Does My Lady Mito Want Her Kin?

Seeing the expression on Uchiha Xiao's face, Uzumaki Mito's brows furrowed, then smoothed out. "Little Tsunade, you've eaten enough, haven't you? How about this: you go report to Monkey first, and I'll send this little one to meet up with you in a moment."

Tsunade was taken aback. She suddenly realized that her grandmother had something to ask Uchiha Xiao and wanted to send her away. After glancing at Uchiha Xiao, she nodded and left.

"Alright, Grandma, I'm going." With that, she finished the last bite in her bowl, set it gently on the table, and left briskly.

Seeing her granddaughter walk away, Uzumaki Mito took Uchiha Xiao's hand and smiled kindly. "Little Xiao, come, let's go inside to talk."

Uchiha Xiao nodded upon hearing this. He knew Grandma Mito must have sensed he had something to say, which was why she had dismissed Tsunade.

Once inside, Uzumaki Mito performed a barrier ninjutsu to seal the space. At this moment, the conversation could only be heard by the two of them.

"Speak, Little Xiao. Is there something you wish to tell me?" As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito sat down slowly and brewed a pot of tea herself.

Uchiha Xiao's gaze no longer wavered. He felt that if he didn't speak now, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Beside him, Uzumaki Mito sensed the shift in his inner emotions and couldn't help but frown.

Finally, Uchiha Xiao spoke: "Grandma, I would like to ask: what is the combat strength of the Uzumaki clan?"

He finished and looked straight into Uzumaki Mito's eyes, his expression serious.

Uzumaki Mito was stunned, then shook her head. "Our clan excels in sealing and medical ninjutsu. We are a peace-loving people; relying on these alone is more than enough for self-preservation." She didn't understand why Uchiha Xiao would ask this.

However, seeing how serious Uchiha Xiao looked, she felt she had to be honest.

"Grandma—no, Lady Mito, I want to ask: if someone were to take advantage of the chaos of war to launch an attack on the Land of Whirlpools while Konoha is busy fighting in the Land of Rain, would Konoha send reinforcements to the Land of Whirlpools?" As soon as Uchiha Xiao finished, he felt a powerful force rushing toward him.

Adamantine Sealing Chains! It was Uzumaki Mito's Adamantine Sealing Chains. At this moment, her eyes held a cold indifference. "Little Xiao, who told you to say these things?"

Uchiha Xiao was instantly bound by several thick chains, completely immobilized except for his mouth.

Deep within Uzumaki Mito, the Nine-Tails shivered. Damn, I thought four chains were fierce enough, but this kid actually managed to anger this old woman, Mito. Tsk tsk.

Uzumaki Mito suddenly said, "My Uzumaki clan in the Land of Whirlpools loves peace and has never invaded any nation. Why would we be attacked? What benefit is there in attacking the Land of Whirlpools?"

She was truly furious. As the former princess of the Land of Whirlpools, Uchiha Xiao's words had undoubtedly touched her reverse scale. Furthermore, she believed that attacking the Land of Whirlpools was a thankless task, especially since the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha were allies!

"Hah, Lady Mito, listen to me. The Uzumaki clan excels in sealing techniques, right? Back when Lord Senju Hashirama distributed the Tailed Beasts, the sealing techniques of other nations were far too crude compared to the Uzumaki clan's. They suffer from riots from time to time. Do you think they will be content with that?" Uchiha Xiao said hurriedly.

Uzumaki Mito's eyes flashed. She was blinded by anger, not stupid. Hearing Uchiha Xiao's words, her heart stirred. She felt he was about to say something shocking, yet she sensed no malice from him.

Thus, Uzumaki Mito retracted the Adamantine Sealing Chains. She looked at Uchiha Xiao and said, "Little Xiao, say everything you wish to say."

She had regained her composure; after all, Uchiha Xiao's words held merit.

"The Uzumaki clan and Konoha are allies, and with you here, Konoha doesn't have to suffer the damage caused by jinchuriki breaking their seals. But the Uzumaki clan certainly won't help the other four nations. So, if the other four nations take advantage of the war between Konoha and the Land of Rain to send ninjas to attack the Land of Whirlpools and plunder your sealing techniques, would the Land of Whirlpools be able to withstand it?" Uchiha Xiao's gaze was as sharp as a hawk's.

Uzumaki Mito sighed. "Naturally, they couldn't. But the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha are allies. Surely Konoha wouldn't just sit by and watch?"

