[This fanfic is a remake of another fanfic, it changes as it goes.]
Mito let out a quiet sigh.
"Of course they wouldn't be able to hold out. But the Land of Whirlpools is an ally of Konoha. Do you really think Konoha would just sit back and watch?"
"The Sandaime-sama has only just taken the Hokage's seat. His position is unstable. He is the Hokage of Konoha, so naturally he will put Konoha's interests first.
To sit firmly on the Hokage's seat, he needs a resounding victory.
Do you really think he would, for the sake of his bond with Hashirama-sama, abandon the front lines and go help the Land of Whirlpools?"
Kotarou's words were like another spike driven straight into Mito's heart.
'Hey, Mito… I think the brat makes a lot of sense. Not everyone is as naïve as that guy, after all.'
The Nine-Tails' voice rang in Mito's mind.
Mito had never abused it, and they had always lived in relative peace, so it didn't have much resentment toward her.
Hearing Kotarou's analysis, it felt that what he was saying was very likely the truth.
Mito's face went pale.
It seemed she really had oversimplified the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools… and idealized Hiruzen far too much.
If something like that really happened, then the Land of Whirlpools…
"The fūinjutsu (sealing techniques) are the lesser issue here, Mito-sama. Do you really think, after they seize the sealing techniques, they'll just walk away? They won't. The Uzumaki constitution… you understand it better than I do."
The last straw that breaks the camel's back is often the simple, cruel truth.
Mito's mental state was already in turmoil.
Now she was starting to panic.
"Kotarou-kun… then tell me, what should I do?"
Her eyes held both panic and hope.
Since Kotarou was the one who pointed out the problem, then surely he must have a way to solve it.
Kotarou didn't hold any grudge over what Mito had done just now.
If he were in her shoes and someone came to tell him his clan was destined for extermination and that the relationship with the village would be torn apart, he wouldn't have believed it either.
Besides, he had already steeled himself for this conversation and had come with the intent to repay her kindness, so he didn't fuss over it.
Kotarou thought for a moment, then said, "Mito-sama, do your words still carry weight in the Land of Whirlpools?"
Mito nodded.
Even though she had married Hashirama and become a citizen of Konoha, her talent was still the greatest in the Uzumaki clan.
The Uzumaki were a clan that admired strength, so they would still give her face when she spoke.
"Mito-sama, do you miss your clansmen?"
Kotarou asked.
Mito's eyes lit up.
"You mean…?"
"Mito-sama, you're the village's Jinchūriki. You can't move around freely.
So we send a message to the Uzumaki clan saying that your time is running short and you wish to see your relatives one last time.
I think, when they hear that, many clansmen will come to visit you."
Kotarou smiled.
"At that time…"
He hadn't finished when Mito's eyes flashed bright.
"At that time, we can use fūinjutsu (sealing techniques) to keep them here, or use the war as an excuse and forbid them to leave Konoha!"
Kotarou nodded with a smile.
"That's right.
But if we do that, the Uzumaki clan might misunderstand and think you, Mito-sama, are trying to swallow the Uzumaki into Konoha, gifting them to the village as a wedding dress."
He pointed out the downside.
If the Uzumaki clan joined Konoha, Hiruzen would naturally be delighted.
But if it was only the Land of Whirlpools as a state asking for aid…
Then, sorry, "We're allies, but that doesn't mean we'll help you unconditionally."
That was the nature of political struggle.
It was not some simple "you helped me once so I must help you back" kind of relationship.
Mito nodded slowly.
"It doesn't matter. As long as they can stay alive, even if they curse my name, I can accept it."
Then she turned her gaze back to Kotarou.
"You've got quite the sharp mind, brat. Thank you."
"Mito-sama. Without your rescue and your kind words, I doubt I would have ever caught Tsunade-sama's eye and become her trusted aide. Your favor weighs far heavier on me."
Kotarou bowed politely.
It wasn't as though Kongō Fūsa (Adamantine Sealing Chains) had actually hurt him.
Besides, did people really think being a "trusted aide" was that dangerous?
When you're glued to the commander's side, just how dangerous can it be?
He didn't believe for a second that Tsunade had suddenly taken a personal interest in him out of nowhere.
Mito-sama had definitely helped push this along.
Mito smiled.
"Your cleverness reminds me of two old acquaintances. They were like you… always thinking three moves ahead with every step."
Kotarou's brow twitched. He had no idea who she meant.
Mito went on, "Tobirama and Izuna."
Kotarou hurriedly shook his head.
"N-no way. I'm just a junior. How could I possibly compare to those two heroes of the Warring States era…"
"I don't misjudge people."
Mito smiled.
She wasn't bragging.
Back then, she had placed her bet on Hashirama because she believed in his character and talent, and in the end, she had been right.
Kotarou fell silent.
At this point, anything he said would probably be wrong, so it was better to just listen humbly.
Seeing him like this, Mito couldn't help but laugh softly.
"All right, little one. I'll do as you suggested. Now come with me to see Tsunade."
With that, she dispelled the barrier, took Kotarou by the hand, and headed out.
Very soon, they had left the Senju compound.
The ANBU nearby immediately used the Shunshin no Jutsu, flashing away.
He had to report to the Hokage!
The ANBU was incredibly fast.
In less than ten seconds, he appeared at the Hokage Building.
He knocked on the door to Hiruzen's office.
Knock knock knock!
"Come in!"
Hiruzen had just finished changing into his battle gear and was about to head downstairs to announce the expedition when someone suddenly knocked.
"Reporting, Hokage-sama! Mito-sama is holding hands with Kotarou and heading straight for the assembled forces!"
The ANBU's voice was loud enough that Hiruzen didn't react for a moment.
"Huh? What did you say? Mito-sama, she…"
Hiruzen rushed to the window that overlooked the path from the Senju compound down to the troops beneath the Hokage Building.
Sure enough, he saw two silhouettes, hand in hand, walking slowly toward the army.
He immediately ordered ANBU to notify Danzo and the members of the Elder Council to hurry over.
Mito was Hashirama-sama's wife, a living legend.
Even though she was now retired at home, she was not someone they could afford to ignore.
In fact, if anything serious happened in the future, they would still need Mito-sama's support.
There was no way Hiruzen hadn't thought of that.
He opened the office door and rushed downstairs.
The three thousand ninja of the vanguard watched the hastily descending Hiruzen with wide eyes.
The heads of the Uchiha and Hyūga clans both frowned slightly.
Although Hiruzen hadn't been in power long, he handled things carefully and methodically. Even they could find little fault with him.
So why was he in such a hurry now?
Following the line of Hiruzen's gaze, they saw a woman leading a young boy, slowly approaching.
When they saw who the woman was, all three thousand vanguard ninja dropped to one knee in unison.
That was the wife of the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, Hashirama.
Uzumaki Mito.
A figure of legend, and the most exalted woman in the Hidden Leaf.
(End of Chapter)
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