Seeing Uchiha Ryun's expression, Uzumaki Mito suddenly frowned, then relaxed again.
"Tsunade, you've eaten enough, right? Go report to Sarutobi first. I'll send this little guy to meet up with you later."
Tsunade was startled, suddenly realizing that her grandmother wanted to ask Uchiha Ryun something and was sending her away. She glanced at Uchiha Ryun, then nodded and left.
"Okay, Grandma, I'll go first." After finishing the last bite of rice in her bowl, she gently placed the bowl on the table and left briskly.
After seeing her granddaughter go far away, Uzumaki Mito took Uchiha Ryun's hand and smiled warmly.
"Little Ryun, let's go inside to talk."
Uchiha Ryun nodded upon hearing this. He knew Mito-sama must have noticed he had something to say, which was why she sent Tsunade away.
Entering the room, Uzumaki Mito activated a barrier-type jutsu, sealing the space. Now, the conversation could only be heard by the two of them.
"Speak, little Ryun. What did you want to tell me?" As she spoke, Uzumaki Mito slowly sat down and personally brewed a pot of tea.
Uchiha Ryun's gaze no longer hesitated. He felt that if he didn't speak now, he would regret it for the rest of his life. Beside him, Uzumaki Mito sensed the turmoil in his heart and couldn't help but frown.
Finally, Uchiha Ryun spoke. "Grandma, I want to ask, how strong is the Uzumaki Clan in combat?"
He looked directly into Uzumaki Mito's eyes, his expression serious.
Uzumaki Mito was taken aback, then shook her head. "Our clan specializes in sealing techniques and healing techniques. We are a peaceful clan. With just these, we can protect ourselves." She didn't understand why Uchiha Ryun was asking this.
But since he seemed serious, she decided to answer honestly.
"Grandma, no, Mito-sama, I want to ask, if someone takes advantage of the war to attack the Land of Whirlpools while Konoha Village is fighting in the Land of Rain, will Konoha send aid to the Land of Whirlpools?" As soon as Uchiha Ryun finished speaking, he felt a powerful force rushing toward him.
Adamantine Sealing Chains! And it was Uzumaki Mito's Adamantine Sealing Chains. Her eyes now held a coldness. "Little Ryun, who told you to say these things?"
Uchiha Ryun was instantly bound by several thick chains. Except for his mouth, he was completely sealed.
Inside Uzumaki Mito, the Nine-Tails shivered. Damn, I thought four chains were scary enough, but this kid actually made Mito this angry. Tsk tsk.
Uzumaki Mito suddenly said, "Our Uzumaki Clan of the Land of Whirlpools loves peace. We have never invaded any country. Why would we be attacked? What benefit would attacking the Land of Whirlpools bring?"
She was furious now. As the former princess of the Land of Whirlpools, Uchiha Ryun's words had touched her deepest anger. Moreover, she believed attacking the Land of Whirlpools would be pointless, since the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha were allies!
"Exhale. Mito-sama, listen to me. The Uzumaki Clan specializes in sealing techniques, right? When Lord Hashirama distributed the tailed beasts, the sealing techniques of other countries were far cruder compared to the Uzumaki Clan's. They frequently break loose. Will the other countries tolerate this forever?" Uchiha Ryun hurriedly said.
Uzumaki Mito's eyes flashed. She had been angry, but she wasn't stupid. Hearing Uchiha Ryun's words, she felt a stir in her heart. She sensed he was about to say something shocking, but she didn't detect any malice from him.
So Uzumaki Mito retracted the Adamantine Sealing Chains. She looked at Uchiha Ryun and said, "Little Ryun, say everything you want to say."
She had calmed down now, since Uchiha Ryun's words made sense.
"The Uzumaki Clan and Konoha are allies, and with Mito-sama here, Konoha doesn't suffer from tailed beast rampages. But the Uzumaki Clan would never help the other four great nations. So if those nations take advantage of Konoha's war with the Land of Rain to attack the Land of Whirlpools and steal sealing techniques, can the Land of Whirlpools hold them off?" Uchiha Ryun's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's.
Uzumaki Mito sighed.
"Of course not. But the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha are allies. Would Konoha just stand by and watch?"
