Mito Uzumaki's gaze lingered on Hiruzen for a long time.
Under that scrutiny, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Her eyes swept across the entire group before she finally spoke, issuing orders with calm authority.
"You've just escaped with your lives. You're exhausted, and some of you are injured."
"The Senju have medical-nin specialists. I'll have them treat your wounds shortly."
"Go and rest."
She paused.
"For the next few days, you will remain within the Senju compound."
"No one leaves."
"And one more thing—"
Her voice dropped, colder than before.
"Tobirama's death is not to be disclosed."
"No matter who asks—you say nothing."
"Understood?"
Hiruzen and the others exchanged glances.
Confusion.
Unease.
Suppress the Hokage's death… and confine them?
Hiruzen felt bitterness rise in his chest.
The title of Hokage successor had just become a burning brand.
If they stayed obediently within the Senju compound… what if they were quietly eliminated?
Mito Uzumaki was far more than the First Hokage's widow.
She was a war-hardened elite of the Uzumaki clan—a crimson rose that had bloomed from seas of blood.
Anyone who mistook her for a mere figurehead…
Would not live long enough to regret it.
At this moment, their lives rested entirely in her hands.
For all he knew, a dozen elite Senju shinobi were already waiting outside.
One command—
And they would all be subdued.
"Lady Mito, we—"
Shimura Danzo hesitated, trying to speak.
He wasn't a fool. Staying here meant surrendering all initiative. If things turned hostile, they wouldn't even have the chance to run.
"Hiruzen."
Mito didn't even look at him.
Before Danzo could continue, Hiruzen spoke first.
"Lady Mito has made arrangements. We will comply."
He shot Danzo a subtle look, cutting him off.
Hiruzen's interactions with Mito had always been limited, usually only in Tobirama's presence.
But one thing had always been clear—
Tobirama respected her.
Hiruzen might not fully trust Mito.
But he trusted his teacher.
If Tobirama had chosen him as Hokage…
Then he would stake his life on the belief that the woman Tobirama respected would not betray that decision.
Mito's gaze flickered slightly.
At least the monkey knew his place.
"Then go."
"Someone will guide you to your quarters."
Once they had all left, the guard stationed outside stepped in.
Senju Soma.
A bad premonition had already taken root in his heart.
The Hokage's guard unit had returned—disheveled, battered, defeated.
But where was their leader?
Where was Tobirama?
Don't tell me…
"Lady Mito… the clan head… he…"
His voice wavered.
Mito didn't answer his question.
Instead, she issued a series of commands without pause.
"Activate Konoha's barrier system. Switch it to wartime status."
"Take my authorization and have the ANBU enforce a full village lockdown."
"Deploy all remaining Senju shinobi."
"Monitor every clan currently in Konoha. Any abnormal movement—report immediately."
She paused, her eyes sharpening.
"Especially the Uchiha."
"And send word to Toma. Recall him from the front lines immediately."
The barrage of orders left Soma stunned.
Was the enemy already at Konoha's gates?
Or—
Were the Uchiha preparing to rebel?
Even the Senju heir was being recalled from the battlefield.
"Lady Mito… what exactly happened? Could it be the clan head—"
"Move."
Her voice cut him off, laced with frost.
Soma stiffened.
He had spoken too much.
"Yes, Lady Mito!"
He hurried out to carry out the orders.
The room fell silent.
Now alone, Mito sank back into her chair.
The composure she had maintained moments ago shattered.
Fatigue.
Grief.
For a brief instant, she looked her age.
Then—
A voice echoed from deep within her.
"Ha! Mito… Hashirama's little brother is dead too."
"Looks like the village he built won't last much longer."
Inside her sealed consciousness—
A massive fox sat bound by chains, its nine tails restrained, unable to move.
The Nine-Tails.
It laughed wildly, the clinking of chains ringing sharply in her mind.
"This is your retribution."
"You imprisoned me all these years… and for what?"
"Did peace ever come to this world?"
The fox could feel everything.
Her grief.
Her despair.
Her pain.
And it reveled in all of it.
"Silence, you beast."
Mito's eyes turned cold.
"Konoha will not fall."
"Hashirama's dream will not be wasted."
"As long as I live… I will protect this village."
With a thought—
Chains materialized, binding the Nine-Tails tighter, twisting its body and sealing its mouth.
"Mmph—!"
The fox struggled, muffled curses spilling through clenched jaws.
Mito exhaled slowly.
Her mind steadied.
Her expression returned to iron composure.
"As long as I'm here… Konoha will not collapse."
—
Konoha Military Police Force.
Inside the captain's office, Uchiha Ren sat calmly.
The police force had three captains.
Two were stationed at the front lines.
Only Ren remained in the Uchiha compound, overseeing the clan's affairs.
Sixteen years.
That was how long it had taken him to climb to this position.
Now—
Aside from the clan head, Uchiha Raizen—
He was the second most influential figure among the Uchiha in Konoha.
Three-tomoe Sharingan.
Mastery of Lightning Release.
A master of Lightning Release, known for developing high-speed piercing techniques.
Expert in Fire Release.
Skilled in kenjutsu—capable of fighting Hatake Sakumo to a draw.
His reputation had been built—
Through effort.
Through accumulation.
Through countless "lucky" draws.
Bang.
The door swung open.
A black blur leapt in.
Kuro landed squarely in Ren's arms.
"Ren, Hiruzen and the others are back."
"They entered the Senju compound—and haven't come out since."
"And the Senju are mobilizing."
"Shinobi are spreading out across Konoha. Some are already near the Uchiha compound."
"ANBU have also deployed. They're everywhere."
"Some of them are strong enough that the ninja cats don't dare get close."
"Others are observing from a distance."
"Give it a little more time… even this place will be under surveillance."
Ren's hand moved absently, stroking Kuro's fur.
He didn't look worried.
Not even slightly.
Instead—
His eyes sharpened.
"So it begins…"
He stood up.
"Call everyone."
A faint smile curved his lips.
"If Mito Uzumaki has made her move…"
"Then I won't just sit here and watch."
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