When Uzumaki Mito saw the expression on Uchiha Kō's face, her brows suddenly furrowed, then relaxed. "Tsunade, you've eaten about enough, haven't you? How about this: go report to Monkey first. I'll bring this little one to meet up with you in a while."
Tsunade was taken aback, then realized her grandmother had something to ask Uchiha Kō and wanted her out of the way. She glanced at him, then nodded and left.
"All right, Grandma. I'll go ahead." She finished the last bite in her bowl, set it gently on the table, and left without hesitation.
Once her granddaughter was gone, Uzumaki Mito took Uchiha Kō's hand and smiled warmly. "Xiao, come inside. We can talk in there."
Uchiha Kō nodded. He knew Grandma Mito had realized he wanted to say something, which was why she had sent Tsunade away.
Inside, Uzumaki Mito cast a barrier-type jutsu, sealing off the space. Now, only the two of them could hear their conversation.
"Go ahead, Xiao. What is it you want to tell me?" As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito sat down and personally brewed a pot of tea.
Uchiha Kō's gaze no longer wavered. He felt that if he didn't speak up, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Beside him, Uzumaki Mito sensed the shift in his emotions and couldn't help frowning.
At last, Uchiha Kō spoke. "Grandma, I wanted to ask: how strong is the Uzumaki Clan in battle?"
He looked directly into Uzumaki Mito's eyes, his expression earnest.
Uzumaki Mito was taken aback, then shook her head. "Our clan specializes in Sealing Jutsu and healing. We're a peace-loving clan, and that alone is more than enough to protect ourselves." She didn't understand why Uchiha Kō was asking.
But he seemed very serious, so she could only tell him the truth.
"Grandma—no, Lady Mito, I wanted to ask: if someone took advantage of the war to attack the Land of Whirlpools while Konoha was fighting in the Land of Rain, would Konoha send aid to the Land of Whirlpools?" As soon as Uchiha Kō finished speaking, he felt a powerful force rush toward him.
Adamantine Sealing Chains! They were Uzumaki Mito's own Adamantine Sealing Chains. Her eyes were cold as she asked, "Xiao, who told you to say these things?"
Uchiha Kō was instantly bound by several thick chains, immobilized completely except for his mouth.
The Nine-Tails inside Uzumaki Mito trembled. Damn, I thought four chains were already impressive. But this guy actually managed to anger that old woman Mito. Tsk, tsk.
Uzumaki Mito suddenly said, "The Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools is peace-loving. We've never invaded another country. Why would anyone attack us? What would they gain from attacking the Land of Whirlpools?"
She was furious. As the former princess of the Land of Whirlpools, Uzumaki Kō's words had struck a nerve. Besides, she believed that attacking the Land of Whirlpools would bring more trouble than it was worth. After all, the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha were allies!
"Wait, Lady Mito. Hear me out. The Uzumaki Clan specializes in Sealing Jutsu, right? When Lord Hashirama distributed the Tailed Beasts, the sealing techniques of the other nations were crude compared to the Uzumaki Clan's. Their Jinchūriki lost control every so often. Do you think they'll just accept that?" Uchiha Kō hurriedly explained.
A glint flashed in Uzumaki Mito's eyes. She had been angry, but she wasn't stupid. Uchiha Kō's words gave her pause. She had a feeling he was about to say something shocking, but she couldn't sense any malice from him.
So Uzumaki Mito withdrew her Adamantine Sealing Chains and looked at Uchiha Kō. "Xiao, say everything you want to say."
She had calmed down by now. After all, Uchiha Kō's argument made sense.
"The Uzumaki Clan and Konoha are allies, and with Lady Mito here, Konoha doesn't have to suffer the damage caused by a Jinchūriki breaking free. The Uzumaki Clan definitely wouldn't help the other four nations, either. So if those nations sent shinobi to attack the Land of Whirlpools and seize its Sealing Jutsu while Konoha was fighting the Land of Rain, could the Land of Whirlpools hold them off?" Uchiha Kō's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's.
Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Of course not. But the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha are allies. Would Konoha really stand by and do nothing?"
"Lord Third has only just taken the Hokage Position, and his position is still unstable. As Hokage, he has to put Konoha's interests first. To secure his position, he'll need a victory. Do you really think he'd abandon the war at the front lines to help the Land of Whirlpools just because of his relationship with Lord Hashirama?" Uchiha Kō's words struck Uzumaki Mito like a sharp thorn.
