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Once alone, Mito's gaze softened as she turned back to Horyu. "You're different from the others, aren't you?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Although Horyu was surprised, he asked, "What do you mean, Mito-sama?"
Mito continued, "You don't seek power for the Uchiha's dominance, nor are you blinded by clan loyalty."
Horyu gauged what he could say or not, then nodded. At this point, he was certain he was recognized. Since it was so, he decided to trust this old woman. Even if he lied, Mito could sense his emotions. At that time, it would only make Mito more wary of him, and Horyu would get nothing. Since Mito could read him like a book, being open and honest was the better option.
"Yes, Mito-sama. I know what Shisui did, and I know how he is brainwashing the village."
Mito was pleased, "Tsunade told me about you. She carries a seal I crafted for her, as we realized Shisui had an ability to alter people's loyalty, although we don't know how he does it yet. That seal allows Tsunade to use a minuscule of my abilities and can read people's emotions. Although she felt you are a rascal who only wants to trick her, your heart is in the right place, and you have no malicious intention to harm her or her interests."
Horyu was dumbfounded. Was it that easy to read his emotions? He was depressed.
"Stay here for a while and I shall teach you. When you go out, we can see how we can cooperate," Mito proposed.
Horyu accepted the offer, realizing the opportunity to learn Uzumaki sealing techniques from Mito herself was invaluable. "Thank you, Mito-sama. I appreciate your trust and guidance."
Mito then said, "Let's get to your questions." Horyu took a deep breath and said, "What happened back then? The story goes that Mist, Cloud, and Stone villages banded together to destroy the Uzumaki lineage. But from what I can see, even the sea around Whirlpool Island is not normal. Given your clan's significant control over nature around the village, why didn't you fight back?"
Mito listened calmly to Horyu's question, her expression thoughtful. "At that time, I was in Konoha. Sarutobi wouldn't easily let me go, although he acted respectful. Underneath that tact, he was more cunning than Danzo when it came to the village's interests. Don't be fooled by his gentle demeanor; that man could see through anything. He allowed certain events to unfold because they either benefited him or Konoha."
She continued, "I could only split my body and soul into two at the time. It's an advanced version of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, allowing me to have two separate bodies. Since I had to keep the Nine-Tails in Konoha, I needed to have enough strength to suppress the fox. Therefore, the part that stayed in Konoha was stronger than the one that left, me."
Horyu nodded, absorbing Mito's explanation. The complexities of the situation were clearer now, and the political undercurrents of Konoha's leadership were more intricate than he had initially thought.
"Given these constraints, the part of me that was here couldn't muster enough strength to fend off an attack from three major villages. It was a strategic decision to seal the village away rather than engage in a fight we couldn't win. This way, we preserved our heritage and kept our people safe," Mito added, her voice laced with a mixture of regret and resolve.
Horyu understood the gravity of the decision Mito had to make. The strategic retreat into a sealed space was a testament to the Uzumaki's ingenuity and their willingness to sacrifice for the greater good.
Changing the topic, Horyu asked, "What about the other Uzumaki clansmen outside this sealed space? Was there any plan for them?"
Mito chuckled, her expression one of somber resignation. "You've studied seals, right? This one can't be opened from the inside. I put enough trust in my ability to read emotions, but the risk of a spy among us was too high. We needed safeguards outside."
Horyu listened intently, his gaze never wavering from Mito's aged yet sharp eyes.
"Kushina Uzumaki, Karen Uzumaki, and Nigito Uzumaki with his wife—they were our failsafes. Each had a role in potentially lifting the seal if the worst came to pass."
Mito paused, a sigh escaping her lips. "Kushina was to return and save us. She knew the seals and was loyal. Karen was hidden in the Grass Country, staying out of sight until needed. Nigito and his wife were in the Rain Country, making alliances with Hanzo the Salamander, hoping his influence could help if needed."
"And Tsunade?" Horyu asked, recalling the intricate seal Tsunade bore that was unmistakably Uzumaki in craft.
Mito's face softened at the mention. "Tsunade stumbled upon this place by accident. Her Uzumaki blood thinned, but still potent enough to interact with the seals. She was never meant to be a part of this, but fate has a funny way of dragging the Uzumaki back to their roots."
She shook her head slightly. "From Tsunade, I learned the grim news: Kushina, Karen, and Nigito—all lost. Their children survive but know nothing of their heritage or the burdens their parents bore."
Horyu processed the information, his mind clear and focused. "So, their legacy, the keys to unlocking this place, died with them?"
"Exactly," Mito confirmed, her tone grave.
Horyu looked at Mito and asked, "I have one last question."
Mito smiled, ready for more of his inquiries. "Ask away."
Horyu pointed towards the edge of the island visible from the window. "If the Uzumaki weren't wiped out by those three villages, why did they just leave? How did Shinigami betray your deal? And how did you manage to seal him?"
Mito chuckled, a sound rich with the weight of memories. "I always expected Shinigami might betray us. Throughout the years, Hashirama and I worked with him, and it was clear he was eager for a chance to devour our clan. Despite only feasting on emotions, he craved the intense chakra the Uzumaki possessed because it flavored the emotions more richly. Knowing his nature, I played along without finalizing our contract."
She leaned back, her eyes reflecting the flickering light from a nearby lamp. "In his greed, Shinigami approached the leaders of the three villages and struck a deal with them, turning his back on us. When he appeared with the enemy forces, I used our verbal agreement against him. It wasn't as binding as a written contract, but it was enough to suppress him temporarily."
Horyu listened intently as Mito continued, "That was all part of the plan. I used the same body-splitting jutsu on myself to create clones for other Uzumaki as well, though these clones had only a fraction of our true power. It wasn't much, but it affected their ability to fight back."
"The clones died in front of the invaders, and Shinigami, along with his enslaved specters, devoured those clone bodies, leaving no trace—not even blood stains. Though this raised suspicions, the attacking villages couldn't understand what was going on. Afterward, I sealed the village and Shinigami was bound to power the seal, which left the invaders with no choice but to retreat."
Mito's face was stoic, but her voice carried a slight edge of triumph. "That's how we saved what remained of the Uzumaki and used Shinigami's betrayal to our advantage."
Horyu's respect for the Uzumaki matriarch deepened. "Incredible," he muttered, not just for the cleverness of the plan but for the audacity of it. Mito had turned an imminent massacre into a strategic victory that secured her people's safety through ages.
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