Mito Uzumaki Applies Pressure

The former residence of the Senju Clan, now the courtyard where Mito Uzumaki recuperates.

It is tranquil and peaceful here, as if it belongs to a different world from the undercurrents surging through the village.

However, this serenity is shattered by a flurry of hurried, tearful cries.

"Grandma! Grandma!"

Mito Uzumaki is sitting under the veranda, quietly sipping tea while gazing at the dry landscape in the courtyard.

Hearing her granddaughter's call, she looks up with a gentle expression.

But when she sees Kushina rushing in with red, swollen eyes, tear tracks on her face, and lingering fury, the gentleness on her face is instantly replaced by concern and a hint of gravity.

"Kushina, what is it? What happened?" Mito sets down her teacup and reaches out to her granddaughter.

Kushina throws herself beside her grandmother, as if having found her anchor, and pours out everything that happened at the hospital—how Ling was "weak and aggrieved," how he was assassinated by "his own people," how Ling "kindly" dismissed it as a misunderstanding, and her own fury and guilt—all in one breathless rush.

"...Grandma! They went too far! What did Ling do wrong? He saved me and protected the village! By what right do they treat him like this?! Just because he is an Uchiha? Or because he is my friend?!"

Kushina speaks with agitation, her body trembling slightly from anger.

Mito Uzumaki listens quietly, the gentleness on her face gradually fading, replaced by a profound calmness.

Yet, those who know her well understand that when the wife of the First Hokage and the former jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails wears this expression, it often signifies true wrath.

She does not offer an opinion immediately, instead pulling Kushina into her arms and stroking her red hair, saying softly, "There, there, Grandma knows. You have been wronged, and so has that child, Ling."

Mito Uzumaki's voice carries a strange, soothing power, causing Kushina's agitated emotions to gradually subside, leaving only soft sobs.

Once Kushina is composed, Mito speaks slowly, her voice still calm but carrying undeniable weight: "That child, Ling, is right, yet also wrong. This is by no means a simple misunderstanding."

She looks toward the direction of Konoha outside the courtyard, her gaze seemingly piercing through layers of obstacles to see the Hokage Rock and the darkness beneath it.

"Some people are always accustomed to speculating about others with the darkest of intentions and resolving problems with the crudest of methods. They fear the power of the Uchiha, dread unknown variables, and attempt to keep everything under their own control... yet they forget that trust and tolerance are the foundations upon which Konoha was built."

She does not name anyone directly, but Kushina knows her grandmother is speaking of Shimura Danzō and the Root he leads.

"Grandma..." Kushina snuggles into Mito's embrace, looking up at her.

Mito lowers her head and offers her granddaughter a reassuring smile: "Don't worry, Kushina. This matter will not end here. That child, Ling, is not only your savior but also a promising sapling who has proven he possesses the Will of Fire. Protecting such a child is protecting the future of Konoha."

Mito pauses, her tone becoming slightly more serious: "However, Kushina, you must also remember. Anger is necessary, but you must not be consumed by it. You must learn to control your power and your emotions, especially at a time like this. Your power is important, but it must not be easily triggered by your emotions, do you understand?"

Kushina nods, half-understanding, but knowing her grandmother has agreed to intervene brings her a great sense of relief.

"Now, go and keep that child, Ling, company; he needs the support of a friend right now." Mito pats her granddaughter's back affectionately. "Grandma has some things to attend to here."

Kushina nods obediently and leaves the courtyard.

After her granddaughter departs, the affection on Mito Uzumaki's face slowly recedes.

She stands up, and without any dramatic movement, a vast yet incredibly condensed chakra ripples out from her center before quickly retracting.

She does not need to roar or rage like the young. Her will and her stance are, in themselves, a formidable power.

"Go and invite Hiruzen Sarutobi to come here," she says faintly to the empty courtyard.

In the shadows, a blurred figure bows slightly and vanishes instantly.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is currently buried in urgent official business, racking his brain over how to deal with Danzō and appease the Uchiha, when he receives the "invitation" from Mito Uzumaki.

Hiruzen Sarutobi feels a slight chill; he immediately sets aside everything at hand and rushes to Mito's courtyard with all possible speed.

Facing this highly respected elder, the wife of the First, he maintains the utmost respect even as the Hokage.

"Lady Mito," Hiruzen Sarutobi greets respectfully.

Mito Uzumaki invites him to sit and pours him a cup of tea herself, her movements slow and elegant, yet the words she speaks place immense pressure on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Hiruzen, I have heard of a truly heartbreaking matter." Mito's voice is steady, yet carries an undeniable tone of interrogation.

"A child who has just rendered great service to the village, who risked his life to save the jinchūriki from the Cloud Village, and who has formed a deep friendship with Kushina and myself, has been subjected to an assassination attempt from within the village while lying in a hospital bed at Konoha Hospital."

Mito Uzumaki sets down the teapot gently and looks at Hiruzen Sarutobi: "I wish to hear your thoughts on this matter as the Hokage. And, how you intend to handle this, how you plan to provide an explanation to that child, to Kushina, and to everyone who cares about this."

Hiruzen Sarutobi feels a bitter taste in his mouth. He knew Lady Mito would inevitably inquire, but he did not expect such directness and severity. This is no longer just pressure; it is an attitude bordering on accountability.

Hiruzen Sarutobi takes a deep breath and recounts everything—the previous argument with Danzō, the malicious nature of the Root's actions, his own fury, the protective measures already taken, and the impending interrogation of Danzō—all exactly as they happened.

Before Mito, he has nothing to hide, nor is there anything he could hide.

"...Lady Mito, this matter is a result of my lax supervision and failure to control my subordinates, which allowed Danzō to commit such a reckless act. I promise you, I will handle this severely and ensure such an incident never happens again! Uchiha Ling is a hero of the village and deserves protection and reward, not persecution!" Hiruzen Sarutobi pledges solemnly.

Mito Uzumaki listens quietly, and only at the end does she speak slowly: "Hiruzen, you are the Third Hokage, the leader of the village. Balancing various factions and maintaining stability is indeed important. But there are certain bottom lines that must not be crossed. To strike at a meritorious official, especially a child, is to shake the foundations of the village and chill the hearts of all the ninja who bleed and sacrifice for Konoha."

Mito Uzumaki pauses, her tone deepening: "Danzō's actions have crossed the line. His 'Root' was created to protect Konoha, not to serve as a tool for him to satisfy personal power and purge dissenters. Regarding the security detail for Kushina, I believe it needs to be re-examined and adjusted. At the very least, certain overly radical plans and those responsible who lack humanity must be removed."

The implication in her words is crystal clear. Lady Mito is not only demanding severe punishment for Danzō's actions but is also beginning to question the authority Danzō holds over matters concerning the jinchūriki!

Hiruzen Sarutobi is deeply shaken, yet he understands that Danzō brought this upon himself. He nods heavily: "I understand your meaning, Lady Mito. I will consider this matter with the utmost gravity."

With the clear stance and support of Mito Uzumaki, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally finds the backbone and the necessary principles to deal with Danzō and the subsequent affairs.

If he cannot provide a satisfactory explanation to Lady Mito, the Uchiha, and everyone else this time, his own authority as Hokage will be challenged.

As he leaves Mito's courtyard, Hiruzen Sarutobi's steps are heavy, but his gaze has become much firmer. It is time to properly discipline his old classmate.