The trip back to Konoha was fast yet relaxing. While traveling, Tsunade was thoroughly informed about the Uzumaki's life up to that day. The older blonde was mesmerized by their tales of adventure and mischief, and fairly amazed by things like their original fighting styles—and the fact that Naruko owned one of the Seven Swords of Kirigakure no Sato.
They also spent time plotting against the Konoha civilian council and unsavory individuals like Danzo. And a little time on training. Tsunade was delighted with Hinata's aptitude for medical ninjutsu and the way she used her eyes as a diagnostic tool. She even offered to train—or at least coach—her whenever she was assigned in Konoha. In Tsunade's words:
"Ninjutsu are weapons that must be kept in secret. But! Med-jutsu is not a weapon or a tool for warfare—it's a way of helping others, and as such, it must be shared with everyone capable of using it." That was her policy.
The plan was clear. With the Third Hokage, two of the Sannin, and probably the major clans on their side, Tsunade was sure to become Hokage. The incompetent members of the civilian council probably believed the last Senju would support them, oblivious to her relationship with the Uzumaki. The irony of having them crown a leader who was planning to cut them off from power was so delicious that Naruko drooled every time they schemed about it.
Minutes after they checked in at Konoha's main gate, the group was stopped by a branch Hyuga who glared at Hinata with distaste. He went straight to the ex-Hyuga heiress and offered her a rolled scroll, ignoring the two Sannin and Naruko.
"You have been summoned by the Hyuga council. Read your summons and be escorted to the main Hyuga hall right away."
"Hyuga-san, we've just returned from a mission. I'm sure whoever summoned us will appreciate that we shower and dress properly for the occasion. I'm smelly, tired, and covered in road dust. If it's not too urgent, I'm sure our esteemed hosts wouldn't like that. Shall we arrive at the compound in about two hours? Will that be agreeable?" said Hinata.
The messenger grumbled, "Fine," before leaving hastily. Hinata sighed, looking dejected.
"I wish we had more time before doing this. I'm not so sure I can keep my feelings in check without time to prepare for this fated meeting." She even made quote marks with her fingers.
"S'all right, love. Ero-sensei, please inform the Hokage and make sure he notifies Hiashi, the Hyuga clan head. Ba-chan, wanna help us get dolled up? We'll be putting on makeup and all that. We should contact Karui-chan too…" Naruko made a clone and sent it to retrieve the redhead.
"Care to explain what's happening?" asked Tsunade.
"The Hyuga clan's been naughty in recent years. The clan head—H-chan's father—is trying to do good for everyone, but the elders and some of the main branch families are hoarding power and making dirty deals behind his back. Sooooo... we're going to squish them like the bugs they are," explained Naruko matter-of-factly. Then she cackled with her trained evil laugh. "MWA HA HA HA!"
"I am sure that they're holding the branch families as hostages, but if we play our cards right, we can make it look like they're endangering Konoha's military assets. That would allow the Hokage to intervene in clan matters. We suspect they also believe I don't have the document incriminating all of them with secession and treason against the Leaf. Worst-case scenario? We let Mother deal with them."
"Enslaving others with seals is a crime I know far too well. Doing it with the legacy of the Uzumaki is even worse. If they don't release their hold… well… better to have no Hyuga clan in Konoha than a defective one," said Kurama through Naruko.
"Tsunade-sama can offer you her support, and I'm quite skilled at dressing others up," Shizune giggled. "You'll have them drooling and unable to think when I'm finished with you!"
Hyuga Clan Main Hall – Chamber of the Council
"The nerve of that bitch! Making us wait like this! I'll make her regret it when I get my hands on her!" growled one of the elders.
The not-so-respected council of the clan of the all-seeing eyes sat cross-legged or kneeling in seiza, forming a U-shape around the opulent room.
"No, you won't," said another elder coldly. "We all know what you like to do with your whores, and she's as delectable as her mother was. I'm sure we can all find better uses for her than you. A ruined piece of art is worth less… and I like to appreciate art between my legs." The others chuckled.
Shadows approached the door. Some elders grumbled, "Finally," and other irritated remarks followed. But when the door opened, it wasn't the runaway heiress—it was her sister. And her father. And the Hokage, with Jiraiya at his side.
