Chapter 3
Uzumaki Mito was the last members of the Uzumaki clan of Konoha and as the wife of the late Shodaime Hokage Senju Hashirama, the head of the Senju clan. The older lady, even at her age, still maintained the same pose and decorum she had always preferred. She was also as elegant and charming as ever. She looked younger and healthier than most women her age, especially helped by the low number of wrinkles on her skin and her still vibrant red hair. She was however getting old and age had slowly caught up to her, which eventually forced her to call her clan for help and secure the next vessel for her burden, The Kyuubi no kitsune. Her clan had taken the opportunity to renew the treaties signed between Uzushio and Konoha, consolidating her position even more.
As the head of two of the original founding clans of Konoha, she had a lot of power in the village, yet she rarely if ever used it. Mito had kept a wait and see approached to the position following the death of her brother-in-law. She realized quickly following the founding of Konohagakure that her clan would be forgotten, even if they had been the one mediating all the negotiations and talks between the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan. As such, she had asked Hashirama and Madara to give her people a special status and negotiated a special treaty that stated that any Uzushio citizen would find asylum in Konoha if they could not find it in Uzushio. With the help of her husband, she built what they came to call the secret district, a huge space sealed inside a pocket dimension that even at this time represented around a fourth of the surface area of the village.
The whole district was surrounded by ten clan compounds, one for each of the clans of Uzushio, their was only one entrance for pedestrians and the security seals all around it were on the equivalent of the old barriers of Uzu. Facing the entrance was the maze of alleys and roads that that led to the centre of the district. The smaller shinobi families and the civilian-born shinobi would occupy the houses and apartment buildings facing the only entrance, which was a long road between two gates with clan compounds on each side. The remaining civilians would be housed in the building further back, at least that was the original plan. Mito had been asked repeatedly by the council to open the gates and allow people to inhabit it, instead of waiting for Uzushio migrants. She secretly agreed with them, but could not authorize it without incurring the dissolution of the original Konoha Charter, which would be disastrous for the Uchiha Clan, as they would loose a lot of power.
Her brother-in-law had already caused enough damage with his relation with the clan, the creation of the Konoha Military Police Force was a good idea on paper, but Mito knew that it was secretly a way to exclude the Uchiha from the rest of the village leadership. The only reason so many Uchiha remained part of the active shinobi forces was the fact that the charter granted them guarantied places in all structures of the village, as it did the Senju and Uzumaki. If the charter became void, the Uchiha Clan would loose their power over the rest of the village they helped created, that she knew. Most clans would not like to go against the Sandaime as he had acquired to much political power and was individually to knowledgeable of the dirty secrets of the other Clan Heads.
The elevation of Sarutobi Hiruzen as the sandaime over the better suited Uchiha Kagami, who was in all ways stronger than the old monkey, brought her close to intervened and come out of her self-imposed non interference rules. She did not understand why Tobirama had done such a ridiculous thing. The old monkey was, to tell the truth, a kiss-ass of the worst sort. He was good, of course he was, all the members of the escort unit were especially strong, but everyone knew that Kagami would have been the better man for the job. He was strong, flexible and politically inclined, yet he remained Honorable and personable. He gave off an aura of wisdom that the others did not. She would have needed more then three quarters of the council the reverse the decision, something that she did not have.
The council was another problem, one that had been created by Sarutobi himself. Whose great idea was it to give civilians seats on the NINJA council? Sarutobi Hiruzen, that's who. Uzushio had one seat for the civilian council, one that existed to represent the voice of the civilians, but was always occupied by someone who had retired from the shinobi life. Konoha had pure civilians councillors, who had trouble from differentiating a kunai from a butt plug. This session of the council had been particularly gruesome, with Shimura Danzo trying to push inhuman training methods on the academy. It was not unusual for him to propose something like that, after all his little secret organization used those methods themselves. Not that he knew that Mito was aware of them, she hid her cards close and tight.
It was during an especially boring argument between the Hokage and Danzo that she heard it, the Voice of the sea. She suddenly froze in the middle of the room, unable to do anything else than watch the Uzukage announcing the attack on her homeland. Contrary to the rest of Uzushio's citizens, the message continued for her after a few seconds of silence.
