Uzumaki Mito's words made the two men's hearts tremble. They realized that this woman had clearly seen through their actions. Fortunately, it seemed she had no intention of exposing them—for now.
"We'll handle it. Please rest well."
They hastily agreed, then retreated in awkward silence.
Although the meeting had not gone as they hoped, the outcome was still tolerable—for now, stability was preserved.
"Hashirama… was the system you created with the ninja village really correct?"
In the dim room, Uzumaki Mito murmured to herself, her expression distant and weary.
Hashirama Senju's dream had been to unite the clans, to shield the children from the endless bloodshed of clan warfare. The founding of Konohagakure was supposed to be a turning point—a legacy of peace.
But what followed his death was even more terrible than the clan conflicts: organized, large-scale wars. The shinobi village system had evolved into a militarized structure that fueled the arms race between nations.
Now, with the Second Great Ninja War on the horizon, she sensed a storm building—an ominous premonition that whispered of annihilation.
The Uzumaki clan, once powerful and revered for their sealing techniques and longevity, had already become the first target. Their homeland was razed. Most of their kin were dead or scattered.
Who would be next?
This was never her intention. In hindsight, Uchiha Madara's radical proposition—a unified world under a single village—may not have been as mad as it sounded.
True peace between shinobi villages and nations seemed like a fantasy. Hatred ran too deep. Greed and fear too easily festered.
Elsewhere, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō arrived in the Uchiha compound. Under the suspicious glares of countless crimson eyes, they were escorted to the home of the current Uchiha clan head.
Uchiha Reiyang ignored Sarutobi Hiruzen's pleasantries. His Mangekyō Sharingan stared directly at the concealed eye under Danzo's bandages.
"The chakra flow is unstable. That eye's power is rejecting your body—an improper transplant, I presume."
His blunt words silenced Hiruzen mid-sentence. Danzo's already grim expression deepened into a scowl.
Was it that obvious?
Sharingan transplants weren't simple. Compatibility issues, especially when the host wasn't an Uchiha, could lead to chakra rejection, blindness, or worse.
Although he had acquired the Blood Dragon Eye—an experimental offshoot from Tobirama's labs—it hadn't stabilized. Right now, it was more of a liability than an asset.
"Clan Head Reiyang…"
Hiruzen attempted diplomacy, but Reiyang raised a hand to cut him off.
"If that isn't a true Uchiha eye, then return the ones you've stolen. That includes the Sharingan taken by the Senju during the Warring States era. Our kekkei genkai must not be desecrated. Especially not the Sharingan."
Privately, Reiyang didn't care much about individual losses. Many Uchiha had vanished during missions. But after Madara's terrifying power display, everyone became obsessed with their eyes.
Still, the Sharingan wasn't so easily exploited. Many had tried. Most failed or died.
Reiyang didn't want open conflict with Hiruzen's faction—not yet. That would only strengthen the Senju. For now, the Sarutobi and Shimura factions were useful counterweights against their old rivals.
The real enemy was the Senju.
If they wanted to control the Hokage seat, the Uchiha had to ensure the Senju were isolated. Pressuring Hiruzen now was the perfect excuse to reclaim some of the Uchiha legacy.
"Danzo."
Hiruzen turned toward his old comrade, understanding the implications.
Tobirama had left behind extensive Sharingan-related experiments, most now managed by Danzo. But the research had stalled for years. Offering up some "failures" wouldn't hurt.
"…I'll arrange for a return shipment."
Danzo's voice was sour, but restrained. Of course, he wouldn't return everything—especially not the functioning three-tomoe Sharingan. But defective or degraded samples? Those could be passed off without issue.
Even the damaged eyes used in early experiments could be recycled to satisfy the clan.
"I won't be seeing you off."
Uchiha Reiyang sipped his tea, clearly done with them.
This barely concealed dismissal stung both men, but they said nothing. Their position was precarious enough.
Once they left the compound and its constant surveillance, both exhaled.
"That was close."
"Danzo, you need to get to the River Country front immediately. Sun and Moon can't hold the line alone."
The River Country front was collapsing. Their own clans had quietly redirected elite forces to the Whirlpool assault, and most of them were now dead—ambushed by the Cloud and surviving Uzumaki. The defense lines were paper-thin.
Even Hiruzen's younger brother, Sarutobi Hizuki, couldn't compensate. His summoning contract had been forcibly severed, likely by Uzumaki fūinjutsu. His strength had dropped significantly.
If the Sand's main force broke through the River Country defense, they'd march straight to the Fire Heartland. The political and military consequences would be catastrophic.
"My Root operatives are depleted. I need help from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi. And I'm taking Orochimaru with me—his summoned serpents excel in wide-scale battles."
Danzo's voice was cold and calculating. He bore the blame for underestimating the Uzumaki. Now, his only option was a brutal counteroffensive.
Orochimaru's talent was key—not just his jutsu, but his curiosity. That boy might one day recreate what Tobirama failed to master.
"I'll persuade them."
Hiruzen nodded grimly. The old clan alliance—the Ino–Shika–Cho trio—was their last reliable support. Without them, they couldn't muster enough strategic force.
"I leave at dawn."
Danzo glanced at his missing arm, then turned to leave. He needed a prosthetic immediately—without it, he couldn't even form hand seals for complex sealing.
"Raikage. Uzumaki…"
Once alone, Hiruzen's expression twisted. His voice dropped into a hateful whisper. Fury burned in his chest.
Their losses were too great. Clan elites dead. His own son, Shinnosuke, missing—likely captured or killed. And the spiritual contract with Enma's monkey tribe had been sealed.
That last wound stung deeply. Without Enma, his combat strength dropped by at least 30%. The spiritual world was isolated and fragmented. The three great summoning clans—Toads, Snakes, Slugs—occupied the largest hubs. But the monkey tribe also dwelled in those astral planes.
Perhaps Mount Myōboku's sages could reach them. Jiraiya might be able to mediate.
He could only hope.
"Ino. Shika. Cho."
He muttered again, eyes glinting with cold resolve.
Without their cooperation, the River Country defense line would fall—and Konoha might fall with it.