In the evening, as the last ray of daylight faded from the windows of the Hokage Building, Senju Mori finally concluded his official duties for the day.
Emerging from the Hokage Building, Senju Mori shed his dignified Hokage robe, dressed only in dark casual clothes, and strolled alongside Uzumaki Mio through the streets of Konoha Village.
The afterglow of the setting sun cast a warm golden hue over the Village.
The streets were bustling with people, and smiling villagers and Ninja could be seen everywhere; laughter emanated from the taverns, and the businesses of several Ninja tool shops and clothing stores seemed particularly vibrant.
Amidst almost ceaseless greetings along the way, Senju Mori introduced Uzumaki Mio to various parts of Konoha Village.
From the Hokage Faces on high, the Clan compounds of various Ninja Clans, to the Konoha Hospital and the Ninja Academy, and even some frequently visited shops, restaurants, and taverns.
It is worth mentioning that next to the Faces of Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama, Senju Mori's youthful face also appeared on this significant rock wall.
Along the way, he saw a Ninja, who had retired due to injury, open a snack stall on a street corner, doing a brisk business; he also saw children chasing and playing with their newly bought toys...
"After defeating Kumogakure, I increased the mission reward distribution ratio within the Village, and Kumogakure's substantial reparations were used as funds for compensation and Village construction.
It seems the effect is even better than expected," Senju Mori quietly told his wife beside him.
Uzumaki Mio felt this vibrant and lively atmosphere, and her eyes also brimmed with a gentle radiance:
"Everyone is very grateful to you, Mori. You, as the Hokage, brought them victory and stability."
Passing by the Yamanaka Clan's flower shop, a delicate floral fragrance wafted over them.
Uzumaki Mio's gaze was involuntarily drawn to several simple and elegant white bellflowers, and her steps subtly slowed.
Senju Mori noticed her gaze and stopped as well.
He said nothing more, merely smiled and nodded to the florist—a Yamanaka Clan girl—then personally selected the most in-bloom bellflower from a bucket and paid for it efficiently.
He turned and handed the flower to Uzumaki Mio, his action as natural as performing a routine ritual.
"White bellflowers," he said in a gentle tone, "are said to represent eternal love and sincerity. They suit you very well."
Uzumaki Mio paused slightly, then a blush more radiant than the flowers bloomed on her face.
She took the flower, lowered her head to gently sniff it, and her eyes sparkled with captivating light:
"Thank you, Mori."
This small interlude, without many words, made the atmosphere between them even more intimate.
They continued forward, Uzumaki Mio carefully holding the bellflower as if holding a heavy sentiment.
They strolled along, and before they knew it, they had taken the path leading to the back of the Hokage Faces.
When they finally ascended to the top of the Faces hand-in-hand, night had already fallen, and below them lay the entire Konoha Village, lit up by countless household lights, like a brilliant galaxy fallen to earth.
"It's so beautiful..." Uzumaki Mio leaned against Senju Mori, softly sighing.
"Indeed."
Senju Mori put his arm around her shoulder, his gaze distant, as if it could pierce through time.
"It is said that at the very beginning of the Village's establishment, First Hokage Hashirama and Uchiha Madara sat here side-by-side, envisioning and planning the future of Konoha Village together."
He paused, his voice low and firm, as if making a vow:
"And today, standing here are you and I, Mio. I will create a Konoha that is even more prosperous and powerful than what our predecessors imagined."
Uzumaki Mio gently rested her head on his shoulder, silently conveying her unreserved support.
After a moment of silence, Senju Mori spoke again:
"Mio, the visit is imminent. Regarding the internal situation of Uzushiogakure, especially the various challenges Chizawa might face, I need to know more, and some more specific details."
Uzumaki Mio straightened up, her expression also becoming serious, like a dutiful Advisor:
"The Clan's situation is indeed somewhat complex. Although Father is the Clan Head, the matter of succession cannot be decided by him alone. We primarily need to pay attention to two individuals."
"First, there is Uzumaki Ashina, the grandson of the former Clan Head, Lord Ashina."
Uzumaki Mio spoke softly, elaborating:
"He has gathered many conservatives around him, relying on his ancestor's prestige. Back then, Clan Head Ashina was old, and Uncle Hane had died early in battle, which is why he passed the position of Clan Head to Father."
"Now that Ashina has grown up, many Clan members believe that Father's position as Clan Head should rightfully be returned to Lord Ashina's direct bloodline."
