"Impossible!!"
Mito Uzumaki's sharp shout echoed through the room.
After finally having a member of the Uzumaki Clan by her side, and after spending so much time together, she had already come to treat Uzumaki Yōgetsu as her own granddaughter.
And now Uchiha Ren actually had the nerve to target her?
If Yōgetsu moved into his residence, Mito was certain that within days, Uchiha Ren would coax her onto his bed.
Wait… was that his plan all along?
The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Perhaps Uzumaki Ashina had even suggested it.
A man like Uchiha Ren—morally bankrupt, shameless, and destined to be surrounded by countless women—was absolutely not a suitable match for Yōgetsu. She needed someone like Hashirama—honest, grounded, dependable.
If Yōgetsu genuinely fell for this scoundrel, that would be another matter.
But Mito would never accept sacrificing Yōgetsu's beauty in exchange for the interests of the Uzumaki Clan.
And besides—
How could such a sweet, sensible girl ever fall for someone like Uchiha Ren?
"Hmph. Don't even think about getting close to Yōgetsu."
"I'll handle this matter myself."
She had no intention of giving Uchiha Ren any opportunity. One careless moment, and things could spiral beyond control.
If possible, before she closed her eyes for good, she wanted to find Yōgetsu a worthy man and see her married. Only then could she rest in peace and face Hashirama.
"Hmph. No need to trouble yourself, Lady Mito."
"I think Yōgetsu would be more than willing to help me."
Uchiha Ren's tone turned deliberately mocking.
If Mito dared put on airs in front of him, he would return it tenfold.
"So it's true—you're targeting Yōgetsu!"
"I'm telling you, Uchiha Ren, I will never agree to this!"
Faced with her bluster, Ren merely smirked.
"So what?"
"I'm Hokage. In Konoha, I make the rules."
"Mito, you show me no respect. When I ask you to handle something, it's because I value you."
"And yet you won't even address me as Hokage-sama?"
"Then I'll simply find someone else—someone who's willing to help and show proper respect."
Mito opened her mouth—
But the words caught in her throat.
He wasn't wrong.
Uchiha Ren was the Hokage.
Yes, his character was questionable. Yes, his morals were nonexistent.
But even she had to admit—
He was an exceptionally capable Hokage.
Perhaps even more capable than Senju Tobirama… or even Senju Hashirama.
That didn't stop her from despising him.
But reality was reality.
She clenched her fists.
For Yōgetsu's future… I'll endure this.
Taking a deep breath, suppressing the urge to punch that smug face—
She spoke.
"Hokage-sama… I spoke out of turn."
"I am willing to serve."
The words came out stiff, forced.
She turned her head away immediately, unable to bear the humiliation.
"Hmph. I, the Hokage, am magnanimous. I'll overlook it this time."
Ren smiled, satisfied.
That was enough.
Pushing further would only risk Mito truly losing her temper—and that would be troublesome.
"Let's go."
"Judging by the timing, it's about time we extract the Nine-Tails' chakra again."
"And we can settle this matter along the way."
Before long, Uchiha Ren, Mito Uzumaki, and Chiyo arrived at Konoha's large-scale power plant.
The facility had expanded even further.
During this time, Senju Tobirama had continuously upgraded and refined its systems.
"Hokage-sama."
The guards saluted and opened the gates.
Chiyo followed behind, her eyes filled with shock.
Sunagakure also had power-generating equipment—
But compared to Konoha, theirs was primitive. Negligible.
Konoha's daily output could match years of Sunagakure's production.
Their village was too poor to even consider large-scale electricity use.
A single sandstorm could wipe out all outdoor lighting.
But here—
The sheer scale, the machinery, the investment…
How much had Konoha poured into this place?
Chiyo didn't dare imagine.
Even if Sunagakure emptied its entire treasury, it likely wouldn't be enough.
What had happened to Konoha?
How did it become this wealthy?
She kept her questions to herself.
