Haruto Saito made a bold declaration. Though intentional, it was indeed his genuine thought at that moment!
"To protect the Land of Whirlpools..." Uzumaki Mito smiled kindly, but her curiosity was piqued. "Why do you have such an idea? What inspired you?"
Uzumaki Mito couldn't deny that Haruto's thoughts were good and his ambition was admirable. However, this wasn't a mindset a young ninja of his age should typically possess. Even her late husband, Senju Hashirama, only came to understand the importance of peace after years of bloodshed and witnessing countless deaths. It was then that he worked towards a lasting peace.
But for Haruto, still in his teens, it was unusual. Young ninjas usually only thought about getting stronger, defeating enemies, achieving battlefield glory, and enjoying the hero's welcome in their village.
So what had Haruto experienced?
Or was he merely deceiving her?
"Mito Grandma, do you know why I didn't contact the village? Why I carried out my mission alone and did everything I could to kill as many enemies as possible?" Haruto asked, his expression grave.
"Why?" Uzumaki Mito inquired.
"Because many innocent people have died because of me. I'm avenging them!" Haruto said, his face dark with grief. "After completing my second assassination, I was hunted by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. At that time, I had no idea I was being followed, and I entered a densely populated village—Great Wave Village!"
"Then, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist arrived. I wasn't their match, so I ran. I ran with everything I had, desperately trying to survive... They were enraged and ruthless, showing no concern for the people."
Haruto narrated his harrowing escape, the memory seared into his mind.
Any normal person would be devastated knowing that innocent people had died because of them.
This was different from killing an enemy in combat.
Haruto might often appear indifferent, but he was not a ruthless killer. He was still human.
"I didn't kill any of them, yet those innocent villagers perished. Tens of thousands died. The next day, I returned to see the aftermath... It was then I swore to take revenge for them!"
"So I vowed to kill every Hidden Mist ninja I encountered! Then... I realized I was the only one who knew the location of the Uzumaki Clan's treasure. My teacher sent people to find me, but I deliberately avoided them because I knew my teacher would order me back to the village. But I didn't want to return yet. I also didn't want to disobey orders, so I hid... I hadn't avenged those innocent souls yet! I needed to continue!"
"It wasn't until I bombed the Hidden Mist's vanguard camp that I decided to return to Konoha. That was when I realized something... Revenge breeds revenge. An eye for an eye wouldn't let me kill ten thousand Mist ninjas. Even if I could, I shouldn't. The cycle of hatred would only continue endlessly..."
"So, I thought, maybe within my power, I could bring peace to the Land of Whirlpools. Let the people live in peace and safety..." Haruto nearly teared up as he spoke.
A life well played is all about the performance!
"Good child!" Uzumaki Mito reached out and patted Haruto's head.
"Mito Grandma, do you support me?" Haruto asked expectantly.
"Yes!" Uzumaki Mito nodded firmly.
Success!
Haruto felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
"However, you may only keep the money," Mito added. "The sealing technique scrolls do not belong to you! Hand them over to Konoha. This is best for both you and the village!"
"I will, Mito Grandma," Haruto immediately replied. "I planned to give them to my teacher. I believe he'll reward me generously! Haha!" He laughed playfully.
"Trickster!" Uzumaki Mito chuckled, then became serious. Holding Haruto's hand, she said, "Young one, I hope you remember your words today. I also believe that one day, because of you, the Land of Whirlpools will see peace."
"Mito Grandma, I swear, it will happen!"
Whoosh!
A puff of white smoke rose near the window. A figure suddenly appeared inside the room.
Haruto turned his head and tensed instantly.
It was Sarutobi Hiruzen!
His face was dark with fury.
The moment he saw Haruto, his anger boiled over. He didn't even greet Uzumaki Mito, immediately flashing forward and swinging a palm toward Haruto. But Haruto vanished in an instant, teleporting beside Mito on the bed.
Completely cowardly.
He feared getting hit!
He knew he had no chance against Hiruzen. A fight between them would be a joke. As the saying goes, a wise man knows when to back down. If he didn't, he'd be beaten black and blue!
Hiruzen genuinely wanted to smack Haruto!
But he couldn't do so in Mito's presence. That would be disrespectful.
"Hmph!" Hiruzen snorted coldly, lowering his hand. He then respectfully bowed to Mito. "Mito-sama."
"You've arrived, Hiruzen," Mito greeted.
"You! Get down here!" Hiruzen barked at Haruto.
"Alright, alright! Hiruzen, calm down!" Mito mediated, patting Haruto's hand. "Go outside for now." She then turned to Hiruzen. "I need to speak with you."
Haruto vanished from the room.
He reappeared outside the treehouse.
The afternoon sun was shining beautifully.
Haruto's mood was just as bright!
He truly believed himself to be a genius!
He had resolved everything!
And he had accomplished two major objectives at once!
Firstly, with Mito's blessing, the five hundred million ryo from the Uzumaki treasure was his! Secondly, through their conversation, he had laid the foundation for establishing his own village in the future!
Everything would be justified and well-accepted! Mito's words carried weight. Unless it was a critical matter, Hiruzen would not go against her wishes. And with her personality, she would always stand with Hiruzen on truly significant decisions.
Thus, Mito would help Haruto handle everything!
That said, Haruto had not actually lied to her.
Though his account of the Great Wave Village incident was exaggerated, his intent was real. His vision for founding a ninja village in the Land of Whirlpools was genuine!
The Land of Whirlpools had an unparalleled geographical advantage and remained unclaimed. No place was more suitable for building a ninja village!
Haruto wanted to use his strength to create a world of his own!