The Konoha main gate gleamed under early sunlight as Senju Moriki sat waiting, tapping his knee restlessly the moment his subordinate approached.
"Clan Head Moriki, the Daimyō's envoy will arrive soon."
"So slow," Moriki grumbled, adjusting his robes with exaggerated impatience. "Even when they come to visit, they drag their feet…"
The shinobi beside him wisely stayed silent.
"Prepare to receive them. And make sure the villagers don't cause a disturbance."
Once his irritation faded enough, Moriki stepped into the center of Konoha's wide gate and watched the slowly approaching caravan. Travelers and merchants—both inbound and outbound—waited in forced quiet, anxious to move but not daring to complain.
At last, the carriage stopped. Curtains lifted.
"Good day to you, Prince Kazuhiko.
Good day, Princess Kaori."
Ignoring attendants and guards, Moriki immediately brightened at the sight of the Daimyō's heir and the veiled girl beside him. His tone was warm—almost too warm. In the Land of Fire, the Hokage and Daimyō were both absolute powers; Moriki naturally felt kinship toward the noble siblings.
"It's our first time visiting Konohagakure. Please guide us well, Lord Moriki," the prince said with polite ease.
Minamoto Kazuhiko stepped down from the carriage with a court-trained smile—gentle, refined, calculated. The Daimyō had personally instructed him not to be careless: this mission was critical for the Fire Country's stability.
Kazuhiko knew his younger brothers watched him like vultures.
"Being able to see the village built by Lord Hashirama and Lord Tobirama… my sister and I are honored."
"I promise, you won't be disappointed," Moriki puffed up, thrilled by the flattery.
He eagerly led them through Konoha's main street, proudly pointing out landmarks—especially the Hokage Rock. Nothing delighted Moriki more than the stone faces of Hashirama and Tobirama carved into the mountain.
After settling the envoy at Konoha's Embassy, Kazuhiko continued his careful conversation, maintaining his charming, "spring breeze" smile.
"Brother Moriki, Konoha seems to flourish greatly under the Senju clan's leadership."
Moriki glowed at being called "brother."
But then Kazuhiko sighed lightly.
"It is truly tragic Lord Tobirama was slain by the traitors of the Land of Lightning… If he were still here, Konoha would surely rise even higher."
Moriki stiffened. At Mito's warnings ringing in his mind, he forced himself to change the subject quickly.
"Uncle Tobirama may have fallen, but the Forest Senju remain strong. Konoha will continue to prosper under us."
Kazuhiko tilted his head innocently.
"Oh? Does that mean the next Hokage will be you, Brother Moriki?"
Moriki shook his head.
"My mother will become the Third Hokage."
But then he straightened with pride:
"As for the Fourth Hokage—that will be me."
A flash of envy flickered in Kazuhiko's eyes. Moriki certainly had the pedigree… but the Hokage was no hereditary title.
Feigning surprise, Kazuhiko asked:
"Lady Mito as Hokage… that is unexpected. Though I heard the Uchiha—"
"The Hokage position has nothing to do with the Uchiha!"
Kazuhiko fell silent at the sharp interruption.
Inside, he cursed.
He was the Daimyō's heir—who dared to bark at him like that?
But he swallowed it.
For now.
He had a mission to complete, and the Daimyō's warning haunted him:
"Succeed, or step aside."
"Ah. My apologies, Brother Moriki," Kazuhiko said smoothly. "When can we greet Lady Mito?"
"Mother is visiting wounded shinobi today. You'll meet her tomorrow."
Moriki felt a twinge of guilt for snapping—but quickly brushed it aside. They were "brothers" now, after all.
Kazuhiko then asked:
"Will Lady Mito attend tonight's welcoming banquet?"
If Moriki were sharp, he would have noticed the prince's deliberate tone. Instead, Moriki enthusiastically declared:
"Of course! I'll invite her personally. Princess Kaori wishes to meet her, yes?"
Kazuhiko bowed slightly.
"My sister admires Lady Mito deeply. She pleaded that I ensure she can meet her as soon as possible."
Moriki thumped his chest proudly.
"Leave it to me, Brother Kazuhiko!"
Kazuhiko's expression softened outwardly—
—but inwardly sneered.
This man… would be devoured alive in the Daimyō's court.
Meanwhile, back at the Senju compound…
Moriki headed home with a light bounce in his steps.
He needed to retrieve the Super God-Strength Pill—his treasured tool to sabotage Uchiha Soren. But halfway home, he ran into his wife.
Uzumaki Minako—also known as Senju Minako—stood in a soft-colored kimono. Tall, slender, with long red hair tied into a loose side ponytail resting against her full chest, she looked like a gentle spring portrait.
"Moriki…kun."
Her voice was soft as a breeze—
—but Moriki brushed past her without a glance.
He despised the wife Mito had chosen for him.
He hated her calm eyes.
Her quiet grace.
Her unhurried patience.
Every time he looked at her, he felt like a turtle running in circles—straining with everything he had, yet always falling short.
That helpless inferiority festered into resentment.
Minako watched him walk away, her gentle eyes dimming.
She bit her lip.
Ever since she gave birth to Tsunade, Moriki had grown colder with every passing year. But she still didn't understand why.
"Moriki-kun… Minako feels so lonely…"
The warm southern wind lifted her bangs, revealing the shadow of sorrow softening her face.
Then she made a decision.
She would follow him today—
and find out exactly what he was hiding.
If he was having an affair…
Uzumaki Minako said nothing aloud.
But her silence trembled with unspoken heartbreak.
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