Seeing the expression on Uchiha Xiao's face, Uzumaki Mito suddenly furrowed her brow, then relaxed it. "Tsunade, you've eaten enough, right? How about this: go report to Monkey first. I'll bring the kid to meet up with you in a bit."
Tsunade froze, then realized Grandma had something to ask Uchiha Xiao and wanted to send her away. She glanced at Uchiha Xiao, nodded, and left.
"All right, Grandma. I'll go first." She finished the last bite in her bowl, gently set it on the table, and cheerfully left.
After her granddaughter had gone, Uzumaki Mito took Uchiha Xiao's hand and smiled warmly. "Xiao, come inside. Let's talk."
Uchiha Xiao nodded. He knew Grandma Mito had noticed he wanted to say something, which was why she had sent Tsunade away.
Once they were inside, Uzumaki Mito cast a barrier-type jutsu, sealing off the space so that only the two of them could hear their conversation.
"Go ahead, Xiao. Is there something you want to tell me?" As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito sat down and personally brewed a pot of tea.
Uchiha Xiao's gaze grew resolute. He felt that if he didn't speak up, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Uzumaki Mito, sitting beside him, sensed the shift in his emotions and couldn't help frowning.
At last, Uchiha Xiao spoke. "Grandma, I wanted to ask: how strong is the Uzumaki Clan in battle?"
He looked straight into Uzumaki Mito's eyes, his expression serious.
Uzumaki Mito paused, then shook her head. "Our clan specializes in Sealing Jutsu and healing. We're a peace-loving clan, and that alone is enough for us to defend ourselves." She didn't understand why Uchiha Xiao was asking.
But he looked so serious that she could only answer honestly.
"Grandma—no, Lady Mito. I wanted to ask: if someone took advantage of the war to attack the Land of Whirlpools, while Konoha was fighting in the Land of Rain, would Konoha send aid to the Land of Whirlpools?" As soon as Uchiha Xiao finished speaking, he felt an immense force surge toward him.
Adamantine Sealing Chains! And they belonged to Uzumaki Mito. Her eyes were cold. "Xiao, who put you up to saying this?"
Several thick chains instantly bound Uchiha Xiao, pinning him down completely except for his mouth.
The Nine-Tails inside Uzumaki Mito trembled. Damn, I thought four chains were already terrifying. But this guy actually managed to make that old woman Mito angry. Tsk, tsk.
Uzumaki Mito suddenly said, "The Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools is peace-loving. We've never invaded another country. Why would anyone attack us? What would they gain from attacking the Land of Whirlpools?"
She was furious. As a former princess of the Land of Whirlpools, she considered Uchiha Xiao's words a direct attack on her deepest sensitivities. Besides, she believed attacking the Land of Whirlpools would be a thankless task. After all, the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha were allies!
"Lady Mito, please listen. The Uzumaki Clan specializes in Sealing Jutsu, right? When Lord Hashirama distributed the Tailed Beasts, the other countries' sealing techniques were crude compared with those of the Uzumaki Clan. Their Jinchūriki lose control from time to time. Do you think they'll just accept that?" Uchiha Xiao hurriedly said.
A glint passed through Uzumaki Mito's eyes. She had only been angry, not foolish. Hearing Uchiha Xiao's words gave her pause. She had a feeling he was about to say something shocking, but she sensed no malice from him.
So Uzumaki Mito withdrew her Adamantine Sealing Chains and looked at Uchiha Xiao. "Xiao, tell me everything you wanted to say."
She had calmed down by now. After all, Uchiha Xiao's words made sense.
"The Uzumaki Clan and Konoha are allies, and Lady Mito is here as well. That means Konoha doesn't have to suffer the damage caused by a Jinchūriki breaking free of their seal. The Uzumaki Clan certainly wouldn't help the other four countries, so if those countries send shinobi to attack the Land of Whirlpools and seize its Sealing Jutsu while Konoha is fighting the Land of Rain, would the Land of Whirlpools be able to withstand them?" Uchiha Xiao's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's.
Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Of course not. But the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha are allies. Surely Konoha wouldn't just stand by and do nothing?"
"The Lord Third has only just taken the Hokage Position, and his position is unstable. He's the Hokage of Konoha, so naturally he'll put Konoha's interests first. To secure his position, he'll need a victory. Do you really think he'd abandon the war on the front lines to help the Land of Whirlpools, just because of his connection to Lord Hashirama?" Uchiha Xiao's words stabbed into Uzumaki Mito's heart like a thorn.
