Chapter 66: Kurama

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Kurama

Looking at Uzumaki Mito, Uchiha Xuan silently nodded and followed her to the edge of the pond in the courtyard.

"Have you made up your mind?"

A few small fish swam in the pond. Standing by the water’s edge, Uzumaki Mito spoke gently.

"Yes, this war should come to an end."

Uchiha Xuan’s expression remained calm.

"You know that’s not what I’m referring to."

In response to Uchiha Xuan’s answer, Uzumaki Mito shook her head lightly.

"...."

Uchiha Xuan fell silent upon hearing this.

"It seems so."

Uzumaki Mito smiled softly and reached out, gently placing her hand on Uchiha Xuan’s shoulder.

"He is not a suitable Hoka—"

Facing the hand on his shoulder, Uchiha Xuan showed no reaction and continued speaking. However, before he could finish his words, the surroundings suddenly changed.

A violent aura rushed toward him. Uchiha Xuan looked up and saw a pair of crimson beast eyes glaring fiercely at him in the darkness.

"Kurama?"

Frowning at the beast eyes before him, Uchiha Xuan watched as the surrounding darkness faded away, revealing a massive fox bound tightly with chains.

"Kurama? Is that his name? I never expected the Uchiha archives to contain the name of the Nine-Tails. Nine-Tails... no, it should be Kurama. I never thought I’d learn your name only at this final moment."

Behind Uchiha Xuan, a gentle voice spoke. Uzumaki Mito, with her sleeves neatly folded, stepped forward and smiled as she looked at the tightly bound Nine-Tails.

As for Uchiha Xuan knowing the Nine-Tails’ name, she simply assumed it was recorded in the Uchiha archives. After all, as far as she knew, the history of the Uchiha clan was as ancient as that of the Senju and Uzumaki.

"How do you know my true name?! Your aura... you’re an Uchiha... No, this Chakra doesn’t quite resemble... Natural Energy? That’s not it either. You—"

Hearing Uchiha Xuan call out his name, Kurama’s pupils contracted sharply, and he couldn’t help but raise his voice in questioning.

"Quiet down, Kurama. You’re too noisy."

Standing behind Uchiha Xuan, Uzumaki Mito frowned slightly, and the golden chains binding the Nine-Tails tightened instantly.

"Xuan, don’t deny Tobirama’s choice. Perhaps you are right, but I have my own selfish reasons as well. Just like before, regarding the matter of the Third Hokage... I won’t interfere. The same goes for your affairs."

Looking at the Nine-Tails, a trace of reluctance and sorrow appeared in Uzumaki Mito’s eyes. This reluctance and sorrow were not directed at the Nine-Tails—only she herself knew for whom they were meant.

"The Uchiha clan will end the war between the Hidden Sand and Konohagakure as soon as possible. At the same time, I will succeed as the Fourth Hokage and reform the existing policies of Konohagakure."

Uchiha Xuan lowered his head and spoke softly. To others, he could say these words without burden, but facing this elder, he admitted he felt a bit soft-hearted.

Still, soft-hearted or not, what he must do, he must do.

The later Konohagakure fell into his hands, the more wounds it would bear.

Once the current minor trouble of the Hidden Sand is resolved, Konohagakure will have enough time to become the Konohagakure he envisioned.

"Reform is not an easy task. What you envision, Hashirama and Tobirama also thought of, but implementing it is extremely difficult."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Mito’s expression remained unchanged as she gently shook her head.

"They are them, and I am me. They failed to bring about change only because they faced too many constraints. As for me... I bear the name Uchiha. The various ninja clans of Konohagakure have always shown a bit more tolerance toward the Uchiha."

Uchiha Xuan’s eyes shone with confidence. The past was the past, and the present is now. Back then, Konohagakure had just been established. If Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama had resorted to ruthless measures, they would have alienated all the ninja clans of Konohagakure.

But now is different. Today’s Konohagakure is like a frog slowly boiled in warm water. The passage of time has allowed the various clans to take root here. At this point, as long as a ninja of the caliber of Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara emerges, no one will oppose whatever they wish to do.

"Tolerance toward the Uchiha? Well... I suppose you could say that."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Mito’s expression turned peculiar. She felt that the "tolerance" Uchiha Xuan spoke of was somewhat... inappropriate.

"Xuan, I’ve known since I first met you that you have your own ideas. I’ve long prepared for this day. What you wish to do and how you plan to do it—I won’t interfere. However, I still want to say one thing: please, minimize the losses to Konohagakure. As for the Third Hokage... he is, after all, Tobirama’s disciple. If you truly succeed, let him live out his remaining years peacefully at home. With the Uzumaki clan’s Sealing Arts, this shouldn’t be difficult for you."

Uzumaki Mito spoke softly, her eyes filled with complexity.

"Agreed."

Uchiha Xuan nodded gently upon hearing this. Sarutobi Hiruzen alone was manageable—just not old-timers like Danzo Shimura.

Danzo Shimura must die, and no one can stop it.

Daring to covet the Uchiha’s Sharingan... death is the lightest punishment.

Nearby, Kurama, bound by chains, widened his eyes in shock. What had he just heard? Senju Hashirama’s wife conspiring with an Uchiha to overthrow Konohagakure’s leadership? This was...

Absolutely hilarious!

Let the chaos unfold! Hopefully, it’ll create the perfect opportunity! He, Kurama!!! might finally gain his freedom!!

"Now that we’ve discussed the village matters, let’s talk about something that isn’t entirely private. What are your thoughts on the Nine-Tails... Kurama?"

After receiving Uchiha Xuan’s affirmation, Uzumaki Mito nodded gently and turned to look at Kurama, who had been stealing glances at them, before speaking softly to Uchiha Xuan.

"Just as I see him."

Uchiha Xuan replied calmly.

"That’s an unexpectedly simple answer, but it suits your nature. Xuan, I’m prepared to die."

Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Mito smiled faintly, shook her head gently, and spoke softly.

"..... I know."

After a moment of silence, Uchiha Xuan lowered his head and whispered.

He had long sensed Uzumaki Mito’s resignation to death. Given her chakra and physical condition, she could have lived many more years if she wished.

However, she herself no longer wished to live. Though she would not stop Uchiha Xuan from doing what he was about to do, she did not want to face it either.

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