The relationship between the Uzumaki and Senju clans had always been complex, built on layers of history, marriage alliances, and shifting political loyalties. Mito Uzumaki had been the daughter of an Uzumaki elder before marrying Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, creating a powerful bond between the two clans. For many years, their relationship had been strong and mutually beneficial.
However, since Sarutobi Hiruzen had become the Third Hokage, their relationship had undergone a subtle but noticeable change. While not openly hostile, it had grown considerably more distant, marked by increased formality and decreased personal interaction between clan members.
But before either of them could make their escape from the formal proceedings, two elders quickly noticed their intention to slip away.
"Elric, we have something important to discuss. Please stay," Elder Setsuna called out, his voice carrying a note of helplessness, as if he knew the young man would rather be anywhere else but here.
Elric paused mid-step, his expression shifting to one of resigned acceptance. "Fine," he said with a slight sigh. "Let's do this quickly then."
"Everything is ready," announced a maid who had appeared from within the building, bowing respectfully to the assembled group.
"Excellent. Then let's discuss everything over lunch," Elder Setsuna declared, gesturing for everyone to follow him as he led the group toward the prepared meeting room.
As they entered the space, Elric couldn't help but take note of the elaborate preparations that had been made. The meeting room had been beautifully decorated with traditional Uzumaki clan banners hanging from the walls, their spiraling symbols catching the light from the carefully placed lanterns. An impressive array of different dishes had been arranged on the long, polished wooden table—clearly, the clan had spared no expense in honoring their Konoha guests with a feast worthy of the occasion.
Everyone took their designated seats around the table, with Elric and Tsunade finding places next to each other. The seating arrangement seemed to have been carefully planned, likely to facilitate both conversation and observation during the meal.
The room fell into a comfortable but expectant silence as the assembled group began to eat. The travelers, clearly hungry after their long journey from Konoha, started consuming the food with obvious appreciation. The sounds of quiet conversation mixed with the gentle clinking of chopsticks against bowls, creating a deceptively peaceful atmosphere that belied the underlying tension of the diplomatic meeting.
For nearly ten minutes, the meal proceeded without any discussion of business. The Konoha delegation seemed content to enjoy the hospitality while gathering their thoughts and observing their hosts. Finally, one of the ANBU operatives decided to break the silence and move the proceedings forward.
"Elder Setsuna," he began formally, setting down his chopsticks and bowing respectfully toward the clan elder, "we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience our visit may have caused you and your clan."
Elder Setsuna waved his hand dismissively, though his expression grew notably more serious as he prepared to address the real purpose of the meeting. "Not at all. Your presence is always welcome here. But perhaps we can get to the main topic?"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the Konoha delegation before continuing. "No one here is a fool. Everyone knows there's a specific purpose to your coming here today. Let's not waste each other's valuable time with unnecessary pleasantries."
The ANBU operative nodded appreciatively, seeming relieved that they could move past the diplomatic niceties and address their actual mission. "You're absolutely right, Elder Setsuna. We won't waste your time with elaborate explanations."
He straightened in his seat, his voice taking on the formal tone of an official messenger. "Our main purpose in coming here today is to request a suitable jinchūriki candidate from the Uzumaki clan for Konoha's use."
After a brief pause, he added with carefully measured hopefulness, "I trust this arrangement won't prove too difficult to accommodate?"
The request itself wasn't particularly shocking to anyone present. There had been a long-standing agreement between the Uzumaki clan and Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, regarding exactly this type of arrangement. The Uzumaki clan's natural affinity for sealing techniques and their strong chakra reserves made them ideal candidates for containing bijuu. However, the current circumstances were somewhat different from what the original agreement had envisioned.
Under normal protocol, such a significant decision would fall squarely to the clan patriarch. In his absence, the responsibility would naturally transfer to the council of elders, who would deliberate and reach a consensus. But there was an unprecedented complication sitting right there at the table—a thirteen-year-old boy whose word had somehow become absolute law within the clan hierarchy.
The reality was that even if the patriarch had been present for this meeting, if Elric said no to the request, that would be the definitive end of any discussion. Over the past three months, he had proven beyond any doubt that his capabilities extended far beyond his incredible combat strength—he possessed the wisdom, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities necessary to guide the Uzumaki clan effectively through complex political situations.
