Naruto-Start by eating the golden fruit

The Uzumaki clan had established their own ninja village within the Land of Whirlpools. As Yuya had once said, many families would be eager to form a ninja village in a smaller nation, especially one that belonged exclusively to their clan. However, the Uzumaki were different—they were connected to Konoha through marriage, which meant they were obligated to support Konoha in times of need.

But the Uzumaki began to have doubts. Could they really count on Konoha's protection, especially now that Senju Hashirama was no longer Hokage? His brother, Senju Tobirama, had taken over as the second Hokage, but how reliable was he? What if Tobirama didn't come to their aid if they were attacked?

Konoha had responded to threats from Kumogakure, but there was no sign of Hashirama. Even if he wasn't dead, it was clear something was wrong. Based on this, the Uzumaki could reasonably assume the God of Shinobi had passed away.

This realization made them feel vulnerable. Their security relied heavily on Konoha's strength, but now, with Hashirama gone, that safety was no longer guaranteed. The conflict with Kirigakure only heightened their concerns.

The Land of Whirlpools was situated on an island hundreds of nautical miles east of Konoha's coast. This location was advantageous, as it was surrounded by the sea, with Konoha as a powerful neighbor to the west. However, this only mattered if Konoha would still protect them.

Yuya fell silent after hearing Uzumaki Mito's explanation. He knew exactly why the Uzumaki clan wanted her to return home, but she was a member of the clan after all. Now that Hashirama was gone, she felt obligated to help her family. After all, her marriage to Hashirama had been arranged for the clan's benefit, an exchange of interests.

Yuya pondered deeply. Should he let Mito return to her family? In the original timeline, Mito had remained in Konoha for only one reason: she was the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki. Konoha, which had been besieged by three great nations, couldn't afford to let the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki leave. However, this time around, Konoha wasn't facing a simultaneous attack from the Land of Lightning, the Land of Earth, and the Land of Water. The Uzumaki clan was using Mito's safety as an excuse to bring her back to the clan.

But the reasoning was absurd. Were they truly safer in the Land of Whirlpools than in Konoha? Konoha couldn't protect Mito, but the Uzumaki clan could? Ridiculous.

Yuya couldn't help but scoff. It was as if a child had given someone their prized toy for protection, but now, seeing that the protector might not hold up their end, wanted the toy back. In this case, the "toy" was the Nine-Tails, and the clan shamelessly wanted it returned.

To the Uzumaki, Mito was a tool. She had been used for their gain from the very start, whether it was through her marriage to Hashirama or by becoming the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki. Who in the clan actually thought about what Mito wanted?

Yuya sighed deeply and looked up at Uzumaki Mito, noticing for the first time the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and on her forehead. She seemed more tired and aged than she used to, back when Hashirama was still alive.

"Master... have you not been resting well lately?" Yuya asked gently.

Though Mito was indeed older, she had always managed to look radiant when Hashirama was around. Now, however, her weariness was visible, and it pained Yuya to see it.

Mito's eyes softened, slightly moist, as she gazed at Yuya. "Little Yuya... Master has been resting just fine," she said quietly.

Yuya could only remain silent. He knew the weight of her burdens. The entire Uzumaki clan saw her only as a means to their own ends, never considering what she truly wanted.

"Master," Yuya asked after a moment, "what do *you* want?"

Mito seemed startled. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean," Yuya replied with a grin, "the current war among the five great nations is nothing more than a joke. The Land of Earth and the Land of Water are busy fighting each other, and the Land of Wind has no plans to act. Konoha is already in an unbeatable position.

"At this point, Master, you really don't need to be involved in the war. So, you should decide for yourself. If you want to return to the Uzumaki clan, then go back. If you don't want to, I'll personally tell them to leave you alone."

Yuya grinned mischievously. "And if anyone tries to bully you, just because Hashirama's gone, I'll make sure they regret it."

Though Yuya's words carried a sense of humor, he was completely serious. He owed everything to Senju Hashirama, who had saved his life when he was just a starving orphan on the streets. Yuya knew he could never repay such a debt, but what could he possibly give the God of Shinobi in return? Nothing. Perhaps the only thing Yuya could do now was to protect Mito, ensuring that she lived peacefully without interference from anyone else.

The Uzumaki clan wanted Mito to come home? If she wanted to go, Yuya would let her go. If not, even if the entire clan showed up, he'd chase them away.

Mito gazed at Yuya, her expression softening. Though he was young, his words brought her comfort. However, she shook her head gently. "I won't go back. I am Senju Hashirama's wife and the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki of Konoha. I know my responsibilities, and I won't return to the Land of Whirlpools."

Yuya frowned. "Master, you don't need to force yourself. Konoha's victory is already certain, it just needs time. You don't have to stay here if you don't want to. I'll talk to Tobirama, and he'll allow you to go back."

Mito hesitated.

Seeing this, Yuya added, "Maybe just go for a month? Then if you don't feel right, you can return. There's no way the frontlines will collapse in just a month."

Mito seemed to consider this, then suddenly had an idea. "Perhaps... there's another option? Yuya, you could ask the Uzumaki clan to send a few people to visit me here in Konoha."

Yuya's face lit up. "No problem! Just leave it to me. You'll see whoever you want in three days."

With that, Yuya ran off to make the arrangements.

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