At this point, forming an alliance was a no-brainer.
As for the historical enmity between the Senju and Uchiha clans—it was ancient history. If things kept going this way, the Senju would be wiped out soon. What grudge could possibly matter anymore?
Tobirama's distrust of the Uchiha seemed utterly meaningless to Mito now.
"Second," Chiri continued, "I want the Flying Thunder God technique, Tobirama's Water Style jutsu, and all the sealing techniques you possess."
She never once mentioned money.
With the Uchiha pharmacy about to open, the clan's financial troubles would be solved. If they could get their hands on Sky Island's gold and shell resources, they'd be even richer.
Money wasn't worth negotiating over.
Ninjutsu and sealing techniques were far more valuable.
Even though the Spacetime Gate made teleportation easier, having Flying Thunder God served multiple purposes—like disguising their true teleportation method or sharing it with non-contracted Uchiha members.
"Hmm…"
Mito frowned slightly.
"Flying Thunder God and Tobirama's water jutsu—no problem."
"But the Reaper Death Seal and Adamantine Sealing Chains—those I can't give you."
"The former is obvious. As for the latter—you lack the Uzumaki bloodline. Even if I gave it to you, you couldn't learn it."
And it could create vulnerabilities in the Uzumaki's exclusive arts.
"That so? Fine, exclude those two."
Chiri nodded and glanced at Genqing. Seeing his nod, she accepted the compromise.
Then she said:
"My final condition: I want Tsunade to take my son Genqing as her disciple and pass on to him all her medical knowledge and healing ninjutsu. Any issues with that?"
"Huh?"
Both Mito and Tsunade looked stunned.
Mito asked with a furrowed brow:
"Didn't you say your son was a medical prodigy who developed life-restoring and nutrient pills?"
"Why would he need to study under Tsunade?"
"Unless... you're aiming for the Hokage seat?"
That seemed like the most likely reason.
"Not entirely."
Chiri shook her head.
"Many Uchiha are obsessed with becoming Hokage. Naturally, it's one of our long-term goals too."
"But I understand this well—only with enough power, influence, and supporters can an Uchiha rise to Hokage."
"A Hokage's disciple label means little on its own."
"Especially with how power-hungry Hiruzen is—expecting him to support us just because of that is laughable."
"The main reason is that my son's medical methods differ from the mainstream."
"You saw that yourself when he examined you earlier."
"Plus, he doesn't know any medical ninjutsu."
"Those are things he still needs."
"And... I want him to use the identity of Tsunade's disciple, Hiruzen's 'grand-disciple', to live peacefully for a few years."
"Any objections?"
Chiri was blunt. Neither she nor Genqing had any illusions of becoming Hokage just by riding coattails.
When the Uchiha were powerful enough to dominate the ninja world, the Hokage title would come to them naturally.
"Ah... so that's it. I misunderstood," Mito said, nodding.
"You're right. That title alone doesn't help much."
"This is acceptable. Tsunade, what do you think?"
"Fine with me."
Tsunade glanced at Genqing with interest.
"This little guy's actually pretty handsome."
And since she was curious about his non-traditional medical techniques, she had no reason to refuse.
...Not that she had any real choice.
"Then it's settled."
Chiri smiled in satisfaction and nodded to Genqing.
"Give Mito the life elixir."
"Got it."
Genqing took out a vial and handed it to Mito.
Immediately, both Mito and Tsunade's eyes were glued to the vial, full of longing.
They could feel it—the liquid brimmed with gentle, potent life force.
Mito accepted it and studied it closely with Tsunade. She murmured:
"This is an incredible elixir."
Hard to believe a six-year-old could make it.
But now wasn't the time to doubt. Mito took a deep breath and uncorked the vial.
A thick, pleasant wave of life force spilled out.
"Creak…"
Even the floorboards and table wood began to show signs of sprouting buds.
"Hiss…"
Mito and Tsunade gasped in shock.
"Just a heads-up," Genqing said, "once opened, it'll evaporate fast. Drink it quickly."
"Understood. Thank you."
Mito nodded and downed the elixir in one gulp.
At once, warm, powerful life force surged from her stomach, flooding through her body, absorbed hungrily by every cell.
The deathly chill in her body melted like snow, and her vitality rebounded at alarming speed.
Her skin visibly flushed with health, and her red hair grew even more vibrant.
Had she not been maintaining her youthful appearance with Yin Seals, her white hair would've literally turned red again.
Even her aging skin and muscles were visibly rejuvenated—full of life and strength.
Inside the sealed space, the Nine-Tails stirred.
Since Mito had suppressed its awareness, it didn't know what had just happened outside.
But now, it could feel her vitality skyrocketing.
The strength of the seal was surging.
In just ten minutes, the seal seemed to return to the state it had been in right after the Nine-Tails was first sealed.
"Damn it! Mito Uzumaki, what did you do?!"
"Your life force has recovered?! Let me out! I don't want to be sealed anymore!"
The Nine-Tails went berserk.
If Mito really recovered, she could live for decades longer.
That meant decades more of confinement.
How could it accept that?
It had been patiently waiting for her to die.
Sure, it knew another Jinchūriki would be selected, but maybe—just maybe—it could break free in the chaos.
Now that chance was slipping away.
But what could it do?
Its limbs were tightly bound by Adamantine Sealing Chains—completely immobilized.
All it could do was roar and thrash in vain.
A pitiful, tragic sight.
No wonder the Nine-Tails hated Mito and Hashirama so much.
Anyone in its place would.