Understanding the current power dynamic perfectly, all three elders turned their gazes toward Elric, silently waiting for his response to the Konoha delegation's request.
The ANBU team was visibly stunned by this unexpected development. While they had expected that Elric would wield significant influence over the clan's decision-making processes—after all, his recent display of power had made him a force to be reckoned with—this situation went far beyond their most generous estimates of his authority.
He's not just an advisor or even a powerful voice in clan politics, they realized with growing amazement. He's directly in charge of major clan decisions. At thirteen years old.
Every masked face in the room focused on Elric with new intensity, their body language shifting as they recognized that this young man was the true decision-maker they needed to convince.
Elric took his time considering the request, his expression thoughtful and completely unreadable as he weighed multiple factors that none of the others in the room could possibly understand or anticipate. His fingers drummed silently against the table as his mind worked through the complex implications.
In the original timeline, he thought, the Uzumaki clan was completely destroyed during the Third Great Ninja War, and Konoha provided no support whatsoever to help them. They proved themselves untrustworthy when it truly mattered, regardless of any prior agreements or alliances.
His expression remained neutral, but his thoughts continued to race. No matter how much I might respect individual characters like Naruto from the original story, this is a completely different situation now. I can't afford to make decisions based on sentimentality.
However, he continued his strategic assessment, if an Uzumaki clan member manages to gain significant influence within Konoha's power structure—similar to how Kushina did in the original timeline—it could prove incredibly beneficial for my future plans. Having an insider with real political weight could open doors that would otherwise remain closed.
After several long moments of contemplation that felt like hours to the anxiously waiting delegation, Elric reached his decision.
"I don't think there's any problem with your request," he said finally, his tone measured and diplomatic. "If anyone agrees to go, they're welcome to do so."
The Konoha delegation's faces lit up with obvious relief and satisfaction upon hearing the first half of his statement. This was going better than they had dared to hope—a straightforward agreement from the person who clearly held ultimate decision-making authority.
However, as the full meaning of his words began to sink in, their expressions of relief slowly transformed into confusion and uncertainty. Even the three Uzumaki elders sitting beside him looked puzzled by his particular phrasing.
"Wait," one of the ANBU operatives said aloud, his professional composure slipping slightly as confusion overtook diplomatic protocol. "What do you mean, 'if anyone agrees'? Who exactly needs to agree to what?"
Elric turned to look at the questioner with an expression that suggested he thought the question was rather foolish, as if the answer should be completely obvious to anyone with basic reasoning skills.
"Obviously," he replied with barely concealed patience, "whoever wants to go."
Turning his attention to Elder Setsuna, Elric continued with the same matter-of-fact tone, "Uncle, could you please make an announcement to the clan? Konoha needs a jinchūriki candidate. If anyone is interested in volunteering, they can sign up."
He tilted his head slightly toward the still-confused ANBU operative, "You do need someone young, right?"
"Uh... yes," the ANBU replied, clearly thrown completely off balance by this unexpected turn of events. His response came out sounding rather stupid even to his own ears.
"Then just send out a message through the communication network," Elric said with a casual shrug. "Everyone has access to it anyway. It shouldn't be difficult to spread the word."
Elder Setsuna looked somewhat bewildered by this unconventional approach to clan decision-making, but his respect for Elric's judgment had grown considerably over recent months. "Of course," he agreed, though his voice carried a note of uncertainty. "If that's what you think is best, we'll handle it that way."
"Great!" Elric stood up from his seat with fluid grace, clearly considering the matter settled. "Tsunade, let's go."
Without waiting for any further discussion or questions, he headed toward the exit. Tsunade, who had been observing the entire exchange with fascination, obediently followed him as he made his way out of the meeting room.
After Elric and Tsunade had disappeared from view, leaving behind an atmosphere of stunned confusion, one of the ANBU operatives turned to Elder Setsuna with barely concealed frustration and bewilderment.
"Elder," he said, his voice carrying genuine confusion that he was no longer attempting to hide behind diplomatic courtesy, "what is the meaning of this? We don't understand what just happened here."
