The next day, overwhelmed by the intense public outrage, The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't hesitate to approve Hyuga Soushu's proposal to deploy the Northwest Border Defense Forces to escort the Uzumaki Survivors back to Konoha. He immediately dispatched an Anbu squad to assist the Northwest Border Defense Forces at the border.
Since this was one of those rare occasions where The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi acted decisively, Soushu refrained from criticizing his attempt to take credit by sending Anbu. He simply accepted it as a done deal; after all, those Uzumaki Survivors were already under the control of the Hyuga Ninja Force, and even if the Anbu arrived at the border, they wouldn't be able to change anything.
As for Tsunade, right after learning about Soushu's stance that same evening, she returned, deeply troubled, to the grand but quietly decaying Senju Clan's Territory, feeling pity for herself, tossing and turning the entire night.
This was the night when, since her younger brother Nawaki's unfortunate death, Tsunade felt the deepest nostalgia for the Senju Clan's past.
However, despite thinking about it all night long, she still couldn't bring herself to defy the clan dissolution decree issued directly by her great-uncle Tobirama Senju.
Moreover, the biggest issue remained—assuming Tsunade had plans or intentions to reunite the Senju Clan, how many Senju descendants who had long since disappeared into hiding within Konoha would actually respond to her call? And how many more branch family members even knew about their true identity?
After all, the dissolution of the Senju Clan had been personally handled by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju himself. To ensure peace for those who had abandoned the Senju name to integrate into Konoha, all related records of clan members had been destroyed. Neither Tsunade, his grandniece, nor her teacher, the current Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, had any knowledge of these details. Meanwhile, most of those unwilling to abandon the Senju name had perished during the First Great Ninja War. Therefore, reuniting the Senju Clan naturally became nothing but a distant dream.
Therefore, after such extensive deliberation, Tsunade realized that Soushu's response was merely an illusion—an unattainable mirage. The so-called future for both Senju and Uzumaki turned out to be no more than a reflection in the mirror or moonlight on water.
By noon the same day, the dust-covered Anbu squad finally reached the Northwest Border Defense Forces' camp.
At this time, after resting overnight and receiving nutritious food and secret medicinal potions, the visible improvement in the physical condition of the Uzumaki survivors was significant.
Yet because Hiashi Hyuga had specifically given orders not to interact too deeply with the rescued people, the subordinate ninja avoided thorough communication with them. This unspoken divide left the Uzumaki Survivors quite anxious.
Nevertheless, compared to their previous desperate situation in Grass Village, where they were like fish at someone else's mercy, they had practically reached paradise itself. Despite having many thoughts inside, the Uzumaki Survivors obediently followed the directions of the Jonin from the Hyuga Clan and focused on healing and regaining strength.
From top to bottom, the ninja stationed within the Northwest Border Defense Forces weren't allowed direct contact with the rescued survivors. The Uzumaki people remained entirely under the joint control of the multi-clan military force organized by the Hyuga Clan.
When the Anbu squad arrived at the Border Forces camp, the Anbu Commander leading them immediately removed his mask and requested access to the Uzumaki sector. After being denied entry, he then asked for a meeting with the Hyuga commander—and this time, Hiashi Hyuga accepted the request.
"It's actually Jonin Shinnosuke himself who came in person!"
Seeing the familiar face of the Anbu Commander, Hiashi Hyuga also showed considerable surprise.
The visitor was no outsider. He was none other than Sarutobi Shinnosuke, the eldest son of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, and also the Anbu Commander most trusted by the Hokage.
This alone demonstrated just how important it was for Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi to ensure the rescue of the Uzumaki survivors.
"Good day to you, Commander Hiashi."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke did not put on airs. Instead, he took the initiative to bow respectfully toward Hiashi Hyuga.
"The honor is mine,"
Hiashi returned the gesture politely while inviting Sarutobi Shinnosuke into his tent for a detailed conversation.
From this display, Sarutobi Shinnosuke could already sense that the purpose of his visit would not be easy to accomplish. Hiashi was likely planning to politely yet firmly decline the conditions given by Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But he had no choice either—after all, he was currently within the territory of the Hyuga Ninja Force. Neither the title of Anbu Commander nor being the Hokage's eldest son held much sway here. Attempting to exert authority aggressively would only lead to self-humiliation. So Sarutobi Shinnosuke swallowed his anxiety and forced a calm demeanor as he stepped into the tent to face Hiashi Hyuga.
