Chapter 54: The Three Pillars

"Alright then," said Mito Uzumaki firmly. "Hikaru, you're coming with us. There are matters you must be part of."

A multi-layered barrier shimmered into place, cloaking the area from sight, sound, and chakra perception.

Aminari Uzumaki, head of the clan, wasted no time.

"Lady Mito, what's the situation in Konoha? I've heard rumors… that the Senju are declining, suffering heavy losses. Will they vanish completely?"

Mito didn't hesitate. "It's because of Hiruzen," she said bluntly, explaining how the Third Hokage and his inner circle had orchestrated the marginalization of the Senju—how they had stood by and watched the Uzumaki fall.

Aminari scowled. "So Konoha is rotten. That's exactly why I refused to relocate my clan. Why would you still want this, Mito-sama? Do you want the Uzumaki to suffer the same fate as the Senju?"

"Absolutely not," Mito said, shaking her head. "The Senju had their own internal issues. I was aging, worn out from years of suppressing the Nine-Tails. My health failed, and I couldn't oppose Hiruzen. That's why the Senju declined."

She straightened. Her chakra surged subtly, controlled yet vast. "But now, things are different. Thanks to the Uchiha, I've recovered. I'm at my peak again, and I'll live for decades more. This time, I'll act. I won't let Hiruzen destroy the Senju or the Uzumaki. United within Konoha, the clans will support each other and grow stronger."

She turned to Hikaru Uchiha with a small smile. "And the Uchiha clan…"

Hikaru nodded, his Sharingan glowing faintly in the dim light.

Aminari looked between them, perplexed. "Wait… Weren't the Senju and Uchiha bitter enemies? Even after founding the village, there was bad blood. How did you suddenly reconcile and form an alliance?"

Mito explained calmly. "That hatred is history now. When the Senju lost influence and the Uchiha were persecuted by the Hokage's administration, our animosity faded. The Uchiha saved me. And to confront Hiruzen, I formed an alliance with them on behalf of the Senju."

She paused, gaze steady. "It wasn't just a tactical alliance. If they hadn't truly considered us allies, they wouldn't have risked everything to help the Uzumaki."

"I see now," Aminari murmured. "A union formed by shared enemies and the collapse of old rivalries. Makes sense."

He frowned again. "But if we join Konoha now, won't we be drawn into the same political chaos? We'll become a target all over again."

"No," Mito said with conviction. "With me there—and the Senju and Uchiha united—the Uzumaki will be protected. We're not joining alone. We're forming a triumvirate: Senju, Uchiha, and Uzumaki. Together, we'll counter Hiruzen and the old guard. They won't suppress us again. If they try… we'll fight back. Remove them from power, if necessary."

Her words struck like a hammer of fate.

"The Uzumaki are already a target," she continued. "Because of our fuinjutsu expertise—because of me. Other villages saw the potential of jinchūriki through my sealing. Even if I hadn't become one, they would've eventually found out. The attacks were inevitable. But if we stay fragmented, we're easy prey."

Aminari grimaced. He couldn't deny the truth. In some way, Mito's legacy had painted a bullseye on them. But her words rang with sincerity—and power.

"I'm not arguing," she said. "I want the Uzumaki to relocate to Konoha. Not as subordinates, but as equals. I propose we formally unite our three clans. Mutual support, arranged marriages, and shared power. What say you?"

Aminari looked at her long and hard. He saw no hesitation in her eyes.

"…I have no objection. A formal union and intermarriage could be beneficial. But—" he turned to Hikaru—"are the Uchiha not concerned about the Sharingan falling into outside hands?"

Hikaru smiled slightly. "No," he said. "We're not worried. As long as the bonds are real, not political games."

Aminari's eyes lit up. The prospect of Sharingan bloodlines among Uzumaki descendants sparked a vision of future strength.

"Then I accept. I agree to the alliance and the relocation to Konoha. I'll send word to recall the remaining clan members immediately."

Mito released the barrier with a satisfied nod. "Good. There's much work ahead."

Aminari ordered his men to gather the survivors and their belongings. Mito turned to heal the wounded Konoha shinobi—her chakra infused with masterful medical ninjutsu.

Meanwhile, Hikaru received a message via a space-time tag. Checking the signal, she found a letter from Gin.

"All's well here. What's the situation there?"

She smirked slightly and penned a reply.

Back in Konoha

Gin smiled as he read the message.

"How's everything?" Mikoto Uchiha asked, eyes wide. "Is your mom okay?"

Gin handed her the letter. "Better than okay. The battle's over. No Uchiha fatalities, only minor injuries. The Uzumaki suffered, but most survived. Best of all—my mother, the Senju, and the Uzumaki have officially formed a Three-Clan Union. The Uchiha's position in Konoha is stronger than ever. Someday, we might even aim for the Hokage's seat."

Mikoto grinned. "I'm waiting for that day, Gin! You'll be famous!"

He chuckled. "Soon. But first… strength. We've made enemies now. Hiruzen won't take this quietly. He'll try something else."

Gin's gaze turned skyward. "Besides, there's more to the world than this. I want to explore beyond—across space and time."

"Skypeia?" Mikoto asked eagerly.

"Yes," he replied. "You want to come?"

"Of course!" she nodded. "Really?!"

"When the time's right, I'll take you," Gin promised. "But it's dangerous. Skypeians are wary of outsiders. And Shandians even more so."

"I'll be careful!" Mikoto said with a gleam in her eye.

They both looked toward the heavens—already dreaming of floating islands, far-off seas, and a world beyond the shinobi wars.

Meanwhile – In a Hidden Underground Cavern

Beneath the mountains, deep within a dark chamber lit only by the glow of eerie chakra veins, Madara Uchiha sat in a wooden chair before the Gedo Statue. Beside him stood Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, watching him with reverence.

"Have you chosen a vessel?" Madara asked, opening his Rinnegan-glowing eyes.

"Yes," Black Zetsu nodded. "We found a suitable Uzumaki child—strong chakra, excellent vitality. His body can withstand the Rinnegan. Shall we begin?"

Madara nodded slowly. "Do it. But don't wake them."

Zetsu vanished, returning moments later with a small family—two unconscious adults and a red-haired child: Nagato Uzumaki.

Madara's Rinnegan glowed as he cast a powerful genjutsu, altering their memories. Then, using surgical ninjutsu, he transplanted his Rinnegan into Nagato, replacing his own eyes with a backup Sharingan.

Staring into the darkness, he muttered, "Now to the next phase… I'll need a worthy puppet. Perhaps one among the Uchiha."

Zetsu perked up. "Actually… there's someone you should know. Uchiha Hikaru. She's in the Land of Whirlpools. She came with Mito to save the Uzumaki."

Madara's eyes narrowed. "Hikaru? The girl who once quelled clan disputes with that strange chakra… She's alive?"

"Not just alive—thriving," Zetsu said. "Her injuries from the Forbidden Technique are gone. She's at full power. She even awakened the fourth stage of Susanoo with a regular Mangekyō. She defeated Onoki."

Madara leaned forward, intrigued. "Impressive. Very impressive…"

He smiled in the shadows.

"Let's keep an eye on her. The world may soon learn that Madara's legacy still shapes its future."