Uzumaki Mito stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen for a long time.
Under her gaze, Hiruzen felt his scalp prickle.
Mito swept her eyes over Hiruzen and the others, then spoke with crisp authority:
"You've been fleeing for your lives all this way. You must be exhausted—and wounded as well. The Senju have dedicated medical-nin. I'll have them treat your injuries shortly. For now, go rest."
She paused, then added coldly,
"For the next few days, you will remain within the Senju compound. You are not going anywhere."
"Tobirama's death is not to be spoken of for now. No matter who asks you—do not say a word. Understood?"
Hiruzen and the others exchanged glances, completely unsure of what Mito intended to do.
Conceal the Hokage's death… and place them under soft confinement?
Hiruzen felt bitter inside. His status as Tobirama's chosen successor suddenly felt like a burning hot potato. If he obediently stayed in the Senju compound and Mito decided to make them "disappear," what then?
Uzumaki Mito was far more than just the First Hokage's widow.
She was a high-ranking combatant of the Uzumaki clan from the Warring States Era—a crimson rose that had bloomed from mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
Anyone foolish enough to treat her as a decorative figurehead might as well have wasted their entire life.
At this moment, Hiruzen clearly understood—his life was firmly in Mito's hands.
For all he knew, a dozen elite Senju ninja were already lying in wait outside. One word from Mito, and they would all be taken down on the spot.
"Lady Mito, we—"
Shimura Danzo shifted uneasily and tried to speak. He wasn't stupid either. If they stayed here and Mito turned hostile, they wouldn't even have a chance to escape.
"Danzo," Hiruzen cut in calmly, giving him a meaningful look. "Lady Mito has already made arrangements. We'll stay here and rest without worry."
He turned back to Mito and agreed without hesitation.
Hiruzen had little personal contact with Mito. Most of the times he saw her were when he accompanied his teacher, Senju Tobirama.
But he had seen clearly how Tobirama treated her.
With respect.
Hiruzen might not fully trust Mito—but he trusted his teacher.
If Tobirama had chosen him as Hokage, then Hiruzen was willing to stake his life on believing that the woman Tobirama respected so deeply would not act against his will and strike him from the shadows.
This monkey knows his place.
"Then leave," Mito said indifferently. "Someone will take you to your resting quarters."
After Hiruzen and the others exited, a Senju clan member who had been standing guard outside stepped inside.
Senju Taomu's heart sank with unease.
The Hokage's guard unit had returned—every one of them looking battered and dispirited, clothes torn, like soldiers who had suffered a crushing defeat.
But where was Clan Head Tobirama?
Surely… he wasn't dead?
"L-Lady Mito…"
Taomu asked tentatively, anxiety written all over his face.
"Go," Mito said sharply. "Activate Konoha's barrier seals—set them to wartime status. Take my written order and have the ANBU place the entire village under lockdown."
"Mobilize all remaining Senju ninja. Monitor every clan currently in Konoha. Any unusual movement—report it to me immediately."
Her gaze hardened.
"Especially the Uchiha."
"And send word to Tōma. Order him to return from the front lines at once."
The string of commands left Senju Taomu's mind reeling.
Had the enemy reached Konoha's gates already?
Or were the Uchiha preparing a rebellion?
Even Senju Tōma—the clan's young heir—was being recalled from the front.
"Lady Mito… what exactly happened? Don't tell me the Clan Head—"
"Go. Now."
The icy edge in Mito's voice made Taomu shudder. He realized he had spoken far too much.
"Yes, Lady Mito!"
Taomu hurried out to carry out her orders.
The room was left empty, with only Uzumaki Mito remaining.
She slowly sank back into her chair. In an instant, the strength seemed to drain from her body, the composed authority from moments ago vanishing without a trace.
"Hahaha… Mito. Even Hashirama's little brother is dead now," a voice sneered deep within her mind. "Looks like the Konoha Hashirama built isn't far from destruction after all."
Inside Uzumaki Mito's Sealing Space
A massive fox sat within the darkness, its nine tails bound tightly by heavy chains, unable to move.
Nine-Tails laughed wildly, the chains rattling and clanging as the sound echoed painfully through Mito's consciousness.
"This is karma, Mito. You imprisoned me for so many years—so what? Did the shinobi world find peace?"
The Nine-Tails could sense everything happening outside, including Mito's emotions at this very moment.
Grief. Despair. Pain.
It felt them all—clearly.
And it mocked them mercilessly.
"Hmph. Demon fox."
"Konoha will not fall. Hashirama's efforts will not be in vain. As long as I live, I will protect this village."
Mito's will surged.
Thick chains materialized out of thin air, binding the Nine-Tails' jaws shut and twisting its massive body into a tightly bound knot.
"Mmmph—!"
"Mito, you—!"
The curse was cut short.
After suppressing the Nine-Tails, Mito felt her emotions stabilize. She straightened, regaining her former composure, and murmured to herself,
"As long as I'm here… Konoha will not be thrown into chaos."
Konoha Military Police Force Headquarters
Uchiha Nan sat inside the captain's private office.
The Military Police Force had three captains in total, each with their own office. The other two were currently rotated to the front lines, leaving Nan alone to remain behind at the Uchiha stronghold, overseeing the entire clan.
Sixteen years of struggle had elevated Uchiha Nan into the upper ranks of the clan.
Aside from the clan head, Uchiha Tomita, Nan was effectively the Uchiha's second-in-command within Konoha.
He possessed the three-tomoe Sharingan, masterful Lightning Release, and had even developed the Chidori on his own. He was proficient in the clan's Fire Release techniques and skilled with the blade as well.
In a direct sword duel, he had once fought Hatake Sakumo—the White Fang of Konoha—to a standstill.
Through sheer effort—
(and more than a decade of relentless roulette draws)
—Nan had earned immense prestige within the Uchiha clan.
Bang.
The door burst open as Genji pushed it aside. With a light leap, the black cat landed squarely in Nan's arms.
"Nǎn, Hiruzen and the others are back. Not long ago, they headed straight for the Senju compound—and they haven't come out since."
"The entire Senju clan has mobilized. Their ninja are spreading out across Konoha in all directions. A few are already near the Uchiha district."
"ANBU have been deployed as well, scattered throughout the village."
"Some of them are strong. The ninja cats didn't dare get too close—they were afraid of alerting them. Some pulled back, others were observing from afar."
"At this rate, it won't be long before there are ANBU or Senju ninja near the Military Police Force as well."
Nan calmly stroked Genji's fur, completely unconcerned by Mito's actions.
"Summon everyone," he said evenly.
"Meeting. Now."
If Uzumaki Mito was making her move—
Then Uchiha Nan had no intention of sitting still.
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