To Repay Debts, Become Hokage!

"Yes." Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed. "The Three-Tails and Six-Tails have remained in a state of wild sealing ever since Lord Hashirama distributed them."

Since the topic of Tailed Beasts had been broached, Sarutobi Hiruzen simply laid out the status of the Seven-Tails as well. "As for the remaining Seven-Tails, it belongs to Takigakure. Their sealing technology is practically non-existent, but..."

"Perhaps the Seven-Tails is different; I have never heard any reports of it rampaging."

Uchiha Chonhua knew that among the nine Tailed Beasts, the Seven-Tails was the most docile and talkative, often chatting with its Jinchuriki.

With such a bond formed, there was no desire for a rampage.

"Lord Hokage, look: because Cloud Village's sealing technology is backward, their Tailed Beast rebellions are like a festering sore, constantly erupting and destroying everything in their path. Cloud Village has to expend significant power to suppress the beasts and rebuild the village, consuming massive resources."

"If you were in that situation, Lord Hokage, you would certainly want to resolve the Tailed Beast problem once and for all." Uchiha Chonhua's gaze was piercing. "We cannot overestimate Cloud Village or assume they will act according to our logic. Before today, had anyone ever imagined that Kushina would be abducted?"

"The possibility of an attack on the Land of Whirlpools is not low!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his brows furrowed and his expression growing increasingly grave.

Upon closer reflection, while Chonhua was certainly bold in his thinking, he had to admit there was some logic to it.

"Grandma, what Chonhua says is possible." Kushina Uzumaki shook Mito's hand; she believed Chonhua would not make such claims without cause.

Thinking that her homeland might be in danger, Kushina could no longer sit still.

She pleaded with Grandma Mito.

"Hiruzen, send some Anbu to investigate." Mito Uzumaki said with a dark expression. "Chonhua's words have even convinced me. Cloud Village truly cannot be treated with conventional logic. Better to be safe than sorry; Hiruzen, there is no harm in being cautious."

"The Land of Whirlpools is our ally. When an ally is in trouble, Konoha is duty-bound to act, right, Hiruzen?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, Lady Mito. I will send Anbu to keep a constant watch."

Uchiha Chonhua let out a breath; now, all that remained was to wait and see.

He wondered to what extent the wings of this butterfly he had flapped could change things.

He would just have to observe.

Bam!

Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed the table and stood up, looking at the Anbu reporting before him in shock.

Chonhua's guess had actually been right!?

Cloud Village truly had intentions of attacking the Land of Whirlpools, and furthermore, a significant number of Anbu and spies from the Mist Village had been discovered in the Land of Whirlpools as well.

What was the meaning of this?

Was the Mist Village also planning to attack the Land of Whirlpools?! If the Mist Village were included, the Land of Whirlpools would be caught in a pincer attack from the north and south, facing an assault from both Cloud and Mist.

They wouldn't be able to withstand this at all!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned stern immediately. "Go notify the advisors and consultants."

"Yes!"

The Anbu retreated to deliver the message.

Before long, the Konoha F4 were gathered together. Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu looked at the intelligence brought by the Anbu, exchanged glances, and wore grave expressions.

"They are targeting the Uzumaki Clan and their sealing arts."

Shimura Danzō delivered the final verdict; there was no need for verification.

With two villages whose sealing technology was abysmal—one of which had never even established a Jinchuriki system—the reason for them targeting the Uzumaki Clan was self-evident.

Mitokado Homura adjusted his glasses. "Hiruzen, we must support the Land of Whirlpools. They are our allies, and Konoha has the obligation and responsibility to provide aid."

Utatane Koharu chimed in from the side. "Not only that, we all know the Uzumaki Clan's power to suppress Tailed Beasts; their sealing arts are the best in the ninja world and are truly terrifying. We cannot let these fall into the hands of Cloud and Mist!"

"If they obtain them, their Jinchuriki systems will surely see massive development, which would be disadvantageous to us. We cannot let them have their way."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Our intelligence arrived in time. Cloud and Mist are still in the preparation phase, so we have time to notify the Uzumaki Clan. Let's do this: avoid conflict if possible. Notify the people of the Uzumaki Clan to come to Konoha for refuge; they are being targeted now."

