"You don't need to think too much about it. This is simply the price the Uzumaki clan must pay for entering Konoha. One side takes, so naturally one side must give. These things were decided from the very beginning," Mito said, seemingly understanding Haseo's current thoughts.
"Truthfully, we should be thanking you. Because of your plan, the Uzumaki clan were able to come to Konoha. Considering the recent attack against the Uzumaki clan, in a certain sense, you helped us avoid being wiped out entirely...
Perhaps there's another timeline, one without this Nine-Tails Plan. In that reality, maybe the Uzumaki clan would no longer exist by now.
So, even if we reduce everything down to the coldest of calculations, this plan still makes sense... Sacrificing just several ninja pales in comparison to the entire clan being wiped out."
Her words left Haseo speechless... He couldn't exactly say that such a timeline really did exist, and that the Uzumaki truly had been exterminated.
Yet through her speech could be seen Mito's attitude—she was someone who'd long grown accustomed to death and sacrifice, so she could discuss current events with an extremely calm tone.
Though deep within her heart, she definitely still felt sorrow over the Uzumaki sacrifices.
Actually, Mito herself was willing to become such a sacrificial figure. However, as the most important link between the Uzumaki clan and the Hidden Leaf Village, she couldn't die before the clan completely integrated with Konoha. Indeed, she needed to try her best to live as long as possible. Only then could the Uzumaki smoothly establish themselves within the Leaf.
Haseo felt only a momentary sense of sentiment; he wasn't prone to excessive emotion. This plan had been his proposal, and at this point, he naturally wouldn't feign remorse or say anything false.
Moreover, what Lady Mito had said made perfectly clear—the slight advancement of the Nine-Tails Plan hadn't been solely her personal decision, but rather determined collectively by the few Uzumaki ninja participating in the plan... and also dictated by objective conditions.
After all, they were already nearing the end of their lives and wanted to see this through before passing away. It was about squeezing every last drop out of what little life remained. Under such circumstances, surely nobody could expect them to prolong their survival artificially for several more years?
That would be unrealistic and inconsiderate.
The ones who are still alive should make allowances for those close to death, not the other way around. After all, those close to death lack both willpower and strength. Therefore... the plan indeed required adjustment.
"I understand, Lady Mito. Anyway, preparations for the plan have already begun... What about the Third Hokage? Lady Mito, have you confirmed the situation on his side?" Haseo asked.
Preparations on his own side, as well as the Uzumaki clan's side, were already complete. What remained now was dealing with Sarutobi's part. Naturally, executing the plan would require the Hokage's approval.
Mito shook her head and said, "You'll handle communication with Sarutobi. From now on, you'll take charge of matters like this."
Right now, I need to keep a low profile. Only someone no one notices normally can really make a difference when it matters.
Compared to Konoha, the Uzumaki clan is weaker, so at this point, Mito Uzumaki naturally focuses more on thinking from her clan's perspective.
She deliberately avoids commenting on village affairs right now, so that when the time comes to speak, her words will carry more weight.
Even though Mito Uzumaki remains highly respected, as a retired figure, her influence has its limits—it's like a personal favor, useful once or twice at most, then it loses its power.
Unless she was willing to force everyone into submission—but what would be the point of tearing Konoha apart from the inside?
Precisely because of this clear understanding, Mito Uzumaki chose to first inform Haseo of this matter, and then have Haseo pass it on to the Third Hokage—effectively making him act as a messenger again.
After discussing various details with Mito Uzumaki, Haseo left, heading toward the Third Hokage with an important negotiation task.
At this time, the Third Hokage could always be found in his office buried under piles of messy paperwork—whether the current Hokage had developed the habit of peeking around everywhere remained unknown.
When Haseo reached the Hokage's Office, he found the Third exactly where he expected—drowning in piles of paperwork.
"Hokage-sama, there's a question I've always wanted to ask you… If you invest most of your time and energy into administrative work, how do you ensure your combat abilities as a ninja stay sharp? Without regular training, wouldn't your fighting skills inevitably decline?"
Haseo didn't rush to reveal Mito Uzumaki's decision to the Third Hokage, instead starting a casual conversation from a unique and pointed angle.
Unlike the previous turbulent times, the Third probably wouldn't be appearing on battlefields often anymore. But what if a real crisis arose where only the Hokage could resolve it—what if he couldn't deliver when needed most?
After all, ever since the Third focused on signing documents instead of practicing ninjutsu, in some ways, his lifestyle closely resembled that of a shut-in with no combat ability.
"I naturally have my own methods and times for training; otherwise, do you think I could have mastered so many secret techniques?" The Third Hokage put down his brush and casually explained.
His own time and methods? Was he secretly training with Biwako Sarutobi at home late at night?
Oh Lord, what a dirty thought.
Luckily, although the Third excelled at peeping, he wasn't skilled in reading minds—or else Haseo would have been in trouble.
"Do you want something from me? Is it another funding shortage for Kagenami again?"
The Third cut straight to the point, clearly unwilling to waste time chatting as a leader should.
But this remark left Haseo at a loss for words.
How rude! The Hokage just made an unfounded accusation. Did Haseo even mention anything about money? Not even a single word!
It was uncharacteristically careless for a Hokage to make a judgment call just based on routine thinking... Well, as for where this habit of the Hokage came from, that had nothing to do with Haseo.
"It's not about the budget, Lord Hokage. I have something important to report to you... Something extremely important," Haseo emphasized.
The Third Hokage glanced at him and understood his tone. Then he raised his hand and made several coded gestures, signaling the Anbu ninja guarding the office to withdraw collectively.
The Nine-Tails Plan was top secret—it absolutely couldn't be leaked.
"Lord Hokage, there's been a slight change regarding the Nine-Tails Plan... Lady Mito and the Uzumaki clan want to move the plan forward just a little," Haseo explained only after they were alone in the room with the Third.
When Haseo mentioned the Nine-Tails Plan, the Third Hokage finally turned serious. "What? Is there something wrong with Lady Mito's health?"
Jinchuriki's control over the tailed beast was something even the Hokage had to pay special attention to. Upon hearing that the plan needed to advance, his first thought was that Mito Uzumaki's body might not hold up anymore.
Haseo shook his head and then relayed to the Third everything he had learned from Mito Uzumaki.
"The plan advancing slightly earlier is due to objective factors, but I don't think it will be a big problem," he continued. "However... the only issue now is whether Lord Third has mastered that crucial kinjutsu."
As long as Lord Third was fine with the plan itself, moving it up a little wouldn't be a big deal.
The Hokage was silent for a moment before speaking. "So we really have to use that forbidden technique? I must say, my brother... Master Tobirama could be quite puzzling sometimes, developing a ninjutsu like that which manipulates the dead.
And I never imagined such a jutsu would end up being used in a situation like this."
Haseo blinked in surprise, thinking to himself—had the Third Hokage gotten too bold, actually daring to criticize the Second Hokage?
Well, technically, those words didn't quite count as criticism, but at least could be considered grumbling under his breath like a grumpy old man.
"So... Lord Third Hokage, you haven't learned the Second's kinjutsu yet?"
Haseo just wanted a straightforward answer.
The Third Hokage glared at Haseo. "Don't talk nonsense. I've already mastered that technique. It's just... I have moral reservations about using it."
This settles it, right? If you can do it, just say you can. You learned your master's forbidden technique and still grumbled behind his back—what kind of disciple are you?
You want to have your cake and eat it too, don't you?
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