=============
30+ chapters: patreon.com/Reborn_noob
============
"This is Konohagakure? It's so prosperous!" The members of the Uzumaki clan gazed at the bustling streets and the majestic Hokage Rock, their voices filled with awe.
Tsunade, who had returned to Konohagakure due to the rapidly changing global situation, had been tasked by Mito to meet the arriving Uzumaki clan members and escort them to the Senju clan's residential area.
"This is largely because the war is imminent, and everyone is preparing for the conflict. You see, most of the individuals walking these streets are ninja," Tsunade explained.
Indeed, the thoroughfares were teeming with people wearing a variety of attire, but all bore the Konohagakure forehead protector – they were all ninja of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.
"But this is an enormous number! We have fewer than two hundred ninja in the Land of Whirlpools, and there are at least five hundred ninja on this single street alone, right?" a young child exclaimed in astonishment.
"Idiot, how else could Konohagakure be the number one ninja village? How can we possibly compare ourselves to them?" another child immediately retorted upon hearing his words.
Observing the lively crowd and the numerous ninja surrounding them, Kushina's mother felt a pang of sadness. Konohagakure possessed such a substantial military force, yet they had been unwilling to dispatch a significant contingent to support their Land of Whirlpools, allowing other powers to act with impunity within their borders. She couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment towards Konohagakure as an ally.
Noticing her aunt's somber mood, Tsunade recognized Konohagakure's perceived inaction had been unfair. However, unsure how to offer comfort, she could only quicken her pace, intending to leave them in the care of her grandmother.
"Aunt!" Upon seeing Mito, Kushina's mother placed Kushina on the ground and rushed forward, embracing Mito and bursting into tears.
Mito looked at her niece-in-law tenderly, then surveyed the clan members with their grief-stricken faces.
"It is a blessing that you are here. At least the Uzumaki clan is not extinct. You can reside here without worry; simply allow Tsunade to handle matters. If she encounters any difficulties, you can come to me. Trust this old woman; I still hold some influence within Konohagakure."
A fleeting shadow of sorrow crossed Mito's eyes. She thought of the fate of her brother and nephew.
If it had been within her power, she truly wished she could have protected the Land of Whirlpools. However, this decision was not hers alone to make; it involved the strategic considerations of the entire village.
"Where are the others?" Mito comforted her clansmen, then turned to the Senju clan ninja who had participated in the mission, noticing that several were missing.
"They…" The leading ninja looked downcast, unsure how to answer Mito's question. He felt responsible for not ensuring everyone's safety.
"I see!" The moment Mito saw his expression, she understood that the missing individuals had been lost. She sighed deeply, her face etched with deeper sorrow.
But she immediately regained her composure, remembering the large number of clansmen awaiting resettlement. While the village would likely not interfere with their initial accommodation, mishandling the situation could lead to complications with Sarutobi regarding these Uzumaki clan members' long-term integration.
"I imagine everyone must be weary, correct? Let us rest here for today. I will arrange accommodations for everyone tomorrow. Please do not fret," Mito said to the gathered clansmen with a reassuring smile.
All the Uzumaki clan members nodded in agreement, accepting Mito's arrangement.
Before their departure from the Land of Whirlpools, their clan head had explicitly instructed them to follow Mito's guidance in all matters upon their arrival in Konohagakure.
Mito patted her niece's back and said to the group of clansmen, "Do not fault Konohagakure for not providing more aid. Sarutobi also faces his own challenges. After all, the situation in the ninja world is shifting with great rapidity now."
Mito instructed Tsunade to arrange temporary lodging for the newcomers and then took her niece-in-law and Kushina into her private quarters.
After Mito settled down, she gestured towards Kushina, who was standing beside her mother.
Seeing this, Kushina's mother quickly urged her daughter, "Offer greetings, call her Aunt."
"Why call me Aunt? Just call me Grandma," Mito said, waving her hand dismissively and addressing Kushina kindly. "You are Kushina, are you not? Come here! Come to Grandma and let Grandma take a good look at you."
Kushina glanced at her mother, who offered a gentle nod. She called out sweetly, "Grandma!" Then she trotted over and was embraced by Mito.
"Kushina is such a good girl! Were you mistreated on the journey? If anyone bullied you, tell Grandma, and I will teach them a lesson for you."
Observing her aunt teasing her daughter with such affection, Kushina's mother opened her mouth as if she wanted to interject.
Mito glanced at her niece-in-law, understanding her unspoken thoughts. Without waiting for her to speak, she playfully teased Kushina while saying,
"If something truly tragic befalls the Land of Whirlpools, these individuals will be the ones to carry on the Uzumaki bloodline."
Hearing this, Kushina's mother understood Mito's meaning. Konohagakure was unlikely to dispatch any forces to aid the Land of Whirlpools.
This time, Yuta had been sent to the Land of Whirlpools to retrieve survivors. Mito had also relinquished the idea of directly intervening further. She couldn't repeatedly petition the Third Hokage; his patience would likely wear thin.
"Well, truthfully, I had hoped that all the Uzumaki clan members in the Land of Whirlpools would be willing to relocate here, but alas..." Kushina's mother also recognized that Konohagakure was no longer solely governed by the Senju clan, and she could only accept their current circumstances. She had no influence over the decisions of her father-in-law and the clan members who had remained behind.
…
"...And that concludes the complete account of this mission."
In the Hokage's office, Yuta was delivering his mission report to the Sandaime Hokage. Due to Hanzō's capture, the Konohagakure high council and the heads of various prominent clans were also present.
After listening to Yuta's report, the Sandaime Hokage merely offered a "Thank you for your diligent service!" and then looked at the assembled senior figures, his pipe held firmly in his mouth.
Having finished his report, Yuta was eager to return home to his wife and children and didn't linger. Seeing that the Sandaime Hokage and the others had further matters to discuss, he excused himself and left.
"Bang!"
The sharp sound startled everyone, drawing their attention back from their contemplation of Yuta's report.
"I never imagined Yuta had developed to such a degree. While the element of surprise was undoubtedly a factor, it cannot be denied that Yuta is now a force to be reckoned with. In the current climate, Yuta's strength is ultimately beneficial for Konohagakure," the head of the Nara clan stated first. As the Hokage's chief military advisor, his words also reflected the stance of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio: no internal conflicts should hinder Konohagakure at this critical juncture. Regardless of past considerations, Yuta was now a ninja of Konohagakure.
Everyone present in the Hokage's office was astute. As soon as the Nara clan head spoke, any lingering thoughts of exploiting Yuta's accomplishment were abandoned.
The conversation immediately shifted to the topic of the Uzumaki clan.
"By the way, I wonder how Mito-sama intends to accommodate the individuals from the Uzumaki clan?" At this point, the head of a smaller ninja clan, noticing a subtle wink from the Shimura clan representative, immediately understood the unspoken agenda.
Danzō had always been keen to augment his own power and had long coveted the Uzumaki clan, renowned for their immense chakra reserves and mastery of sealing techniques.
This time, the Shimura clan representatives were subtly probing the Sandaime Hokage's intentions, seeking any opportunity to exert influence over the Uzumaki clan members who had relocated to Konohagakure.