After hearing what Uzumaki Masahiko said, Tamura Hao was moved—truly moved.
From the old man's explanation, the Yang Seal was evidently a sealing technique similar in principle to the Yin Seal used by Tsunade. It could store chakra over time, a solution to exactly what Hao currently lacked.
Although his chakra capacity was limited, his talent in chakra production and refinement was exceptional. As long as he wasn't in a battle, he could refine chakra continuously in small increments and store it. This would allow him to sustain prolonged fights, compensating for his biggest shortcoming.
And based on Masahiko's assessment, the Yang Seal could function even with his current chakra reserves—it was not exclusive to high-capacity monsters like Tsunade or Hashirama. It seemed tailored for people with his kind of problem.
However, acquiring this technique clearly required an equivalent exchange. What did he possess that could interest someone like Uzumaki Masahiko?
Wrestling with his thoughts, Tamura Hao finally steeled his nerves and said, "I can share the Uzumaki clan's version of Sage Mode cultivation. It may not be as overwhelming as Hashirama's, but it can enhance one's strength several-fold.
But in return, I'll need temporary access to all the ancient texts and resources of Uzushiogakure. We'll duplicate everything."
He paused and added, "This war surrounding the Land of Whirlpools is far more dangerous than you think. The odds of Uzushiogakure surviving are less than 10%.
Let us preserve your knowledge and legacy. We'll use it to rebuild the Uzumaki clan, should the worst come to pass."
Uzumaki Masahiko fell silent for a long time before speaking again.
"Do you know how to write the word 'shameless'?"
Never in his life had he encountered someone so audacious. "Getting something for nothing" didn't even begin to describe this.
"With Grandma Mito still alive, do you really think I'd dare steal from you?" Tamura Hao snapped back, using Uzumaki Mito's name to back himself. "If not for the long-standing marriage bond between the Uzumaki and Senju clans, do you think I'd take this risk?"
His identity as Qianshou Hao, a confirmed direct descendant of the Senju clan, was now verified—he fully intended to leverage that status.
Masahiko narrowed his eyes. Shameless or not, the boy had a point. With Mito involved, betrayal was unlikely.
"Is there some greater scheme behind this war?" he asked, picking up on the weight in Hao's tone.
Tamura Hao grew serious and declared, "Uchiha Madara isn't dead. And the only thing that can make him hesitate now is a perfect Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails."
He said no more. That name alone was enough.
For someone like Masahiko, who had lived through the Warring States era, that name carried devastating implications.
As expected, Masahiko's face turned pale at the mention of Uchiha Madara.
That was dire news.
With his brother-in-law Hashirama gone, Madara's shadow now loomed like an invincible specter. If Madara was involved, Uzushiogakure had no future.
"Wait here!"
Face grim, Masahiko departed in a rush.
Tamura Hao let out a slow breath of relief. He turned and surveyed the wall of ceremonial death masks. After a moment's thought, he pulled out a sealing scroll from his backpack and sealed all the masks into it.
He'd brought plenty of blank sealing scrolls for battlefield corpse collection, but they served just as well for relics like this.
Unfortunately, his current sealing skill wasn't advanced enough to layer scrolls within scrolls. If he could, he'd basically be a walking weapons vault.
Before long, Masahiko returned with two enormous sealing scrolls slung across his back. Seeing the empty shelves, his eye twitched uncontrollably.
"Take it and get lost."
He flung the scrolls at Hao, clearly irked and eager to be rid of him.
Tamura Hao shouldered the scrolls and looked at the girl behind Masahiko—an intense young girl with striking red hair and tear-reddened eyes.
"Is this the one you chose? She doesn't seem very bright."
The red-haired girl's eyes flared with fury. "You're the idiot!" she snapped, her previous reluctance replaced by irritation.
"Definitely not very bright," Hao muttered with a sigh. Then, without warning, he struck her neck with a precise chop, knocking her unconscious. He casually swept her hair over her face, transformed into a dark-haired man, and hoisted her over his shoulder.
"I'm taking her now. Hopefully, I'll see you in Konoha. Otherwise, this girl—and Mito-sama—will grieve deeply."
With a wave, he strode away. Behind him, Masahiko stood clenching his fists, veins bulging on his forehead.
"…I hope we survive this."
He let out a heavy sigh.
The combined armies of the four great villages were formidable enough. If Madara was lurking as well, then there truly was no hope. Letting Tamura Hao take everything was a gamble to preserve the Uzumaki clan's legacy.
Outside, the three Kumo ANBU who had been waiting were shocked to see Hao emerge carrying two massive scrolls and an unconscious girl.
"…Go."
With just that, Tamura Hao marched on. The ANBU trailed behind without a word.
Meanwhile, across the village, the Uzumaki Elder Aloe stood on a platform, scrutinizing another stranger.
"Young man, which clan do you belong to?"
She was certain he wasn't from Konoha—otherwise he'd be speaking to the clan head, not her, the one elder who openly detested Konoha.
"I'm from Kumogakure. I serve as aide to Lord Raikage. This scroll contains the coordinated strike plan we developed for the assault on Uzushiogakure by the four great villages. Please review it."
Tutai remained humble as he handed over the scroll.
Although the four villages hadn't formally allied, they'd reached an understanding: no interference, and each village could seize what they could from the Uzumaki during the invasion.
This scroll detailed that consensus.
Aloe Uzumaki blinked in disbelief, then slowly unfolded the scroll. Her face immediately darkened.
"…Is this a threat?"
Her glare was frigid.
Did they think the Uzumaki would cower in fear?
"No threat," Tutai said earnestly. "We're inviting the Uzumaki to join Kumogakure. Our doors are open."
He meant it. Kumogakure's rapid development—Tailed Beast control, mass weapon production, sealing arts research—depended on talents like the Uzumaki.
Aloe stood in silence for a long while, then slowly looked down at the scroll again.
"…It seems Kumogakure may not be the best option for us."
She wasn't completely rejecting them. She wanted to see just how sincere this offer was.
The scroll proved Kumogakure's awareness and coordination. But was that enough?
No. What they truly wanted was the Uzumaki themselves—not just their techniques.
There was still room to negotiate.