The Nine-Tails said, "Um, Mito, I think the kid's making a lot of sense. Not everyone's as naive as that guy."
The Nine-Tails' words rang in Uzumaki Mito's mind. Mito had never mistreated him, and he had gotten along well with Qingfeng, so he didn't have any particular complaints about her.
After hearing Uchiha Xiao's words, he felt that what Xiao said could very well be true.
Uzumaki Mito's face went pale. It seemed she had thought too simply about Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools, and had thought too highly of Sarutobi Hiruzen. If this really happened, then the Land of Whirlpools...
"Sealing Jutsu is the least of it, Lady Mito. Do you think they'd leave after taking your Sealing Jutsu? They wouldn't. You understand the Uzumaki Clan's constitution better than I do, don't you?" The final straw that broke the camel's back was often the truth.
Uzumaki Mito's thoughts were in turmoil. She was starting to panic. "Xiao, what do you think I should do?"
Her gaze held both panic and hope. Since Uchiha Xiao had raised the problem, he must have a way to solve it!
Uchiha Xiao wasn't angry about what Uzumaki Mito had done earlier. If he were in her position and someone told him his clan would be wiped out and tried to turn him against his village, he wouldn't believe them either.
Besides, he had come prepared for that. He was here to repay her kindness, so he didn't take it to heart.
Uchiha Xiao considered the question briefly, then said, "Lady Mito, do you still have any influence in the Land of Whirlpools?"
Uzumaki Mito nodded. Although she had married Senju Hashirama and become a member of Konoha, she was still the most talented member of the Uzumaki Clan.
The Uzumaki Clan respected strength, so they would still give weight to her words.
"Lady Mito, would you like to see your clansmen?" Uchiha Xiao asked.
Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. "You mean...?"
"Lady Mito is the village's Jinchūriki and can't just leave. So we'll send word to the Uzumaki Clan that your time is running short and you want to see your family one last time. I think plenty of clansmen will come to visit you." Uchiha Xiao smiled.
"Then..." Before Uchiha Xiao could finish, Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. "Then we can use Sealing Jutsu to keep them there, or cite the war as a reason they can't leave Konoha!"
Uchiha Xiao nodded with a smile. "Exactly. But this could make the Uzumaki Clan think you want to absorb them into Konoha and hand them over to the village." Uchiha Xiao pointed out the drawback.
If the Uzumaki Clan joined Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen would certainly be happy. But if they remained in the Land of Whirlpools, then Konoha would say, "Sorry, we're allies, but that doesn't mean we'll help you unconditionally."
That was political maneuvering, not the simple idea that if you helped me once, I had to help you in return.
Uzumaki Mito nodded. "It doesn't matter. As long as I can keep them alive, I can accept it even if they curse me!"
Then Uzumaki Mito looked at Uchiha Xiao. "You're quite sharp for a kid. Thank you."
"Lady Mito, you're too kind. Without your help and kind words, I probably wouldn't have caught Lady Tsunade's attention or become her confidant. I owe you far more." Uchiha Xiao cupped his hands in a respectful salute.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains hadn't hurt him, and besides, was being a confidant really dangerous? A confidant stayed by the commander's side. How dangerous could that be? He didn't believe Tsunade had recruited him on her own initiative. Lady Mito must have helped.
Uzumaki Mito smiled. "Your intelligence reminds me of two old friends. They were just like you—always thinking three steps ahead."
Uchiha Xiao raised an eyebrow, unsure who she meant.
Uzumaki Mito continued, "Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna."
Uchiha Xiao hurriedly shook his head. "N-no, nothing like that. How could someone as junior as me compare with two heroes of the Warring States Period?"
"I'm a good judge of character." Uzumaki Mito smiled. She wasn't bragging. She had backed Senju Hashirama because she believed in his character and talent, and it had turned out to be the right choice.
Uchiha Xiao fell silent. Anything he said now could be wrong, so it was better to listen humbly.
Seeing him like that, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help smiling. "All right, little one. I'll do as you suggested. Now come with me to see Tsunade."
With that, she removed the barrier, took Uchiha Xiao's hand, and led him out the door. They soon left the Senju Clan Compound.
An Anbu saw them and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique. He had to report this to Lord Hokage!