Meeting Mito Uzumaki (Part 2)

Mito personally pushed two cups of freshly brewed tea in front of Uchiha Ling and Kushina.

"Thank you, Lady Mito." Uchiha Ling accepted the teacup with both hands, his fingertips feeling the perfect warmth. He did not drink immediately, but instead gave a slight nod of gratitude, his etiquette and manners impeccable.

Mito smiled faintly, her gaze remaining gentle yet seemingly capable of piercing through appearances. "Kushina is a straightforward child with a fiery temper. I am very relieved that she has been able to make a sincere friend at school. Especially a friend from the Uchiha."

This statement seemed to carry a hidden meaning.

Uchiha Ling's heart stirred slightly; he knew the main topic was likely coming.

Uchiha Ling maintained a respectful posture, not rushing to respond, but listening quietly.

"Little one of the Uchiha," Mito took a light sip of tea, her tone like casual chatter, yet the content gradually deepened, "what is your view on Konoha?"

Here it comes.

One of the core questions.

Uchiha Ling knew that his answer was of vital importance.

This was not merely an answer to an elderly woman, but a declaration of stance to one of Konoha's highest authorities, to the Senju lineage, and to a witness of the village's history.

Uchiha Ling pondered for a moment, organizing his thoughts. He did not recite slogans from textbooks, but spoke in a tone that was appropriate for his age yet carried a hint of depth:

"Konoha is a home, and it is also a fortress.

It protects those of us living within it, and it carries the dreams and sacrifices of countless predecessors.

It is currently the place in the ninja world closest to the concept of 'peace,' though this peace is not absolute and requires every one of us to protect and consolidate it."

A trace of imperceptible appreciation flashed in Mito's eyes. She set down her teacup, her gaze seemingly drifting into the distance. "Dreams and sacrifices... yes, building this village cost so much.

My husband, Hashirama Senju, had one greatest dream: to create a world where children would no longer have to go to the battlefield.

He and your ancestor, Madara Uchiha, once fought side by side to realize this dream."

As the name Madara Uchiha was mentioned, the air in the tearoom seemed to stagnate for a moment.

Kushina looked at her grandmother and then at Uchiha Ling, feeling somewhat nervous.

This was one of the most sensitive topics in Konoha's history.

Uchiha Ling felt a hint of pressure, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Yes," Uchiha Ling nodded, his voice steady.

"That period of history is recorded differently in the clan's archives compared to the village's public historical records.

But regardless, I believe the original intentions of the First Hokage and the ancestor Madara were both for the future of their clansmen and the world. It was only in the final path that they chose to diverge."

Mito looked at him deeply. "A very clear-headed realization. Divergence in paths often stems from the collapse of trust and the severance of communication.

Until the very end, Hashirama still viewed Madara as his most important friend and brother."

She sighed softly, the sigh containing endless vicissitudes and a trace of regret. "The Uchiha and the Senju, once mortal enemies, joined hands to create Konoha because of the dreams of two men.

This hard-won alliance is the cornerstone of Konoha.

However, over these years, the Uchiha Clan and the core of the village seem to have drifted further and further apart."

The conversation finally touched upon the most core and sensitive part—the estrangement between the Uchiha and the village.

Uchiha Ling's heart beat slightly faster. He knew this was the real purpose of Mito seeing him today.

To evaluate his attitude—as an "unconventional Uchiha"—toward the village, and to assess the future possibilities of the Uchiha Clan.

He sat up straight, his expression becoming incomparably serious. "Lady Mito, please forgive this junior for speaking bluntly.

The location of the clan grounds and the duties of the Military Police Force are a situation formed by history.

Within this, there are considerations from the village's high-level officials, and perhaps also reasons involving the Uchiha's own over-emphasis on bloodline and power, failing to better integrate into the village."

"However," he shifted his tone, a sincere light flickering in his black eyes.

"I believe that the Uchiha is an indispensable part of Konoha.

The power of the Sharingan exists to protect what is important, and Konoha is precisely the most important thing worth protecting.

The glory of the clan and the prosperity of the village should not be opposing choices. The village that our predecessors built together should not gradually develop irreparable cracks in the hands of the younger generation."

Kushina listened, somewhat mesmerized. Although she did not fully understand all the political implications, she could feel the sincerity and determination in Uchiha Ling's words.

Mito Uzumaki listened quietly, a gentle smile remaining on her face, making it impossible to see her true inner thoughts. Not until Uchiha Ling finished speaking did a brief silence fall over the tearoom.

After a long while, Mito spoke slowly, her gaze becoming exceptionally profound. "Protecting what is important, finding a path to common prosperity—a very good idea.

A very grand wish. Child, do you know how difficult this path will be?

You may face pressure from within your clan, and you may not easily gain the complete trust of the village's high-level officials."

"I know," Uchiha Ling answered without hesitation, his eyes firm.

"But no matter how difficult the path, someone must walk it. If one gives up because of difficulties, the cracks will only grow wider.

I believe that as long as the direction is correct, and as long as one persists in communicating and proving oneself, change will eventually happen. At the very least, I will try with all my might."

Mito looked at him, the scrutiny in her eyes gradually transforming into a complex emotion—a mix of appreciation and sentiment.

She nodded gently. "A very good ambition. The future of Konoha is exactly what needs young people who possess both power, a broad mind, and foresight."

"If Hashirama and Tobirama could see such a descendant, they would surely feel gratified."

Her words were practically an endorsement of Uchiha Ling's stance and ambitions.

At this moment, Kushina returned carrying a plate of delicate snacks. The conversation that followed became much more relaxed.

Mito asked about some interesting happenings at the academy, and Uchiha Ling tactfully shared some harmless jokes, making Kushina burst into laughter while a gentle smile remained on Mito's face throughout.

After sitting for a while longer, Uchiha Ling saw that the time was right and took the initiative to rise and take his leave.

Mito did not press him to stay, merely saying to Kushina, "Kushina, go see Ling out."

"Yes, Grandmother."

Stepping out of that secluded residence and back onto the bustling streets, Uchiha Ling finally felt the invisible pressure gradually dissipate.

Uchiha Ling subconsciously took a deep breath.

"How was it? My grandmother is very kind, isn't she?" Kushina asked with a hint of pride, seemingly happy that her grandmother had left a good impression on her friend.

"Indeed, Lady Mito is a respectable and great ninja," Uchiha Ling said sincerely.

This brief meeting with Mito Uzumaki had allowed him to deeply experience what the bearing and wisdom of a "Kage" truly meant.

"Right!" Kushina smiled even more happily. "Grandmother seems to like you, too! She rarely talks that much."

Uchiha Ling smiled but did not respond.

Liking him might have played a part, but more than that, it was likely scrutiny, assessment, and investment.

In him, Mito Uzumaki saw a certain possibility—a possibility that might change the relationship between the Uchiha and the village.

And her conversation today was both a form of guidance and perhaps a form of invisible support—at the very least, she had tacitly permitted Kushina's association with him.

For Uchiha Ling's future plans, this was undoubtedly an important step.

Gaining the preliminary approval of Mito Uzumaki was equivalent to obtaining, to a certain extent, the tacit consent of the lingering influence of the Senju faction, and it also laid a small stepping stone for him to approach the highest echelons of power in the village in the future.