"Good afternoon, gentlemen. What is the point of this meeting? I assume it's something trivial, since I was only informed minutes ago. Nevertheless, this is perfect! I've been waiting for the opportunity to silence those rumors about our noble clan being involved in shady dealings. And today we have our esteemed Hokage and one of Konoha's finest present." Hiashi left no room for complaint.
"Oh!" said the amused Hokage. "When you invited me to one of your meetings, I didn't expect to find all the members present. It's quite rare to see this level of attendance, even for important matters. For an old Kage like me, it's heartwarming to see such devotion. So, Hiashi-dono, what's the matter at hand?"
Hiashi nodded and gestured to his father, Hiroshi, to speak for the council.
Some of the councilmen were visibly sweating and trembling, while others clung to their training to remain stoic. Finally, the previous clan head composed himself enough to answer.
"Hokage-sama, we're gathered today to discuss the fate and potential punishment of one of our own who attempted to defect. I don't think this unpleasant matter requires your attention. Since the culprit is no longer a Konoha ninja, it's more of a domestic issue than a military one."
"On the contrary, Hiroshi-san," began Sarutobi, clearly dismissing the elder and showing no respect for him. "I'm quite interested in the internal affairs of the clans that make up our village. Who is the accused? Has a proper investigation been conducted?"
No one had time to answer. The door opened again. Neji entered, bowed, and introduced the representatives of the Uzumaki clan, Tsunade Senju, and a representative from Kumogakure no Sato. Then he stepped aside.
Hinata wore an expensive, light blue kimono that shimmered almost white. Deep sea-blue waves lined the edges, and a sky-blue sash completed the look. The Uzumaki red spiral was emblazoned on both shoulders, and a black spiral with nine seals adorned her back—strikingly similar to Naruko's eight trigrams seal. Her hair was styled in an elegant bun, and her soft violet makeup highlighted her distinctive eyes. She was breathtaking—a vision of poise and power, unmistakably the matriarch of the Uzumaki.
Naruko, in contrast, wore no feminine attire. She was clad in a pitch-black kimono trimmed in vibrant orange, and over it, a sleeveless black haori that fell to her knees. The same spiral that Hinata bore was stitched in bright orange across her back. Her long blonde hair was tied into a fox-tail ponytail, and her eyes were rimmed in black Kyubi-style makeup.
Hinata stepped forward and unrolled a scroll. With a calm, formal tone, she announced,
"I have been summoned, and here I am. I, Hinata Uzumaki of the Uzumaki Clan. What does the Hyuga clan want from me?"
An eerie silence filled the chamber. Finally, Hiroshi found his voice.
"You are here charged with treason. You, Hinata Hyuga," he emphasized the surname, "are accused of abandoning your clan and allying with another, thereby endangering us and the Byakugan—our sacred bloodline limit."
"So are you, Grandfather. Did you tell Father, my sister, and the side branches that YOU and this council sold me to the very village that once tried to kidnap me?"
"SAY WHAT?!" Tsunade shouted.
"What are you talking about, silly girl?!" demanded the former clan head.
"You accuse me of running away and joining an enemy village, yes?" Hinata stated calmly. "How curious… because I have here a contract stating that the Hyuga clan cast me out and passed all responsibility for me to my husband. It's signed by all of you and bears the clan head's seal—though I suspect Father knew nothing about it. Don't bother denying or trying to destroy my copy. The Raikage and the Lightning Country Daimyō also have copies. They're not the only ones."
She pulled the scroll from her sash and playfully juggled it before walking toward Hiroshi, offering it to him. When he eagerly reached for it, she threw it backward to Naruko. The blonde caught it effortlessly and tossed it to the Hokage, who began to read it with a deepening frown.
"Indeed. According to this contract, Hinata Hyuga is to be wed and cast out of her clan into her husband's custody. She is to accept any and all conditions her husband imposes, including seals and the possibility of being relegated to mistress status in the event of divorce. Yes… it bears the signatures of all present members of this council and the clan head's seal. The groom: Naruko Uzumaki. Witnessed by A, Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure no Sato, and his Daimyō." Hiruzen sighed. "I didn't know the Hyuga did charity. The bride price is listed as zero ryō."
"NO, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! THE CONTRACT WAS BURNED! I FOUND ITS REMAINS IN MY OWN HOME!" one of the council members screamed.
"Je… Je je… Je je je," Naruko began to laugh.
"Ha ha ha…!" Her laughter swelled. Hinata giggled softly.
