"As long as the Senju and Uchiha don't come together in person—"
The Uzumaki clan head turned around, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"In this world, what power could truly threaten my Land of Whirlpools?
Those so-called 'Kage' are nothing but frogs at the bottom of a well. If they truly dare set foot in these sacred waters—
"I will show them what a millennium of inheritance truly means, and what it means to come... and never return!"
His extreme confidence—perhaps even arrogance—wrapped around his judgment like the strongest armor.
Yet as clan head, bearing the survival of his entire clan upon his shoulders, the unprecedentedly urgent warnings from his closest ally and blood relative were ultimately like two drops of icy water, seeping through the cracks in that armor of confidence.
He returned to the main seat, his fingers tapping against the armrest.
Though he believed the Four Kage were nothing to fear, the fact that Konoha's new Hokage and Aunt Mito, who had witnessed the First Hokage's glory firsthand, had both issued such solemn warnings meant that this might... not be baseless.
Perhaps those nouveau riche villages had truly been blinded by greed and wanted to try their luck?
"So be it."
He finally made his decision, his voice regaining the authority and decisiveness of a clan head.
"Since someone is too blind to know better and wishes to test the edge of my Land of Whirlpools, then I might as well let them—let the entire Ninja World—learn once again that the name Uzumaki is not to be insulted!"
He loudly summoned the clan elders and Jonin commander standing by, then issued his orders:
"Send word across the island. From this day forward, enter a state of alert!
Double the inspection frequency of all coastal barrier