In a forest clearing to the west, ten miles from Uzushiogakure.
Grand Elder Uzumaki Hiro'umi and Clan Head Uzumaki Wakou had already headed east to deal with the five hundred Kaguya ninja led by Kaguya Manro and Kaguya Taketori.
Even strictly in terms of ninja numbers, the Uzumaki far outnumbered the Kaguya. In a head-on, one-on-one fight, the battle-focused Kaguya wouldn't necessarily be able to swallow the sealing-jutsu-expert Uzumaki.
But having the enemy suddenly strike right at their doorstep, how could the Uzumaki clan not panic? Even with support from the Senju side, they appeared to be losing ground steadily.
Shortly after the Grand Elder led reinforcements to resist in the east, an Uchiha army led by Uchiha Izuna arrived in the west.
This made the hearts of those remaining in Uzushiogakure leap into their throats.
With both the Grand Elder and the Clan Head fighting in the east, the strongest person left to guard the village was Uzumaki Shigemitsu, a peak Jonin.
Fortunately, Uchiha Izuna hadn't launched an attack, but the condition he put forth made Uzumaki Shigemitsu break out in a cold sweat.
He actually wanted to propose to the Grand Elder's granddaughter, Uzumaki Mito!
That bastard. Is he genuinely planning this, or is he just here to cause trouble because he has a grudge against the Senju?
Regardless, the current Uzumaki clan absolutely could not afford to offend the Uchiha.
After rushing to the scene, Uzumaki Shigemitsu had no choice but to stabilize Uchiha Izuna and his men first, stalling for time.
But stalling wasn't a permanent solution.
He didn't dare let the Uchiha army into the village, not even Uchiha Izuna alone. This man was a god of calamity who, like Senju Hashirama, was said to be worth an entire army by himself!
If Uchiha Izuna made a move inside Uzushiogakure, let alone whether Uzumaki Shigemitsu could take responsibility, it was questionable whether the village would even continue to exist.
However, leaving six hundred members of the Uchiha clan hanging around outside was also a major problem.
"Uzumaki, what is the meaning of this?"
Uchiha Gakugyo's son, Uchiha Quanye, spoke in a cold voice. "Our Vice-Clan Head has come personally to propose. Not only do your Grand Elder and Clan Head fail to come out and welcome him, but you leave our Vice-Clan Head hanging out here. Are you trying to humiliate the Uchiha?"
Seeing a brat of twelve or thirteen dare to speak to him in such a tone, how could Uzumaki Shigemitsu, a peak Jonin, not be angry?
But right now, the east was under fierce attack by the Kaguya. Uzumaki Shigemitsu was speculating. The simultaneous arrival of the Uchiha and the Kaguya—was it a coincidence, or a premeditated plot?
It was likely the latter.
Arriving on the same day was one thing, but both using this inconceivable method of descending from the sky? If there wasn't a connection, he'd be seeing ghosts.
Uzumaki Shigemitsu and the dozens of Uzumaki ninja behind him were sweating profusely, indecisive for a moment.
What do we do!?
Let Uchiha Izuna and the others in? That would inevitably cause chaos in the village. It was even possible Uchiha Izuna was just waiting to be invited in so he could wreak havoc from the inside.
Don't let them in? These people here couldn't stop the Uchiha army; they probably couldn't even stop Uchiha Izuna alone! Once the Uchiha grew impatient, they could simply take the forceful approach.
Just as the Uzumaki side was wavering, Izuna, one of the central figures of the event, finally spoke.
"I am aware your clan is worried about us. How about this: I will enter with only a few people responsible for carrying the betrothal gifts. Everyone else will remain here. Is that acceptable?"
If it were the past, Uzumaki Shigemitsu might have agreed.
But after witnessing the power displayed in the battle at Mount Congyun, he absolutely dared not invite the man into the village casually. Leaving aside everything else, if the Two-Tails came out, the currently combat-power-deficient Uzumaki might not be able to withstand it.
"Men of the Uzumaki, do you require me, Uchiha Izuna, to cripple my own hands before you can rest easy?"
Seeing that Uzumaki Shigemitsu and the others still hadn't responded, Izuna's face darkened slightly, his tone already frosted with chill.
Even a Jonin like Uzumaki Shigemitsu couldn't help but take a step back under that gaze, to say nothing of the ninja behind him who hadn't even reached Jonin rank.
"Th-This..." Uzumaki Shigemitsu's voice began to tremble.
Just as Izuna was pressing them aggressively, an ethereal voice drifted over from a distance. "Izuna, they are my clansmen..."
Accompanied by the melodic, clear voice and a graceful silhouette, Uzumaki Mito arrived, escorted by an Uzumaki girl. She was dressed in the white shiromuku of a bride on her wedding day.
The hem of the pristine white outfit was stained with quite a bit of dust, showing just how hurriedly she had rushed over.
Even without lipstick, having not seen her for a year, Izuna could clearly see how her body had changed.
The period between sixteen and seventeen was precisely the time when a young girl gradually blossomed into maturity.
"The outfit is beautiful, but the person wearing it is what matters."
The corners of Izuna's mouth hooked up slightly. "You've become even more beautiful, Mito."
"Princess Mito!"
"Lady Mito!"
"Lady Mito!"
Uzumaki Shigemitsu and the surrounding Uzumaki ninja immediately cast their gazes toward Uzumaki Mito.
Mito walked over quickly and said to Uzumaki Shigemitsu, "Lord Shigemitsu, let Uchiha Izuna enter the village. I guarantee he won't make any unruly moves."
"Princess, this..."
Uzumaki Shigemitsu was still hesitant, but Mito continued, "I will bear full responsibility. Besides, wouldn't it be far too rude to leave the Uchiha Vice-Clan Head standing here like this?"
Uzumaki Shigemitsu gritted his teeth and nodded. "Since the Princess insists, this subordinate will not interfere further."
Mito raised her delicate hand slightly. "Please, Lord Izuna."
Izuna raised his arm, signaling his personnel to stand by. He walked past Uzumaki Shigemitsu and directly took hold of Mito's hand.
Mito's pretty face flushed slightly. She struggled anxiously, wanting to break free, but she was helplessly locked in his iron grip.
In the end, she could only glare at him in rebuke and walk with him into Uzushiogakure.
Uzumaki Shigemitsu and the others watched from the side, their eyes wide with shock.
Could it be that there really is that kind of relationship between Princess Mito and that fellow Uchiha Izuna?
Many of them indeed knew that Mito had once been captured by Izuna and held as a prisoner in the northern Uchiha military camp for over half a year before being released.
Could it be that during that time...
No, no, no. Even so, developing things to that stage with an enemy is just too fantastical.
But now, the facts were right before their eyes, forcing them to believe it.
However, with things developing to this point, how were they supposed to answer Senju Hashirama and his people when they arrived?
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