"The Third Hokage has just ascended to the position of Hokage. His footing is unstable. As the Hokage of Konoha, he naturally prioritizes Konoha's interests. To secure his position, he needs a victory! Do you really think he would abandon the front lines to help the Land of Whirlpools just for the sake of his ties to Lord Senju Hashirama?" Uchiha Xiao's words were like a thorn piercing Uzumaki Mito's heart.

Nine-Tails: Well, Mito, I think this kid makes a lot of sense. After all, not everyone is as naive as that guy.

The Nine-Tails' voice echoed in Uzumaki Mito's mind. Since Mito had never abused it and they had lived together for a long time, it didn't have much of an opinion against her. Hearing Uchiha Xiao's words, it felt that what he said was highly likely to be true.

Uzumaki Mito's face turned pale. She realized she had thought of the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools too simply, and had thought too highly of Sarutobi Hiruzen. If such a situation were to occur, then the Land of Whirlpools...

"The sealing techniques are a minor issue. Lady Mito, do you think they will just leave after plundering them? No. You know the constitution of the Uzumaki clan better than I do!" The final straw that breaks the camel's back is often the truth.

Uzumaki Mito's state of mind was in disarray. She felt a sense of panic and asked, "Little Xiao, tell me, what should I do?"

Her gaze was filled with panic and hope. Since Uchiha Xiao had raised the problem, he must have a way to solve it!

Uchiha Xiao did not feel angry about Uzumaki Mito's previous actions. If he were in her shoes, he wouldn't have believed someone claiming his clan was about to be wiped out while trying to sow discord between him and his village.

Besides, he was prepared for this, and he had come to repay a debt, so he didn't hold a grudge.

Uchiha Xiao pondered for a moment, then said, "Lady Mito, does your word still carry weight in the Land of Whirlpools?"

Uzumaki Mito nodded. Although she had married Senju Hashirama and become a person of Konoha, her talent remained the best among the Uzumaki clan.

The Uzumaki clan also admired strength, so they would still show her respect.

"Does Lady Mito miss her clansmen?" Uchiha Xiao asked.

Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. "You mean?"

"Lady Mito is the village's jinchuriki and cannot leave easily. We can send a message to the Uzumaki clan saying that Lady Mito doesn't have much time left and wishes to see her relatives one last time. I imagine many clansmen will come to visit." Uchiha Xiao smiled.

"At that time..." Before Uchiha Xiao could finish, Uzumaki Mito's eyes brightened. "At that time, we can use sealing techniques to trap them, or use the excuse of war to prevent them from leaving Konoha!"

Uchiha Xiao nodded and smiled. "Yes, but doing this might lead the Uzumaki clan to misunderstand that Lady Mito wants to annex them to serve Konoha's interests." Uchiha Xiao pointed out the drawback.

If the Uzumaki clan joined Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen would certainly be pleased. But if it were just the Land of Whirlpools, then sorry—they were allies, but not to the point of unconditional help.

This was political struggle, not the simple "you help me once, so I must help you back" logic.

Uzumaki Mito nodded. "It doesn't matter. As long as I can save their lives, I can accept it even if they curse me!"

Uzumaki Mito then looked at Uchiha Xiao. "Your head is quite sharp, kid. Thank you."

"Lady Mito is too kind. Without your help and kind words, I doubt I would have caught Lady Tsunade's eye and become her confidant. Your kindness is far greater!" Uchiha Xiao bowed.

The Adamantine Sealing Chains hadn't caused any real harm. Besides, did she really think being a confidant was dangerous? A confidant stayed by the commander's side; how dangerous could it be? He didn't believe Tsunade had recruited him on her own; it must have been Lady Mito's doing.

Uzumaki Mito smiled. "Your wisdom reminds me of two old friends. They were just like you—taking one step and planning three ahead."

Uchiha Xiao raised an eyebrow, wondering who they were.

Uzumaki Mito continued, "Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna."

Uchiha Xiao hurriedly shook his head. "No, that's not the case at all. How could a junior like me compare to those two heroes of the Warring States period?"

"My judgment of people has never been wrong," Uzumaki Mito said with a smile. She wasn't boasting; back then, she had bet on Senju Hashirama because she saw potential in his character and talent, and as it turned out, she had bet correctly.

Uchiha Xiao fell silent. Anything he said now would be wrong, so it was better to listen humbly.

Seeing him like this, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, little one, I'll do as you asked. Now, come with me to see Tsunade."

With that, she dispelled the barrier, took Uchiha Xiao by the hand, and walked toward the door, soon leaving the Senju Clan Compound behind.

Upon seeing this, the Anbu immediately used the Body Flicker Technique; he had to report this to the Hokage!