"Lord Third has just become Hokage. His position is unstable. As Konoha's Hokage, he must prioritize Konoha's interests. To secure his position, he needs a victorious battle! Do you really think he would abandon the frontlines to help the Land of Whirlpools out of respect for Lord Hashirama?" Uchiha Ryun's words stabbed straight into Uzumaki Mito's heart.
Nine-Tails: "Hey, Mito, I think the kid makes a good point. Not everyone is as naive as that guy."
The Nine-Tails' voice echoed in Uzumaki Mito's mind. After all, Mito had never mistreated it, and they coexisted peacefully, so it held no grudge against her.
Hearing Uchiha Ryun's words, it felt there was a high chance he was right.
Uzumaki Mito's face paled. She had been too naive about the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools, and about Hiruzen Sarutobi. If this really happened, the Land of Whirlpools...
"Sealing techniques are a minor issue, Mito-sama. Do you think they would leave after stealing the techniques? No. The Uzumaki Clan's physical traits—you understand better than I do, right?" The final blow was often the truth.
Uzumaki Mito's mind was now in chaos. She felt panicked and asked, "Little Ryun, then what should I do?"
Her eyes were filled with panic and hope. Since Uchiha Ryun had raised the issue, he must have a solution!
Uchiha Ryun wasn't angry about Uzumaki Mito's earlier actions. If he were in her place and someone spoke of his clan's destruction while sowing discord between allies, he wouldn't believe it either.
Besides, he had prepared himself mentally. He was here to repay a favor, so he didn't dwell on it.
Uchiha Ryun pondered briefly, then said, "Mito-sama, do your words still carry weight in the Land of Whirlpools?"
Uzumaki Mito nodded. Although she had married Hashirama Senju and become part of Konoha, her talent was still the greatest in the Uzumaki Clan.
The Uzumaki Clan respected strength, so they would still heed her words.
"Does Mito-sama miss her clan?" Uchiha Ryun asked.
Uzumaki Mito's eyes lit up. "You mean...?"
"Mito-sama is the village's jinchūriki and can't leave freely. So let's send a message to the Uzumaki Clan. Say that Mito-sama doesn't have much time left and wants to see her family. I think many clansmen will come to visit." Uchiha Ryun smiled.
"Then..." Before Uchiha Ryun could finish, Uzumaki Mito's eyes brightened. "Then we can use sealing techniques to trap them, or use the war as an excuse to keep them in Konoha!"
Uchiha Ryun nodded with a smile. "Yes. But doing this might make the Uzumaki Clan misunderstand that Mito-sama wants to annex them for Konoha's benefit." He pointed out the downside.
If the Uzumaki Clan joined Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi would be thrilled. But for the Land of Whirlpools—sorry, we're allies, but we won't help unconditionally.
This was political struggle, not some simple exchange of favors.
Uzumaki Mito nodded. "It's fine. As long as their lives are spared, even if they curse me, I can accept it!"
Then she looked at Uchiha Ryun. "You're quite clever, kid. Thank you."
"Mito-sama, you flatter me. If not for your help and kind words, I wouldn't have caught Lady Tsunade's eye and become her trusted aide. I owe you a greater debt!" Uchiha Ryun clasped his hands.
The Adamantine Sealing Chains hadn't hurt him. Besides, did people think being a trusted aide was dangerous? Trusted aides stayed close to the commander. How dangerous could that be? He didn't believe Tsunade had recruited him on her own. Mito-sama must have helped.
Uzumaki Mito smiled. "Your wisdom reminds me of two old friends. They were like you, thinking three steps ahead."
Uchiha Ryun raised an eyebrow, unsure who she meant.
Uzumaki Mito continued, "Tobirama Senju and Uchiha Izuna."
Uchiha Ryun quickly shook his head. "No, no, how could a junior like me compare to these two heroes of the Warring States period?"
"I know people well." Uzumaki Mito smiled. She wasn't boasting. She had bet on Hashirama Senju because she believed in his character and talent—and she had been right.
Uchiha Ryun stayed silent. Anything he said now would be wrong, so it was better to listen humbly.
Uzumaki Mito chuckled at his expression. "Alright, little one. I'll do as you say. Now come with me to see Tsunade."
With that, she dispelled the barrier, took Uchiha Ryun's hand, and walked out of the Senju compound, soon leaving the Senju clan grounds.
An Anbu operative saw this and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique. He had to report to the Hokage!