Chapter 35: A New Alliance

"Is this boy always this capable?" Mito murmured as she set the signed documents aside.

"Yes!" Hikari Uchiha grinned proudly. "He's been like this since the beginning. Not bad, right?"

"Incredible," Mito sighed with both admiration and a touch of envy. "If only Nawaki had half that intelligence, I wouldn't worry so much…"

She passed the signed documents forward."Go ahead and sign. I've already stamped and sealed my part."

Hikari took the scrolls, signed both, and placed her fingerprint seals on each. With a nod, they exchanged copies.

"The contract is sealed," Mito said. "Here—Flying Thunder God Technique, Tobirama's Water Release Elements, and several advanced scrolls on fūinjutsu. It's all in here."

She handed over a large bundle of scrolls.

"No need to check them," Hikari said, placing the entire bundle into a spatial storage seal. "If they're fake, I'll just come find you."

Mito narrowed her eyes, intrigued by the spatial technique—but she didn't press the matter. Hikari wasn't one to give away secrets.

After a brief pause, Mito shifted the conversation.

"Tell me… do the Uchiha know about the situation in the Land of Whirlpools?"

Hikari raised an eyebrow. "Of course. We're well-informed. The Four Great Villages are preparing to move on Uzushio—after their jinchūriki, their fūinjutsu, and their refined genetics. Are you asking for our help?"

"I am," Mito confirmed.

"That's not part of our current contract," Hikari said coolly. "An ally of my ally… is not necessarily my ally."

Though the survival of the Uzumaki clan benefitted the Uchiha in the long term, they would not act without their own terms.

"I understand," Mito replied calmly. "Name your conditions."

She wasn't surprised. The fate of the Uzumaki was distinct from the Senju–Uchiha pact. But perhaps, someday, they too would stand united.

Hikari folded her arms, thoughtful."After this attack, Uzushio won't be able to stand. Even if they survive the assault, the four great powers won't let them remain independent. Eventually, they'll have to relocate—to Konohagakure or risk extinction."

"Exactly," Mito said grimly. "This time, I'll go in person. Even if Aminari doesn't agree, I'll make it happen."

The Uzumaki clan had always stood proudly on their own—but that pride was now a noose. Konoha wasn't innocent either. Even the Hidden Leaf would take a bite out of them if the opportunity arose.

But merging with Konoha could ensure survival.

It would also reinvigorate the weakened Senju clan with the blood and power of distant kin.

"A win-win," Mito said aloud.

"In that case," Hikari added, "I want access to the non-genetic fūinjutsu of the Uzumaki. And in the future—intermarriage between our three clans: Uchiha, Senju, and Uzumaki."

"Hmm?"The earlier demands had been expected—but this last one drew raised eyebrows. Even Tsunade, mid-conversation with Gin, turned sharply.

"I don't recall the Uchiha opposing inter-clan marriages, but they've never encouraged them either," she said. "Why push for it now?"

It didn't seem like a mere political alliance.

Hikari smiled slyly. "That's a secret between the three clans," she said, winking at Gin.

"From the old clan archives, I found a theory—one that says the Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki might all descend from a single ancestor… the Sage of Six Paths."

Both Mito and Tsunade stiffened.

"Are you certain?" Mito asked.

"The Uchiha and Senju have been at war for centuries. You're saying we share one progenitor?"

"It's just a theory," Hikari said. "But according to the records, the Senju and Uzumaki inherited the Sage's body, while the Uchiha inherited his eyes."

"That's… plausible," Tsunade murmured. "I haven't studied it in depth, but I've heard similar theories. Their genetics do show complementary traits. But if we're all descended from the same line, then why all the bloodshed?"

Hikari glanced toward Gin.

There's no need to explain Indra and Asura right now, she thought.

"Even siblings can fight," she said vaguely. "A thousand years of conflict can be sparked in a single moment."

"True," Tsunade agreed, but her expression remained skeptical.

Mito refocused the conversation. "Still, what does all this have to do with your push for intermarriage?"

"Think about it," Hikari said. "If our clans came from one bloodline—and if Senju and Uzumaki inherited the body, and Uchiha the eyes—then by combining them, we can restore that ancient potential."

"You want to reunite the Sage's legacy," Mito whispered.

"Yes," Hikari confirmed. "Through unity, not war. If young people from our three clans form bonds—through marriage, through shared goals—the next generation may be blessed with all our strengths."

Behind her words lay a deeper truth. Through Gin's time-space techniques and his connection to an interdimensional source, Hikari believed they could forge a path forward beyond politics and power games.

If the three clans become his contractors... the rest of the world will follow.

"The next generation will be strong. Their potential—unprecedented," Hikari said.

"You have a base for this theory?" Mito asked, her eyes sharp.

Hikari smiled but offered no deeper explanation.

Mito could sense there was more—but the reasoning she had been given was compelling. And if even part of it proved true, it could reshape the fate of the ninja world.

And so, she nodded.

"It's worth trying."