---
Mito Uzumaki soon stood up and, in one swift motion, removed her kimono. A divine, flawless body appeared in front of Hiruzen.
Despite being around 55 years old, Mito Uzumaki didn't look her age.
After Hiruzen shared the Yin Seal Jutsu with her, he also returned the transformation technique that Tsunade would develop in the future.
This allowed Mito's chakra to maintain her youthful and flawless appearance throughout her life.
She now looked as though she was 20 to 25 years old, far from the haggard appearance she had at the time of her death. Like Tsunade, she was a beauty of unparalleled stature.
Hiruzen, though calm, couldn't help but feel momentarily mesmerized by her. However, to say he craved her would be wrong.
Ever since marrying Rias, with her hyperdrive and his enhanced Yang Release body, he had always been satisfied.
Rias, a Kage-level ninja, could match him in every aspect, ensuring he felt no unfulfilled desires with her Sage body keeping up with him.
Hiruzen quickly composed himself and spoke. "What are you doing, Lady Mito?"
Without responding, Mito moved forward, threw herself into his arms, and sat on his lap.
Tears welled in her eyes as she replied, "You can do anything to me—anything to my body. Even though it has already been used, I am all yours.
In return, just forgive the Senju Clan, Hiruzen. If you desire it, I will even become your slave.
But I cannot stand by and watch the Senju Clan and Konoha be destroyed.
I cannot face Hashirama in the Pure Land with the shame of our clan and village's destruction."
Hiruzen was stunned by her words. His thoughts spiraled. Who am I? Where am I? Clan destruction? Village destruction? Who said anything about that? Just what is going on?
Kurama, lying lazily nearby, burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Mito Uzumaki groveling at someone else's feet—now that's rich! And to think of Hashirama... what would he say about this? Hahaha...."
Mito turned sharply to glare at Kurama. "What is wrong with you? I'm doing all this based on your reasoning!"
Kurama looked puzzled. "My reasoning? What are you talking about? When did I ever tell you to do this?
All I said was that Hiruzen had reached the Sage of Six Paths level and could destroy anyone, even the Senju Clan—and you, Mito. When did I say to offer yourself to him?"
Mito froze, realizing her mistake. Meanwhile, Hiruzen pieced everything together.
Ah, I see... Mito thought I intended to destroy the Senju and release the Nine Tails, fearing the destruction of both the Uzumaki and Senju Clans. That's why she took such drastic measures. Still...
Hiruzen broke the silence and spoke gently. "Lady Mito, I'm sorry, but I must decline. I am faithful to Rias and will remain so.
Without her permission or approval, I will not act. As for the Senju and Uchiha... yes, they are arrogant, but rest assured, I will not let them die. Instead, I will destroy their reputation bit by bit.
They will become Konoha's war machines, battling enemies relentlessly.
And don't worry—I will enhance their bloodlines to such an extent that even if ten die, ten more of equal or greater quality will rise in their place.
"And you, Mito Uzumaki, you will witness all of this with your own eyes. Even if you attempt suicide, I will resurrect you.
Even if you use the Reaper Death Seal, I will sever the Reaper and bring you back. Let's see how much arrogance they truly have, daring to challenge the Hokage."
Mito's face turned pale as the horror of Hiruzen's words sank in. Tears streamed down her face as she clung to his leg, sobbing uncontrollably.
Hiruzen levitated slightly, freeing himself from her grasp. Holding her by the waist in a brief hug, he set her down and vanished.
Back in the hall, Hiruzen reappeared within ten seconds. Suppressing his aura, he walked toward the door and announced,
"The Hyuga Clan will remove the Caged Bird Seal. This is a Hokage decree and order. If you refuse, the Hyuga main family will perish, as the 50 or 100 of you are nothing compared to the 1,000 branch members."
His Yin Release chakra echoed his decree throughout the minds of every ninja in the village. He then vanished once more.
In the Hyuga compound, the branch family members, who had not been invited to the Hokage meeting due to their status, erupted into joyous celebration.
"Is this real? Will the Hokage truly support us?" one branch family jonin asked.
"Yes, we all heard it!" others replied.
Another spoke with determination. "It seems we must follow Hokage-sama."
All nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, news of the meeting's results spread throughout Konoha.
The sheer might Hiruzen had displayed, suppressing nearly every jonin and S-rank ninja in the village, left everyone awestruck.
However, Hiruzen carefully controlled the narrative, sealing the memory of his overwhelming display within their minds.
---
Far from Konoha, in the other great nations, the situation was far from settled.
Hiruzen's true-body clones had infiltrated the respective villages, gathering intelligence from the ANBU operatives stationed there.
In Kumogakure, the political landscape was divided into three factions.
The most powerful was the Raikage faction, which possessed two of the Sage of Six Paths' tools.
The largest faction, however, was led by an elder named Tengu, who also vied for power.
The civilian faction, lacking resources, remained neutral, unable to contend with the other two.
One of Hiruzen's clones sat in a small room in Kumogakure, skimming through details about every jonin in the village.
His goal was clear: to identify key players and seize control.
His eyes landed on a name: Kumokami Tenzen. A 21-year-old jonin, Tenzen had mastered three chakra natures—lightning, fire, and water.
Despite displaying only average abilities, intelligence suggested he was as powerful as an elite jonin.
Moreover, Tenzen was affiliated with the civilian faction, making him a prime target.
"Hmph," Hiruzen muttered. "With this, I can gain Flare Release and Storm Release kekkei genkai, along with the Lightning Release Chakra Mode. He's perfect."
He vanished from the room and reappeared near Tenzen's residence, blending into the shadows.
Tenzen, though an averag-looking young man with fair skin (a rarity in Kumogakure), was no ordinary jonin. His sharp instincts detected a presence.
"Who's there?" he called out, turning his head.
No one answered. As Tenzen prepared to activate his chakra, Hiruzen struck. A chakra receiver pierced Tenzen's body, sealing his chakra.
Before Tenzen could react, Hiruzen emerged from the shadows. Using Zetsu's transformation technique, he took over Tenzen's body, assimilating it into his true-body clone.
Moments later, Hiruzen absorbed all of Tenzen's memories. He learned of Tenzen's tragic backstory as a talented orphan caught in the power struggles between the Raikage and Elder Tengu factions.
Opening his eyes, Hiruzen smiled. "Now then, let's begin Kumogakure's unification."
He vanished into the night.
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