บท 19: The Thee Kages Meet

It had been a week since Araki started his training in Uzushio.

Currently, in Konoha, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen was growing anxious at the disappearance of Senju Araki and Uzumaki Kushina. From the ladies who accompanied Kushina, he knew that the transfer of the Kyuubi went without an issue.

With the death of Uzumaki Mito, he was planning on paying the two a visit. It was the perfect opportunity to visit them when they had just lost their closest family member. However, to his surprise, there was no presence of either Araki or Kushina in the Senju Clan Manor.

He ordered many ANBU Shinobis to search for them in the entire village but found no trace. It was by the end of the day that they heard from some local person that they saw a young boy and a red-headed girl running in the Uzushio's direction.

Now, if Hiruzen was scared before, he was downright furious! Why? Because he thought that it was Uzumaki Clan's Plan to let Kushina become a Jinchuiriki and then ask her to return.

Moreover, they had even taken away Araki with them.

The Kyuubi was Konoha's weapon. He couldn't tolerate the fact that it had left the village without his knowledge.

This wasn't the end of worries for Hiruzen, though. Danzo soon became aware that Uzumaki Mito had died. He immediately entered the Hokage's office and demanded Senju Araki and Uzumaki Kushina be handed to him so he could train them.

The Third Hokage had to control himself and exhibit great patience to not kick out Danzo at that moment. He informed Danzo that Senju Araki was nowhere in the village and there was a chance he had gone to the Uzumaki Village.

Internally cursing the Third Hokage for his peace-loving attitude, Danzo left the office. He decided to spread his Root ANBU near the village so that they could capture and bring him Senju Araki and Uzumaki Kushina once they are near the village.

Meanwhile, the Kages of the Three Great Villages, the Third Mizukage, the Third Tsuchikage, and the Third Raikage met each other. They were discussing their strategy of attacking Uzushio, the village whose sealing knowledge made them dread uncontrollably.

It was the Third Mizukage who spoke first, "Greetings to Lord Tsuchikage and Lord Raikage. What shall be our plan to destroy Uzushio?"

It was the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki who spoke, "We will be using Kiri's specially designed ships at the rate earlier agreed by our envoys. The ones who will show us the way would be the Raikage's Ships, then my ships, and at last, the Mizukage's ships."

The Third Raikage looked indifferent even though he had to charge first at Uzushio. There was a chance he would encounter the troublesome traps first, but it didn't bother him.

"I am ready to charge first. But, I will be the one who has the first say on any captured prisoner of this War or maybe any treasures we will find in the village." He said it with a domineering tone which suggested he wouldn't take no for an answer.

The Third Mizukage and the Third Tsuchikage didn't care much about it. Unlike the brute known as the Third Raikage, they were aware that the Uzumaki Clan Members had a deep bond and were inherently stubborn. They would rather die than submit to their enemy. As for the loot? Other than some rare seals which they wouldn't understand them anyway, what else could they find? Nothing they didn't have already. So letting the Third Raikage go first wasn't a bad deal.

Moreover, it was better to not make this man an adversary. His power and speed couldn't be underestimated. If need to be, this man could also fight a one on one against a Tailed Beast.

"Have you received the way from Konoha?" It was the Third Mizukage who asked with an indifferent tone, "I need to see it to ask my men to modify the ships accordingly."

"That old man is crafty, he wanted a lot more than I initially expected. But still, I did receive the way. It should be easy now, considering I have a skilled sensor as well." The Third Raikage casually stated. He handed over a piece of paper to the Third Mizukage.

"For Konoha to betray Uzushio even after their good relations lasting multiple generations, it does surprise me." It was the Third Tsuchikage who said it.

"It is nothing surprising. Just as we fear the power of Uzumaki Clan's seals, the Konoha is the same. Konoha is aware that if the Uzumaki Clan wants to, they could easily release the Kyuubi from their Jinchuiriki and bring it to their village and there would be nothing they can do. The Weapons of the Great Villages, the Tailed Beasts that is… They are useless against the Uzumaki Clan due to their skill in seals. However, due to Konoha's current standing, they can't directly attack the Uzumaki Clan…" It was the Third Mizukage who informed the other two while taking a look at the map.

At this time, Tsuchikage also added, "Konoha already has a Pure Blooded Uzumaki named Uzumaki Kushina after Uzumaki Mito. The Hokage would probably make sure to control her. As long as they keep her in control and loyal to Konoha, they would have a powerful seal master under their thumb."

"A pure-blooded Uzumaki in Konoha?" The Third Raikage seemed to have fallen in deep thought after hearing this statement from Tsuchikage.

It interested him that there was a Pure-Blooded Uzumaki in Konoha. Maybe if he had a chance, he could capture her.

"The one I am most worried about is the supposed heir to Senju Hashirama, a young boy named Senju Araki who has inherited the legendary Mokuton." It was the Third Tsuchikage who was most worried about this issue.

The main reason was that neither the Third Raikage and the Third Mizukage had ever faced Uchiha Madara. Moreover, it was stated that Senju Hashirama's strength was beyond that of Uchiha Madara as well. This thought did worry him a little.

The Third Raikage frowned as he heard that information, "I thought I had killed nearly all Senju Clan Descendants from Konoha except for Senju Tsunade. To think someone survived… This is beyond embarrassing for me. After destroying Uzushio, I will send some of my ANBU shinobi to kill him before he becomes a threat."

The Third Tsuchikage and the Third Mizukage didn't comment on this. It's not like the Third Raikage was the only one who had these thoughts. Both of them planned on sending their own Shinobi to kill Senju Araki as well.

"Alright then, we will attack after one month."

"Agreed."

"Very well."

With that, the Three Kages decided to attack Uzushio a month later.

Meanwhile, at Uzushio, Araki had just gotten used to the different katas of Uzumaki Kenjutsu Style. After feeling like he had learnt the basics of Uzumaki Kenjutsu Style, he significantly lowered the time he trained Kenjutsu with Uzumaki Takuya. Now, he had started learning the Water Jutsus.

It was a good thing that Wood Clones helped him immensely in that aspect. He could make 50 Wood Clones with his Chakra reserves and control at this time.

10 of the Wood Clones would be learning new Water Release Jutsus.

20 of the Wood Clones would be learning new Wood Release Jutsus.

And, 20 of the Wood Clones would be learning the Chakra control exercise Walking on Water.

Araki himself spent half of his day with Uzumaki Takuya and half of it with Kushina.

Kushina was taught Shadow Clone Jutsu by her father, and she was learning about seals and Water Style Jutsus. The reason she didn't join Araki in Kenjutsu training was that she already knew the basics. But it was a little much to be asking her to train him.

She felt that learning about seals would be much better at this time along with some Water Style Jutsu.