"That was too fast—even faster than Lord Tobirama, who is known for his unmatched speed."
"Indeed. As expected of Lord Genma, his strength is truly awe-inspiring."
Genma's little game had been nothing short of astonishing. Since no one managed to claim the prize, the game quickly came to an end.
It was, after all, just a little game. Though the shinobi in attendance initially felt a cold shiver down their spines due to their ingrained instincts when witnessing such a phantom-like speed, the feeling did not last long. They quickly recalled that Genma was on their side. Thus, the crowd's final emotions settled somewhere between awe and high praise.
Those with nothing to hide were naturally delighted by the sheer strength of their ally.
As for Senju Tobirama, who had inadvertently been turned into a stepping stone, he could only swallow his grievances in silence. At present, he was actually much faster than Genma; no matter how fast Genma moved, he could never outrun space-time ninjutsu.
However, Tobirama had kept this little secret locked deep within his heart, intending to use it to secure an unexpected victory when the time was right. He could share it with his older brother, but never with his father.
Oh well, he thought, let them use me as a stepping stone. A little impatience spoils great plans.
Among everyone present, Tobirama could be considered the second most miserable. On the day of his older brother's wedding, he not only had to stay on duty to handle security and guard against potential attacks from powerful enemies, but his pride had also taken a severe psychological blow.
He was clearly the fastest, yet he couldn't say a word.
As for who was even more miserable than Tobirama, it was naturally Senju Butsuma. Unfortunately for him, he happened to belong to the group of people whose consciences were not entirely clear just moments ago.
Because Tobirama had kept his secrets strictly guarded, even Senju Butsuma firmly believed that Genma's speed far surpassed Tobirama's. This meant that even if Butsuma had intended to make a subtle move, it would be nigh impossible to keep Genma pinned down here.
Senju Butsuma had run countless simulations in his head. The best possible outcome would have been capturing Genma alive to control him. The great Senju clan head believed that Hotaru was an exceptional source of cannon fodder; by controlling Genma, he could indirectly control the organization and use their blood to pave the way for the Senju.
A more realistic alternative would have been eliminating Genma directly. Though it would turn the Senju and Hotaru into bitter enemies, Hotaru itself was nothing to fear. Extinguishing a future threat ahead of time and putting an end to his two sons' impractical fantasies was entirely acceptable.
Unfortunately, the sheer power Genma displayed caused all of Butsuma's mental calculations to evaporate into thin air. If they couldn't even make him stay, wasn't discussing anything else completely detached from reality?
Senju Butsuma calmed down instantly. His old rival Tajima was currently watching him from the heavens, and Butsuma was not so foolish as to force an action he knew was utterly doomed to fail.
Genma returned to his seat. Just as Tobirama hid his Flying Raijin Jutsu, Genma hadn't actually wanted to expose his true strength either. But he had no choice; he had to preemptively guard against any "raising a cup as a signal for ambush" drama.
When someone was on the verge of acting irrationally, one had to find a way to force them to clear their head to avoid an even worse outcome. Genma felt that he had made quite a significant sacrifice.
Senju Butsuma already had one foot in the grave, yet Genma still had to painstakingly guide and babysit the old man.
Nevertheless, speed of that caliber fell under the category of absolute, raw power. Once an ordinary person witnessed it, it became incredibly difficult to defend against.
Genma's current speed was indeed vastly superior to what it had been in the past. After all, he used to be propelled by a steam locomotive engine, but now he had upgraded to a clean, new energy source.
In truth, he could go even faster by stacking his steam power together with his new energy source, but under normal circumstances, there was simply no need to do so.
The law of diminishing marginal utility applied too harshly here; using two Kekkei Genkai simultaneously would drain a massive amount of chakra, while the resulting increase in speed would be barely noticeable.
"Did you happen to see who called out the command for me to go behind Butsuma?" Genma asked Nara Hideyuki after resuming his seat.
Hideyuki shook his head. "There were too many people, and the venue was in complete chaos. I didn't catch it."
Genma nodded. "Fair enough... It's fine, I was just asking out of curiosity."
He was merely curious about who had engineered that stroke of genius. Even if he hadn't moved behind Senju Butsuma, the man would have still fully recognized certain hard realities. It was just that the psychological impact and shock wouldn't have been quite as profound as they were now.
Genma was certain that the impression he had left on Senju Butsuma was far deeper than the foolishly happy grin on Butsuma's son's face during the ceremony.
To experience such an exceptional thrill during his son's wedding, Senju Butsuma could truly be said to have scored a double victory.
Following the brief interlude caused by Genma, the atmosphere at the venue grew even more boisterous.
Some overly enthusiastic Senju shinobi rolled out the wedding gifts brought by the guests for display. The massive gold bar presented by Genma was naturally placed in the most eye-catching spot.
