Chapter 4: If the Land of Whirlpools Perishes, This Novel Ends Too

"Kushina?"

Seeing the ninjas entering one after another, Uzumaki Satori felt relieved inside. As long as the people's hearts remain united, the Land of Whirlpools will not fall. But when he saw the last figure—a little girl with red hair—he asked in confusion, "Why are you still here?"

"I... I want to help too." Kushina clenched her small fists, lowered her head, and didn't dare look into Satori's eyes...

Hearing Kushina's words, Uzumaki Satori's expression darkened. "Don't be ridiculous. Go hide in the underground shelter."

This was no joke!

If something happened to Kushina, not only would the clan head blame him, he would also feel guilt and regret.

After all, she was such a cute little girl...

"Go on now. Children shouldn't meddle in such matters," the clan head said sternly. "War isn't something kids can be part of."

However, hearing both Satori and her father's words, Kushina still held her head high. "But big brother Satori is also a kid. Why can he join? I'm strong too!"

"..."

What she said wasn't wrong!

The conference room fell silent. No one knew how to respond.

"Because I'm your big brother, and the heir to this nation," Uzumaki Satori said, forcing himself to answer. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, his eyes lit up. "Besides, I'm already a genin of Uzuchō Village."

Fortunately, he had recently become a genin. Even though he hadn't gone on any missions due to his status, he was a genuine genin!

As a proud shinobi, how could he hide in the back?

Even if he was still just a genin...

"I..." Hearing Satori's words, Kushina pouted, clearly displeased. Not knowing what else to say, she stubbornly declared, "I don't care! I want to help too. This is my home, and I want to protect it!"

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine." Seeing her determined red eyes, Satori knew she understood the situation despite her age. Even though she was scared and anxious, she still wanted to contribute. What a...

Cute girl!!

Satori comforted her and said firmly, "I promise you, big brother Satori will protect the Land of Whirlpools and Uzuchō Village. No one will be harmed."

"But..." Kushina, eyes reddening, pouted as she held back tears and said quietly, "I want to help too."

"You want to help too?" Satori, seeing her like this, knew that if he didn't let her, she would definitely sneak out later. And believe it—she was the Red-Hot Habanero!

After thinking a bit, Satori walked up to Kushina and patted her head. Her soft red hair felt so nice!!

Seeing his gesture, Kushina's face turned red with embarrassment, especially in front of so many people. "Geez… Big brother Satori…" She shyly lowered her head.

The clan head smiled warmly at his daughter's reaction, though his worry remained. If the Land of Whirlpools really fell... then they must ensure the younger generation escapes—especially Uzumaki Satori. Only then would the Uzumaki clan have a chance at revival.

He believed this deeply.

Because Uzumaki Satori was the hope of their clan. He glanced at the other elders, and saw the same resolve in their eyes.

"If Kushina wants to help," Satori said with a smile, "then as temporary commander of the Land of Whirlpools, I order Uzumaki Kushina to lead the civilians in the underground shelter, keep them calm, and ensure nothing unexpected happens."

At first, hearing she was being given an official order, Kushina felt excited—until she heard the details…

Pouting, she protested, "But I want to go with big brother Satori!" She wasn't going to be tricked that easily. If she went back to the shelter, it'd be the same as before.

"No, this mission is very important," Satori said seriously. "Don't underestimate it!" Keeping people calm underground for a long time—especially during wartime—was no easy task. If the shelter was discovered by Kirigakure ninja...

It would be disastrous.

"Really?" Kushina looked at him with doubt—"I'm still little, so don't lie to me!"

"Of course!" Satori smiled. "Only Kushina can handle this mission."

As the daughter of the clan head, no one was better suited to comfort the people.

"Then… okay!!" Kushina nodded seriously. "I'll make sure nothing happens in the shelter."

Hearing her, Satori gently patted her head and said to the nearby guard, "Tomo-nii, I'll leave her to you." He gave him a subtle signal: if anyone causes trouble in the shelter, eliminate them immediately.

He couldn't allow any accidents. The Land of Whirlpools could not afford to fail—not even once. That was the only way they could have hope.

"Your Highness, there's another young girl from the Uzumaki clan asking to see you," another ninja from Uzuchō Village said respectfully.

Another little girl?

"Who is it?" Especially when he saw the mischievous look in his father's eyes and the clan head narrowing his eyes in displeasure, Satori could only ask stiffly.

"She's an ordinary clan member," the ninja said.

An ordinary clan member? Not a shinobi?

He didn't think he knew many little girls…

Who could it be?

Then a girl around ten years old entered. Satori looked at her red hair and gentle presence and felt even more confused. He didn't recognize her at all.

"What do you want from me?"

"Greetings, Your Highness. I'm Uzumaki Kōko." The girl glanced nervously at the elders around, especially the clan head. But remembering the crisis their country faced, she cautiously said, "I… I…"

Noticing her fear, Satori smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. We're all Uzumaki. That means you're technically my older sister, Kōko-neesan."

What a beautiful girl—with bright red hair, definitely from the Uzumaki clan.

Encouraged by his words, Kōko raised her head and bravely said, "I… I want to help too!" Seeing Satori frown, she quickly explained, "My body is special. No matter how injured someone is or if their chakra is drained, if they bite me, they can recover."

Huh? Huh?

That sounded very familiar…

Wasn't that the trait of Karin and her mother? That was a unique ability within the Uzumaki clan—only possible when one's life force was overflowing. Even Satori, a prodigy, didn't have it.

Could Kōko be… Karin's mother?!

The clan head stepped forward, took her hand, and examined her. Then he nodded seriously to Satori. Who would've thought such a talent would appear among ordinary members? Truly a blessing from the heavens for the Uzumaki clan!

Such a constitution not only helps heal others but also greatly boosts personal survival. Compared to regular Uzumaki, her vitality was far more formidable.

Satori thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I'll be counting on you, Kōko-neesan."

Every bit of strength counted now—especially support like hers. With the Uzumaki clan's unique vitality, their medical abilities were… well...

Internally, they relied on self-healing. Externally, they needed Konoha's medical support. Most injuries healed on their own—tough as ever. That might be one reason for their downfall: no medical-nin in wartime while the enemy had proper facilities.

With war so urgent, who had time to wait for natural healing? That's why they nearly got wiped out.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Satori said with a serious expression, "Let's begin the war preparations!"

(T/N: Coconut.... Cocoa... When will the war start...As usual give me yout powerstones)