The transformation in Elder Setsuna's demeanor was immediate and striking. Gone was the warm hospitality and diplomatic courtesy he had displayed earlier. His voice became cool and notably indifferent as he responded to the question.
"What do you mean?" he replied with deliberate obtuseness. "What didn't you understand? It's not as if he spoke in a different language. The instructions seemed quite clear to me."
The sudden and dramatic attitude change only served to confuse and unsettle the Konoha delegation further. They had expected continued cooperation and friendly discussion, not this abrupt shift to barely concealed hostility.
The ANBU operatives exchanged glances behind their masks, trying to process what had just occurred and what it meant for their mission's success.
Who would willingly volunteer to go to a different country to become a jinchūriki? they thought collectively, the reality of the situation finally beginning to dawn on them. This is clearly just a polite refusal disguised as cooperation. We're not going to get anyone this way.
Reading the room's atmosphere and the growing understanding on the faces of the Konoha delegation, Elder Setsuna realized that they had finally grasped what Elric's true intention had been. The young patriarch had found a way to refuse their request without actually refusing it—a masterful display of diplomatic maneuvering that left their guests with no legitimate grounds for complaint.
If the clan was going to follow Elric's lead in this matter—and they certainly were—then there seemed to be little point in continuing to maintain overly friendly relations with Konoha representatives who had essentially been dismissed.
"We will notify you immediately if anyone expresses genuine interest in accompanying you back to Konoha," Setsuna said with formal politeness that couldn't quite mask the dismissive undertone. "Please, continue to enjoy the remainder of your meal. The food was prepared with considerable care."
With that final statement, he and the other two elders also rose from their seats and left the room, following Elric's example and leaving their guests to contemplate the unexpected turn of events.
The ANBU operatives were left sitting at the beautifully prepared table, staring at each other in complete bewilderment. The elaborate meal continued to steam before them, but their appetites had vanished entirely in the face of their confusion and growing frustration.
Only one figure among them—an operative whose snake-like eyes held a distinctly different gleam behind his mask—seemed to have fully grasped the true meaning and brilliance behind Elric's seemingly simple response. A bright glint of what might have been admiration or recognition flickered in those serpentine eyes.
Fascinating, the snake-masked ANBU thought with grudging respect. Absolutely fascinating. This boy is far more dangerous than any of our intelligence reports suggested.
The entire situation had developed in a way that was completely contrary to all their expectations and planning. In their best-case scenario, they had hoped that the Uzumaki would willingly send them a talented clan member, perhaps someone eager to prove themselves in service to a allied village. In an even more optimistic outcome, they had thought they might be allowed to choose a candidate themselves from among the clan's younger members.
Instead, they found themselves facing something entirely unprecedented and completely outside their understanding of how clan politics were supposed to work.
This makes no sense, the lead ANBU thought desperately. Isn't the patriarch supposed to choose, and then everyone else automatically follows his orders? Does individual willingness or unwillingness even matter in a traditional clan structure? Why are we being asked to wait for volunteers when that's not how any of this is supposed to work?
What they should have reasonably expected was either a flat, direct rejection of their request, or a simple agreement followed by the straightforward assignment of a suitable clan member. This strange middle ground of "if they're willing" was completely outside their frame of reference and understanding of political negotiations.
"What are they supposed to ask?" one of them muttered quietly to his companions. "If not just say no outright, and if they agreed, then just select a clansman directly. What the hell does 'if they are willing' even mean in this context?"
Their confusion was perfectly understandable, even predictable. Even before Kaguya's arrival on Earth had changed the fundamental nature of chakra and ninja abilities, the world had operated under rigid hierarchical systems for over a thousand years. The concept of asking for individual opinions and personal consent, especially within a ninja clan where hierarchy was typically even more strictly enforced than in civilian society, was utterly foreign to their experience.
In their world, orders came from the top of the hierarchy and flowed downward without question or discussion. Personal desires, individual preferences, and personal consent were luxuries that most ninja could never afford to consider, especially when it came to matters of clan duty and village service.
So asking for individual opinions was not just confusing—it was revolutionary. And this was especially true within ninja clans, where the hierarchical structure was traditionally even more rigid and unforgiving than in regular military organizations.
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