Even Uzumaki Mito, who had seen her fair share of grand spectacles and usually maintained a perfectly poised, tranquil demeanor, couldn't help but lower her blushing face upon catching sight of the abstract etching on the gold bar... Good grief, she thought, their 'artistic value' is a bit too high.
It wasn't that she couldn't bear to look at such a drawing, but rather that she couldn't bear the heavy implication behind it... An early marriage followed immediately by an early pregnancy, was it?
After lunch and a lively afternoon, the evening banquet—which was far more casual and significantly less rowdy—commenced.
Genma was finally able to converse with the important guests from other shinobi clans.
He chatted with Sarutobi Sasuke to further strengthen their ties; he met the head of the Hyuga clan to collectively analyze the current landscape of the shinobi world; and he mingled with the younger generation of the Senju clan, extending invitations for them to visit Hotaru Village.
He was practically running around in circles. Although he personally disliked this brand of social networking and knew that such activities yielded limited immediate results, a limited effect did not mean it was useless. The establishment, deepening, and stabilization of relationships were precisely built up incrementally through events like this.
During each conversation, Genma would casually and smoothly steer the topic toward Hotaru Village's relationship with the Daimyo. His words were simple, yet they left an unforgettable impression.
"What did you say the amount of your military budget is...? And the ratio is...?"
"Ah, I see. That's entirely different from us."
"Us? Our ratio is... and the exact amount is..."
Every time he finished speaking, the other party's face would be completely plastered with utter shock, the sheer envy in their eyes impossible to hide. Their expressions practically screamed: 'How come we didn't end up with such a fool... such a wise and benevolent Daimyo?'
Eventually, Genma crossed paths with the Uzumaki Patriarch, Uzumaki Ashina.
"Lord Ashina, regarding the barrier installation at Hotaru Village last time, I must extend my deepest gratitude for the immense assistance provided by you and the Uzumaki clan."
Since they had interacted previously, the topic opened up naturally.
"There is no need for thanks. I deeply resonate with your philosophy. After hearing about how you provided unconditional aid to allied shinobi on the battlefield without distinction last time, I knew that the organization you lead, Lord Genma, is one filled with boundless hope."
See? This was the beauty of mutual courtesy.
After trading a few more rounds of high praise, Genma probed gently, "Lord Ashina, does the Uzumaki clan have plans to align yourselves even closer with the Senju clan?"
The question was slightly abrupt, given that their relationship hadn't quite reached the level of sharing deep political secrets. Yet, to Genma's surprise, Uzumaki Ashina's response was remarkably candid.
The old man glanced left and right, ensuring no one was paying attention to their corner, before lowering his voice and saying to Genma:
"Not with the current Senju."
The two men locked eyes, and both immediately shared a knowing smile, recognizing a kindred spirit.
Uzumaki Mito was marrying Hashirama, not Butsuma. Thus, this old patriarch was in absolutely no rush.
After Genma departed, Uzumaki Mito walked up to her grandfather's side.
"Just as Sister Ruri said, Lord Genma's chakra is highly unusual. It easily evokes a profound sense of closeness in others."
"Chakra is secondary; a sharp mind is what truly matters," Uzumaki Ashina replied with a chuckle. However, right after laughing, he realized something was off.
"Wait, why are you still here? Can't you find your post?"
No matter what, she had to stand guard tonight.
Finally, Genma track down Senju Tobirama.
"Tobirama, do you have a solution?"
"No. It's a dead end."
Senju Tobirama knew exactly what Genma was asking about, but he couldn't provide an answer... There really was nothing that could be done.
"Were you the one playing tricks during midday?"
"What?"
Tobirama looked as if he knew absolutely nothing about it.
Fine, fine, Genma thought, and simply decided to tease him instead.
"I was asking if you had a way to eavesdrop on your brother's wedding night. What did you think I was asking? You really don't have a solution for that?"
Tobirama: "..."
"Leave. Go, go, go. I am incredibly busy these few days. What if an enemy launches a surprise attack?"
Senju Tobirama had been running himself ragged over the past few days and was truly exhausted. Furthermore, he was fundamentally incapable of pulling off such an outrageous stunt—unless he actively sought the thrill of being thrashed by Wood Release.
The night faded away, and the next morning arrived.
Genma and the other guests departed one after another in a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere. Not a single incident occurred throughout the process.
"It seems my quick wit defused a crisis. Otherwise, while nothing would have gone wrong during the wedding itself, there's no telling what would have happened once it concluded... For instance, on our journey back. That would have been the golden opportunity."
Although Genma had only just left the Senju village, he knew that the road back would be entirely clear.
"Lord Genma, was it truly your wisdom that saved the day?"
Since Hatake Sakumo and Lan were both men of exceptionally few words, Nara Hideyuki was the only one available to play the role of the straight man.
In his eyes, Lord Genma hadn't defused any crisis with wisdom at all; he had clearly terrified the other party into submission using absolute force... There was no helping it; Genma was simply too adept at applying immense pressure to stubborn, old-school traditionalists.