"Mito-sama. I, Uzumaki Takashi, Uzukage of Uzushiogakure and Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools call upon the treaty between our two nations. Under Article 47.9 of the Konoha Charter, I invoke the right of citizenship for the children of the Eddies. Under this article of the Konoha's founding charter, all citizens of Uzu shall receive citizenship and protection under the Uzumaki clan of Konohagakure no Sato when asked to the Uzumaki of the leaf, which you are. I am asking this very thing for the entirety of my citizens, even knowing that you cannot refuse me under the rules of the treaty. By coming to the leaf, we will bring with us all the power of Uzu, all its resources and connections, we will swear fealty to the Fire Daimyo, give him control of our land and I will abdicate my title. The ten clans of Uzu will also swear fealty to Konohagakure, the same way that all other clans have done before. I can only ask that you open the hidden district for us and activate the portal seal on you end. The children of the eddies will also come for you, use their help, you will need it. I will see you soon Grandaunt, tell Kushina that I love her. Takashi out."
Once she regained control of her body, the cry of anguish and anger tore through her mouth uncontrollably. The council fell silent, not having realized that she had been immobilized for a time. The different clan heads looked at each other, even the members of the civilian council looked troubled. As she was regaining control of her emotions, an ANBU suddenly appear beside the Hokage and whispered to him frantically, in rapid and short sentences. As he listened to his ANBU, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked pensively toward Mito, before addressing her directly.
"Mito-sama... My ANBU just reported that a peculiar phenomenon has been reported by many civilians and shinobi. After a quick reconnaissance, the ANBU were able to report that all foreign citizens of Uzushiogakure have stopped moving at the same time, they seemed to have been protected by a small localized barrier, after around ten minutes the barrier fell and all of them have been seen going into the direction of the Senju compound. Do you perhaps have a idea of what is happening?"
Drying her tears, Mito slowly retook control of herself, suddenly, her face changed, showing a resolve that few had ever seen in her face, she started leaking, unconsciously a small bit of killing intent. Most people had, over the years, forgotten that she had once been a Kunoichi, an exceptionally strong one at that. With the death of her husband, brother-in-law and friend Uchiha Madara, she was without a doubt the strongest shinobi of the leaf.
"Uzushiogakure posses a communication seal network. Each citizen of Uzushio receive a seal which is placed on the body of each and every newborn. This seal contain, among other things, a communication array connected to a central seal, which is located in the Uzukage palace. Once activated, this seal permits the Uzukage to communicate with each and everyone of our citizens. It is not a two way street however and can only send verbal and visual messages to the citizens. Every one who was born in Uzu just received a priority one message."
"And... If I may... What is the message?"
"... Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato, as the Senju and Uzumaki clan head, I am in the obligation to inform you that during the night, a combined shinobi force composed of the ninja of Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, Kusagakure and Amegakure have started a military operation against Uzushiogakure. As of right now, Uzushio is completely surrounded, the escape routes have been rendered inoperable and the safe zones have been destroyed. As the Uzumaki of the leaf, I have to inform you that under article 47.9 of the Konoha Charter, every citizen of Uzu is now considered under the protection of the Uzumaki and Senju clan."
"I... I see."
"I also have to inform you that you that the Uzukage has authorized the implementation of operation Great Exodus, about which you should have been briefed following your coronation."
"I have indeed been informed of this plan."
Suddenly, a blond man coughed with a total lack of subtlety. Yamanaka Iemochi was the Clan head of the Yamanaka Clan and a member of the clan council. His long hair, kept in a high ponytail, was gently swaying being him as he looked apologetically toward two of the three most politically powerful people of the village hidden in the leaves.
"If I may... What exactly is this operation supposed to be?"
"I will answer that Hiruzen-san. Operation Great exodus was prepared during the first few years of Konohagakure, during the First Shinobi War. The idea behind it is simple enough, in case Uzushio or Konoha was attacked by overwhelming forces, the village who was not under attack would offer refuge, shelter, and citizenship to the surviving citizen of the other village. As of right now, I can say without a doubt that Uzushio will... will fall. As such, under the treaty between our two nations, Uzu civilians outside of the land of whirlpool will come seek refuge here, as will everyone of the Uzu shinobi presently on mission. The second part of the accord is more... serious. If the Land of Whirlpool was to fall, which seems like an inevitability at this time, the remaining forces of Uzu will evacuate as many people as possible and bring them to Konoha. They will bring with them as many thing as they can, all the resources they can provide, their archives, their food, their weapons, everything they can."
