'The Land of Iron… I'll need a reasonable excuse to head there… not to mention that Madara may still be hiding there… No matter… Let's take small steps first. I need to gain more strength… I need Tsunade to take Soutarou, Mikoto, and Kushina as her students. As for an alliance with the Uchiha it seems I'll be quite busy this coming morning-'
Mito then saw the sun was already rising and simply chuckled to herself before heading towards Tsunade's room feeling her chakra moving around Mito knocked and entered.
Tsunade, who forced herself to wake up early, had deep bags under eyes and just stared at her grandmother before saying, "Grandma, is there something I need to know?"
Mito frowned before saying, "Are you saying I can't come to see you?"
Tsunade shook her head saying, "No grandma, it's just in this situation I guessed there's something you want to do on the council."
Mito's expression faltered for a second before she nodded and said, "Listen Tsuna there's undercurrents and things that have forced my hand. Otherwise I'd be on my way to see your grandfather by now… Let's just say that the fall of Uzushio was not free from Konoha's involvement and that there may be experiments ongoing utilizing your grandfather's cells. Overall there's a number of concerning items that are going to require the Senju to start being active again. Start calling back the clansmen and prohibit them from going on missions outside of Konoha. If needed I'll start paying for things myself. Also reach out to the Aburame, Hyuga, Inuzuka, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichii, and the Kurama clans and attempt to reestablish ties. As for the Uchiha Clan, I'll personally be going to them in a while. In the upcoming months I plan to make you the current Senju Clan leader. At the same time I want you to send a message to the Senju Clansmen in the Daimyo's court to ramp up their training and for them to start funneling money back into the Senju Clan. Highlight there may have been traitors within Konoha's upper brass. Start being more careful around your sensei, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya."
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock, "Grandma…"
Mito's expression saddened, "I have a strong reason please believe me Tsuna, I know how bad the situation is…"
Tsunade lowered her head and said, "Alright… I'll start by preparing the clan…"
She then immediately rushed out the room to send messages to all Senju Clansmen and created some shadow clones to rush off towards all the clans Mito had asked to be in contact with.
Mito bobbled her head a bit in worry and understanding before making her way out of the Uzumaki-Senju Manor and began walking towards the Uchiha Clan all while not restraining her chakra to ensure no mistook her for someone else. As soon as she left the general vicinity of the Senju Manor she felt a few jonin level chakra's heading towards the Hokage's Office and another headed towards the woods of Konoha.
'The one who went to the woods must have been one of Danzo's men… of course he didn't work alone… now let's find out just what you've been up to shall we Danzo?'
Almost imperceptibly a Shadow Clone shot off right after the Jonin while Mito continued her slow walk towards the Uchiha Clan. Wherever she walked everyone got out of her way in an almost worshipful manner with the elders being the ones to hold the younger crowd back while the Shinobi stared in shock even those who weren't sensors could actually feel it when Mito walked by. The shinobi from clans were even more flabbergasted, especially those from the Hyuga, Aburame, and Yamanaka clans as they could also sense Mito's overwhelming vitality…
~Hiruzen POV~
Moments ago he got a report that someone with a massive chakra was impersonating young Lady Mito Uzumaki was headed towards the Uchiha Clan after leaving from the Uzumaki and Senju Residence.
'Could Tsunade have been telling the truth? Lady Mito figured out how to maintain her vitality via the nine tails?'
Hiruzen immediately began sweating, reminiscing about the First Hokage's Wife's youthful anger back when he was nothing more than a little monkey.
'If Tsunade wasn't lying this is massive! A fully functioning Mito Uzumaki is a threat no one wants to deal with even though other villages are figuring out how to finally use their tailed beast, none come close to Lady Mito's level. At the same time…'
Hiruzen glanced around his office knowing damn well that Mito would soon become much more active and some of the policies he had allowed would come under scrutiny…
'It's better to follow Lady Mito than cling to power...'
~Danzo POV~
Moments ago he got a report that someone with a massive chakra was impersonating young Lady Mito Uzumaki was headed towards the Uchiha Clan after leaving from the Uzumaki and Senju Residence and Danzo knew damn well that despite the report there was only one person who had that amount of chakra in Konoha.
'Lady Mito's figured out eternal youth through the nine tails-'
Danzo suddenly became very alert using his able hand he shot off dozens of wind chakra flow imbued shuriken at a certain direction and the face he saw there nearly gave him a heart attack.
Danzo immediately began sweating and quickly spoke, "Lady Mito forgive me for attacking."
Mito's shadow clone raised its eyebrow and said, "I'm surprised you recognize me though this was just a shadow clone to see who was bold enough to have espionage ordered on me… Say Little Danzo you wouldn't happen to know who did that, do you?"
Danzo's eyebrows tightened and his shoulders tensed as he lightly said, "Lady Mito forgive after yesterday's incident. I simply want to ensure the Nine Tails was sealed properly."
Mito blandly responded, "If anything happens to the Nine Tails you of all people should know by that point I'm already dead. Though I am curious about this facility, and that shinobi you sent to watch me. Unmarked anbu? Curse seals too and the number of seals in this base it's almost as if you're trying to hide something little Danzo."
Danzo's smile strained further, "How could I hide anything from one of the founders of the village herself."
