After the meeting ended, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately began mobilizing forces. The Konoha reinforcements were scheduled to assemble before nightfall and depart that same evening—aiming to resolve the Land of Whirlpools situation within two days.
Hoshiyomi's shadow clone followed Mito Uzumaki back to the Senju compound.
Inside, Mito glanced at Hoshiyomi, who looked like he wanted to speak but held back. She spoke first:
"You're confused, aren't you? You think it was foolish of me not to immediately send troops, and instead use the opportunity to take note of those with questionable intentions?"
"I wouldn't dare," Hoshiyomi replied.
Mito chuckled faintly, but her tone suddenly turned serious:
"Hoshiyomi, let me ask you—what exactly do you feel about Tsunade?"
"Huh?" Hoshiyomi was caught off guard. The shift in topic was so abrupt. Just moments ago, they'd been discussing national affairs, and now she was asking about Tsunade?
Instinctively, he tried to dodge the question:
"Lady Mito, I'm just a shadow clone. Shouldn't you be asking my real body that sort of question?"
Mito's gaze sharpened.
"I've seen enough between the two of you to sense what's going on. And while I don't intend to meddle in the feelings of the young... you were present for the meeting today and took part in the situation with the Land of Whirlpools. From now on, no matter how we plan things, we can't avoid involving you.
I trust you wouldn't do anything to harm Tsunade, but I still want a promise from you. Of course, the choice is yours.
If you can swear that from this point on, you'll stand firmly at her side, I'll share every part of my plan with you.
If you can't even make that promise, I won't interfere with what happens between you two—but until I die, you won't take another step into the Senju compound."
She had started off casual, but by the end, her tone was stern and her presence oppressive. Even though Hoshiyomi's shadow clone possessed elite jōnin-level strength, he could still feel the crushing weight of her aura.
Still, though it was only a clone, its mind and thoughts were identical to the real Hoshiyomi's. So he didn't hesitate before replying:
"Granny Mito, on behalf of my real self, I promise: no matter what happens, I will always stand by Tsunade."
Though the words differed from what Mito had asked, the meaning came through loud and clear. Finally, a faint smile of relief appeared on her face.
"Then I hope you'll never forget the promise you made today. Now… let's begin with what happened in today's meeting."
That day, Mito told Hoshiyomi's clone many things—centered mostly on the gamble she was taking, and her long-term plans regarding the Land of Whirlpools. She also spoke extensively about the projected direction of the entire ninja world.
By the end of her explanation, Hoshiyomi could only admire her in awe.
Though he knew from his knowledge of canon that Mito's careful arrangements would eventually be destroyed—by Danzō, Hiruzen, and from outside the village, Madara and Black Zetsu—he had to admit: if someone with enough power could actually carry out her plan, it had high potential for success.
And Hoshiyomi... just happened to be someone capable of executing it.
In simple terms, Mito had two reasons for what she did at the meeting:
To expose those within Konoha who still harbored disloyalty—who could be drawn in, and who absolutely had to be eliminated.
To use this crisis as an opportunity to push the surviving Uzumaki clan members to abandon their homeland and resettle near Konoha.
Mito knew very well how strong the sealing formation in Uzushiogakure was. If the entire clan poured their chakra into it, even a hundred jōnin attacking it simultaneously wouldn't breach it easily.
It was likely that the barrier would break the day before reinforcements arrived, resulting in heavy casualties. But with Hoshiyomi and the others present, she could rest easier. There might be many deaths, but the entire clan wouldn't be wiped out.
In fact, back when she had written to ask Kushina to come to Konoha as the next Jinchūriki, she had already advised Uzumaki Ashina to relocate the clan to the Konoha region—even if not into the village proper, then at least nearby.
But Ashina had refused, citing ancestral ties, the location of the clan shrine, and various sealing barriers that were difficult to move.
Now, after this devastating attack, the Uzumaki would surely realize the danger of staying in Uzushiogakure.
Isolated and offshore, Uzushiogakure had barely held on this time—saved only by the last remnants of Mito's influence and the unexpected aid of Hoshiyomi and his group.
But such aid wouldn't come again.
The fact that the Four Great Shinobi Villages had joined forces was a sign: they no longer intended to passively watch Konoha grow stronger. The day Mito's death was made public would likely be the day war began.
None of the other villages would allow a new Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to mature. If that happened, resistance would be futile—Konoha would crush them all.
And when Mito was gone, the Senju clan weakened, and war was inevitable... if someone attacked Uzushiogakure again, Konoha would no longer be able to send help.
If the Uzumaki clan refused to integrate into Konoha, their only fate would be annihilation.
But if they moved to Konoha, things would be different.
As Mito's blood relatives, the Uzumaki—even if not absorbed into the village directly—could be powerful political allies for Tsunade and Nawaki.
Their support could tip the scales—and solidify Mito's final gamble.
Because Mito was betting everything on this: that Tsunade, with her near-Kage-level strength, her loyal followers, and the scattered Senju blood hidden among the civilian population, could one day overpower Konoha's opportunists and revive the Senju clan.
If the Uzumaki joined that effort, it would only improve the plan's chances.
By the end of that long conversation, Hoshiyomi was completely bound to the Senju cause.
His status within Mito's plan was elevated: from just another soldier under Tsunade's banner… to something like her co-strategist.
Or perhaps… the man behind the woman.
(Wait—did that just sound like a double entendre?)
That night, Hiruzen finalized the reinforcement teams. And to everyone's surprise, he rejected Danzō, who had suddenly volunteered to lead the support forces—his motives unclear—and instead appointed Torifu Akimichi as commander.
Hoshiyomi's shadow clone followed the support force for a while. Once he was sure the team was well-organized and secure, he released the jutsu and returned to the real Hoshiyomi.
Meanwhile…
Back on the waters near the Land of Whirlpools, Hoshiyomi, who had been finalizing strategy with Tsunade and Masahiko, suddenly staggered. His body wobbled as if he were about to faint, and only Tsunade's quick reflexes kept him from falling.
Hoshiyomi shook his head, bracing himself as he began absorbing the vast amount of intel sent back by his clone. Through clenched teeth, he managed to say:
"Konoha's reinforcements should reach the Land of Fire's coastline by dawn.
We launch the operation at first light."