Chapter 32

He felt as though a thick, miserable wall stood between him and Kushina, one he could never climb over.

The moment Uzumaki Mito opened her eyes, Uchiha Chisato sensed that she had fully recovered.

Vitality poured out of her as if it cost nothing, her presence utterly overwhelming.

To be honest, Chisato quietly calculated that if she fought Mito now, it would probably be an even match.

"I really am completely healed."

Uzumaki Mito nodded with a smile. "The medicine you gave me worked even better than I expected. Thank you."

"Now, I can hold on for at least a few more decades."

There was enough time.

Enough for her to arrange everything concerning the Senju and Uzushio.

And enough for her to personally watch Nawaki and Tsunade grow into adults.

"No need to thank me."

Uchiha Chisato waved a hand, her tone casual. "At the end of the day, it was just a deal. Keeping you alive only benefits the Uchiha."

"With you keeping them in check and the Senju charging at the front, the Uchiha will have far less to deal with."

The thought of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others being suppressed by this old lady for several more decades pleased her immensely.

"Don't make it sound so distant."

Uzumaki Mito smiled in rebuttal. "Aren't we allies? We agreed to shoulder this together."

After a pause, she added, "However, I hope we can keep my full recovery from the monkey and the others for now."

"Just tell the public that you extended my life by a few years, that I can live a little longer."

"Leave them a little hope, so they don't bite wildly when they get desperate."

At a time like this, they could not force people into a dead end.

There was no point in directly killing the Third Generation's group, and Konoha could not withstand internal strife.

Besides, the situation outside was growing increasingly tense. She could practically feel that the next Ninja World War was approaching.

The Senju needed to quietly recover their strength first.

Uzushio needed to be saved as well.

"Alright."

Uchiha Chisato considered it, then nodded. "The Uchiha aren't at the point of turning against them yet either, so we'll wait a little longer."

"But you need to rein in that vitality of yours."

"Otherwise, who would believe you haven't recovered?"

She could tell that Uzumaki Mito definitely had a way to do it.

She had not trained in Sealing Arts for nothing.

"Nothing difficult."

Uzumaki Mito smiled and lightly pressed a hand against her abdomen.

The next second, the vitality surging out of her instantly withdrew.

In the end, only about twice as much as before her recovery remained, making her look much more normal.

"Alright, let's sign the alliance agreement first."

Just as Tsunade refilled the teacups, Uzumaki Mito brought a stack of documents out from the inner room.

"Though this is a somewhat unnecessary formality, we still need to go through the proper procedures." Uzumaki Mito spread the documents out.

Uchiha Chisato froze briefly before nodding. "Alright."

"I'll go prepare the things. You two talk first." After instructing her granddaughter, Uzumaki Mito said, "Tsunade, help entertain our guests."

Tsunade answered and enthusiastically refilled tea for Jiri and the others, then turned to Xunjing. "Little Xunjing, how did you learn medicine? Want to talk about it?"

"Sure."

Xunjing did not decline and immediately began discussing medical theory with Tsunade.

As they talked, Tsunade realized something was off.

Before long, she found that this child's foundation in medicine was even more solid than hers. More importantly, the theoretical system Xunjing used was completely different from traditional medicine in the Ninja World, as though it had been brought over from another world.

Tsunade was itching with curiosity, wanting desperately to ask where Xunjing had learned such medical skills. It was simply too outrageous.

Twenty minutes later, Uzumaki Mito returned to the living room carrying documents, ink, brushes, and a large stack of scrolls.

She was also holding the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama's Water Release scrolls, and a large scroll stuffed full of Sealing Arts knowledge.

The moment Mito entered, she saw that Tsunade had been completely led by Xunjing. Xunjing did most of the talking, while Tsunade occasionally chimed in, only for Xunjing to immediately grasp the underlying principles and draw further conclusions.

That learning speed made both Mito and Tsunade's hearts tremble.

Mito sat down beside Jiri and asked in a lowered voice, "Has this child always been this frightening?"

