The elder who came with Uzumaki Chizawa was named Uzumaki Izuru, an older generation Ninja who was active during the Sengoku period.
Although he was nearing sixty, his eyes were still sharp and bright, without a hint of turbidity.
As a high-ranking member of the clan, Uzumaki Izuru naturally knew about the new Hokage's impending marriage alliance with the Uzumaki Clan.
As soon as they met, his gaze fell upon Senju Mori, scrutinizing him closely, even examining him thoroughly from head to toe.
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The young man before him had long, black hair, a high nose bridge, and facial contours that bore a subtle resemblance to the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, inheriting the heroic and handsome features characteristic of the Senju Clan.
However, the expression in his brows lacked the broad-minded gentleness of Hashirama-sama; instead, it exuded a colder, more resolute aura, his eyes like a deep, cold pool, calm yet possessing a natural, awe-inspiring presence.
Upon closer inspection, he actually bore a greater resemblance to the Second Hokage, Tobirama-sama.
Looking at Senju Mori's Hokage attire, and the fiery red characters 'Third Hokage' on his back, the Uzumaki elder finally couldn't help but laugh with satisfaction:
"Hahahaha—Good! Good! Hokage-sama is truly heroic and dignified, making this old man recall Hashirama-sama from back then, who also possessed such extraordinary bearing, truly captivating!"
"This marriage alliance is truly a blessing for our Uzumaki Clan!"
Senju Mori's lips curved slightly into a smile, and he slowly said:
"Elder Izuru, you flatter me. Mori also wishes to emulate the First Hokage and Mito-sama, and thereby continue the millennium-long alliance between Senju and Uzumaki, bringing our two clans even closer."
"Haha—Exactly! Exactly!"
Uzumaki Izuru burst into hearty laughter, while Senju Mori took the opportunity to make a welcoming gesture, leading the Uzumaki clansmen towards the main gate of Konohagakure.
Just then, Uzumaki Chizawa suddenly quickened his pace, placed a hand on Senju Mori's shoulder, and whispered:
"Mori, I've brought everything you asked for. As for Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and that one's corpses, they've all been completely sealed with specialized Sealing Jutsu and should be preserved for a long time..."
Senju Mori was not surprised by this, nodding with a smile, and continued to walk forward with large strides... The Village gates stood majestically at the end of the road, the thick wooden doors over ten meters high, constructed from massive timbers and metal inlays, making the many figures below appear extremely small.
Above the gate, a stone plaque was hung.
On the left and right of the plaque were the characters 'Ninja,' while the center featured the classic spiral leaf pattern, representing Konoha, and surprisingly bearing a strong resemblance to the Uzumaki Clan's crest.
Of course, as an alliance that had existed since Konohagakure's founding, the Uzumaki Clan and Konoha had deep roots, and the traces left in Konoha Village were far more than just this.
Looking around, every Konoha Chunin or Jonin's uniform had a red Uzumaki mark on the back and the outer side of both arms, identical to the pattern on the foreheads of the Ninja from Village Hidden in the Whirlpools.
Facing such a high-level delegation from the Uzumaki Clan, consisting of the clan head's son, a seasoned elder, and six Jonin, Konoha naturally prepared a rather grand welcoming ceremony.
Below the Konoha gates, the four Hokage Advisors—Senju Touka, Hyuga Sogo, Nara Shikatsune, and Hiruzen Sarutobi—were all present, and many of the Village's Jonin also appeared in the welcoming party.
This was an official visit between two nations and two allied Ninja Villages, and Konoha had to give it the highest level of importance.
After the grand welcoming ceremony, Senju Mori and Uzumaki Chizawa entered the Village together, walking side by side.
The two of them led a group of Konoha's high-ranking officials and the Uzumaki delegation, specifically passing through Konoha's most bustling main thoroughfare, showcasing the entire entourage to the people lining the streets.
Countless Konoha villagers, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but stop and gather, whispering and discussing among themselves.
They were unaware of the personal friendship between Uzumaki Chizawa and Senju Mori.
To the villagers, their Village's Hokage had just taken office, and an allied nation had dispatched such a high-level visiting delegation, clearly demonstrating their support and close relationship.
Finally, the procession arrived at the plaza in front of the Hokage Building, which had been meticulously prepared in advance and was about to host the "Konoha-Uzushiogakure Alliance 20th Anniversary Celebration."
This venue was backed by the Hokage Building, with the rock faces of the First Hokage and Second Hokage directly above.
Looking forward, one could see the bustling street they had just traversed, now packed with a dense crowd of Konoha Village villagers who had come to join the festivities.
Villagers loved celebrations; whenever one was held, they rejoiced as if it were a festival.
Senju Mori entered first, pulling Uzumaki Chizawa to sit on a raised platform to one side, with the four Advisors following closely behind them.
Just as everyone was seated in the venue and the grand celebration was about to begin, a figure suddenly appeared—Senju Genma, wearing an Anbu uniform and a fox-faced mask adorned with simple flame patterns, knelt on one knee beside Senju Mori.
"Hokage-sama, news just arrived..."
Senju Genma lowered his voice, whispering. Due to the occasion and his Anbu status, he specifically used the more formal address of "Hokage-sama."
Listening to Genma's report, Senju Mori's expression couldn't help but become a little strange, then a hint of amusement flickered across it.
What no one could have expected was that on this day, the delegation visiting Konoha was not just from Village Hidden in the Whirlpools; a delegation from Kumogakure also arrived at Konoha at almost the same time.
After a brief contemplation, Senju Mori smiled slightly:
"It's a celebration, allied friends have traveled a long way, and all of Konoha is gathered here. Isn't this a rare opportunity?"
Senju Mori did not intentionally lower his voice; his tone was steady, his demeanor composed, and his words clearly reached the ears of Uzumaki Chizawa and the Advisors beside him.
"Go invite the Kumogakure envoys to join us. Let them... also share in the joy of this celebration."
"Yes!" Senju Genma bowed his head in acknowledgment and vanished in a Shunshin.
Once he disappeared, Senju Mori's expression subtly changed, and he looked around, stating solemnly:
"The Kumogakure envoys have come at a good time. It's also time for an explanation regarding the Second Hokage's matter."
"Hokage-sama, are you perhaps planning to... against Kumogakure...?" Nara Shikatsune raised an eyebrow, unable to resist asking.
Senju Mori, however, merely shook his head gently and said, "No need to rush. Let's first see Kumogakure's attitude, then make our plans."
Saying this, he casually patted an object beside him.
Nara Shikatsune and the others then noticed that a giant scroll had, at some point, been placed by Senju Mori's chair. It looked quite heavy and subtly exuded an extraordinary aura.