Mito suddenly started smiling in a dark manner, "Of course little Danzo… I'll be blunt… hand over the members of the Uzumaki Clan you stuffed into your operatives and find the ones who ran away from Konoha in fear. Along with all the sealing techniques you stole from Uzushio. Remember something little Danzo, what I give is accessible for all, but I don't is mine. And I don't like others touching my things… This is the final warning… I suspect you were involved in the fall of Uzushio too so if you ever give me a reason… Even if Tobirama himself came back from the dead nothing would stop me from finishing you. So stay down like a good little elder to Saru and I'll be willing to overlook your transgressions. Oh and disband whatever you call this little unit of yours. If you don't, it's simple I'll rip it out of your hands. Don't think because I hole myself up in a room I don't know what's going on in Hashirama's Konoha. Speaking of Hashirama you wouldn't have touched his grave would you? Be careful little Danzo… You have three days to bring me the uzumaki survivors and seals."
Without even allowing another word her shadow clone dissipated in a cloud of smoke.
Danzo's face turned pale, his cane clattered onto the floor as did he. At that moment Danzo realized his dream of being Hokage was nothing more than that. A dream…
~Somewhere in the Land of Iron~
"Lord Madara…" Spoke a half black, half white creature emerged from the ground.
A whitening haired old man with several tubes flowing into his body slowly opened his eye and stared at it
Its voice rasped, "What's the matter Zetsu…"
The venus fly trap-like-being hesitated to speak before saying, "It's about Mito Uzumaki…"
Madara's eyes narrowed, "Is that wretched woman finally dead?"
The creature said, "No… it's the opposite… somehow she's recovered her lifeforce and vitality… it's as if… as if she's in her 20s again. I personally confirmed this myself after a clone reported a young Mito Uzumaki being seen in Konoha.
Madara's eyes widened and he said, "This… Zetsu find out how she did it at all costs… if we find out we may be able to accelerate our plans. Send more White Zetsu to Konoha and speed up the War Plan."
Madara's finger slowly, but rhythmically tapped on his stone chair's armrest.
'Mito… To think I'd worry about you as an opponent… truly you were worthy of Hashirama… let's see who wins shall we Mito?'
A competitive fire lit in Madara's eyes and with it the undercurrents in the Shinobi World began to shift…
~Mito POV~
After parading herself towards the Uchiha Clan, Mito met the current Uchiha Clan Leader, Yuya Uchiha along with his son Fugaku Uchiha to say the least both were trembling in nervousness.
Mito quietly sipped her tea before saying, "I won't waste either of our time… The Uzumaki and Senju or at least the remnants wish to form an alliance within Konoha with the Uchiha. I'm sure you understand my meaning."
Yuya genuinely smiled as if hearing words of relief and without hesitation said, "Of course Lady Mito! We're all apart of Konoha and mere wish to… preserve it's original intentions."
Mito smiled and said, "I'm so glad you understand Clan Leader Yuya… I don't think there's much else to say other than I wish that Ms. Mikoto Uchiha be placed on a team under Tsunade along Kushina Uzumaki, and a boy named Soutarou. I hope you can be supportive of it. On top of that I'd like Uchiha Naori assigned as my personal guard."
Yuya's eyebrows rose to the point it was as if his eyebrows were trying to kiss his hairline, "Of course it'll all be arranged Lady Mito."
Mito smiled and slowly walked out with Yuya and Fugaku following and bidding her farewell at the gates as a sign of friendship.
Mito then flickered back to the Senju Manor…
| Later that same day in the afternoon… |
~Mito POV~
Mito was flanked by Naori Uchiha who had been sent at near light speed by Yuya and Tsunade as they made their way to the Hokage's Office. Once there they saw several clan leaders, including Yuya himself, along with Homura, Koharu, a disheveled looking Danzo, and The Third Hokage himself.
Mito sat herself down at the opposite head of the table after having Naori bring a chair over. She began slowly, "Saru we can start now."
Hiruzen found himself sweatdropping and he gathered his bearings before saying, "As requested by the First Elder of Konoha herself, Lady Mito, the Konoha Council is now in session. Lady Mito if you'd be so kind as to tell us this meeting's purpose."
Mito, who was deciding how to begin, started off boldly, "First the Senju Clan will reform with Tsunade as its new clan head. Second, a thorough investigation will be launched on the perpetrators behind the fall of Uzushio. Lastly, I'd like to explain what happened yesterday. Oh I'll also be adopting a child."
Without leaving room for negotiation the entire room fell into an awkward silence just waiting for this powerful woman to continue.
Mito smiled, "I'm so glad that everyone's agreeing."
Almost all the clan heads sweatdropped with nobody being bold enough to offer words of contradiction as everyone in the room was either from the late Sengoku Era or had heard enough about what a young Mito could do to know arguing was more trouble than it was worth.
Mito continued, "As some of you may have heard and by now noticed yesterday a noticeable chakra spike happened… that was the result of my now refreshed vitality. By stealing some yang chakra from the nine tails I was able to convert it into vitality and lifeforce similar to how Hashirama used wood release imbued with vitality and lifeforce… albeit I used a series of complex seals that requires one to be Jinchurki to dream of it in the first place. So no, I have not acquired a path to immortality as much as I have discovered a very limited version of eternal youth. Lastly, regarding the child I wish to adopt… It's a civilian named Soutarou… I'll let you handle the paperwork monkey."
Without even waiting for a response Mito just got up and gestured to Naori and Tsunade to follow her out at which the Uchiha Clan leader also followed them out. At the same time the Konoha Four shifted around in their seats with extreme anxiety, before Hiruzen mustered out, "As Lady Mito has said, this meeting is now over… we'll just label the previous incident as a spike of nine tails chakra."
Hiruzen strained out a smile before rushing out of the room at which the remaining clan heads shrugged and worked their way out of the room.