Some people rarely speak—not because their words carry no weight, but precisely the opposite. Their words are so powerful that they choose silence carefully.
Mito Uzumaki held immense influence in the Hidden Leaf Village—not only because she was the wife of the First Hokage, but also because she herself was an exceptionally capable ninja. Having such authority and yet choosing not to wield it was something few could ever do. That's exactly why, when she finally did speak, everyone listened intently.
At this moment, Mito Uzumaki voiced her support for Haseo's proposal to establish a new ninja organization within the village. Her opinion acted like a heavy ballast stone, instantly tipping the decision of the village's leadership toward Haseo's vision.
The meeting was temporarily adjourned as the Third Hokage stepped out to personally meet with Mito Uzumaki. The two then engaged in a private discussion.
However, what the Third Hokage hadn't expected was that upon arriving before Mito Uzumaki, before he could even bring up the topic of the new organization, she instead initiated the conversation on another matter entirely.
"Sarutobi, if the Uzumaki clan wishes to relocate entirely into Konoha and have the Land of Whirlpools integrated into the Land of Fire… what is your opinion? Favorable or unfavorable, Lady Mito?"
To Mito Uzumaki, Hiruzen Sarutobi was merely her junior—an apprentice-level subordinate—so she spoke directly and to the point, asking him such a question without hesitation.
The Hokage's opinion carried great importance, especially considering that recently, including matters regarding war, the young Hokage had handled affairs quite competently.
This sudden question momentarily stunned the Third Hokage. But once he realized that Mito Uzumaki was genuinely asking about this specific issue with no hidden meaning behind it, he finally replied, "Lady Mito, speaking purely from my personal perspective—or even from the standpoint of the Hokage—if the Uzumaki clan can integrate into Konoha, it would be a rare and valuable blessing."
Of course, the Third Hokage held a positive stance.
"The Uzumaki clan possesses a very unique and powerful strength. Even from the most pragmatic perspective, no one would turn such strength away—in fact, it's the kind of power one should actively seek to gain."
Still, while the Third Hokage's views were clear, actual execution proved more complicated.
"However… given the current state of affairs, the village's situation and various interests have already stabilized. The integration of the Uzumaki clan represents a variable for Konoha; therefore, we must carefully consider all aspects before taking action.
Even if there truly are numerous challenges, if you, Lady Mito, and the Uzumaki clan have already decided on this course of action, I still fully support and approve it. At that point, the remaining issues would simply be about the method and manner of implementation… preferably step by step."
While conversing with Mito Uzumaki, the Third Hokage openly expressed his true thoughts, having no need to hide anything from her.
After all, supporting the Uzumaki clan's relocation was not only wise—it was the only reasonable course of action.
Merging two ninja villages naturally has its pros and cons. However, compared to Uzumaki's village, Konoha's scale and size are large enough that there's no concern about indigestion after absorbing the Uzumaki clan—like a Fortune 500 company acquiring a local family-run workshop, it's absolutely not an issue.
Moreover, compared to the minor short-term disadvantages brought by the Uzumaki integration, their benefits are far more obvious... As Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally hoped the village would continue growing under his leadership.
Plus, there was another crucial point: unlike those restless Ninja Sects, the biggest flaw of the Uzumaki clan was merely being somewhat "introverted," preferring to stick to their own little patch of land. Yet now, wasn't this relocation decision precisely evidence they were ready to step out of isolation?
A clan possessing uniquely valuable abilities, low-key and never having caused trouble on their own—they're like top performers who just keep grinding away extra hours without ever complaining about a raise. No leader in their right mind would fail to appreciate them.
*Haseo* said, "If you can see things this way, then everything will be fine... Based on our current understanding of the Ninjutsu World situation, we foresee that smaller villages like Uzumaki won't stand a chance on their own anytime soon. It's either evolve or vanish—those are the only two options left. That's why I proposed integrating into Konoha, and after discussions within our clan, everyone agreed with my judgment. The final matter rests upon Konoha's willingness."
Of course, the Uzumaki's decision wasn't made overnight, but Mito Uzumaki's opinion had definitely played a significant role.
