Marriage Alliance

Fighting was definitely out of the question.

Neither Hozuki Shingetsu nor Uzumaki Takumi wanted to fight. Yet because of that one remark from the Whirlpool Elder, the atmosphere had been pushed to this point.

At a time like this, no matter what had caused it, neither side could be the first to back down. Whoever yielded first would be giving up the initiative.

On Hozuki Shingetsu's side, he was irritated that the Uzumaki Clan had repeatedly refused to appreciate his goodwill—he had offered them a way out, yet they refused to take it and insisted on making things turn out like this. Did they really think Kirigakure could not function without them?

A ninja clan that could not recognize its own position deserved to be wiped out!

Uzumaki Takumi, meanwhile, was angry both at the Whirlpool Elder who had spoken out of turn without recognizing the situation and at Hozuki Shingetsu. What was wrong with letting us win a little verbal advantage? Did he have to react so strongly?

Just as the tension reached its peak, a Whirlpool Ninja suddenly rushed in, shouting as he entered, "Clan Head, the enemy is already three hundred li from Uzushio Village!"

The moment those words were spoken, the drawn-sword atmosphere immediately dissipated. Neither Hozuki Shingetsu nor the Uzumaki side had any desire to continue probing each other.

"What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket? Is this how Uzushio Village treats its guests?" Uzumaki Takumi's eyelid twitched as he forcibly tried to smooth things over.

"I have heard that your clan has a daughter named Uzumaki Kushina, a virtuous and worthy young lady, an excellent match indeed. I have long admired her." Seeing that the Uzumaki Clan was willing to yield, Hozuki Shingetsu decisively cut to the heart of the matter, giving them one final opportunity.

"May I ask whether Clan Head would be willing to make this match? The Uzumaki Clan has been a ninja clan for a thousand years. Kirigakure will certainly show it the respect it deserves and will not lightly slight such a fine lady."

Hozuki Shingetsu's words carried a double meaning. This "fine lady" referred both to Uzumaki Kushina and to the Uzumaki Clan. His marriage to Uzumaki Kushina also meant the Uzumaki Clan joining Kirigakure.

After all, it was perfectly reasonable for the bride's family to escort her all the way to Kirigakure. Once there, they could be moved by the village's warm hospitality and simple, honest customs, then willingly choose to stay.

At the very least, it sounded better than the Uzumaki Clan being driven like homeless dogs into having no choice but to seek refuge in Kirigakure.

Turning a naked exchange of interests into a matter of bride price was already the greatest respect Hozuki Shingetsu could offer the Uzumaki Clan.

If even that was not enough, then the Uzumaki Clan had clearly been courting death for a long time. It would be no loss to abandon them!

"Shut up!"

The Whirlpool Elder who had been stirring up trouble earlier tried to speak again, only to be cut off by Uzumaki Takumi. He understood now that this was their last chance. If they did not want the Uzumaki Clan to end up as Hozuki Shingetsu had described, leaving behind nothing but ruins for others to admire, then with Konoha having clearly abandoned them, joining Kirigakure was their only option.

"Desperate times call for flexibility. Since Kirigakure has shown such sincerity, I believe they will never mistreat our Kushina. We can discuss everything else after arriving in Kirigakure!"

Uzumaki Takumi took the initiative to step back as well, no longer nitpicking over every detail. First, he feared Hozuki Shingetsu might not have the authority to decide the specifics. Second, given the Uzumaki Clan's size, Kirigakure could not possibly mistreat them after they joined, especially since they possessed sealing techniques for Tailed Beast Jinchuriki. There was always room to negotiate.

And third... the enemy was already at their doorstep. If they kept chattering about this, were they afraid they would not die fast enough?

"That would naturally be for the best." Hozuki Shingetsu finally let out a sigh of relief. This was settled at last!

The Uzumaki Clan feared that Hozuki Shingetsu, young and hot-blooded, might abandon persuasion in a fit of anger. But how could Hozuki Shingetsu not fear that the Uzumaki Clan would stubbornly cling to their honor and perish alongside Uzushio Village?

Once this marriage alliance with the Uzumaki Clan became an established fact, it would be equivalent to adding another weight to the alliance of ninja clans such as the Hozuki and Yuki.

After all, the Uzumaki Clan did not know that Ren already planned to join forces with the Kaguya Clan to purge the other bloodline ninja clans. In their eyes, the conflict between the Hozuki and Ren was not even as serious as the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha. Konoha and the Hokage had even promised that the Uchiha would produce the next generation's Hokage. In another decade or so, with Hozuki Shingetsu's prestige, becoming the future Fourth Mizukage would be a sure thing.

By the time the conflict truly intensified, the Uzumaki Clan would already be aboard the ship. They would not be able to get off even if they wanted to—after marrying into it, did they think they could still jump ship?

Uzumaki Kushina was obediently staying with her companions in the underground safe zone, waiting for further notice.

Ever since news had suddenly arrived several days ago that Uzushio Village was under attack, she and several friends had been brought here under the protection of some Whirlpool Ninja.

A day earlier, she had received word that the situation was dire. The next day, she and two classmates would be heading to Konoha alongside several Konoha ninja to preserve the Uzumaki Clan's embers.

But for some reason, no further news had arrived even now.

Uzumaki Kushina looked at the kunai clutched in her hand. In its sharp blade, she could faintly see the reflection of her vivid red hair.

A complete pervert had given it to her several days ago.

At her age, no one had ever praised her so bluntly. Though she was usually carefree and boisterous, she was still a girl. A ninja's early maturity had made her aware of such matters, and as the first person to "confess" to her, Hozuki Shingetsu had left an extremely deep impression on her.

Whenever she thought of his words, "You are the most beautiful girl from the Land of Whirlpools I have ever seen," Uzumaki Kushina's little face turned red again.

"What a pity! Once war breaks out, I might never see him again for the rest of my life." Uzumaki Kushina sighed, an unusually wistful expression appearing on her round little face.

If she went to Konoha, she definitely would not see him. And if she did not go to Konoha, then amid the war, she might die here instead. That would make seeing him even more impossible.

"Uzumaki Kushina, come here for a moment!"

Just then, a female Whirlpool Ninja walked over. After giving her a few strange looks from head to toe, she gestured for Uzumaki Kushina to follow her.

Uzumaki Kushina assumed she was being taken to Konoha and did not resist. But as they walked, she suddenly realized something was wrong. This direction was not leading out of the village. They were heading for the Tenshukaku instead?

Before she could think further, the female ninja led her to the top floor of the Tenshukaku, where she met the Uzumaki Clan's head, Uzumaki Takumi.

"Grandpa Clan Head!"

As both a genius of the Uzumaki Clan and the big sister of the Ninja Academy, she had met Uzumaki Takumi many times. But unlike his usual stern expression, he now seemed to be radiating kindness?

Before she could react, a familiar voice rang out.

"Allow me to introduce myself. Hozuki Shingetsu, your fiancé."

Uzumaki Kushina turned and saw that it was the boy who had given her the kunai on the street before.

"You..." Uzumaki Kushina was confused. What was this about a fiancé?

Without waiting for her to finish, Hozuki Shingetsu raised his right fist and said, "All the answers are right here."

Uzumaki Kushina looked at Hozuki Shingetsu once more. That clean, handsome face gave her immense courage, and she gently raised her left fist.

Then, beneath everyone's watchful eyes, the large and small fists quietly bumped together.

In an instant, the goodwill conveyed through Chakra by Hozuki Shingetsu's Golden Finger enveloped Uzumaki Kushina.