Dodai said calmly, "Senior, there's no need to probe me like this. If Konoha had truly been willing to accept the Uzumaki clan, you wouldn't have declined the Third Hokage's invitations three times.
If the Uzumaki really relocate to Konoha, many within the village would become uneasy, especially the Third Hokage himself.
I suspect that the Third Hokage intended to raise a new Nine-Tails Jinchūriki to replace the aging Mito-sama, preferably someone isolated without ties—easier to control.
For years, the presence of the First Hokage's wife as a Jinchūriki had bolstered the Senju clan's influence in the village, complicating matters for Hiruzen Sarutobi. With war on the horizon, the Senju clan will inevitably decline. Once Lady Mito passes, the Senju clan will lose its final pillar, and in the upcoming conflict, it is very likely they'll be systematically weakened or even eliminated. None of the Five Great Nations wish to see another Hashirama Senju rise. That's the unspoken agreement between us all.
If even the Senju clan, who hosted the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, is considered too threatening, how could Konoha truly tolerate the Uzumaki?
We've received reliable intelligence that multiple elite squads—numbering in the hundreds—have left Konoha under secrecy, heading toward the Land of Whirlpools. Their chakra signatures and pace suggest they're all jōnin-class.
Now, Senior, you tell me—do you think these forces are mobilized to protect the Uzumaki clan, or to erase them?
And wouldn't you call it suspicious that Konoha suddenly deployed elite teams from every major clan to the borders just after noticing movements from the other major villages? They've sent the Uchiha to the Land of Lightning's border, the Hyūga to the Land of Water's, the Aburame and Inuzuka to the Land of Wind's. The Senju, notably, were sent to the Land of Earth—the farthest from the Land of Whirlpools. Even if they learn of the attack, they won't return in time. Surely, you don't believe this is all a coincidence?
Truth is, this outcome should've been foreseen when Lady Mito agreed to seal the Nine-Tails into herself. That burden brought glory to Konoha, but spelled disaster for the Uzumaki."
Uzumaki Aloe's expression grew increasingly grim. Especially when considering the prospect of annihilation—extermination of their bloodline—his mood darkened further.
"How many of our people can your Hidden Cloud Village accept?"
After a long silence, Aloe finally spoke, conceding to the harsh truth.
The situation was clear: they couldn't go to Konoha. Among the four other major villages, only the Hidden Cloud had stepped forward with a formal invitation.
At the very least, it was something.
And what the envoy from Kumo said wasn't wrong. Aloe had long felt unease when Mito accepted the role of Jinchūriki. He even made a personal journey to Konoha to chastise his niece for taking on such a burden.
That decision would doom the clan!
Seeing Aloe finally relent, Dodai let out a slow breath of relief and answered sincerely, "Our Hidden Cloud Village can offer sanctuary to all Uzumaki under the age of majority and those unattached by clan obligations—individuals without rigid ideological commitments.
Single adults can integrate through marriage with our local shinobi to form new families. We genuinely hope the Uzumaki clan will thrive and become part of our village.
Of the Five Great Villages, the Hidden Cloud is the only one to consistently seek external talent. The Uzumaki will receive fair treatment and compensation, along with assistance in resettlement.
Moreover, our village's development plans require sealing specialists, and we would welcome your clan's expertise. Their future status won't be low—some may even ascend to positions of leadership.
Additionally, we'll ensure that Uzumaki refugees are not drafted into the front lines. They will be shielded from the war effort, with designated roles focused on support, not combat."
Of course, the entire clan couldn't be accepted wholesale—that was unrealistic.
Many adults harbored their own convictions, some likely hostile toward Kumo. Integrating such individuals would invite internal strife.
Aloe understood this. In fact, the honesty increased his trust in Kumo's sincerity.
It appeared Hidden Cloud was genuinely committed to accepting the Uzumaki.
"Does your development plan... include making our people into Tailed Beast Jinchūriki?"
The next question was sharp, almost accusatory. The current crisis had roots in their clan's bloodline—perfect vessels for the tailed beasts. It was no secret the other villages sought the ideal Jinchūriki.
"We have other uses for the tailed beasts," Dodai answered immediately. "Sacrificing Uzumaki to become Jinchūriki again would not be a blessing—it would be a tragedy."
Dodai shut the door on the idea. The Uzumaki clan would not be turned into Jinchūriki, at least not before integration was complete.
Besides, Kumo no longer sought a traditional Jinchūriki. The split-tailed beast containment plan was far safer. Even if unstable, fragments were easier to suppress. As long as they could form a Tailed Beast Ball for bombardment purposes, raw strength was irrelevant.
"How much strength can you mobilize to help us through this crisis?"
Aloe asked again, now probing for commitment.
"We have assembled one hundred jōnin and one thousand chūnin on standby. If the situation escalates, the Third Raikage himself will lead the charge," Dodai replied calmly.
Hearing this, Aloe nodded with satisfaction.
"Leaving our homeland of a thousand years is no easy decision. We must first resist with all our strength. Your Hidden Cloud forces can assist. Many among my clan still harbor hope for Konoha—we must force them to see the truth.
If it truly comes to annihilation, then take the children. I'll entrust you with a complete set of Uzumaki sealing techniques—including the one Lady Mito developed to bind the Nine-Tails."
"We of the Hidden Cloud respect your decision and your will, Elder Uzumaki," Dodai said solemnly.
He agreed. The battle must happen here, in the Land of Whirlpools.
Only by drawing Konoha into open conflict could they expose its betrayal and sever the Uzumaki's final ties to the Hidden Leaf. And only through combat could the remaining adult fighters be expended—paving the way for a peaceful evacuation of the children.
It was harsh. But this was the reality of the shinobi world.
Dodai also understood that the Great Elder still held hope for Konoha, or at least for the Senju and Lady Mito.
But the Konoha of today wasn't led by the Senju. Not by Mito. It was under Sarutobi Hiruzen—and worse, Danzo.
If they truly intended to protect the Uzumaki, they'd have deployed the Senju clan immediately. The fact that the Senju had been sent far away spoke volumes.
After all, if the Senju managed to escort the Uzumaki into Konoha, their combined power would be formidable. And that, Sarutobi's faction would not permit.
"There's one more matter. Have you heard of the Six Paths Ninja Tools?"
With business settled, Dodai changed the subject.
"We, the Uzumaki, are more familiar with them than you imagine," Aloe replied, arching a brow.
As descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, their clan archives contained detailed records of the legendary tools—artifacts of unimaginable power.
"Four of the Six Paths Tools were sealed by their last wielders before death," Dodai explained. "If you can break the seals, we can lend all four to the Uzumaki clan for use in this war."
As he spoke, he unfurled a sealing scroll. Within it rested two large nutrient tanks—each preserving a heart, still sealed with chakra markings.