"It was definitely wisdom. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."
Had Genma fought anyone? No. Since no blood was shed, it was the power of wisdom, not the power of fists and feet.
They encountered no trouble along the way, returning to Hotaru Village in a grand, unobstructed march. However, certain shifts were only just beginning to take root.
A massive event like a wedding was highly susceptible to oversights and vulnerabilities. In fact, in many tales, a wedding venue frequently transformed into a blood-soaked stage for vengeful slaughter.
Although Senju Hashirama's wedding appeared to have concluded smoothly, it ultimately triggered several subtle changes.
First, the newlywed Senju Hashirama couldn't possibly head out on a mission the day after his wedding. By all accounts of logic and emotion, he had to labor diligently at home for a period of time. This was the monumental responsibility of passing down the Senju bloodline, which could not be taken lightly.
Second, Senju Tobirama—who had been responsible for the overall security, his nerves wound tight as he constantly worried about an Uchiha raid—also needed to rest for a few days. Though he wasn't the one getting married, his physical stamina had been drained even faster than the groom's... Where was the justice in that?
Third, following the wedding, due to various unspeakable reasons, Senju Butsuma was in an exceptionally foul mood. A ball of fury was suppressed within his chest, leaving him with an intense urge to find an outlet to vent his frustration.
War would never halt its march simply because of an individual's personal milestones, even if that individual was the future God of Shinobi.
With his two sons temporarily away from their posts, the heavy burden of the battlefield fell squarely onto Senju Butsuma's shoulders.
Butsuma didn't see any issue with this. He had been fighting and killing for decades; he had long grown accustomed to blood and slaughter. Saying that stepping onto the battlefield felt like returning home was an understatement.
A four-man squad, spearheaded by him, was currently patrolling a high-conflict zone. Ahead lay the invasion route of the Uchiha clan, making this their designated interception point.
"Clan Head, enemies spotted."
"How many?"
"Equal to our numbers."
"Pursue them."
Upon receiving the relevant intelligence from the squad's sensory shinobi, Senju Butsuma immediately made the decision to give chase, just as he always did.
As for the party being pursued...
"Lord Wuname, members of the Senju clan are chasing us down," a shinobi reported to the "Uchiha loyalist," Lord Wuname.
"Ignore them. Providing aid to our own kin is what we ought to be doing," Uchiha Sasuke replied, completely ignoring the threat. A single squad of Senju shinobi wasn't worth his attention.
The shinobi hesitated, wanting to speak, but finally let out, "Lord Wuname, I believe it would be best for us to eliminate them. This would be highly advantageous for the entire Uchiha clan."
Those words caused Sasuke to halt his steps. He stood firmly in place, turning to the shinobi to ask, "Do you recognize the person behind us?"
"I can identify that chakra. If I am not mistaken, it belongs to the Senju Clan Head, Senju Butsuma... Because of his intense hatred and ruthless methods, countless Uchiha shinobi have died horrific deaths at his hands over the past decade or more."
To Sasuke, Senju Butsuma was merely an insignificant passerby; his importance couldn't even begin to compare to Senju Tobirama's... Since he was a nobody, whether he lived or died didn't make much of a difference.
However, since the other Uchiha harbored such deep, bone-deep hatred for this man, eliminating him seemed to be the correct course of action.
"Lord Wuname..."
"Very well. We shall turn and face them."
These Uchiha shinobi appeared to place absolute trust in Sasuke's strength, much like they had once trusted Uchiha Madara.
Certain transformations seemed to have occurred within Sasuke as well, though these shifts were highly difficult for others to perceive.
Thus, both sides abandoned the dynamic of a chase. Moving toward one another, they quickly brought each other into view.
"As expected, Uchiha shinobi."
Given that the opponent was neither Uchiha Madara nor Uchiha Izuna, Senju Butsuma had absolutely no reason to back down... In the past, there had been Tajima, a rival Butsuma had clashed with for his entire life. But for the Senju Clan Head to face an unnamed nobody of the Uchiha, what else was there to say?
Hmm? Something isn't right.
As the distance between the two sides closed rapidly, Butsuma suddenly felt that the opposing shinobi looked a bit unusual... Was this a pure-blooded Uchiha? Why did he have horns growing from his head?
"Lord Clan Head, this person's chakra has a prob—"
However, before the sensory shinobi could finish his sentence, a blinding, violent flash of white light completely wiped out their vision. They could only feel their ears ringing violently and their brains trembling.
It felt exactly as if a flashbang had been forcefully stuffed into their mouths, detonating an instant later...
Sasuke kept his eyes closed, operating entirely by navigating through Sage Transformation perception.
In fact, he didn't even need to get too close to his enemies, because at this very moment, the earth beneath them seemed to suddenly gain life, waking up in an instant.
White light—everything was bathed in pure, white light.
For Senju Butsuma, who viewed the battlefield as his ultimate home, it was as if he had caught sight of his permanent resting place at this very moment.
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