Everyone understood in an instant!
There had been no fearful great nations banding together to destroy them!
There had been no accidental loss of contact!
From beginning to end, Uzushio Village's destruction might well have been something Konoha had tacitly approved-or even secretly orchestrated!
Konoha needed the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline, their Sealing Jutsu, and a Jinchūriki perfectly suited to the Nine-Tails!
The aging Mito was nearing the end of her life. They needed someone new and young, someone with the Uzumaki bloodline and even stronger vitality, to take over the Nine-Tails' seal!
And so!
Konoha had watched coldly as Uzushio Village was surrounded and slaughtered!
Konoha had cut off every avenue through which they could seek help!
All so that, once Uzushio Village was destroyed and its people scattered, they would have a legitimate excuse to take in-and control-the remaining Uzumaki orphans!
Then they could choose the most suitable candidate to become the next Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!
Cold-blooded!
Selfish!
Utterly calculating!
Everyone across the Shinobi World went cold, a chill shooting from their hearts to the crowns of their heads!
"That's ruthless! What Konoha did was downright vicious!"
"The so-called Will of Fire, all that talk of protecting allies-it was all lies!"
"They betrayed their allies for a tailed beast, for Sealing Jutsu, for their village's interests!"
"No wonder the other scattered Uzumaki never even considered going to their ally, Konoha. They would rather wander the Shinobi World!"
Inside Konoha's Hokage Office, the atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.
Tsunade sat upright in the Hokage's chair, radiating an icy chill. Her sharp eyes fixed on Hiruzen Sarutobi beside her, and her voice carried disappointment and anger she could not suppress.
"Old man, what you people did back then went too far."
That simple sentence struck their hearts