"Ashina himself possesses considerable strength, being one of the Village's elite Jonin, and moreover, he is somewhat related by blood to Lord Mito..."
Senju Mori nodded, smiling calmly:
"There's no need to worry about Lord Mito's side of things. She has a deep bond with Lord Hashirama, and she cares about the safety of both Konoha and Uzushiogakure. She always prioritizes the bigger picture and will not interfere with the Uzumaki Clan's Clan Head succession without authorization."
"Second, there is the Clan's genius, Uzumaki Yi."
When this name was mentioned, Uzumaki Mio's tone carried a hint of solemnity.
"She is extraordinarily gifted, born with extremely special Chakra and vitality far exceeding that of ordinary people. At the age of ten, she mastered the family's secret technique—the Adamantine Chains—something many adult Clan members cannot achieve."
"Although she does not directly contend for the position of Clan Head, her attitude and leanings are enough to influence a large number of young Clan members who admire strength."
"She... seems to believe that her brother's gentle nature is a weakness, unable to lead the Uzumaki Clan to prosperity in troubled times, and has even privately expressed dissatisfaction with over-reliance on Konoha."
Senju Mori listened quietly, his gaze profound, silently noting down the two names, the lights of Konoha flickering in his eyes...
"I understand."
"Don't worry, neither the fellow relying on old bloodlines nor the young genius eager to prove herself will be enough to shake Chizawa's position, or our collective decision."
"During this visit, I will make all Uzumaki Clan members see who truly represents the stable and bright future of Uzushiogakure."
Uzumaki Mio gently squeezed Senju Mori's hand, softly reminding him:
"Unlike the situation in Konoha, everyone in Uzushiogakure is, after all, part of the same family. If possible, it's best not to use overly aggressive methods."
Senju Mori paused slightly, then clasped Uzumaki Mio's hand back, gently patting it, and then said with a smile:
"How could I? Look at Hiruzen, who just came to report to me. Although he once contended with me for the position of Hokage, isn't he now one of Konoha's hokage advisors?"
"Aggressive methods are a last resort. The situation in Uzushiogakure has not reached that point yet."
The night wind swept across the Hokage Faces, carrying the scent of Konoha's daily life, and surged eastward towards Uzushiogakure.
71
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Senju Mori's style of action had always been decisive and swift.
Once the plan to visit Uzushiogakure was confirmed, he only took a few days to properly arrange the Village affairs.
After specially visiting Uzumaki Mito with Uzumaki Mio to bid farewell, he personally selected Anbu members, with Senju Genma and Senju Yoru at the core, to form the Shadow Guard Squad.
The group immediately set off, embarking on their journey to Uzushiogakure.
The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent, blowing across the unique domed buildings of the Land of Whirlpools.
When Senju Mori led the Hokage's Shadow Guard Squad, composed of over ten Senju Clan elites, and arrived at Uzushiogakure with Uzumaki Chihaya, Uzumaki Mio, and others, the Village entrance was already bustling with people.
Compared to Konohagakure, located in the heart of the Land of Fire, Uzushiogakure, nestled on a small island, was much smaller.
It quietly nestled in the embrace of the bay, like a pearl that had been washed and polished by the waves for countless years.
The reefs at the edge of the Village foamed white as waves crashed against them, and the giant Uzumaki Clan emblem was carved into the most prominent rock face, still clearly visible despite the passage of wind and rain.
Most of the Village's buildings used locally quarried gray-white stone, with rounded domes gleaming with a soft luster under the sun, interspersed with only a small amount of dark wood as decoration.
The overall style was rougher and more ancient than Konoha, yet it possessed a solemnity refined by the passage of time.
The Village entrance was now a hive of activity.
Though the welcoming ceremony was grand, it was distinctly different from the scene within Konoha Village - as far as the eye could see, the view was almost entirely filled with the iconic red-haired figures of the Uzumaki Clan.
This was precisely the fundamental difference between Uzushiogakure and Konoha; Senju Hashirama, with his broad mind, absorbed various clans to build the Ninja Village together, while the Uzumaki Clan was truly a 'family turned into a Village.'
Almost all the high-ranking officials present were members of their own clan; the very few outliers must have been those small Ninja Clans that had long since become subservient to Uzumaki and were now almost assimilated.
This also explained why the Uzumaki Clan Head would naturally become the Village's leader - compared to Konoha's thriving Ninja Clans system, these subordinate forces in Uzushiogakure indeed found it difficult to form an independent voice.
