The Uzumaki clan head listened to the debate, his fingers lightly tapping the table.
In truth, he leaned more toward the traditionalists' confidence. He knew the foundations of the Land of Whirlpools well.
Those ancient sealing arts passed down from the era of the Sage of Six Paths could suppress even Tailed Beasts, let alone ordinary shinobi.
The four great shinobi villages each had their own schemes. How close could their alliance truly be?
Most importantly, he believed that the only forces truly capable of threatening the Land of Whirlpools at its roots were the once-mighty Senju and Uchiha.
But the Senju had merged into Konoha, and the Uchiha were also in Konoha. Those two strongest powers were both allies, so what was there to fear?
"Enough."
The clan head raised a hand, silencing the discussion.
"Konoha's warning has been received, and we appreciate Hokage Nangō's goodwill.
The Uzumaki Clan naturally fears no challenge.
Let us proceed like this."
Having made his decision—
"Send orders to all coastal outposts and patrols. Raise the alert level in the near term, and watch for all suspicious vessels and chakra fluctuations.
Add another rotation to the barrier's routine maintenance shifts.
As for the intelligence-sharing mechanism with Konoha... reply to Konoha.
We agree to establish an encrypted emergency communication channel for exchanging intelligence on major threats involving both sides' security."
After a brief pause, his tone softened, though it still carried unquestionable authority:
"However, the defense of the Land of Whirlpools must be led by the Uzumaki Clan ourselves.
Heightened vigilance is only proper, but there is no need for excessive tension that wastes manpower and resources, much less for us to throw ourselves into disorder.
Our clan's thousand-year foundation will not be shaken so easily. If there is nothing else, carry this out."