"HA HA HA! BWA HA HA! She fooled you with a schoolyard trick! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You were duped by an eight-year-old girl! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Naruko rolled on the floor, laughing uncontrollably, while Hinata giggled behind her hand.
"She swapped the contract with an empty scroll and burned it inside its container. And you fell for it!" Naruko howled.
Hinata helped her wife regain her composure before turning her gaze back to the council—eyes hard, voice sharp.
"You deserve this. Your greed and lust for power have proven greater than your wisdom. I am now Hinata Uzumaki because of you. So… thank you. Now defend yourselves. To the Hokage. To your clan head. To your next Hokage. I dare you."
"You! YOU… WHORE!" one elder roared, only to fall silent as Hiashi flared his chakra, nearly shaking the room.
"It seems, Hokage-sama," the clan head said with cold fury, "that this matter is far from the domestic issue I was told we'd be addressing." He turned his glare on the council.
"Bastards! I've got you now! Oh Hinata, I'm so sorry… I've been a terrible father…"
"It seems the Hyuga are no longer the sole masters of the Byakugan. At least the Uzumaki clan is allied with our allies," said the old Hokage, barely concealing his displeasure.
"I can fix this, Hokage-sama!" said the son of one of the deceased elders who signed the contract. "I, Shintaro, son of Elder Shintashi, challenge you—the so-called husband of Hinata Hyuga—to an honor duel to restore our clan's dignity!" declared the youngest councilman.
"Wow, such sore losers. First, you marry her off, and now you want her back. What I don't get is why you think I'd accept your duel."
The challenger backstepped, stunned. It felt like Naruko's response had physically hit him.
"Seriously, why should I accept? What's in it for me? Why should I risk my wife—the most beautiful and special creature to ever walk this world—when I'm already married to her? My honor isn't at stake here."
"Naruko, you should accept," Kurama advised through their mind link. "Speak to H-chan's father. Tell him you'll agree if the Hyuga clan is willing to risk what belongs to the Uzumaki. Let them think you're referring to the red spiral on their vests. I'll tell you exactly what to say when the time comes."
"Are you sure, Kurama-okasama?"
"I'm not risking Hinata to those bastards!" Naruko said firmly via the link.
"Don't worry, my little ones. We're not limited anymore. If things go south… well, I've been itching for some destruction," the vixen grinned.
"Okay then… Hiashi-dono, as the head of the Uzumaki clan and husband to your daughter, I am willing to accept this challenge—only if the Hyuga clan wagers something that belongs to my clan. Something that most of your ninja wear," said Naruko, turning to Hiashi and the Hokage.
With the entire Hyuga council watching, Naruko winked—reminiscent for a moment of Kushina Uzumaki herself.
To the surprise of his council, Hiashi nodded.
"I accept. Go change into something more suitable and meet us in the backyard. I want this embarrassment dealt with quickly."
Then Hiashi turned on his council, his voice cold.
"Even if you somehow 'fix' this, there will be consequences. Your short-sighted and greedy actions have brought shame upon our clan—in front of the Hokage, the Sannin, and a foreign village's representative. I'll have to accept whatever punishment the Hokage decides. You idiots just gave him the right to invoke martial law and interfere in our affairs. Deal with it."
And with that, Hiashi stormed out, leaving behind pale, trembling elders.
"Hiashi-sama," Hinata said calmly, pausing by the door. "We have a message for you, from your blonde brother: 'I am disappointed.'"
Hiashi flinched at the cold, impersonal tone of his long-lost daughter.
Minutes later, the entire clan—plus their guests—were assembled in the backyard, awaiting the duel. The old Hokage chuckled as he watched Karui casually use a low-powered fire jutsu to pop popcorn, much to the irritation of the oh-so-noble Hyuga.
"As per tradition, this will be a taijutsu-only match. Chakra-enhanced strikes and bodily abilities, like dōjutsu, are permitted," declared Hiroshi formally.
"Yeah yeah yeah, taijutsu fight, blah blah blah. Only Hyuga techniques allowed, blah blah. Such an honorable and fair duel. Be witnesses, blah blah blah. Are we starting anytime soon, or are you planning to bore me to death before we exchange blows?" Naruko said, yawning exaggeratedly.
"You have no respect, whore! But don't worry—I'll teach you a lesson. Then I'll take back the filth you stole!" Shintaro snarled as he assumed his stance.
