"So that's how it is..."
That would explain it.
A few years after Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama died, the Uzumaki Clan was wiped out by a united effort.
The Uzumaki Clan must have grown steadily stronger over the years, while Konoha had made Sealing Techniques famous throughout the Ninja World. Before long, everyone had their eyes on them.
Uzumaki Ashina continued, "That's why, just by looking at you three, anyone can tell one of you is an Uzumaki, one a Hyuga, and one an Uchiha. You all have bloodlines among the finest in the Ninja World. If you went to Kirigakure, those barbaric, rude fellows would definitely capture you, and that would only invite more trouble."
"Fortunately, our Uzumaki Clan has dealt with Kirigakure quite a bit over the years. They're very wary of us. Having Yanbo and Huaxin accompany you will save you a lot of trouble."
Xingzhuo lowered his head slightly, concealing his thoughtful expression.
Now that he had tested the Uzumaki clan head's attitude, he could ask some questions.
So he asked, "Lord Ashina, if one day the Land of Water is certain to go to war against the Land of Whirlpools, and I ask you to weaken the Land of Water in advance, what would you do?"
The Uzumaki clan head still didn't answer directly. Instead, he laughed twice.
"Go to war? Ha! Setting aside my son-in-law, the Uzumaki Clan's current strength would be more than enough to make them suffer mutual losses."
Xingzhuo shook his head and still voiced the most extreme possibility:
"But have you ever considered that Uncle Hashirama will grow old one day, too? If Yuto isn't in charge of Konoha in the future, the bond between the Uzumaki Clan and Konoha is bound to weaken considerably. If the entire Ninja