Chapter 51: The Schemes of the Hokage

After the Anbu left, Hiruzen Sarutobi donned his combat gear, his face dark with frustration as he turned to Danzo.

"Danzo, this is your fault. If you hadn't insisted on hiding the news from Lady Mito, we wouldn't be in this mess! She must have seen through our tricks. Now she'll be even more dissatisfied with us!"

Earlier, Konoha had received news about the Uzumaki clan's crisis half an hour before anyone else. Hiruzen had intended to inform Mito, but Danzo had stopped him, proposing to wait.

Danzo's reasoning was simple yet ruthless—if they delayed until the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki clan suffered devastating losses, Konoha could easily claim the Uzumaki's powerful sealing techniques and artifacts while ensuring the Senju clan would have no chance of revival.

If the Uzumaki clan were saved, Mito, given her character and the Senju's dwindling state, would certainly insist they migrate to Konoha. Together, the Uzumaki and Senju would grow too powerful, something neither Hiruzen nor Danzo wanted.

But now, their delay had backfired, and they were left scrambling.

"What's the point of regretting it now? We've already agreed on this plan!" Danzo barked angrily. "We need to stop Lady Mito before she makes things worse! I didn't expect her to react so quickly. Senju doesn't have that kind of intelligence network—it's the Uchiha! They've joined forces with her. Mito actually invited the Uchiha to help the Uzumaki. Damn it!"

The Uchiha had once again thrown all of Danzo's plans into disarray.

"Who could have predicted this alliance between Mito and Hikaru Uchiha?" Hiruzen muttered with irritation.

"She doesn't trust us anymore," Danzo spat. "She would rather work with her old enemies than rely on us. What terms did she agree on with Hikaru? I hope the situation isn't as bad as I fear."

The thought of a Senju-Uzumaki-Uchiha alliance sent a chill through Hiruzen. It threatened his power and the balance of the village.

"Let's move," Hiruzen said grimly.

The Third Hokage gathered Anbu and ROOT operatives and rushed to the village gate. But when they arrived, Mito and Hikaru had already departed with elite Senju and Uchiha forces.

"Lady Mito! Please, wait! Where are you going?" Hiruzen called out, feigning concern.

Hikaru smirked. "Still pretending, Third Hokage? Do you think Mito is a fool? You mobilized so many Anbu and ROOT so quickly—you must have known about the Land of Whirlpools' situation long before now."

Hiruzen froze. Hikaru's words cut sharply through his act.

"Why pretend?" Mito's gaze was icy as it bore into Hiruzen. "Did you really expect me to sit idly by?"

"N-No, Lady Mito, you misunderstand!" Hiruzen said, forcing a look of regret. "We only just received the news. I was preparing to assemble a team and inform you. I didn't expect you to act so quickly!" He turned to Hikaru. "It's surprising that the Uchiha acted faster than the entire village."

"Heh," Hikaru scoffed. "Don't flatter us. We simply keep a close watch on the Land of Whirlpools. We've known about this threat for over a month. Mito asked for the village's help, expecting timely action. Unfortunately, some people seem to have… different priorities."

"You're accusing us of delaying the rescue?" Hiruzen said sharply, though his tone betrayed unease.

Mito's expression hardened. "If you wanted to save them, you would have acted long ago. Enough of this. We're leaving."

"Please, Lady Mito, think carefully!" Hiruzen said, desperately trying to regain control. "Konoha needs its protector. If you leave, the village will be vulnerable. Let us handle the Uzumaki situation. Danzo and I—"

"No." Mito's voice was cold and commanding. "No one but me can convince the Uzumaki to come to Konoha. None of you have that bond. If you've brought troops, then you'll join us—but I will lead this mission."

Hiruzen clenched his jaw. Mito was determined, and there was no stopping her. She had taken nearly all of the Senju's elite, including Tsunade. Even if he and Danzo stayed behind, he feared she would take measures against them later for their schemes.

The Uchiha had also deployed their strongest shinobi. Konoha's forces in the village were now alarmingly thin. For Hiruzen, the best way to monitor Mito and Hikaru was to send Danzo with her.

"Danzo will go with you," Hiruzen said after a pause. "I will stay and keep the village stable."

"Fine," Mito said curtly. "But time is short. Catch up with us quickly."

With that, Mito and Hikaru led the combined Senju-Uchiha forces toward the Land of Whirlpools.

Danzo glared at Hiruzen as if he could kill him on the spot. "Hiruzen… you've thrown me to the wolves."

"Calm yourself," Hiruzen said, forcing a smile. "Mito is reasonable if you cooperate. Don't provoke her. I'll maintain order here. You… do what needs to be done."

Danzo muttered a curse but had no choice. He commanded the Anbu and ROOT to follow Mito's forces.

As they left, Hiruzen sighed heavily. "I didn't think it would come to this. If I had known, I would have acted differently. Now, with the Uzumaki saved, they'll come to Konoha… and with Mito's influence, the Senju will regain their strength. Worse, the Uchiha will benefit too. This could change everything."

Just then, Koharu and Homura arrived, their faces tense.

"Hiruzen! What's happening? We heard Lady Mito and Hikaru Uchiha have mobilized their clans!" Koharu demanded.

"The Land of Whirlpools is under attack," Hiruzen explained. "Lady Mito and Hikaru have taken elite forces to protect them. I've sent Danzo with the Anbu and ROOT to assist."

"What?!" Koharu's expression darkened. "How did the Uchiha get involved? And why didn't Lady Mito wait?"

Hiruzen sighed. "I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen. She insists she must bring the Uzumaki to Konoha personally. What could I do?"

Clansmen nearby murmured among themselves. Some saw the benefit of the Uzumaki joining Konoha, while others worried about the balance of power shifting.

Koharu and Homura exchanged a glance—they didn't believe Hiruzen's excuses. But in front of the other clans, they kept silent.

"Spread the news," Hiruzen said sternly. "Keep the village stable and raise security. We cannot show weakness now."

With that, the crowd dispersed, but tension hung thick in the air.