"... Which means that we will have a lot of refugees to accommodate."
"... Yes and no. They will indeed be refugees, but be reminded that the Hidden district can accommodate all of the citizens of Uzushio. As for the resources of the village, it would be a good time to inform you that Uzushio maintain, at all time, the equivalent of a year of food in its warehouses. They will bring that, but also their entire possessions, sealed, with them. Resources should not be a problem, the people of Uzu will be able to take care of their own."
"It will still mean have foreign citizens of another village living with us at all time. What of the security risks?"
"That's where the treaty will come to reassure you. When Uzushio is attacked and all hope is lost, the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpool agreed to implement a secret treaty with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire."
"And what does this treaty say?"
"I, Uzumaki Mito, under the authority of the whirlpool Daimyo, is informing the governing Council of Konoha, that as of next week, the land of Whirlpool will be annexed of the to the Land of Fire. Uzumaki Takashi, Daimyo of Whirlpool recognized the divine right to rule of his heavenly sovereign, Daimyo of the Land of Fire, over the Islands and seas of the Whirlpool. Let it be known that the Children of the Eddies are now recognized as citizens of the Land of Fire."
The shock that brutal, even the elders on the council could not believe what was just said. Even in the most dire of circumstances, it was extremely rare for a Daimyo to cede his power over the territory they controlled. I never really happened. This information, at the same time, showed the council beyond any doubts how serious the situation was. The civilian council had not yet realized what it meant for the leaf. Sarutobi Hiruzen however knew what it meant. The allied enemy forces had not just attacked the first ally of Konohagakure, they attacked a settlement on what was now considered the land of Fire. In a way it would facilitate they entry into what would most probably be a new war. The Daimyo would not hesitate to back them, and with his support came total freedom when it came to military operations.
"You do realize, Mito-sama, that this unprovoked attack on our ally and now fellow citizens of the Land of Fire, means that Konoha will be going to war."
"I do. I also realize that Konoha is forewarned, war is upon our doorstep. These monster have come to the doorstep of Uzushio to kill its children and by the same breath weaken Konoha. You have five days Hokage, five days to mobilize your forces, five days to prepare retaliation, five days to strengthen the defences of Konoha, fives days to secure the most sensitive locations of the country. That's the time you have before Uzushio falls. Take our sacrifice and use it to burn you enemy with the wrath of Amaterasu herself. During that time, the people of Uzu will come to us and contribute to the war efforts. Our clans are coming to swear their allegiance to the leaf. Our seal Master are coming to reinforce you barriers. Our special force are coming to swear themselves to ANBU and do what cannot be done in the light. Our sensor will guide you team to the enemy, our medic will heal your injured, our blacksmiths will forge your weapons. Uzushio is coming to join Konoha, in all ways."
A black haired older man, who had kept his silence since the beginning of this historical moment suddenly stood up, which made the council look at him. Uchiha Kentaro was an older shinobi who had fought against the Senju during the Warring Clan Era. He had been on of the strongest member of his clan. He looked a lot like Uchiha Madara, with the exception of his shorter and lighter hair, from the virtue of being his cousin. He had inherited the mantel of Clan head when his cousin had left the village, because he believed that the Senju were trying to take control of the Uchiha Clan, something that he had come to believe under the Nidaime's reign. The only reason he had not left the village, was the fact that Uzumaki Mito had inherited the headship of the Senju Clan upon the tragic death of her son and daughter-in-law. As a fact, Kentaro and Mito were the only people outside of the Fire Daimyo who could reverse any decision by the Hokage. As the representative of the founding clans under the Konoha Charter, they had final veto on everything. This was on of the reason why the Uchiha had been worried by the slow decline of the Senju Clan and of the rising age of the Uzumaki Clan head.
"Senju and Uzumaki of the leaf, you have spoken. The Uchiha now will. Under the Konoha Charter, the Uchiha clan recognize you plea and agree with you on the current plan of action. Let it be known that I, Uchiha Kentaro, give my full support to operation Great Exodus and the inclusion of the Children of the Eddies to Konoha. Let it be known that the three founding clans have spoken."
"Let it be known. Now, if the council don't mind, I have to inform the Daimyo of his new land and prepare for the arrival of our new citizens. Hiruzen, I will give you a report in the next few hours. Good day."
She left the council chambers behind and made her way to the Senju compound to start what would probably be the most important and difficult time of her life.