"With Lady Mito's order, they will likely be more willing to accept."

Utatane Koharu turned and left to find Mito Uzumaki.

The remaining members exchanged opinions and finally decided to send an Anbu squad to notify the Uzumaki Clan to evacuate.

At the Senju Compound, Mito Uzumaki listened to Utatane Koharu's words, feeling shock followed immediately by fury.

To think they would dare to attack her homeland—Cloud and Mist truly had the audacity!

But after the anger subsided, Mito Uzumaki felt a headache coming on.

She knew better than anyone how stubborn the people of her clan were.

Ask them to avoid battle and flee to Konoha for refuge?

How was that any different from killing them outright? It would be a belittlement of the Uzumaki Clan, an insult to the Uzumaki Clan!!

Hiruzen was still failing to consider the bigger picture.

Mito Uzumaki was filled with worry. The Land of Whirlpools was a small nation, and the only ninjas on the island were the Uzumaki themselves—how much could that small number of people do?

No matter how strong their sealing arts were, could they really withstand an attack from two major ninja villages?

"Sigh, it is impossible to have them all take refuge in Konoha. Koharu, let the old folks who want to fight and dare to fight stay behind; as for the rest, try your best to relocate them to Konoha."

The Land of Whirlpools is destined to become a battlefield; only ruins will be left behind. It would take too much effort to return and rebuild, so it is better to simply have them come live in Konoha.

Furthermore, the Uzumaki Clan is facing this catastrophe precisely because their bloodline and sealing techniques have become coveted treasures in the eyes of others.

They still need the protection of a major hidden village.

"My Senju Compound is desolate and lacks vitality. It is a waste to leave so many houses empty, so let my clansmen settle down here."

Chapter 31: Heading to the Land of Whirlpools

It was impossible for Sarutobi Hiruzen to avoid conflict.

Involving the migration of an entire clan always creates a stir, whether large or small. Anbu spies from Cloud Village and Mist Village discovered the situation and were greatly shocked, immediately reporting the intelligence upward.

The Land of Whirlpools is located overseas to the northeast of the Land of Fire, closer to the Land of Lightning.

However, although Cloud Village was closer, they did not send many ninjas.

The village had suffered from the Eight-Tails riot and needed to keep some ninjas behind for cleanup operations.

To achieve the goal of invading the Land of Whirlpools, they needed to tie down the Uzumaki Clan's ally, Konoha, and divert their attention.

They did not need many ninjas; the goal of this battle was not to defeat Konoha, but merely to drag them into a stalemate.

Kidnapping Kushina was one such tactic.

Although the Third Raikage only instructed the Cloud spies embedded in Konoha to cause some trouble to divert attention, the results showed that the spies had caused too much of a stir.

The Third Raikage smashed his desk with a single punch, furious: "Good, good, good! You really are capable of great things, going straight to kidnap the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki medium? I told you to cause a distraction, and you ended up making it this big!"

"Now look at this, Konoha has discovered our intentions and is planning to move the Uzumaki Clan to Konoha!"

The Third Raikage's trusted aide, Dodai, clicked his tongue in wonder: "They actually succeeded in the kidnapping. Who would have thought that such an important Jinchuriki medium would have no Anbu protection by her side?"

"Hmph, it only counts as a success once she is delivered here." The Third Raikage snorted coldly, rubbing his temples.

"Because of the mess our people made, Konoha has now noticed our true objective. There is no time for preparation. Dodai, contact Mist Village; launch the attack now!"

Dodai nodded and turned to leave.

The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Blue B, looked ashamed: "Uncle, it is all my fault for being unable to control the Eight-Tails."

The Third Raikage patted his nephew's shoulder: "Do not blame yourself. What we are doing now is precisely to help you control the Eight-Tails."

"The sealing techniques of the Uzumaki Clan—I am determined to obtain them!"

Upon learning this, Cloud Village and Mist Village decided to forgo further preparations and immediately mobilized their ninjas, galloping at full speed toward the Land of Whirlpools.

War was on the verge of breaking out.

Cloud and Mist forces boarded warships and headed directly toward the Land of Whirlpools.

When Konoha received the news, Sarutobi Hiruzen cursed under his breath; in the end, they would still have to trade blows.

