they were powerful themselves. Their tightly bound cooperation with Konoha had also played a major role.

Yet when the major shinobi villages laid siege to the Uzumaki Clan, Konoha chose to stand by and watch. They claimed they were trapped in the quagmire of the Second Great Ninja War and too overwhelmed to send support in time.

Everyone knew that was complete bullshit. The Second Great Ninja War had not even been half the scale of the Third Great Ninja War. White Fang of Konoha alone had cut Sunagakure to pieces, while the three Sannin, who had not yet fully matured, had held back Amegakure. Konoha's core forces had not even been deployed!

What quagmire was Konoha trapped in?

They were simply afraid that the Land of Whirlpools, as a neighboring nation, would develop too well and eventually grow powerful enough to threaten the Land of Fire and Konoha. So they chose to cut ties early.

Forget about failing to send aid—there might even have been Konoha shinobi in disguise on that battlefield, fanning the flames!

Quite a few forces in the shinobi world understood what had happened, but since everyone had gotten the benefits they deserved, no one said much.

Politics. Those who knew, knew.

"Lord Yoru!"

As Terumi Mei explained the intelligence in the Scroll, Yumi soon entered the tent as well.

Seeing Terumi Mei leaning against the table inside the tent, Yumi's delicate brows drew together slightly before she calmly spoke. "Captain Terumi Mei."

Women were strange creatures. They had an astonishing sixth sense and could perceive things men could not.

Almost instantly, Terumi Mei sensed the hostility coming from Uzumaki Yumi. Her brows lifted, and a seductive smile curved her lips. She shifted slightly from where she rested against the table, then leaned directly against Yoru.

Her slender waist and rounded rear pressed against Yoru's shoulder, making his body stiffen.

"Bastard!"

Uzumaki Yumi's brows jumped wildly. Chakra surged within her, making her red hair bounce up as if she were an angry, puffed-up kitten.

Sensing Yumi's Chakra, Yoru finally raised his head. He grabbed Terumi Mei by her slender waist and, amid her startled cry, gave her pert rear a hard smack. Then he stood and handed the intelligence to Yumi.

"Take a good look at this intelligence."

"Yes, Lord Yoru."

Yoru's actions made Yumi purse her red lips, but she said nothing more and focused on the Scroll in her hands.

After only one glance, Yumi's expression changed. She instinctively looked up at Yoru.

"She should be a little older than you," Yoru said softly. "Do you... know her?"

"Yes. Uzumaki... Kushina."

Yumi quietly spoke Kushina's name. "She was one of Uzushio Village's geniuses back then. Even the Clan Head highly praised her talent for Sealing Technique. But because of that exceptional talent, she was sent to Konoha at a very young age, so I never met her."

"Later, the Land of Whirlpools was gone, and I never heard any news of my clansmen again. I never expected that she would become a Konoha Jonin and the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki... Though it made sense. The Uzumaki Clan's unique constitution really was the best vessel for tailed beasts."

"No one is a vessel."

Yoru gently pinched Yumi's little cheek. "As long as I'm here, you won't become a vessel either."

Yumi, who had been saddened by memories of the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools and her miserable childhood, immediately blushed bright red. She stammered, and steam practically began rising from her head.

That sight made Terumi Mei, standing beside them, deeply displeased. She crossed her arms over her chest and gave a light snort.

The sting in her butt had not even faded yet, and this guy was flirting with a little girl right in front of her!

"According to the intelligence, the Uzumaki Clan's powerful Sealing Technique has an immense suppressive effect on tailed beasts."

Terumi Mei suddenly spoke. "If the Nine-Tails goes berserk, could you suppress her?"

Huh?

Yoru looked at Terumi Mei in disbelief.

Lady, were you here to be funny? She was Uzumaki Yumi, not Ōtsutsuki Yumi. How was she supposed to suppress the Nine-Tails?

Uzumaki Yumi naturally caught the unusual implication in Terumi Mei's words, but she looked at Yoru with utmost seriousness. "I don't know how powerful the Nine-Tails is, but if Lord Yoru needs me, I'll give it everything I've got!"

"Don't listen to her nonsense."

Yoru ruffled Yumi's red hair and smiled. "But I do need your Sealing Technique. The Nine-Tails' power is far too great. If she is allowed to run wild on the battlefield, then even if we hold an overwhelming advantage, she could still turn it around."

"So, if I can seriously injure her in the coming battle, I'll need you to perform a second sealing on her. That way, we can ensure the Nine-Tails remains inside the Jinchūriki and doesn't break free to affect the battle."

"In other words, you may have to fight alongside me in the next battle."

"Fight... alongside Lord Yoru..." There was not a trace of fear on Uzumaki Yumi's face. Her big blinking eyes were filled with excitement. "Really?!"

"It can't be helped. It'll be dangerous, but you're the only one who can do it."

"No, it's not dangerous at all. I can do it!"

"Yeah."

Watching Uzumaki Yumi beam with delight, Terumi Mei let out a cold snort at Yoru from behind.

Scumbag!

More tonight.