Sworn Siblings, Ashina Uzumaki's Sincere Invitation

"Everything will be arranged by Sister Mito. I'll be free for the next month."

In the Land of Whirlpools, within Uzushiogakure.

Takenaka Kaguya naturally had no objections. He considered himself quite talented in ninjutsu, and as long as he was given enough time, he believed he could thoroughly master any ninjutsu.

However, compared with Mito Uzumaki, a grandmaster of Fuinjutsu, he was still far behind.

Therefore, having a teacher's guidance was naturally far better than figuring things out on his own.

Across from him, seeing that Takenaka Kaguya had agreed, Mito Uzumaki smiled and nodded. She then looked at Ashina Uzumaki and said with a smile, "Uncle, it's almost noon. How about we have lunch here shortly?

"Why don't you go make the arrangements first? Besides, didn't you say you had something you wanted to discuss with Takenaka?"

Hearing this, Ashina Uzumaki immediately understood. He nodded and said, "All right. I'll go make the arrangements first, then I'll come back and have a chat with Takenaka."

After saying that, he called out to Takenaka Kaguya before quickly leaving.

After Ashina Uzumaki departed, Mito Uzumaki looked at Takenaka Kaguya and said with a smile, "Takenaka, I'm sorry. We told my uncle a little about your situation, so that's why he wanted to trouble you..."

Before Mito Uzumaki could finish, Takenaka Kaguya smiled and waved his hand. "Sister Mito, don't call it trouble. This may only be our second meeting, but after more than half a year of correspondence, we're hardly strangers.

"Besides, I asked you for such an important ninjutsu as the Yin Seal, and you agreed without hesitation. For that alone, there's no need for us to stand on ceremony.

"Also, Senior Ashina agreed to let Sister Mito pass the Yin Seal on to me. That is a favor I cannot forget."

"Hahaha..."

Suddenly, Hashirama Senju burst into laughter. Looking at Mito Uzumaki, he said with a smile, "Mito, I told you. There's no need for you and Takenaka to be so polite with each other.

"Though we come from different countries and different factions, bonds can transcend such things.

"And don't you already regard Takenaka as your younger brother? So just say whatever you want. Even if you say something wrong, Takenaka won't truly blame you."

As soon as he finished speaking, Takenaka Kaguya immediately smiled and nodded. "The Hokage is right. Sister Mito, we're fated to know each other. You treat me as your younger brother, and I treat you as my older sister, so there's no need to be so formal."

"All right, then your sister won't stand on ceremony with you." Hearing this, Mito Uzumaki immediately agreed with a smile. Perhaps she had thought of her deceased younger brother, because the way she looked at Takenaka Kaguya became much gentler.

With the mood having reached this point, before long, Hashirama Senju proposed that Mito Uzumaki and Takenaka Kaguya become sworn siblings.

Mito Uzumaki happily agreed, and Takenaka Kaguya naturally did not refuse.

Thus, at noon, Ashina Uzumaki specially prepared some offerings and ritual items, and the two became sworn siblings.

At noon, after lunch, Ashina Uzumaki specifically sought out Takenaka Kaguya. After pouring him a cup of tea, Ashina Uzumaki sighed and said, "Sigh, Takenaka, if only the Uzumaki Clan could produce a powerhouse like you. Then this old man wouldn't have to worry about the clan's future."

Hearing this, Takenaka Kaguya fell silent for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "Senior Ashina, the Uzumaki Clan is already one of the few great ninja clans in the Shinobi World. Moreover, your clan's Sealing Jutsu stands above all others in the entire Shinobi World.

"Furthermore, Senior Ashina, your Shili is at least among the top ten in the Shinobi World. With you here, no one would dare make a move against Uzushiogakure.

"On top of that, you have an ally like Konoha. I don't think you need to worry too much, do you?"

After he finished, Ashina Uzumaki gave a bitter smile. Then he shook his head, his face still filled with concern. "Takenaka, you don't understand. If we're talking about the present, then naturally I have no worries.

"For one thing, this old man can still live another twenty or thirty years. For another, Hashirama is the Hokage of Konohagakure. With him around, there naturally won't be any problems.

"But what about the future? Once this old man is gone, or Konoha replaces its Hokage, they may not truly care about the alliance between us.

"Lastly, and most importantly, it is exactly what you just mentioned, Takenaka. The Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu truly surpasses that of the entire Shinobi World, but it is precisely because of this that this old man is so worried.

"You don't know this, but before Konoha was founded, some countries had already set their sights on our Sealing Jutsu. Among them were several ninja clans from the Land of Fire.

"At the time, the situation was critical, so this old man specially invited Hashirama to hold the fort. Those people feared Hashirama's Shili and did not dare act recklessly.

"But iron must be strong on its own. Only by possessing Shili ourselves can we deter those petty scoundrels."

As Ashina Uzumaki spoke, concern appeared in his eyes. It was clear that he was truly worried about the Uzumaki Clan's future.

However, upon hearing this much, Takenaka Kaguya had roughly guessed what Ashina Uzumaki was thinking.

"Then, Senior, did you seek me out because you believe I can help you resolve the Uzumaki Clan's predicament?

"You should know that my Shili cannot compare to the Hokage's..."

Before Takenaka Kaguya could finish, Ashina Uzumaki interrupted him with a wave of his hand. He quickly said, "Of course. This old man thought about it for a long time before deciding to approach you.

"Takenaka, I heard from Mito and Hashirama that your relationship with Kirigakure is not very good?

"And because they feared your Shili, they used some underhanded methods to force you to leave Kirigakure?"

"Heh, I didn't expect Sister Mito to tell you about that too." Takenaka Kaguya smiled bitterly and helplessly.

"So it's true. In that case, Takenaka, this old man sincerely invites you to join Uzushiogakure.

"And I guarantee you that as long as you are willing to join, this old man is willing to yield the position of village leader to you.

"Furthermore, all of the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu will be open to you." Ashina Uzumaki spoke somewhat excitedly, laying out both his intentions and the terms he offered openly.

Takenaka Kaguya froze for a moment, then was overwhelmed with surprise.

He had just considered that Ashina Uzumaki might invite him to join Uzushiogakure, but he had never expected the other man to offer such conditions.

He was even willing to give up the position of village leader.

"Senior, what you just said truly surprised me." Takenaka Kaguya still looked at Ashina Uzumaki with some disbelief.

"Heh, Takenaka, this old man is inviting you to join with complete sincerity.

"As long as you join our village, starting tomorrow, you will be the village's unquestioned leader. Everyone, including this old man, will have to obey your orders unconditionally." Ashina Uzumaki was very satisfied by Takenaka Kaguya's expression and added further.

"Senior, why?"