Konoha's bold declaration quickly spread through the shinobi world. A week later, Seiryu staged a political show.
With Hiruzen Sarutobi and Naruto, he visited the ruins of Uzushio Village.
Once a prosperous place, now it was covered in moss, ruined and desolate.
"Is this where my ancestors lived?" Naruto looked around in a daze. "Why is it like this?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to explain, but after opening his mouth, he couldn't say a word.
Why had it become this way? He, Danzo, and the two advisors were partly to blame. Back then, Konoha could have mustered troops to support Uzushio Village, but they watched as the Uzumaki clan was destroyed and failed to save even the last pureblood child.
"Konoha bears unavoidable responsibility for this tragedy," Seiryu said. "We can't change the past, but I promise such a tragedy will never happen again."
Seiryu led Naruto to the village shrine, laid flowers, and bowed deeply.
Hiruzen Sarutobi followed suit.
"Come, Naruto, offer flowers to your ancestors," Seiryu said, patting Naruto's head.
Naruto copied Seiryu, leaving flowers and bowing. As he rose, he felt as if his ancestors were watching.
"Protect this place. If the Uzumaki ever want to rebuild, return their ancestral land to them," Seiryu instructed Uchiha Inaho.
"Understood." Inaho sighed, looking at the ruins. Raised in a great clan, he'd heard war stories since childhood. While the Uzumaki were the Uchiha's rivals in their stories, seeing their current state inspired only sorrow.
"Teacher, I want to rebuild this place someday," Naruto said solemnly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to look at Naruto, then at Seiryu. Naruto was the village's Jinchuriki. If he rebuilt Uzushio, what would happen to the village? After all these years nurturing Naruto's dream of becoming Hokage, was he now switching to rebuilding his clan?
"That's exactly what you should do," Seiryu replied, ignoring Hiruzen's look. "You're the clan leader now."
"Leader?" Naruto lowered his head again. "But I don't know what to do."
"Don't worry. I'll teach you everything. Sasuke and Neji will help, too—they're your comrades."
"Okay!" Naruto nodded firmly.
"But first, learn the basic duality seal. If the Uzumaki Leader can't use sealing jutsu, people will laugh," Seiryu smiled.
"But teacher, you're the Uchiha clan Leader and you can't use genjutsu either," Naruto suddenly said.
"Who told you that?!" Seiryu glared.
"Uh, when I was playing in the Uchiha district with Sasuke and Neji, an old man from your clan said so," Naruto said.
Seiryu: "…"
Ever since he became Hokage and fulfilled the elders' dream, those old men had gotten lazy. They no longer held clan meetings, just strolled around and teased kids, even letting clan secrets slip. He'd have to find something for them to do.
Soon, news of Seiryu's visit to the Uzushio ruins spread, making it clear to all that Konoha's earlier declaration was no joke.
…
In the Rain Village, Nagato was moved when he heard the news.
"Nagato, what do you think of Konoha's new Hokage?" Konan asked, entering the room.
"Ignore him. Whatever his purpose, the Akatsuki will cross paths with them eventually," Nagato replied slowly.
"I understand," Konan nodded.
"Any news on Orochimaru?" Nagato asked.
"No. After assassinating the daimyo, he vanished," Konan reported.
"I see." Nagato's Rinnegan flashed.
…
Meanwhile, in Grass Village, which also had Uzumaki survivors, things were far less calm.
They were among those Konoha had threatened with retribution for harming Uzumaki descendants.
At present, Karin and her mother were imprisoned and used as living medical supplies. If Konoha learned of this, who knew what they'd do?
The Grass Village elders argued about what to do with the mother and daughter.
Setting them free was out of the question—they had grown reliant on their healing abilities, and Konoha wouldn't forgive them even if they released them now.
"I don't believe Konoha would start a war over two women!" one radical said. "They're our property! Why should Konoha interfere?"
"That's not so certain. The Fifth Hokage is from the Uchiha clan," the Grass leader said gravely.
"So we really have to let them go?" someone protested.
"No. Keep them hidden as a village secret. Don't let anyone know they're here," the leader instructed.
"Yes!" everyone agreed.
They thought they could keep the secret, but back in Konoha, Seiryu Uchiha already had all the intel.
"They're not taking me seriously as Hokage!"
In the Hokage office, Kakashi, Fugaku, Ago, Shibi, and all the village's power players were gathered, listening to Seiryu slam his desk in anger.
A report on the table detailed Grass Village's abuse of Uzumaki descendants.
"We can't let this go," Kakashi said. "The village has already promised to protect all Uzumaki. For Grass Village to act like this—they're not taking us seriously."
"So, do we declare war?" Fugaku asked.
"Declare war? They're not worthy," Seiryu sneered. "Send two people to tell them: either release the hostages and punish the perpetrators, or I'll come myself to demand justice."
"Understood. I'll go myself," Kakashi volunteered. "Even if talks break down, I can get out safely."
"Alright. I'll leave it to you," Seiryu nodded.
…
In Grass Village, if Karin and her mother had lived in hell before, their lives were now even worse.
Previously, they could at least see the sun, but now they were locked in a dark basement.
The Grass elders, panicking, became even more ruthless, treating Karin's mother like a piece of meat.
After draining her life force, they'd beat the mother and daughter as a way to vent.
"Remember, Grass is your only refuge. Your abilities are your only value. Don't even think about escape," a Grass jonin said coldly after feeding on Karin's mother.
At that moment, Kakashi arrived at the village gates.
"Who goes there?" the guards challenged.
"Kakashi Hatake, advisor to the Hokage of Konoha, here to visit," Kakashi said coldly.
"A Konoha ninja?" the guards frowned. "Why are you here?"
"Call someone in charge. You have fifteen minutes," Kakashi said.
The guards exchanged looks; one ran inside.
Ten minutes later, a Grass elder came with several jonin.
"What brings the Hokage's aide today?" asked Shinzo Yoshioka, the jonin team leader, feigning calm.
Konoha's recent statement and Kakashi's presence meant trouble, but Shinzo had been told to deny everything.
"Konoha has evidence that two Uzumaki survivors, former allies, are being abused in Grass Village. Care to explain?" Kakashi's face was cold.
"Where did you hear that? We know nothing about any Uzumaki," Shinzo replied.
"I'm not asking for your story. I trust our intel. I want a solution," Kakashi said icily.
"We really don't know anything about Uzumaki. And—"
"You have thirty minutes. Hand over the Uzumaki, have the perpetrators' ringleader commit suicide, and the others cut off a finger to apologize. If you delay, don't say you weren't warned," Kakashi interrupted, issuing an ultimatum.
"You're being too overbearing! Does Konoha really want war?" Shinzo's face darkened.
"You're not worthy to talk of war with Konoha," Kakashi sneered, pulling out a special kunai and sticking it in the ground.