They're promoting the "Konoha threat" theory, and spouting nonsense about the Hidden

Chapter 49 Marriage Alliance

Fighting is definitely out of the question.

Neither Hozuki Shingetsu nor Uzumaki Takumi wanted to fight, but because of Elder Uzumaki's words, the atmosphere had been set right there.

At this point, regardless of the cause of the matter, no one should take the initiative to back down, as doing so would mean giving up the initiative to choose.

On Hozuki Shingetsu's side, he was annoyed by the Uzumaki clan's repeated ungratefulness—they offered him a ladder but refused to take it, insisting on making things like this. Did they really think Kirigakure couldn't do without them?

It's no wonder that this ninja clan, which doesn't recognize its own worth, was wiped out!

Meanwhile, Takumi Uzumaki was annoyed by Elder Uzumaki's inability to recognize the situation when he interrupted, and also annoyed by Shingetsu Hozuki—what's wrong with us getting a verbal advantage? Is it really necessary to react so strongly?

Just as the atmosphere became extremely tense, a Uzumaki ninja suddenly rushed in, shouting as he rushed in, "Clan leader, the enemy is already 300 miles away from Uzumaki Village!"

Upon hearing this, the tense atmosphere immediately dissipated, and neither Hozuki Shingetsu nor Uzumaki felt inclined to continue probing.

"What kind of behavior is this, making such a racket? Is this how you treat guests in Uzushio Village?" Uzumaki Takumi's eyelids twitched, and he tried to smooth things over.

"I have heard that your noble family has a daughter named Kushina Uzumaki, who is virtuous and kind, a perfect match for you. I admire her greatly." Seeing that the Uzumaki clan was willing to back down, Shingetsu Hozuki acted swiftly and decisively, giving the Uzumaki clan one last chance.

"I wonder if the clan leader would be willing to make this happen? The Uzumaki clan is a thousand-year-old ninja clan, and our Kirigakure will certainly show them the due respect and will not easily offend the beauty."

The phrase "Hozuki Shingetsu" is a double entendre. The "beauty" refers to both Uzumaki Kushina and the Uzumaki clan. Hozuki Shingetsu's marriage to Uzumaki Kushina also signifies the Uzumaki clan joining Kirigakure.

After all, it's perfectly reasonable for a bride's family to escort her all the way to Kirigakure. It's also understandable that she might be moved by the hospitality and simple folk customs of Kirigakure and choose to stay.

At least it sounds better than the Uzumaki clan being forced to seek refuge with Kirigakure like stray dogs.

Transforming a naked exchange of interests into a dowry issue is already the greatest respect Hozuki Shingetsu has shown the Uzumaki clan.

If that still doesn't work, then we can only say that the Uzumaki clan already knew how to bring about their own demise, and we might as well get rid of the Uzumaki clan!

"Shut up!"

The elder who had caused trouble earlier was about to speak again when Takumi Uzumaki interrupted him. Takumi understood that this was their last chance. If they didn't want the Uzumaki clan to end up as a mere legacy, as Hozuki Shingetsu had described, and with Konoha clearly abandoning them, their only option was to join Kirigakure.

"In urgent situations, we should act expediently. Since Kirigakure has shown such great sincerity, I believe they will definitely not treat our Kushina unfairly. Therefore, we can discuss everything after Kirigakure has arrived!"

Takumi Uzumaki also took a step back, not wanting to argue further. Firstly, he feared that Shingetsu Hozuki couldn't decide on the specific details. Secondly, given the size of the Uzumaki clan, they wouldn't be treated unfairly after entering Kirigakure, especially since they possessed the sealing techniques for the Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, so there was always room for negotiation.

These three things... it's like the enemy has already reached our doorstep, and we're still babbling about these things. Are we afraid we won't die?

"That's for the best." Hozuki Shingetsu breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this; things were finally settled!

In truth, the Uzumaki clan feared that Hozuki Shingetsu, being so young, might give up trying to persuade them in a fit of anger. But wasn't Hozuki Shingetsu also afraid of the Uzumaki clan's stubbornness, clinging to their honor and sharing the fate of Uzumaki Village?

If the marriage alliance with the Uzumaki clan becomes a fait accompli, it will essentially add weight to the alliance of the Hozuki, Yuki, and other ninja clans.

After all, the Uzumaki clan was unaware that Ren had already planned to join forces with the Kaguya clan to purge the other bloodline ninja clans—in their eyes, the conflict between Hozuki and Ren was even less significant than the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha. Konoha's Hokage had promised to make the Uchiha the next Hokage. In another ten years or so, with Hozuki Shingetsu's prestige, becoming the future Fourth Mizukage would be a piece of cake.

By the time the conflict truly escalates, the Uzumaki clan has already boarded the ship and can't get off even if they want to—you've all been married off, do you still want to get off the ship?

-

Kushina Uzumaki was currently staying obediently with her companions in the underground safe zone, waiting for further instructions.

After news of the attack on Uzushio Village suddenly came a few days ago, she and some friends came here under the protection of some Uzumaki ninjas.

A day earlier, she received a notice that the situation was not optimistic and that she would be going to Konoha the next day with two classmates and several Konoha ninjas to preserve the Uzumaki clan's lineage.

But for some reason, there has been no news yet.

Kushina Uzumaki looked at the kunai she was holding in her hand, and could even faintly see her own bright red hair through the sharp blade.

This is a very perverted person; it was given to her a few days ago.

At her age, no one had ever praised her so openly. Although she was usually carefree, she was still a girl. The precociousness of a ninja had made her aware of this. As the first person to "confess" to her, Kushina Uzumaki had a very deep impression of Shingetsu Hozuki.

The thought of "You are the most beautiful girl from the Land of Whirlpools I have ever seen" made Kushina Uzumaki's face turn red again.

"What a pity! Once the war starts, we might never see each other again in this lifetime." Kushina Uzumaki sighed, a rare look of melancholy appearing on her round face.

If I go to Konoha, I definitely won't see him again. And if I don't go to Konoha, I might die here in the war anyway, so there's no way I'll ever see him again.

"Kushina Uzumaki, come here for a second!"

Just then, a female Uzumaki ninja walked over, looked her up and down with a strange expression, and then gestured for Uzumaki Kushina to follow her.

Kushina Uzumaki assumed they were heading to Konoha and offered no resistance. However, as she walked, she suddenly realized something was amiss. Why wasn't this direction leading out of the village? Instead, it led to the castle tower.

Before she could think any further, she was led by the female ninja to the top floor of the castle tower, where she met the patriarch of the Uzumaki clan, Uzumaki Takumi.

"Grandpa Chief!"

As the genius of the Uzumaki clan and the eldest sister of the Ninja Academy, she naturally met Uzumaki Takumi quite often. However, unlike Uzumaki Takumi's usual stern face, he seemed to be full of kindness at this moment.

Before she could react, a familiar voice rang out.

"Let me introduce myself, Hozuki Shingetsu, your fiancé."

Kushina Uzumaki turned her head and saw that it was the boy who had given her a kunai on the street earlier.

"You..." Kushina Uzumaki was a little confused. What was going on with this fiancé?

Before Kushina Uzumaki could finish speaking, Hozuki Shingetsu raised his right fist and said, "All the answers are contained within."

Kushina Uzumaki glanced at Shingetsu Hozuki one last time. His clean face gave her great courage, and she gently raised her left fist.

And so, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the two fists, one large and one small, quietly collided.

In an instant, Hozuki Shingetsu's cheat ability, using the goodwill conveyed through chakra, enveloped Uzumaki Kushina.

(End of this chapter)