The duel began.
Shintaro moved in instantly, striking with expert precision. He was a Chūnin—blocked from Jōnin rank only due to his refusal to rely on ninjutsu. It was clear he held a physical advantage. Naruko, deprived of her blades and ninjutsu, was doing her best—but it was one-sided. She was being ragdolled, yet she refused to fall.
"This is too easy! Where's all that confidence now, Uzumaki?" Shintaro taunted.
Naruko spit out some blood and returned to her stance, grinning.
He attacked again.
"You're pathetic!" Shintaro sneered, stepping back.
"And now you're finished! You're in my field of divination—Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms—Hakke!"
POOF!
A puff of smoke burst out—the result of a disrupted jutsu. Naruko's Full Henge collapsed due to the closed tenketsu.
Gasps spread throughout the Hyuga as they saw Naruko's true form. She was crouched on the floor, chuckling softly.
"Well, now you can blame yourself for using jutsu. You broke my special Henge, so I'm innocent~" she sing-songed.
Naruko dropped to all fours, her tail lashing wildly behind her. In a flash, she was right in Shintaro's face. Her claws slashed across his chest—just a shallow scratch, but the message was clear: the Hyuga arts hadn't stopped her.
"How!? How can you move?! I did a perfect 64 Palms! It was flawless!" Shintaro stammered, completely thrown off.
"Hehehehe… My dear, dear Hyuga asshole…" Naruko grinned like a predator. "Don't you get it? Don't you understand? Don't your precious eyes show you the truth?"
She stood up, her smile widening.
"Well then, dear students… let N-sensei-sama teach you a lesson in common sense!" She turned dramatically, pointing at the Third Hokage.
"Tell me, yoooooung Hiruzen-san"—she giggled with mock innocence—"What do you think just happened here?"
"Well…" the guests in the Hyuga household chuckled.
"I believe there are different factors to take into account, N-sensei-sama."
"Oh! Please do elaborate, Hiruzen-san! We're all ears." The blonde struggled not to burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
"Well, first of all, I suppose you are quite used to attacks targeting your chakra system. And I gather that H-san's attacks are far more severe than the common Hyuga style, yes?" The clan murmured indignantly, but Naruko, slipping into her teacher persona, shushed them. Hinata nodded with glee.
"So your body may have developed a certain tolerance to this kind of attack…"
"Very well, 'young Hiruzen-san,' but that's not the most obvious point—take five points for your next exam. Now, does anyone without a 'I can see your chakra' cheat code built into their DNA see the most obvious answer? Hanabi-san, you're young enough not to be affected by your clan's eye-brain malfunction, so you may answer as well!"
"I think it's pretty clear. You're an Uzumaki—an Uzumaki Jinchūriki. You have a wide, wild river of chakra, while others only have a narrow creek. A technique that puts a dam in your chakra path works the same in your stream as in a common one. It's well known only the strongest Hyuga could affect my grandfather Hashirama, and you must have at least that much chakra. Plus, as an Uzumaki, your chakra must be denser too."
"Very good, Tsunade-san! Such a good recall of clan history! I'll tell your history teacher to give you extra points." Hinata giggled at her husband's antics.
"Sensei-sama! I think I have another point to make!" Hanabi raised her hand.
"Go on, go on. Illuminate us with a child's logic, Hanabi-san." Hinata cackled, hiding her mouth with her hands.
"Well, the biggest, baddest sentient chakra being is sealed inside you, right? A being made of chakra must have absolute control over its chakra, right? And its chakra travels through your chakra coils?"
Naruko nodded and mumbled in agreement.
"Then an attack that uses chakra to put pressure on the tenketsu to close them— to be effective—must be super powerful because the chakra being will push back to defend itself!"
"Ding ding ding! We have a winner! That's it! Not only do I have a monstrous amount of the densest chakra ever, I also have, as you said, the biggest and baddest chakra being inside me who considers me her child. Sooo how do you expect to harm me by that method? I mean, it hurts, sure, but no real effect."
Finishing her lesson, Naruko dropped the teacher act and focused on her still-stunned opponent.
"Well, round two. By the way, you can't say I'm cheating—my chakra and my mother are literally part of my body. You can't take them from me, unlike some bloodlines we all know." Naruko chuckled and jumped on Shintaro, ready to give him the beating of his life.