"The Great Ninja World War has ended, so for the Uzumaki to choose entering Konoha at this moment must inevitably involve something complex. Considering the collective consciousness of the village, what the Uzumaki seek isn't simply one-sided 'protection,' but rather an equal-value 'exchange' with the village—in exchange for something of value, they can offer something too, although limited."
In reality, though, the Uzumaki possessed many valuable assets. Their issue lay in not having participated alongside others during Konoha's formation period, nor during the First Great Ninja World War when different ninja sects fought side-by-side for the village. Since they hadn't shed blood with Konoha back then, when preparing to integrate into the village now, the blood they didn't spill before must be repaid today.
"Exchange? Exactly what does Lady Mito mean?"
"Precisely what Haseo mentioned... [Kagenami]."
Then, Mito explained to the Third Hokage Haseo's plan to further control the Nine-Tails' power. The Uzumaki clan would sacrifice themselves to further divide the Nine-Tails' strength while contributing significantly towards future management of multiple Nine-Tails creatures, thereby allowing them not just to join Konoha, but to carve out a place of their own through this rare and vital role.
"Is something like this... really possible? Also, how could Haseo know such a thing?"
After listening to Mito Uzumaki's explanation, the Third Hokage initially expressed shock, soon followed by doubt.
This plan just sounded too good to be real. The idea of gaining further control over the Nine-Tails' power for the village's benefit was something the Third Hokage would naturally welcome—but it seemed almost too advantageous, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to doubt both the feasibility of the scheme and why Haseo had been able to propose it in the first place.
The current Third Hokage was still in his twenties, clearly far from having studied ultimate sealing techniques like the Dead Demon Consuming Seal. In fact, this might have been the very first time he'd ever heard of such a jutsu—originally, the Third Hokage wouldn't have learned about the Dead Demon Consuming Seal until after the destruction of the Uzumaki clan.
Since the Uzumaki themselves had lost their descendants, they entrusted all their heritage to Konoha.
Yet how could Haseo know something even the Third Hokage did not? It was simply too strange... Right now, Hiruzen's level of shock far exceeded what Mito Uzumaki had felt when she first heard Haseo's explanation.
"It has to have been Miyuki who told him."
"..."
Hiruzen even felt slightly wronged. You all have so many secrets, yet you never bother telling me—the Hokage himself.
"The report Haseo submitted stated something completely different. According to it, the purpose of establishing Kagenami was merely to divide tasks between Anbu or Root."
"That was just a cover-up. There needed to be an official reason behind forming the organization, while its real objective had to remain hidden... Separating the Nine-Tails was an extremely confidential matter; henceforth, only the Hokage and Kagenami would hold knowledge of this secret."
Mito Uzumaki's decision—together with her strict secrecy demands—wasn't just meant to safeguard the Nine-Tails' secret but also aimed at protecting the Uzumaki clan itself, who possessed the rare ability for asexual multiplication of tailed beasts.
Mito Uzumaki and the Third Hokage continued their discussion. They needed to address every detail step by step, however difficult. Still, regardless of any obstacles, Haseo's idea had already become an executable plan.
"My body can still hold out, so there's no urgent need to rush this. However, preparations for relocating the Uzumaki clan and initiating the process of separating the tailed beast can begin right away. Most steps can be handled by the Uzumaki clan, except for one particular stage."
"One particular stage?"
"The Impure World Reincarnation technique developed by the Second Hokage—an forbidden art capable of manipulating life and death itself. Even the Second knew how ethically unacceptable this jutsu was, so he sealed it away. Naturally, therefore, the Uzumaki clan doesn't possess this technique either, nor does anyone currently in Konoha have the ability to use it.
Learning it requires significant effort, resources, and poses immense risk. It's not a technique suited for ordinary ninja to learn, and even harder to master.
However, Sarutobi, I've heard there's a certain ninja in the village with an extraordinary talent for mastering new techniques—someone who's quietly earned nicknames like 'Ace' and 'Prodigy.' He definitely will be able to master it. So… do you understand what I'm saying, Sarutobi?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi: "..."
Was he supposed to answer with something like, "Oh yeah, that's me"?
All this beating around the bush really wasn't worth the effort. Trying too hard to sound polite made it anything but polite.
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