Jiri took a sip of tea, smiling. "That's how he's been since he got the hang of things. Not bad, right?"

"Not bad? I'm insanely jealous. If Nawaki had even half his talent, I wouldn't have to worry myself sick." Mito shook her head and handed two documents to Jiri. "Let them keep talking. Let's handle the important business first."

"I've already signed and stamped mine. All that's left is you."

"No problem."

Jiri took the documents and swiftly signed her name and pressed down her fingerprint.

Each of them kept a copy, and the alliance agreement was settled.

Mito pushed the pile of scrolls over. "The Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama's Water Release, and all those Sealing Arts are here. Take a look and make sure everything's accounted for."

Uchiha Chisato casually waved a hand, and the items vanished directly into a spatial rift. "No need to check. If anything's missing, I'll come to you for it later. It's not like you can run away, right?"

Seeing that display of spatial manipulation, Uzumaki Mito's gaze tightened slightly, filled with both curiosity and surprise.

This kind of method... Even if she asked, Chisato would not tell her, so she simply did not ask.

After a brief pause, she changed the subject. "Do the Uchiha know what's happening in the Land of Whirlpools?"

"Oh?"

Uchiha Chisato raised an eyebrow and looked at her with a smile. "Of course we know. The Uchiha intelligence network isn't that poor. The Four Great Shinobi Villages plan to join forces and attack the Land of Whirlpools for its Jinchuriki and Sealing Arts. They want to seize their bloodline inheritance and Sealing Arts."

Her tone was light. "What, you want us to help?"

"Yes."

Uzumaki Mito did not deny it and nodded directly.

Uchiha Chisato spoke bluntly. "That isn't covered by our alliance agreement. An ally's ally isn't necessarily my ally. If you want us to act, we'll have to discuss a separate price."

Though it would benefit the Uchiha if the Uzumaki Clan survived, they could not work for free.

"Of course."

Uzumaki Mito was not surprised in the slightest, nor did she object. "Tell me your conditions."

The Uzumaki Clan's affairs truly could not be bundled together with the alliance between the Senju and Uchiha, unless the Uzumaki Clan signed an alliance agreement with the Uchiha one day as well.

"Hmm..."

Uchiha Chisato thought for a moment, then said, "After this, the Uzumaki Clan probably won't be able to stay in the Land of Whirlpools, right? Otherwise, the Four Great Shinobi Villages won't let it go. By then, you'll probably have to move into Konoha, maybe even join Konoha outright. Am I right?"

"That's right."

Uzumaki Mito nodded with certainty. "This time, I plan to go there personally. Even if Uzumaki Luming disagrees, I'll force this to happen."

She could not keep watch over enemies in every direction for the Uzumaki Clan at all times.

In the eyes of the Four Great Shinobi Villages, and even Konoha, the Uzumaki Clan was a juicy piece of meat that everyone wanted to bite.

Only by joining Konoha could they find their best way out and preserve the Uzumaki Clan.

As it happened, the Senju were weak now. Having the Uzumaki Clan, their distant relatives and allies, join them would greatly strengthen their power and competitiveness.

It would be a win-win situation.

"Then fine. Once this is done, I want a copy of the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Arts, excluding any bloodline secret techniques."

Uchiha Chisato directly stated her condition.

"Also, I hope our three clans can begin intermarrying in the future."

"Hm?"

Uzumaki Mito had expected the first condition, but the second one truly caught her off guard.

Tsunade's attention was instantly drawn over, and she stopped talking with Xunjing.

Uzumaki Mito frowned and pressed, "Why? As far as I know, the Uchiha don't stop their clansmen from marrying outsiders, but you've never encouraged it either."

"Why do you want the Uchiha to intermarry with the Senju and Uzumaki Clan?"

Was it merely to bind the three clans more tightly together?

Mito did not believe that.

The corners of Uchiha Chisato's lips curled up. She winked at Xunjing and spoke leisurely. "Heh, there's a secret involving all three clans behind this."