The battle continued at high speed. It was clear Naruko took more damage than she gave, but it didn't matter. She just kept fighting.
Shintaro was starting to worry. Despite his arrogance, he still believed he had a chance—until now. The blonde demon never relented or tired. She kept going, even though inferior in taijutsu.
Naruko feinted and slapped Shintaro's face with her fluffy tail. Shocked, the Konoha ninja backstepped, letting Naruko connect a direct punch to his nose. Not satisfied, the blonde devil kept showing her appreciation. And boy, did she hit hard!
"Cover your eyes, fucker! Here comes the blackout!" shouted Naruko, throwing two fingers toward his eyes. The Hyuga, obsessed with dojutsu, covered his eyes instinctively. Just as planned, Naruko gleefully buried her knee in his family jewels.
"Hahahahaha! I betcha whatever you like you're blacking out now!"
Naruko then unleashed the most vicious moves of the Raikage's wrestling-like taijutsu.
"You know, not being as big and burly as A-sama, I'm not as aaaaawesome…" she said while performing a jumping double kick to his ribs.
"…but…" She hugged him from behind.
"…I can still yell: SUUUUUUUPPLEEEEX!"
Shintaro found himself half-buried in the tatami.
Hinata got up and walked to the edge of the fighting area. With a straight, emotionless face, she ordered the Hyuga to get up, her eyes shining with sadistic glee. Naruko just kept pounding the battered man.
"Get up! What kind of disgrace are you? Get up and fight!"
Some Hyuga elders recognized the words and demeanor—the same they'd used on her years ago.
"Get up, you weakling! You're a disgrace to the main family. You can't even defeat a younger, less experienced opponent!"
"What kind of main branch Hyuga lets himself be humiliated by a Byakugan-less child? Pathetic. Shameful. Disgusting."
Meanwhile, Naruko kept dodging and striking.
"You should be sealed and thrown out of the clan. You're not even worthy of the side branch!" Hinata's voice rose.
"GET UP AND FIGHT, YOU DISGRACEFUL SHAME! HOW YOU'RE A MAIN FAMILY MEMBER IS A MYSTERY TO ME. YOUR MOTHER SHOULD HAVE ABORTED YOU, YOU DEFECTIVE WASTE OF GENETIC MATERIAL. YOUR FATHER'S LOINS MUST HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED THE NIGHT HE PRODUCED A WASTE OF SPACE LIKE YOU!"
Hinata roared, using the exact words once hurled at her.
"IF I WAS SUPPOSED TO DEFEAT A SIDE BRANCH JŌNIN AT SEVEN, YOU HAVE TO DEFEAT THIS FOREIGN CHŪNIN. GET. THE. FUCK. UP. AND. FIGHT!"
Naruko kept pounding the Hyuga clansman, extracting maximum pain without knocking him out or causing permanent injury.
"I surrender. PLEASE, I SURRENDER!" He tried to escape the area, but Naruko grabbed his leg and dragged him back to the center. Then, gripping his arm with both hands, she slammed her knee into his elbow, snapping his arm like a twig.
"Please! PLEASE!" he begged, crawling to Hinata.
She kicked him back to Naruko with utmost contempt.
"The fight only ends when the whiner claims victory or the loser is dead. Those are the Hyuga clan's rules. If they were good enough for the seven-year-old heiress, they're good enough for you. Now stop begging—it's unbecoming of the Hyuga clan. Get up and FIGHT!"
The Hyuga elders watched in horror as the blonde clan head toyed with and trashed a gifted member of the main family. Sickening, yet the Uzumakis reveled in the catharsis of the honor duel.
"Hinata… Daughter, please cease this humiliation. I think you've proven your point clearly enough," asked Hiashi, expression unreadable.
Hinata nodded, and after slamming Shintaro to the floor again, Naruko declared:
"I, N Uzumaki, head of the Uzumaki clan, do hereby claim victory in this duel."
"Naruko, ask for the original pattern of the bloodline protection seal that the Uzumaki sold to the Hyuga long ago. Repeat my words to them."
"Got it."
"I, N, clan head of the Uzumaki clan, with both sides of the Hyuga clan as my witnesses plus two of the Sannin and the honorable Hokage, do hereby claim something your clan owns that belongs to me. Since you felt entitled to claim my wife—whom you wed to me, by the way—I claim the original pattern of the bloodline protection seal my ancestors sold to yours under the condition it was not to be altered under penalty of blood feud. I claim what you denied my ancestor Mito Uzumaki. She had to back off because her husband felt you were needed for Konoha's might. But I am no Konoha shinobi—so pay up!"