He immediately dispatched Hatake Sakumo to lead Konoha's elite forces to the Land of Whirlpools to hold off the main armies of the two nations.

He also sent several squads to be responsible for escorting the Uzumaki clansmen to Konoha in batches via different routes, ensuring their safety at all costs.

Mito Uzumaki had issued a death order, and the Konoha F4 had no choice but to obey her words.

"Chonhua, you must be careful."

Kushina Uzumaki looked at Uchiha Chonhua with concern.

Team Tsunade had been conscripted to carry out the mission of escorting the Uzumaki Clan to Konoha.

Although Team Tsunade had not been formed for long, their strength was evident to all, and Sarutobi Hiruzen had specifically named them to participate in the operation.

Kushina Uzumaki felt worried and somewhat resentful; she also wanted to save her homeland.

But she was no longer as free as she once was; she was monitored and guarded by Anbu whenever she entered or left. Previously, she could still perform D-rank missions, but now she could not do them at all.

According to Grandma Mito, her ninja headband would henceforth be nothing more than a collector's item. After all, what kind of ninja is a ninja who cannot perform missions?

In short, Kushina Uzumaki had been in a very irritable mood lately.

Uchiha Chonhua adjusted his sleeve guards and nodded, saying: "I will be careful, Kushina. You just wait for our news in Konoha."

"I will definitely escort your clansmen safely to Konoha."

"You must act according to your ability, do not push yourself, and take good care of yourself."

Under Kushina's repeated exhortations, Team Tsunade set off.

They first had to head to a port on the eastern coast of Konoha, then board a ship to depart for the Land of Whirlpools.

Ninjas could walk on water as if it were flat ground, but when faced with the vast, blue ocean, they were still powerless.

Their chakra reserves were not vast enough to conquer the sea.

"This is my first time seeing the ocean."

Seagulls cried, the sea breeze blew, and looking into the distance, the sky and the sea merged into one.

Mikoto Uchiha was struck with awe; she had never seen such a sight before. So, this was the ocean.

The gloomy expression on Hizashi Hyuga's face softened slightly as he gazed out at the sea, his heart and mind feeling suddenly expansive.

In the face of nature's immense power, humanity was far too insignificant. Hizashi Hyuga stared blankly at the surface of the water, wondering what his own fate could possibly amount to before such grandeur.

"Take this time to look and relax your minds."

The Jonin Ono, who was leading them, remained expressionless as she watched the ripples trailing behind the ship.

"Once we reach the Land of Whirlpools, there won't be any more moments of ease like this."

Time was of the essence, and the large ship pushed forward at full speed. Two days later, Team Tsunade stepped into the territory of the Land of Whirlpools.

Uchiha Chonhua's expression shifted as his gaze turned toward the dense forest; he could hear the sounds of fighting.

"Stay close to me."

Jonin Ono cleared the path ahead. They were heading toward the capital of the Land of Whirlpools, which was also the habitat of the Uzumaki Clan.

It was easy to imagine that the closer they got to that location, the more enemies they would encounter, and the probability of them engaging in battle would increase sharply.

They set off cautiously, each of them remaining vigilant of their surroundings.

Mikoto Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga swallowed hard, feeling somewhat nervous. It was their first time on a battlefield, and their expressions were taut.

The slightest rustle of wind or movement caused both of them to stiffen, their kunai nearly flying from their hands.

Fortunately, Uchiha Chonhua was in front of them. Seeing that both were on the verge of losing control and throwing their kunai, he quickly held them back.

"It is understandable to be nervous during your first time on the battlefield," Jonin Ono said, parting the weeds. Her voice was low and faint, barely audible if one did not listen closely.

She instructed Mikoto Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga, "Focus on self-regulation. Slow your breathing, but do not make a sound. The battlefield is fraught with peril; it is kill or be killed. You must have that resolve and force yourselves to remain calm."

Uchiha Chonhua looked at Jonin Ono, noting that she had used genjutsu techniques in her words, layering them with hypnotic suggestion.

Upon hearing Jonin Ono's words, Mikoto Uchiha and Hizashi Hyuga slowed their breathing and adjusted their emotions, gradually stabilizing themselves.

They continued to advance. The Land of Whirlpools was not large, and after walking for a while, they were nearly at the capital.