In Konoha: Three Choices at the Start

"We... we didn't let the Elder down! We kept Mikoto safe!"

"Now that you're back, we can finally entrust Mikoto to you ourselves!"

"Yes! Yes! I can see that! You took good care of Mikoto. You did!"

Liuyun nodded, his voice trembling despite himself.

"Then... then that's good! When we pass on, we won't have failed the Uchiha Clan's honor!"

Uchiha Laimei smiled and nodded. Then she swayed, and her pupils began to lose focus.

Her eyes slowly closed.

"Ah. I did everything I could. Her heart took several crushing blows. By all rights, she should have died on the spot.

"But she held on for over two hours! Her willpower was incredible. I'm in awe."

A Ninja temporarily serving as a Medical Ninja spoke with a sigh.

"Sorry for the trouble," Liuyun said with a nod.

"It was nothing, Lord Liuyun! I'll leave you to it."

The Ninja answered respectfully, then turned and left.

With the outsider gone, Mikoto stopped hiding her grief. She threw herself into Liuyun's arms and sobbed.

"Waaah..."

"Liuyun! Uncle Jisu died! Uncle Yunda died too! Kanna died! Even Lai Mei just died!"

"They all died saving me!"

Tears poured down Uchiha Mikoto's face, soaking Liuyun's black clothes.

"I know! I know! Don't cry. Please don't cry."

Liuyun patted Mikoto's back gently, comforting her in a soft voice.

"Wait. Didn't the clan only send two Elite Jonin? Why were there four?"

"I'm not sure either. Kanna said that when the clan learned you were going to the front lines, they knew what you were like. You wouldn't want to owe the clan anything!"

"They thought two people might not be enough to keep me safe, so they sent two more women trained in Medical Ninjutsu to the logistics division ahead of time to protect me