Uzumaki Mito's attitude softened, and she repeatedly admitted that she had spoken out of turn.
Uzumaki Shinji merely gave a quiet snort and nodded.
He did not pursue the matter further.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew awkward. Fortunately, Uchiha Makoto had just finished receiving the Fire Daimyō and finally freed up time to meet Konoha's envoy—Uzumaki Mito.
"Mito," Shinji reminded her quietly as she turned to leave, "those words you said earlier are fine between family, but you must never say them in front of the Light Shadow. If such doubts reached his ears, they would damage the alliance between the Uzumaki clan and Amegakure."
"I understand," Mito replied with a nod.
She opened the door, met Kazuma waiting outside, and was escorted by him to Uchiha Makoto's office.
"Mito-sama, I didn't expect Konoha to send you."
Uchiha Makoto immediately stood when he saw her. This was his first time meeting Uzumaki Mito in person.
By shinobi standards, she was already quite old—but Makoto knew very well that she could easily remain active for another thirty or forty years. If not for her intention to personally ensure the smooth transfer of the Nine-Tails' seal into Uzumaki Kushina, she might have lived even longer.
"Tobirama is busy with village affairs," Mito explained gently.
"As for Hashirama… he and Madara have gone out together on a mission."
Makoto nodded and invited her to sit.
After some polite conversation, the atmosphere grew relaxed.
Makoto began with what sounded like flattery—though in truth, it was simply fact.
"Mito-sama, you look no different from a sixteen-year-old girl."
"Do you have some kind of secret?"
At this point in time, Mito had likely already grasped the rudiments of the Strength of a Hundred Seal (Byakugō no In). Her appearance was nearly identical to her youth—time had left no mark upon her face, only adding a subtle, mature charm.
A truly exquisite woman.
Hashirama Senju had been eating very well indeed.
That seal… I really should get one for Tsubaki Shizuku too. No way I'm eating worse than Hashirama in the future.
"You flatter me," Mito said with a soft laugh, her smile blooming effortlessly.
"Then, if there truly is a method," Makoto continued smoothly,
"please consider teaching it to Shizuku. For a young woman, appearance is often the most precious thing she wishes to preserve."
Using Shizuku as an excuse, Makoto aimed to get something for free.
Setting aside its youth-preserving effect, the Strength of a Hundred Seal was itself a top-tier secret technique—storing chakra over long periods and releasing it all at once in battle, effectively turning the user into a living artillery platform.
Give this to Megumin—
A few pseudo–Tailed Beast Bombs a day and you've got strategic deterrence.
"Light Shadow-sama," Mito said thoughtfully,
"it seems you truly care for Uzumaki Shizuku."
She had clearly focused on the wrong point.
Makoto, however, seized the chance without hesitation.
"Yes. I fell in love with Shizuku at first sight. Being fortunate enough to soon become her husband, I naturally want to find her the best possible wedding gift."
"If Mito-sama truly has such a secret technique, I would be willing to pay a great sum for it."
At these words—
Mito was visibly shaken.
She had never met this Uzumaki girl named Shizuku, yet an uncontrollable jealousy welled up in her heart.
Why does she get a husband's wholehearted love…
While I— Madara, I'll kill you—
"…There's no need."
She steadied herself and spoke calmly.
"I do possess such a technique. It is called the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Though still in its early stages, it is already close to achieving the effect of preserving youth."
"I'll give it as a wedding gift—from an elder of the Uzumaki clan to a younger generation."
She was only a little jealous.
But seeing one of her clanswomen find a good match genuinely made her happy. Talking about money would be vulgar—after all, as the legitimate matriarch of the Senju clan and the official First Hokage's wife, she lacked for nothing.
"Then I thank you sincerely, Mito-sama."
Makoto smiled with genuine delight.
He hadn't expected to obtain the Strength of a Hundred Seal so easily. Even as a prototype, its framework was already complete. From here on, it was merely a matter of refinement.
The hardest step in any ninjutsu was always going from zero to one—and Mito had already solved that problem.
The rest could be handled by Shizuku… or simply handed to Makoto's research team. Those technical maniacs lived for challenges like this.
"You're welcome," Mito replied with a nod.
To her, this was no more than a small favor.
After a brief pause, she still couldn't help asking about the bride-price.
36.8 billion ryō.
The number was simply too shocking.
"That's correct," Makoto said calmly.
"I've already delivered the full amount to the Uzumaki clan today."
"This money represents not only Amegakure's sincerity in allying with the Uzumaki, but also my genuine intent in marrying Shizuku."
"Proving one's sincerity with money is the simplest method."
Makoto continued to maintain his persona.
He had keenly sensed that Mito was particularly receptive to the image of a man devoted to his wife. Though he did like Shizuku, in truth they hadn't known each other long—love was still a heavy word.
But as long as Mito liked it, Makoto was more than happy to perform.
After all, once Hashirama died, Tobirama would almost certainly become the Second Hokage. That innately suspicious old man would be a constant threat to Amegakure.
Leaving Mito with a good impression could only bring benefits.
Even if she couldn't openly speak for Amegakure in the future, a subtle shift in her attitude could change outcomes entirely.
"…That's truly enviable," Mito murmured.
She nodded silently, the jealousy and envy toward Shizuku growing ever stronger.
So what if I am the most noble woman in Konoha—or even the shinobi world?
I still cannot obtain my husband's wholehearted love.
"Mito-sama," Makoto said gently,
"a wonderful woman like you—surely Lord Hashirama loves you with all his heart, doesn't he?"
Uzumaki Mito:
"..."'
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