Uchiha Ying Yue nodded slightly. "Lady Mito, I believe the most important thing now is to act as quickly as possible. Perhaps you could use your influence to sway Lord Hokage and the village's leaders, and call upon Konoha's forces to help the Land of Whirlpools. I also recommend writing to the Feudal Lord of the Land of Whirlpools, so he knows about the crisis that's coming."
A look of resolve flashed in Uzumaki Mito's eyes, and she quickly made up her mind. "Ying Yue, you're right. I'll speak with Hiruzen and the other leaders at once and ask them to help the Land of Whirlpools. I'll also write to the Feudal Lord of the Land of Whirlpools—my younger brother—and tell him about the coming crisis so he can prepare."
Mito paused, then continued, "Also, Ying Yue, you're close to the Senju Clan. Though the clan has disbanded, they're distant relatives of the Uzumaki Clan, and our bloodlines are closely related. I believe they won't stand by while the Uzumaki Clan faces a crisis. If you can persuade them to lend a hand, perhaps we can secure more help for the Land of Whirlpools."
Ying Yue nodded in agreement. "Lady Mito, I'll do everything I can to contact the Senju Clan and call upon their strength to help the Uzumaki Clan."
Mito smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Ying Yue. I'm truly grateful that you've stepped forward at this critical moment to give the Uzumaki Clan a chance to survive."
Ying Yue said earnestly, "Lady Mito, this is my duty as a Konoha Ninja. The Uzumaki Clan and Konoha have deep ties, and the survival of the Land of Whirlpools is crucial to Konoha as well. I hope I can do everything in my power to prevent this disaster."
After saying goodbye to Uzumaki Mito, Ying Yue immediately took action. First, he used the Shadow Curtain Organization's intelligence network to send a plea for help to members of the Senju Clan, hoping they would lend their support and help the Uzumaki Clan through this crisis.
At the same time, Uzumaki Mito personally wrote a letter and sent a messenger to the Land of Whirlpools at once. The letter explained in detail the crisis the country might face and urged her younger brother—the Feudal Lord of the Land of Whirlpools—to prepare defenses as soon as possible and maintain close contact with Konoha, so that help would be available when the crisis struck.
Uzumaki Mito also immediately went to find the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and asked Konoha to send troops to help the Uzumaki Clan.
After Uchiha Ying Yue reported the intelligence about the looming crisis in the Land of Whirlpools, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly summoned Konoha's leaders and convened an emergency meeting.
Those attending included the Hokage's advisor, Shimura Danzō, and the two counselors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
The purpose of the meeting was clear: to discuss the intelligence Ying Yue had reported and how to respond to the crisis that might erupt.
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke first. His expression was grave, and his tone carried a note of urgency. "According to the intelligence Uchiha Ying Yue provided, the recent troop movements and weapons purchases of the major ninja villages have been highly unusual, especially those of Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure. Ying Yue believes they may be conspiring to attack the Land of Whirlpools, and we can't even rule out the possibility that they have designs on the Land of Fire as well. We must act as quickly as possible. We can't just stand by."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance at Sarutobi Hiruzen's analysis, then nodded in agreement.
Utatane Koharu said, "Sarutobi is right. The Uzumaki Clan has deep ties to Konoha, and Lady Mito is the wife of Senju Hashirama. If her clan is in danger, we should lend a hand."
Mitokado Homura added, "That's right. If the Land of Whirlpools is attacked, it won't just be a blow to the Uzumaki Clan; it will also be a provocation against Konoha. We must respond with action."
Just then, Shimura Danzō spoke up, taking a very different stance from the others. "Hiruzen, I don't think we should rush into action. Uchiha Ying Yue's theory makes sense, but we can't conclude from that alone that the major ninja villages have hostile intentions. Perhaps these are just routine troop movements, and they may pose no direct threat to the Land of Whirlpools or the Land of Fire. I suggest we watch the situation for a while longer before making a decision."
Shimura Danzō's words made the atmosphere in the meeting room turn tense.
His tone sounded calm and rational, but everyone else present could sense a certain hesitation in his attitude.
In truth, Danzō had already made plans of his own.
As Konoha's Hokage's advisor and the head of Root, Shimura Danzō had long been aware of the unusual movements among the major ninja villages.
He knew how powerful the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Jutsu was, and understood that if the Land of Whirlpools fell, those techniques would be left without a master.
Danzō secretly calculated that if he could seize those Sealing Jutsu amid the chaos in the Land of Whirlpools, Konoha would grow stronger, and his own position in the village would become more secure.
More importantly, Danzō had always considered the Senju Clan a threat.
Now that Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama were both dead, and the Senju Clan had disbanded, Uzumaki Mito was advanced in age. As distant relatives of the Senju Clan, the people of the Land of Whirlpools still kept the Senju influence from disappearing completely.
Danzō feared that continuing to support the Land of Whirlpools might allow the Senju Clan's remaining strength to rise again, which would be bad for both him and Konoha's future.
Therefore, Danzō decided to conceal the intelligence about the impending attack on the Land of Whirlpools. He even considered using Root to seize the Sealing Jutsu amid the chaos there.
However, just as he was about to try to persuade Sarutobi Hiruzen further, the meeting room door suddenly swung open.
After Uchiha Ying Yue warned her, Uzumaki Mito realized that the crisis facing the Land of Whirlpools was imminent.
She knew she had to appear in person to make sure Konoha sent help in time.
So, despite her advanced age, she resolutely barged into the meeting already in progress.
When Uzumaki Mito appeared in the doorway, everyone's attention turned toward her.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other leaders immediately stood and bowed, showing their respect for Konoha's spiritual pillar.
"Lady Mito, what brings you here in person?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked first, concern in his voice.
Mito's expression was solemn as she explained her purpose directly. "Hiruzen, I heard from Ying Yue that the Land of Whirlpools is facing a grave crisis, and that the major ninja villages may join forces to attack it. I'm here to demand that you send troops at once to aid my homeland and protect the Uzumaki Clan."
Sarutobi Hiruzen could hear the conviction and determination in Mito's words. He immediately replied, "Lady Mito, rest assured. We're already discussing the matter, and I agree that the situation is urgent. We must send aid to the Land of Whirlpools immediately."
Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura also voiced their support. "Lady Mito, we'll fully support this decision."
Shimura Danzō's expression shifted slightly. He hadn't expected Uzumaki Mito to intervene in person.
Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others had already reached an agreement, Danzō knew he couldn't keep opposing them. He had no choice but to reluctantly agree. "If Lady Mito also believes we should send troops, then I have no objections."
Uzumaki Mito's arrival completely changed the atmosphere of the meeting. Her decisive stance made Sarutobi Hiruzen even more determined to send aid to the Land of Whirlpools.
With Uzumaki Mito's forceful intervention, Konoha's leaders finally reached a unanimous decision.
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately gave the order to prepare troops to aid the Land of Whirlpools.
He knew there was no time to lose, and any delay could leave the Land of Whirlpools
in an irreversible predicament.
"Mobilize all available ninja forces at once and prepare to support the Land of Whirlpools," Sarutobi Hiruzen ordered the leaders present, his voice full of resolve. "Whatever happens, we can't let the Uzumaki Clan face this disaster alone."
Uzumaki Mito nodded in satisfaction and looked gratefully at Sarutobi Hiruzen. "Thank you, Hiruzen. I believe that with Konoha's help, the Land of Whirlpools will have a chance to survive."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said firmly, "It's what we should do, Lady Mito."
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