Hiashi narrowed his eyes and glared at his father.
"What is this pattern she mentions? And why wasn't I informed of its existence?"
"It is the original pattern of the seal that was to be placed on all clan members of the Hyuga. A seal mixed with a slave seal, voiding the contract with the Uzumaki," Naruko explained, parroting Kurama's words. The former Hyuga head remained silent.
Hiashi's glare turned murderous. One elder cracked, explaining he wasn't informed because he was uncomfortable with the means used to control the branch lines. Chaos erupted. The side branch started soothing; some main family members readied their cursed seals.
"ENOUGH!" roared the Hokage. Though not at his best, he still commanded respect and fear.
"You challenged a foreign clan head to a farce of a duel and dared to force her to bet her wife. Now pay up or face the consequences. Jiraiya! Seal the compound! No one enters or leaves until I say so. Cut the sensors!" Jiraiya vanished from view.
"Now pay up or face the wrath of the Uzumaki!" Naruko commanded.
"Never!" roared Hiroshi Hyuga, ex-clan head of the white-eyed ninja.
"The blood feud it is…" hissed Hinata, walking beside Naruko. Hiashi took Hanabi's hand and positioned himself next to the Hokage.
"…as is my right as wife of the clan head and future matriarch of the Uzumaki, this I rule: surrender the seal or we will take it when the main branch is no more. When only my father, my sister, and the sealed families remain—when a united clan remains. Then, and only then, will I consider the blood debt paid."
Hinata's white eyes shone as Naruko's presence grew stronger.
"Surrender the seal!" the dual voice of Naruko and Kurama commanded, their chakra turbulent and ready to leak tails.
"Never!" answered Hiroshi.
"So be it. Let this be the final act in this charade. With this, the divided Hyuga clan's history ends… and your heads will fall as the curtain closes." Hinata sighed.
"Challenging us to an honor duel, you invited us into your home," Hinata started, leaking killing intent and dropping her formal clothes to reveal her battle outfit.
"You brought the wolf into your herd. Poor, poor Hyugas… so alone, so fragile. You let the Uzumaki in your compound, you let their allies, and you let their Bijū. So alone and so outclassed." Naruko said in the most annoyingly childlike voice.
"Deprived of side branch loyalty, you stand alone against the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, the Third Hokage, and two Sannin. You allowed them as witnesses to the honor duel. Now they know you won't pay. No Konoha to hide behind, no side branch as shield… just you against the rest of us." Jiraiya appeared behind them as Hinata spoke.
"JA! I DON'T BELIEVE YOU!" one elder shouted, turning to the side branch.
"Surrender or the side branch pays the pri—"
He never saw the Kubikiribōchō flying toward him.
"HOMURA! You monsters! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" screamed the nearest council member as the huge sword sliced through Homura's skull.
Naruko unsealed her ōdachi and walked forward.
"Your art is useless against me… but my steel cuts fine. You're nothing but old fossils." she chuckled.
The elder council finally realized their folly. Main branch fighters were surrounded by the Sannin. Hinata and old Sarutobi eyed the complacent, soft main family members. The Jinchūriki was out for blood.
One fool ran to the clan head, pleading:
"Hiashi-sama, you must help us. This farce must end! Show them our true mi—"
He said no more, as Hiashi blew out his heart.
"Hokage-sama, I have a list of traitors. Please ensure T&I treat them thoroughly… I would not appreciate leaving these fine members of my clan in their tender mercies only to learn they received anything less than their finest treatment." Hiashi said, offering the marriage contract to the Hokage.
"Uzumaki-dono, will you agree to stop this feud if I guarantee that none of these… members… of my clan…" the distaste was palpable.
"…will be executed until they reveal where that seal of yours is?"
Naruko looked at Hinata, who nodded.
"We agree. But when you learn who sold my wife and poisoned my mother-in-law, I want them alive… for personal reasons."
"If you think any of you will avoid trial once I learn about this whole affair, you're clearly delusional. Well then… Jiraiya, be a dear—drop the barrier, and while you're at it, summon me some ANBU squads." The Third Lord laughed.