Some things weren't meant to be asked.
"This is Konoha's power plant," Ren said casually.
"It supplies electricity to the entire village."
"In the future, it will extend across the Land of Fire—power grids, transmission lines…"
"And plants like this will rise everywhere."
He paused, his voice deepening.
"But this is only the first step."
"Letting Konoha and the Land of Fire enjoy electricity is nothing."
"I want to bring this to the entire shinobi world."
"My goal…"
"True unity."
"The Will of Fire… to dedicate one's life to the future of the world."
His words flowed effortlessly.
Natural.
Convincing.
Chiyo felt a strange stir in her chest.
A dangerous thought—
The urge to join Konoha.
To be part of this vision.
She shook it off immediately.
She was a shinobi of Sunagakure.
And yet—
The presence, the charisma, the conviction in Ren's voice—
It was impossible to ignore.
Even Mito found herself momentarily shaken.
For a fleeting second—
She saw Hashirama in him.
That same passion.
That same belief.
That same dream of a better future.
The overlap was… unsettling.
For the briefest moment—
She even thought—
Perhaps Yōgetsu marrying him… wouldn't be so bad.
"Hokage-sama truly carries the future of the shinobi world in his heart," Chiyo said sincerely.
Ren stopped before a circular structure.
"This is it."
They entered.
Inside, Mito stepped forward, activating the system.
A cloak of Nine-Tails chakra formed around her body.
Ren placed a hand on her shoulder, his Sharingan power merging with chakra as he entered the Nine-Tails' sealed space.
Precaution was essential.
One mistake could lead to disaster.
"…Again?"
"You damned woman—!"
The Nine-Tails roared, launching into its usual stream of curses.
Every extraction came with the same complaints.
It had long since run out of new insults.
Ren didn't care.
After all—
It wasn't directed at him.
"…And you, Uchiha Ren! You're no better!"
"Scum—!"
Ren frowned.
"Mito. Seal its mouth."
Chains tightened.
Silence returned.
Extraction began.
Time passed slowly.
Ren leaned back, bored.
His thoughts drifted—
To the One-Tail.
Sunagakure didn't have Konoha's advantages.
Their sealing techniques were weaker.
Their jinchūriki lacked Mito's strength.
Extracting chakra wouldn't be easy.
…Unless—
He glanced at the Nine-Tails.
It had fought Shukaku countless times.
Maybe—
It knew something.
"Kurama, I need to ask you something."
Ren smiled.
The chains loosened.
"Kurama—"
"Get lost!!!"
"You Uchiha are all the same!"
"Ungrateful bastards!"
The moment it was freed, the Nine-Tails erupted.
Ren sighed.
"Mito."
Chains snapped tight again.
"Kurama, hear me out."
"Tailed beast chakra is an excellent energy source."
"It replenishes naturally."
"It doesn't harm you—just leaves you a little weak for a while."
"So why the attitude?"
The Nine-Tails trembled with rage.
If not for the chains—
It would've torn him apart.
"We've already approached Sunagakure."
"They have a tailed beast too."
"But it's even more temperamental than you."
"Their sealing techniques are lacking."
"So I was thinking…"
"Do you have any suggestions?"
Silence.
Then—
Understanding dawned.
This bastard—
Was targeting Shukaku.
Unforgivable.
He expected the Nine-Tails to betray its own kind?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
"Shukaku may only have one tail…"
"But chakra is chakra."
"And if you help—"
"I'll honor my promise."
"For the sake of peace in the shinobi world."
Ren spoke casually.
As if it were obvious.
As if it were justified.
Inside the seal—
The Nine-Tails' thoughts shifted.
If only it suffered—
Then it was misery.
But if all tailed beasts suffered together—
Then it was fair.
Yes.
Shared suffering.
That made sense.
For the sake of the world…
Shukaku should contribute too.
The Nine-Tails' eyes narrowed.
Its stance—
Changed.
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