Regarding the fact that the Senju clan leader was being cunning and overlooked the Whirlpool Country's intention to recruit only a few rogue ninjas, instead planning to eventually relocate the entire Senju clan to the Whirlpool Country in the future...
Uzumaki Jun approved of this.
After all, by then, the Senju clan would probably have found a way to safely transport their people to the Whirlpool Country without being detected by Konoha.
They likely didn't want to confront Konoha either...
Their hearts still loved Konoha!!
Uzumaki Jun followed behind Senju Aya, leisurely walking toward the Uchiha clan's territory. As for Uzumaki Kai...
He wasn't worried. If there was any danger, Kai would immediately activate the Flying Thunder God Technique's seal. Moreover, as long as the Uzumaki clan hadn't committed any wrongdoing and Uzumaki Mito was still alive, Hiruzen Sarutobi probably wouldn't have the audacity to order the killing of an Uzumaki clansman.
However...
What should he say to the Uchiha clan?
He had no idea!!
Because the Uzumaki clan and the Uchiha clan had no prior relationship!!
"Lord Jun!" Senju Aya said respectfully. "The Uchiha clan's territory is just ahead. I will take my leave now."
Uzumaki Jun casually waved his hand to indicate he understood. At this critical moment, the Senju clan shouldn't be seen wandering around the Uchiha clan's area. Otherwise, who knew what the higher-ups would think?
The Senju clan secretly meeting with the Uchiha clan while accompanied by an Uzumaki clansman??
Were the two founding clans of the village planning something big??
Was the Senju clan dissatisfied with the Hokage's suppression and preparing to launch a coup?
Rumors would likely spread like wildfire throughout the village!
But...
Uzumaki Jun looked around the forest in confusion. He had been walking for so long, yet he still hadn't reached the Uchiha clan's territory??
The Senju clan was way too cautious!!
So...
Uzumaki Jun stared blankly at his surroundings. Where was he now??
Should he use the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to the Senju clan and drag that bastard back to guide him properly??
Just as Uzumaki Jun was deep in thought, suddenly...
There was movement in the forest!!
...
"Lord Hokage!" An ANBU jonin knelt before Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was smoking his pipe, and reported respectfully, "Uzumaki Kai is still wandering around Konoha without doing anything. As for..."
"Uzumaki Jun, after leaving Lady Mito's presence, was invited by the Senju clan leader. The reason is still unknown."
Hearing the ANBU's report, Hiruzen frowned and muttered, "What is the Senju clan planning?"
Because they were the clan of Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama, the ANBU didn't dare act recklessly. Moreover...
Lady Mito was still alive!!!
Who would dare move against the Senju clan so easily??
But...
"I wonder how Lady Mito's discussion went," Hiruzen murmured thoughtfully.
...
"Why are you going to the Uchiha clan?" A young Uchiha girl frowned and looked at Uzumaki Jun curiously. Given that the Uchiha clan had long been infamous for their aggressive law enforcement and because of certain...
Unfounded rumors circulating around...
The Uchiha clan's relationship with the village wasn't exactly great!!
"To discuss the future!!" Uzumaki Jun sighed. Couldn't this girl tell he wasn't from Konoha? Even though he wasn't wearing a headband from Uzushiogakure, his clothes bore the Uzumaki clan's crest!!
Without the little mouth and tail!!
"Discuss the future??" The girl tilted her head in confusion. "But the clan leader definitely won't see you."
After all, this was just a little boy around her age. Why would the clan leader bother meeting him??
The clan leader was very busy!!
"It's fine. I'll just take a look at one of the two great clans that founded Konoha," Uzumaki Jun shrugged casually. He knew the Uchiha clan, full of stoic pretty boys, wouldn't just meet with a seven-year-old child. But...
He wasn't an ordinary child!!
So Uzumaki Jun decided to give it a try. At the very least, he wanted to plant a seed in the Uchiha clan's minds. If they ever felt unwelcome in the village, they might remember there was a place willing to take them in.
Besides...
Even if they ignored him, he had nothing to lose!!
The Whirlpool Country's bloodline limits...
Sigh!!
The Whirlpool Country had no other clans besides the Uzumaki. If they wanted to keep up with the major villages in the early stages, bloodline limits were essential.
I wonder what the Kamizuru clan is thinking?
Right now, the Senju clan definitely wouldn't betray Konoha for the Whirlpool Country, so the Whirlpool Country was severely lacking in earth-style ninjas!
If the Kamizuru clan could join now, that would be great. Even if only a few dozen, or even just ten or so, it would still be better than nothing!!
Better than training new ones from scratch!!
Especially jonin...
Talent was required!!
"We're here!!" The Uchiha girl pointed at the Uchiha clan's large estate and asked curiously, "How do you plan to get in?"
"Knock on the door!!" Uzumaki Jun looked at her in surprise. "Do I not need to knock?"
Was the Uchiha clan's gate so easy to enter?
"..."
The girl stared at Uzumaki Jun speechlessly. She thought he had an appointment.
Turns out he really was just trying his luck??
"Fine, I'll take you in," the girl said helplessly. "But as for whether you'll get to see the clan leader..."
"It's fine. Just getting inside is enough," Uzumaki Jun smiled. The rest could be figured out later. Even if he wandered around inside, he'd probably run into the Uchiha clan leader eventually!!
"By the way, I never asked your name!" Uzumaki Jun inquired. Such a kind-hearted Uchiha was rare.
"Uchiha Mikoto," the girl replied. "And yours?"
"..."
Uzumaki Jun didn't hear her next words because...
Uchiha Mikoto!!
The mother of the other Child of Prophecy, a tragic woman who would one day be killed by her own eldest son!!
Sure, Itachi was praised at a young age for having the mindset of a Kage or something...
But how did he earn that title??
By slaughtering his entire clan, men, women, and children alike!!
Truly, the Hokage was a twisted man!
Ordering someone to kill their entire clan, then secretly praising them for having the mindset of a Kage for the sake of the village!
"Sigh! In the future, don't neglect your child's ideological education!" Uzumaki Jun patted Uchiha Mikoto's shoulder solemnly.
"For shinobi, strength is important, but ideological education is equally essential!"
Maybe he could ask Hiruzen Sarutobi for advice. After all, look how well he raised the other Child of Prophecy!
"Y-you..." Uchiha Mikoto blushed. "What child??"
She was still a child herself!!
"No, don't misunderstand!" Uzumaki Jun sighed. "I meant in the future. Don't raise unfilial sons."
"..."
What does that have to do with you?
Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head, her face burning. A boy suddenly talking to her about future children... She was still very shy. And...
They'd just met. Wasn't this moving too fast?
"Eh? Hey?" Uzumaki Jun watched as Uchiha Mikoto walked ahead of him, her pace quickening. "Why are you walking so fast??"
So...
Uzumaki Jun stared at the Uchiha clan's grand estate...
After leading him inside, she just ran off with a red face?
What was that about?
"Whatever, I'll just walk around myself," Uzumaki Jun sighed. Now, which way should he go?
Maybe...
Head toward whichever building or courtyard looked the biggest?