"You want the Land of Whirlpools to submit?"
Uzumaki Mito asked.
"It's a process that has to happen eventually."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke: "It's no longer the era of the past."
"In the past era, Ninja Clans fought one another. Back then, the strength of the Uzumaki Clan was enough for self-preservation, and it didn't matter even if they possessed things coveted by outsiders."
"But now, it's the era of the Ninja Villages."
"Times are changing, yet the Uzumaki Clan still maintains their old way of life. Problems will arise sooner or later if this continues."
"Konoha and the Uzumaki Clan are allies."
Uzumaki Mito spoke: "Whether out of sentiment or reason, we should come to each other's aid."
"That is indeed true."
Minamikawa Yuu did not deny it: "But once or twice is fine; Konoha might make it in time to help. However, if it happens frequently, there will eventually be a day when we fail to arrive."
"The only way for the Uzumaki Clan to be truly safe is to move directly into Konoha and join the Village."
Uzumaki Mito fell silent, somewhat unsure of what to say.
To her, both Konoha and the Uzumaki Clan were indispensable existences.
The former was the Village she and her husband had co-founded, while the latter was her maternal clan.
Caught between these two, her stance began to waver.
"This isn't a difficult choice to make."
Standing before her, Minamikawa Yuu spoke persuasively: "By joining Konoha, the Uzumaki Clan doesn't need to give up anything; in fact, they can have even more."
"If the Uzumaki Clan is willing, I can designate a piece of territory within the Land of Fire for them to live in, and everything within it will be left for them to decide for themselves."
"Aside from not having the title of a nation, everything else would be the same as it was in the Land of Whirlpools in the past."
"Can such a thing really be done?"
Uzumaki Mito was astonished: "Would the Daimyo agree to such a thing?"
"He will agree."
Minamikawa Yuu's expression was calm.
It was just a small piece of territory. It might seem difficult, but in reality, it was nothing at all.
The entire Ninja World could be described as vast but sparsely populated. As the largest nation in the Ninja World, the Land of Fire had plenty of vast, desolate territories.
These places had small populations, and their lords were mostly impoverished; they were perfect for settling the Uzumaki Clan.
As for the original lords and commoners on that land?
At worst, it would just take spending some money to smooth things over, treating it as if Konoha had bought the land.
"If it can be like that, then there's no problem."
Uzumaki Mito pondered for a moment and then nodded in agreement.
In all fairness, the conditions Minamikawa Yuu offered were very generous.
Not only would a piece of territory be specifically designated as the Uzumaki Clan's estate for self-management, but he also wouldn't force the clan to do anything. There would even be a dedicated annual support fund to subsidize the relocating Uzumaki Clan.
Overall, the conditions were quite favorable.
In short, regarding the Uzumaki Clan, Minamikawa Yuu's attitude was simple.
As long as you are willing to relocate, everything else is negotiable.
"Since you've put it that way, if I still didn't agree, I would seem a bit tactless."
Uzumaki Mito smiled and expressed her support: "Let's do as you say."
"Anyway, with your abilities, I believe you can handle things perfectly."
She had always been very confident in Minamikawa Yuu's competence.
Up until now, Minamikawa Yuu had never failed to deliver on anything he promised her.
This time would likely be no exception.
"If there is a need, this old soul can also follow you to the battlefield."
She continued: "It is my maternal clan after all. If there is a chance, I also hope to contribute."
"If there is a need, I will take you with me."
Minamikawa Yuu nodded and did not decline.
Uzumaki Mito looked refined, but in reality, she was currently the strongest combat force in all of Konoha.
Even for Minamikawa Yuu, if he went all out, it would likely be difficult to win against Uzumaki Mito, who possessed the Uzumaki bloodline and mastered the Nine-Tailed's power.
As the wife of the First Hokage, no one knew what trump cards Uzumaki Mito held.
Besides the Uzumaki Clan's Sealing Techniques and the Nine-Tailed's power, Minamikawa Yuu even suspected she might have mastered Sage Transformation.
After all, her husband, the First Hokage Senju Hashirama, was an existence who had mastered perfect Sage Transformation.
The prerequisites for learning Sage Transformation—possessing powerful Chakra and a strong spirit—were all met by Uzumaki Mito.
She simply hadn't had the opportunity to take action. If she really did, it would be hard to say just how strong she was.
Regardless, it was an indisputable fact that this woman was extremely powerful.
When necessary, Minamikawa Yuu didn't mind borrowing her strength.
After all, she was his elder. Asking her for help when needed was only natural.
"There is one more thing."
Uzumaki Mito looked at Minamikawa Yuu, a rare look of hesitation appearing on her face.
But in the end, she spoke up and asked, looking at Minamikawa Yuu: "Regarding Tsunade, what do you plan to say?"
"You can't have failed to notice her feelings for you, right?"
"That is exactly one of my purposes for coming to see you this time."
Minamikawa Yuu spoke with a smile: "If possible, I would like to propose to Tsunade in your presence, and I hope to receive your blessing."
Good heavens.
Hearing Minamikawa Yuu's words, even Uzumaki Mito was momentarily stunned.
She had only said that because she hoped Minamikawa Yuu would officially state his stance.
After all, Tsunade had now grown into an adult.
Two years had passed, Minamikawa Yuu was already seventeen, and Tsunade was about to graduate from the Ninja Academy and start studying under Uzumaki Mito. At this age, which would have been considered just a student in his previous life, it was already enough to get married in this world.
After all, people in this world developed early, and seventeen was already considered adulthood.
Uzumaki Mito's original intention was just to confirm Minamikawa Yuu's attitude toward Tsunade to avoid any accidents later.
However, she hadn't expected to receive such a big surprise directly.
"You... are you serious?"
Uzumaki Mito looked at Minamikawa Yuu and couldn't help but ask: "You can't joke about this kind of thing."
"Yes, I understand."
Minamikawa Yuu smiled: "Actually, Tsunade and I have been dating for a while now, you just didn't know."
"But now, I feel like it's about time."
In all honesty, he didn't have any ulterior motives regarding Tsunade; he simply got along with her naturally.
He didn't dislike Tsunade, and her feelings for him were obvious.
Since that was the case, there was no need to waste more effort.
He would just marry her.
Anyway, he was already a reincarnated soul; having a new wife was perfectly reasonable.
"This jump of yours is a bit too fast."
Uzumaki Mito sighed: "I just wonder what Tsunade's reaction will be."
She thought of Tsunade's face, and a smile couldn't help but appear on her own.