However, as a prestigious ninja clan renowned for their etiquette, the Hyuga Clan's mastery of formalities could indeed be called unmatched in the Ninja World. After entering the tent, with a single wave of his hand, Hiashi summoned attending ninjas who promptly served tea and refreshments. Though the conditions within the military camp were crude, every procedure strictly followed the highest standards.
This display made Sarutobi Shinnosuke feel extremely uncomfortable.
What weighed on his mind was the secret mission his father had given him before he left—to strike a deal with the Hyuga commander and get permission for Anbu to speak with the Uzumakis in their temporary quarters.
That was all Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had requested.
After the rescue mission fell apart, all Konoha F4 could do was try some damage control through public opinion.
Yet in Sarutobi Shinnosuke's eyes, Hiashi's deliberate delay was clearly an intentional obstacle, but out of necessity and with matters pending, he couldn't act recklessly.
After enduring nearly an hour of Hiashi's drawn-out hospitality, a Hyuga Jonin finally rushed into the tent and handed a scroll directly to Hiashi Hyuga.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, sitting aside and pretending to sip tea while forcing himself to remain patient, caught a quick glance at the wax seal on the scroll and immediately noticed that it bore the signature mark of Soushu Hyuga—upon seeing this, his breath subtly became slightly faster.
Hiashi gave no explanation nor attempted concealment; instead, he opened the scroll right there and began reading.
The message sent by Soushu Hyuga was very simple and direct: it ordered Hiashi Hyuga to escort the surviving Uzumaki back to Konoha with his division within one hour after receiving the scroll. Additionally, it emphasized that no irrelevant individuals were allowed any contact with the Uzumaki along the journey, and importantly, the scroll contained no confidential information.
Hiashi Hyuga paused for a moment, quickly understanding Soushu's intentions. He then handed the scroll directly to Sarutobi Shinnosuke and immediately issued orders for his subordinate ninja forces to prepare for departure back to the village.
During this process, Soushu Hyuga also took advantage of a loophole.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had approved the Border Forces escorting Uzumaki survivors back to Konoha, but he hadn't explicitly specified that the Northwest Border Defense Forces were required to carry out this mission. Soushu Hyuga directly ordered Hiashi Hyuga to lead his subordinate ninja forces back to the village. After all, among the thousand-man battalion being transferred, aside from the three hundred clan ninja temporarily assembled from the Hyuga District, the rest were indeed members of the Border Forces.
As for this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke could do nothing but comply.
Because just as he attempted to reason with Hiashi Hyuga, he was immediately surrounded by the Uchiha Ninja Forces led by Fugaku Uchiha. Thus, once surrounded, he had no choice but to abandon such unrealistic expectations after receiving persuasion from the opposing side.
The chaos within the camp didn't go unnoticed by the anxious Uzumaki survivors.
However, upon learning they would soon be heading to Konoha, these Uzumaki survivors finally felt a sense of relief wash over them.
After spending one day together, although the Hyuga clan's ninjas hadn't communicated much with these Uzumaki survivors, at least in terms of attitudes and manners, the Hyuga ninjas were beyond reproach.
Even though Hyuga ninjas usually came across as distant due to their personalities, for these Uzumaki survivors—who had long been subjected to the harsh conditions under the Grass Ninja Village's rule and were now terrified like birds frightened by bowstrings (a common metaphor for the easily startled)—this emotional distance actually gave them some breathing room, gradually easing their guarded hearts.
Thus, escorted by more than a thousand ninja, the sixty-seven Uzumaki survivors made it safely from the Fire Country's border military base to Konoha in nearly two days.
Meanwhile, responding swiftly to ongoing public criticism, Hiruzen Sarutobi acted promptly. Immediately after Hiashi Hyuga's battalion arrived at the village, he dispatched Anbu to disperse unrelated onlookers who claimed to be there to greet the survivors. He also instructed Soushu Hyuga to settle these unfortunate individuals who had endured a long journey. Furthermore, he ordered an official Ninja Clan Summit hearing to be held the next morning to hear the Uzumakis' requests.
As for Soushu Hyuga bringing his directly subordinate ninja forces back to the village, Hiruzen Sarutobi chose to pretend not to see anything.
This time having gained the upper hand, Soushu Hyuga didn't intend to argue further over trivialities with him. Instead, he directly let Hiashi Hyuga arrange for escorts to settle the Uzumaki survivors inside the Hyuga District. Moreover, he issued orders sealing off the entire district, prohibiting anyone from visiting.
Even when Sakumo Hatake himself came personally, he was still denied access to the Uzumaki survivors.
This isolation maneuver simultaneously placed all Uzumaki clan members firmly under control while securing complete initiative regarding the next day's Ninja Clan Summit into Soushu Hyuga's grasp.
