"Hokage-sama… I—about those five hundred million…"
Uzumaki Ashina stared at Uchiha Ren in disbelief, so shaken that even the number he spoke came out wrong.
"Five hundred million?"
"Fifty billion."
"Fifty billion?!"
"Hokage-sama… you're joking with me, right? This is a surprise, isn't it?"
After receiving confirmation a second time, Ashina felt his head spin. His legs weakened, as if he might collapse at any moment.
So this—
Was what it felt like to have a powerful ally.
It was incredible.
"Hokage-sama, I… the Uzumaki clan… will stand with Konoha through life and death!"
He launched into an emotional declaration—brotherhood, loyalty, unbreakable bonds.
Uchiha Ren smiled.
"Ashina, the relationship between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan has already stood the test of time. This little bit of money is nothing. Konoha has never been stingy with its friends."
Ashina nodded repeatedly, his goodwill toward Uchiha Ren skyrocketing.
Look at this generosity.
Fifty billion ryō—just "a small amount."
Even when Hashirama Senju was Hokage, Konoha had never been this generous.
And yet people said the Uchiha were cold and distant?
Nonsense.
All nonsense.
Uchiha Ren watched Ashina's reaction with satisfaction.
If you want to take something—
You must first give.
Ashina wanted aid.
What Ren wanted—
Was the entire Uzumaki clan.
Fifty billion ryō was nothing compared to that value.
Money secured the relationship.
And with the relationship secured—
Everything else would follow.
Ashina eagerly grew closer, even digging up old history from decades ago.
He spoke of how, back then, when Hashirama married, Madara Uchiha had clashed with the Senju over Uzumaki Mito.
He even sighed that if Mito had a younger sister, perhaps the three clans could have formed an even stronger alliance.
Uchiha Ren nodded politely.
Internally—
He was speechless.
You've got it backwards.
If Hashirama and Madara had been a man and a woman, the entire story would have ended right there.
Clearly, Ashina still believed the rift was about Mito.
After reminiscing, Ashina turned to the present.
The war.
The alliance.
The Uzumaki clan's struggles.
And Konoha's explosive growth.
His expression dimmed.
The difference was too great.
Just months ago, Tobirama Senju had described Konoha as financially strained.
Now?
Thriving.
Overflowing with vitality.
This—
Had to be because of the Third Hokage.
Ashina's gaze grew increasingly intense.
If the Uzumaki could bind themselves to this man—
Their future would be secure.
Marriage alliances came to mind.
If every Hokage's wife were Uzumaki…
Then the clan would truly prosper.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ren was thinking about something else entirely:
How to relocate the Uzumaki clan to Konoha.
"Ashina, Konoha's ninja academy has recently reopened. Would you be interested in sending some of your clan's young talents here for training?"
Start with the next generation.
Once they came—
They would stay.
Good living conditions. High-paying jobs. Subtle indoctrination.
Eventually, they would choose Konoha themselves.
Just like how certain countries attracted global talent.
Ren explained the "exchange student" concept.
Top-tier teachers.
Best environment.
Train in Konoha—return to strengthen the Uzumaki.
"Ashina, I know your clan is struggling. As your ally, Konoha will help to the end."
"Tuition, living expenses, resources—we'll cover everything."
Ashina was completely overwhelmed.
"Hokage-sama… is this really true?"
"Of course."
"Konoha has always treated the Uzumaki as its own."
Soon, the plan was finalized.
Send the names.
Pick a date.
Transfer the students.
Ashina hesitated briefly—what about those less talented?
Ren waved it off.
Not rejection.
Acceptance.
Even if you sent the entire clan—
Konoha would take them all.
"N… Ren-sama… I don't even know how to express my gratitude…"
Ashina dropped the formal "Hokage-sama," addressing him more intimately.
Uchiha Ren simply patted his shoulder.
All according to plan.
Then—
Ashina brought up Uzumaki Yougetsu.
She had come to be tested as the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
Uchiha Ren glanced at the girl.
In the original timeline, this wouldn't happen for another decade.
And Mito Uzumaki would live for years yet.
Besides—
By then, he'd be strong enough to control the Nine-Tails himself.
Why bother with a jinchūriki?
While he was distracted—
Ashina had already started praising the girl.
Her talent.
Her personality.
Her admiration for strength.
The topic—
Was drifting.
Uchiha Ren immediately cut it off.
Another matchmaker.
Absolutely not.
Soon, they went to meet Mito.
Senju compound.
"Ashina-niisan!"
Mito's face lit up with joy.
The two shared an emotional reunion.
Then—
Business.
Mito ignored Uchiha Ren entirely and approached the girl.
She still couldn't stand him.
Especially after—
The film profits.
Nearly seven hundred million.
He had even mocked her:
"If you had another chance, would you still choose fifty thousand?"
She had smashed a table and stormed off.
"Child… this will hurt a little."
Mito gently placed her hand on the girl's head.
Nine-Tails chakra surged.
Dark emotions flooded in.
But the girl—
Suppressed it with sealing techniques.
Mito sighed.
She qualified.
Ashina's expression was complicated.
Such a burden—
On a child.
Then he spoke:
"Ren-sama, since she's qualified… perhaps she could stay by your side?"
"…?"
Uchiha Ren blinked.
Here we go again.
Mito exploded instantly.
"Absolutely not!"
"That child cannot be handed to that shameless, degenerate Uchiha!"
All her resentment poured out.
"Enough, Mito!"
Ashina's voice thundered.
"I will not allow you to slander Ren-sama!"
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