The Nine-Tails said, "Um, Mito, I think the kid makes a lot of sense. Not everyone is as naive as that guy."
The Nine-Tails' words echoed in Uzumaki Mito's mind. Mito had never mistreated him and had always treated him peacefully, so he didn't have much against her.
After hearing Uchiha Kō's words, he felt they were very likely to be true.
Uzumaki Mito's face paled. It seemed she had thought too simply of the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools, and had thought too highly of Sarutobi Hiruzen. If this really happened, then the Land of Whirlpools...
"Sealing Jutsu is the least of it, Lady Mito. Do you think they'll leave after seizing your Sealing Jutsu? They won't. You understand the Uzumaki Clan's physique better than I do, don't you?" Often, it was the final straw that broke the camel's back—and that straw was the truth.
Uzumaki Mito's thoughts were in disarray. She was starting to panic. "Xiao, tell me, what should I do?"
Her gaze held both panic and hope. Since Uchiha Kō had raised the problem, he must have a way to solve it!
Uchiha Kō wasn't angry about how Uzumaki Mito had reacted earlier. If he were in her position, he wouldn't believe someone claiming her clan would be wiped out and trying to drive a wedge between her and the village, either.
Besides, he had prepared himself for this. He was here to repay a debt of gratitude, so he didn't take it to heart.
Uchiha Kō pondered briefly, then asked, "Lady Mito, do your words still carry weight in the Land of Whirlpools?"
Uzumaki Mito nodded. Although she had married Senju Hashirama and become part of Konoha, she was still the most talented member of the Uzumaki Clan.
The Uzumaki Clan respected strength, so they would still take her words into consideration.
"Lady Mito, would you like to see your clan?" Uchiha Kō asked.
Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. "You mean...?"
"Lady Mito is a Jinchūriki of the village and can't just leave. So we can send word to the Uzumaki Clan that you don't have much time left and want to see your relatives one last time. I imagine many of your clanspeople would come to visit." Uchiha Kō smiled.
"And then..." Before Uchiha Kō could finish, Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. "Then we can use Sealing Jutsu to trap them, or use the war as an excuse to keep them from leaving Konoha!"
Uchiha Kō nodded and smiled. "That's right. But doing that might make the Uzumaki Clan think you want to absorb them into Konoha and hand them over to the village." Uchiha Kō pointed out the drawback.
If the Uzumaki Clan joined Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen would undoubtedly be delighted. But if they remained in the Land of Whirlpools, then, well, they were allies, but that didn't mean Konoha would help them unconditionally.
That was political maneuvering, not the simple idea that if you helped me once, I had to help you in return.
Uzumaki Mito nodded. "It doesn't matter. As long as I can keep them alive, I can accept it even if they curse me!"
Then Uzumaki Mito looked at Uchiha Kō. "You're quite clever, you know. Thank you."
"Lady Mito, you're too kind. If you hadn't helped me and put in a good word for me, I probably wouldn't have caught Lady Tsunade's eye or become her trusted aide. I owe you far more." Uchiha Kō clasped his hands in a salute.
Adamantine Sealing Chains weren't going to hurt him. And besides, did he really think being a trusted aide was dangerous? A trusted aide stayed at the commander's side. How dangerous could it be? He didn't believe Tsunade had recruited him on her own. Lady Mito must have put in a word for him.
Uzumaki Mito smiled. "Your wisdom reminds me of two people I once knew. Like you, they always thought three steps ahead."
Uchiha Kō raised an eyebrow. He wondered who she meant.
Then Uzumaki Mito said, "Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna."
Uchiha Kō hurriedly shook his head. "N-no, not at all. How could someone as junior as me compare to those two heroes of the Warring States Period?"
"I'm not wrong about people," Uzumaki Mito said with a smile. She wasn't bragging. She had backed Senju Hashirama because she believed in his character and talent, and she had been right.
Uchiha Kō fell silent. Whatever he said now would be wrong, so he might as well listen humbly.
Seeing him like that, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help smiling. "All right, little one. I'll do as you suggested. Now come with me to see Tsunade."
With that, she dismissed the barrier, took Uchiha Kō's hand, and led him outside. They soon left the Senju Clan Compound.
The Anbu saw them and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique. He had to report this to Lord Hokage!
Before you continue