Inside the main hall of the Hyuga Clan Leader's Mansion, Soushu Hyuga received the oldest survivor among the Uzumakis—the elder publicly recognized as their representative.
The Uzumaki elder who entered the hall looked especially haggard, his steps unsteady. His signature red hair had lost its former luster, now dry and disheveled. A deep weariness radiated from his entire being. Yet beneath this frail exterior, his eyes gleamed like deep, crystal-clear wells—bright and pure. Within them burned an undying spark of wisdom, a strong will, and unshakable determination.
"Good day, Chief Soushu! Thank you for your family's timely assistance in our time of crisis!"
As soon as he entered, the Uzumaki elder performed a dogeza-style prostration on the ground (a traditional gesture of deep submission in Japanese culture), expressing his gratitude: "It is entirely due to Chief Soushu's kindness that the Uzumaki have been saved! This favor shall forever be etched into our hearts!"
"Please rise, old sir. Take a seat."
Hyuga Soushu stepped aside out of respect, avoiding the full kneeling bow, yet he did not move forward to help the elder up.
"Might I inquire your honorable name?"
After the Uzumaki elder had risen and taken his seat, Hyuga Soushu finally asked.
"My name is Kenji Uzumaki, formerly one of Whirlpool Country's advisors."
"You seem no longer part of Nagarezu Hidden Village's ninja ranks," said Hyuga Soushu, raising his eyebrows slightly in curiosity.
Whirlpool Country and Nagarezu Hidden Village were classic dual facets of the same entity—one representing civilian governance, the other the ninja organization. That was partly why the great nations united to destroy it while Konoha chose to turn a deaf ear.
As for the excuse about Hidden Leaf Village lacking sufficient forces to provide aid, most ninja clans in Konoha didn't buy it.
At that time, Konoha hadn't yet mobilized fully; though the official number of registered ninja remained limited, if the Hokage had issued orders calling upon clan ninja, assisting Whirlpool Country or repelling the attackers of Nagarezu Hidden Village wouldn't have been difficult.
Even more importantly, although Nagarezu Hidden Village had frequently requested assistance from Konoha before the invasion, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi still refused, citing insufficient ninja resources as the reason. Yet despite this refusal, he had still sent someone to retrieve the young Uzumaki princess—the most suitable candidate for becoming a jinchuriki—at that time.
Such peculiar behavior naturally led many clans within Konoha to suspect ulterior motives, fostering growing resentment and eventual estrangement from the Hokage faction.
"Transforming clan into nation—that was the root cause of the calamity that befell the Uzumaki Clan," murmured Elder Kenji Uzumaki without directly responding to Hyuga Soushu's comment. "As for Konoha's actions back then… there were also unspoken reasons."
He paused momentarily, carefully watching Hyuga Soushu's expression.
While entering Konoha earlier, Kenji Uzumaki had roughly deduced the relationship between the Hyuga Clan and the village through the way Anbu cleared out bystanders. Now he simply sought confirmation.
"The village is the village, the ninja clan is the ninja clan," Hyuga Soushu responded frankly. "To prevent each ninja clan from suffering disgrace is an obligation the Hyuga cannot abandon."
"Please grant me your guidance, Chief Soushu!" At once, Kenji Uzumaki bowed deeply.
"There will be a Ninja Clan Hearing tomorrow. I hope Master Kenji Uzumaki can find the time to attend," said Hyuga Soushu. "The incident in Herb Country was a disgrace to our clans. Although Konoha remains modest, there are still principles worth firmly defending."
"Is it Hidden Leaf or Hyuga?"
Kenji Uzumaki fired back at once.
"It is both Hidden Leaf and Hyuga,"
Hyuga Soushu proclaimed firmly. "And not only the Hyuga, but also the Uchiha and hundreds of other Hidden Leaf ninja clans!"
"The hatred for Grass Ninja Village will never fade!"
Kenji Uzumaki also clenched his teeth in anger.
Just recalling their tragic time in Grass Ninja Village was enough to set his heart ablaze with fury.
No matter how forgiving Kenji Uzumaki was, those painful memories couldn't just vanish in a few days.
Even though he knew for sure that Soushu would use him like a weapon, it didn't matter one bit.
"Then let's wipe Grass Ninja Village off the map—make it the first step toward the return of the Uzumaki Clan."
Soushu said lightly.
"Understood, Supreme Commander Soushu!"
Kenji Uzumaki prostrated himself fully on the ground without hesitation.
This time, Hyuga Soushu did not move aside. He accepted it calmly, showing no signs of discomfort.
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