When Uzumaki Chizawa appeared with a gentle smile, a group of Uzumaki Ninja consciously gathered behind him, many of whom were key figures within Uzushiogakure.
Most stood in the central, front positions, with a relatively balanced composition of members, including both respected clan elders and a number of younger faces.
They represented the will of the current Clan Head, Uzumaki Chihaya, leaning towards a steady and conservative attitude, advocating for maintaining and deepening the alliance with Konoha.
The conservative faction, led by Uzumaki Ashina, gathered on the right side. Uzumaki Ashina himself wore luxurious robes, his chin slightly raised, with a hint of subtle arrogance in his eyes.
He was also surrounded by supporters, including several elders with steady demeanors; although they also wore polite smiles, a sense of detachment was clearly discernible.
Another small group of people stood loosely on the outer left.
And in the shadow of the left-side pillar, a third group of people was loosely gathered.
Uzumaki Iori, known as a genius, didn't even stand at the front; she simply leaned against the pillar with her arms casually crossed, her fiery red hair fluttering in the sea breeze, her undisguised gaze fixed directly on Senju Mori.
At this moment, these three factions collectively formed a delicate tableau.
Despite their differing stances, everyone maintained the proper decorum of the Uzumaki Clan; enthusiastic applause and greetings echoed at the Village entrance, perfectly concealing the underlying currents beneath the facade of a joyful host and guests... The next day,
Senju Mori, dressed in the Hokage's ceremonial robe, walked steadily towards the central shrine of the Village, accompanied by Uzumaki Chihaya and Uzumaki Chizawa.
Uzumaki Mio, dressed in traditional Uzumaki Clan attire, quietly followed slightly behind him.
In the square in front of the shrine, clan members gathered. Uzumaki Ashina stood in the front row, his face grim, while Uzumaki Iori in the crowd stood with her arms crossed, her sharp eyes scrutinizing everything.
The ceremony proceeded as planned.
Just at the crucial moment when Uzumaki Chihaya was about to announce Chizawa as the successor, Uzumaki Ashina could no longer restrain himself, stepped forward, and declared loudly:
"Wait!"
All eyes instantly focused on him.
"Clan Head Chihaya, all clan members!"
Uzumaki Ashina's voice was impassioned.
"Our Uzumaki Clan's thousand-year legacy relies on our own powerful strength and indomitable will! Not on depending on others! Chizawa's character is weak; if he were Clan Head, wouldn't our clan forever be at Konoha's beck and call?"
The scene immediately became somewhat agitated.
Senju Mori's expression remained unchanged; he merely tilted his head slightly and said to Uzumaki Mio in a voice only those nearby could hear:
"It came as expected."
Facing Uzumaki Ashina's public challenge, the ceremony was temporarily halted, and core members moved to a side hall of the shrine for discussion.
"Lord Ashina."
Senju Mori finally spoke, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority:
"Is the indomitable will you speak of about being stuck in the past and refusing powerful allies? When the former Clan Head, Lord Uzumaki Ashina, signed the alliance with the First Hokage, Lord Senju Hashirama, did he consider it dependence?"
"As for strength..."
Senju Mori's gaze turned to Uzumaki Iori, who had been silent all this time:
"I hear your clan's genius, Uzumaki Iori, mastered the Adamantine Sealing Chains at the age of ten, her talent unmatched among her peers. May I ask, Ashina-kun, what were your achievements at her age?"
"If by your logic, is it only the most talented who are most qualified to lead a clan?"
At these words, Uzumaki Ashina's face immediately changed slightly.
Upon hearing this, Uzumaki Iori indeed looked deeply at Senju Mori, her gaze more scrutinizing than hostile.
Senju Mori continued, his tone turning profound: "Currently, in the Ninja World, war has just ceased, and undercurrents are surging."
"A lone strong person might be able to protect himself, but only by uniting with reliable allies can a clan's peace and prosperity be safeguarded. Chizawa's gentleness is precisely the most resilient bond for maintaining this precious alliance."
He stood up, the Hokage's prestige naturally emanating from him:
"I hereby, on behalf of Konoha, reiterate that any hostile action against Uzushiogakure will be considered a provocation against Konoha. Konoha's wrath will be the nightmare of all enemies."
"This is my promise and support to Chizawa, and to the entire Uzumaki Clan."