Uzumaki Mito's Endorsement

An Anbu ninja moved incredibly fast, appearing at the Hokage Building in less than ten seconds. He knocked on Sarutobi Hiruzen's office door.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Come in!" Sarutobi Hiruzen had just changed into his battle uniform. He had been about to go downstairs and announce the deployment, but who could have expected someone to knock at that moment?

"Reporting to Lord Hokage: Lady Mito is walking toward the army with Uchiha Kō's hand in hers!" The Anbu Ninja's loud voice caught Sarutobi Hiruzen off guard.

"What? What did you say? Lady Mito..." The Third Hiruzen Sarutobi then glanced toward the road leading from the Senju Clan Compound to the army below the Hokage Building.

Sure enough, he saw two figures walking hand in hand toward the troops! He immediately ordered the Anbu to notify Shimura Danzō and the Council of Elders to hurry over.

Uzumaki Mito was the wife of the First, a legendary figure. Though she was now retired at home, she was hardly someone they could afford to ignore.

If anything came up in the future, they would need Lady Mito's support. Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't possibly have overlooked that. He opened the door and hurried downstairs.

The three thousand vanguard ninja stared wide-eyed as Sarutobi Hiruzen rushed down the stairs. The Uchiha and Hyuga clan heads frowned.

Though Sarutobi Hiruzen had only recently taken office, he handled matters with care and precision. Even they couldn't find fault with his decisions. So why was he in such a hurry now?

Following Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze, they saw a woman slowly approaching with a young man in hand. Once they recognized her, the three thousand vanguard ninja hurriedly dropped to one knee in salute.

She was the wife of the First, the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama—Uzumaki Mito! A legendary figure and the most honored woman in Konoha!

"Greetings, Lady Mito!" Everyone else knelt, while Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed. After all, he was the Hokage; a bow was the greatest show of respect he could offer.

Uzumaki Mito approached with a warm smile. She glanced first at Sarutobi Hiruzen, then at the Council of Elders and the troops. With a measured air, she said, "Lord Third, don't be nervous. I'm just bringing a younger relative to join the army. This boy is Uchiha Kō, Tsunade's trusted aide."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at Uchiha Kō, his mind stirring. Senju and Uchiha? What was going on? His eyes darted about.

He cautiously replied, "I wouldn't dare. Lady Mito, you can call me Monkey. Please, give the order to send the army off." Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head as he spoke.

This was a clash of power. Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage, while she was the First's wife. If Uzumaki Mito gave the army her blessing, it would undermine the Hokage's authority.

Uzumaki Mito gave Sarutobi Hiruzen a long look. He was no longer the Monkey of old; now, he had become shrewd and calculating. Still, in her eyes, he was far too inexperienced.

But she had no intention of making an issue of it. She smiled. "Then I'll presume upon our relationship and call you Monkey. You're the Hokage now, so you should announce the start of the war. I have no right to interfere. Xiao is just joining a war for the first time, so please put him through his paces."

A flicker of surprise passed through Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, but he reacted swiftly. He looked up at Uchiha Kō and nodded. "Don't worry, Lady Mito. The boy looks like a pillar of the village. I'll see to it."

With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped forward and patted Uchiha Kō on the shoulder, showing him special consideration. Then he waved and called, "Tsunade!"

"Here!" Tsunade hurried over to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Kō is your trusted aide. Take him back to your unit." After speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed to Uzumaki Mito, then took his place at the front of the troops.

"Everyone, you are the heroes of Konoha! This battle is unavoidable. Hanzo of the Land of Rain has challenged us to war. Can we afford to sit by and do nothing?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice rang with righteousness and anger toward the enemy.

The three thousand vanguard ninja were instantly fired up. They roared, "No!"

"Then shouldn't we make the enemy suffer and fear us, so our families can live better lives?" Sarutobi Hiruzen roared again.

Uchiha Kō had to admit that Sarutobi Hiruzen was a born leader. Those words had struck exactly the right note. No wonder he would be called the Shinobi Hero after this battle!

"Yes!" the whole army roared again.

"Army, heed my command! Move out! Our destination is the Land of Rain!" Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, and the ninja answered in unison, "Move out! Our destination is the Land of Rain!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched the ninja leave the village, lost in thought. He was now the leader of a village, and the Council of Elders had told him not to go to the front lines. But this battle would determine whether he could secure the Hokage Position, so there was no way he could stay behind.

In the end, they had agreed on a compromise: he would accompany the main force to the Land of Rain, and only act if Salamander Hanzō made a move.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to agree. He knew his brothers were looking out for him, and he couldn't let them down.

Oh, right—Lady Mito was still here. Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and knelt on one knee before Uzumaki Mito. "Lady Mito, the army was here just now. Please forgive my discourtesy."

"It's all right, Monkey. You were acting for the village. You did nothing wrong," Uzumaki Mito said with a smile.

"Thank you for understanding, Lady Mito." Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head. His voice revealed no emotion, but Uzumaki Mito could sense the triumph in his heart.

Uzumaki Mito looked at him and helped him to his feet. "Monkey, there's something I'd like to ask of you."

Sarutobi Hiruzen hurriedly replied, "Lady Mito, whatever you ask, I'll do without hesitation!" He bowed at once. What else could he do? She was the First's wife and a legendary figure, and he still needed her support in the village.

Uzumaki Mito was pleased with his attitude. "Monkey, I've been missing my family, so I'd like you to send envoys to bring them to Konoha for a visit."

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, but agreed all the same. "Of course. As the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Lady Mito has kept Konoha safe. If you wish to visit your family, I'd be glad to help."

"How about I have Hatake Sakumo and Torifu Akimichi lead the mission, with a force of five hundred ninja to escort them?" Sarutobi Hiruzen was making a proposal.

"That would be perfectly fine. Thank you, Monkey. I knew you'd be a considerate Hokage. Come visit the Senju Clan Compound often and chat with this old woman." Uzumaki Mito smiled faintly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes lit up. Lady Mito was showing him goodwill; the meaning was unmistakable. From now on, she would fully support him as Hokage.

That was good news for him. With someone of her standing backing him, his position as Hokage was all but secure. He hurriedly smiled. "Thank you, Lady Mito."

Uzumaki Mito shook her head. "Monkey, I should be thanking you. I'll be going now. There are still things I need to take care of at home."

"Take care, Lady Mito. Watch your step." Sarutobi Hiruzen was now showing Uzumaki Mito the utmost respect. Her status spoke for itself, and she was even willing to back him. What else could he do but treat her like royalty?