Time passed quickly, and seven days vanished in a flash.
On this day, the skies above Konoha were clear and bright, the entire village bathed in golden sunlight.
From the village gate all the way to the Hokage Building, countless flags bearing the Senju crest and the Uzumaki spiral symbol fluttered proudly in the wind.
When the warm midday sun rose to its highest point, solemn, resonant music echoed from the village entrance.
The Uzumaki clan's bridal escort had arrived.
At the head of the procession was the Uzumaki clan head, Uzumaki Chihaya, dressed in a formal white robe adorned with intricate spiral patterns. His long red hair was neatly tied back, and his expression was solemn and dignified.
His personal presence was already the strongest political statement—
This was not merely the marriage of a daughter.
It was a public demonstration of the unbreakable alliance between Uzushiogakure and Konohagakure, a powerful continuation of the millennium-long ties between the Senju and the Uzumaki.
Behind him marched two rows of red-haired Uzumaki shinobi.
Uzumaki Chisawa had also changed into the clan's deep-crimson ceremonial attire, standing near the front of the escort with genuine joy lighting his face.
At the center of the procession was a luxurious bridal palanquin.
Its frame was crafted from fine cedar, releasing a faint, soothing fragrance. The entire palanquin was coated with vermilion lacquer, decorated with exquisite Uzumaki spirals.
From the lattice windows draped strands of white gauze embroidered with gold thread, swaying gently with the breeze.
Senju Mori had long been waiting at the gates of the Hokage Building with Konoha's upper ranks. Today, he too wore formal attire—a black silk haori, embroidered on the back with the Senju crest in gold thread.
He stepped forward steadily and bowed deeply to Uzumaki Chihaya.
"Clan Head Chihaya. You have undertaken a long journey."
Even though he was to marry the man's daughter, Senju Mori addressed him with formal respect—for at this moment, he stood in the capacity of Hokage.
Uzumaki Chihaya, unsurprised, returned the bow with equal gravity. "Lord Hokage, I entrust my daughter to you from this day forward."
Uzumaki Chisawa approached with a smile, leaning close to Mori to speak softly:
"Brother Mori, the day has finally come… Everything is unfolding just as we hoped."
Senju Mori said nothing extra—he simply patted Chisawa's shoulder lightly.
...
The procession traveled through the center of Konoha and finally arrived at the Senju clan grounds, stopping before the bright vermilion Narukami Gate of the Kōga Shrine.
The towering ancient trees cast long shadows, and the atmosphere was solemn.
Senju Mori stepped forward and gently lifted the curtain separating the inside of the palanquin from the outside world.
"Rei." He extended his hand, his voice warm and steady. "We're here."
A gloved, snow-white hand rested softly in his palm. With his guidance, a beautiful red-haired woman stepped out gracefully, her movements elegant and composed.
Her name was Uzumaki Rei.
As Uzumaki Chisawa's younger sister, she was not as close to Senju Mori as Chisawa was, but this was not their first meeting.
Her features bore a striking resemblance to a young Mito. Her red hair was styled into the Uzumaki clan's traditional twin buns, with talisman charms dangling from the ends, swaying lightly as she moved.
Perhaps because of their mastery of sealing techniques, the Uzumaki clan had always been linked to ancient secrets and legends of the shinobi world—a clan shrouded in a quiet, mysterious aura.
Rei wore a pure white shiromuku, the heavy tsuno-kakushi partially concealing her waterfall-like red hair. Along the sleeves and hem, the faintly visible Uzumaki crests marked her noble lineage.
Inside the shrine, Uzumaki Mito sat at the place of honor as the wedding's official witness.
She wore a dark kimono embroidered with both the Senju and Uzumaki crests. Her posture was dignified. As the First Hokage's widow and former princess of the Uzumaki clan, her status within both clans was unparalleled.
Her existence alone served as the firmest link uniting the two great clans.
The wedding proceeded extremely smoothly, each step unfolding in accordance with the established ceremonial sequence.
In the solemn atmosphere, Senju Mori and Uzumaki Rei performed the san-san-kudo ritual—three rounds of exchanging sips from lacquered red cups. The clear sacred sake that passed their lips symbolized the intertwining of their destinies from that moment onward.
At this point, Uzumaki Mito slowly rose to offer the final invocation to the gods. Her voice was clear and powerful:
"We respectfully offer our prayers to the Sage of Six Paths, and to the spirits of the Senju and Uzumaki ancestors…"
But suddenly, a flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes, and her voice paused for the briefest moment.
Fortunately, Mito's experience was unparalleled. Her serene and dignified expression never changed as she smoothly continued the invocation, completing the ceremony perfectly.
The wedding soon came to an end, and the post-ceremony banquet was held within the spacious grounds of the Senju clan.
Konoha's leadership—its four Hokage advisors, the clan heads of the village, and many jōnin—approached to offer toasts and blessings to the couple.
Senju Mori handled everything with practiced ease.
Before long, a figure marked by the red-and-white fan crest appeared in his view.
The Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Isshin, approached with a cup in hand. He was not alone—his other hand held a small boy, around two or three years old, with calm, quiet eyes.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Lord Hokage. The entire Uchiha clan is sincerely joyful for your union. May you and your wife share a bond that lasts forever, and may Konoha prosper under your leadership…"
It seemed even the proud Uchiha were not incapable of uttering such pleasantries when the situation demanded.
"Thank you for your kind wishes, Clan Head Isshin." Senju Mori's smile was perfectly measured, though his gaze rested on the small child.
Uchiha Isshin patted the boy's head hastily and urged:
"Fugaku, greet Lord Hokage."
The small boy lifted his face. His black eyes were clear and earnest as he said, with a still-childish voice:
"Congratulations on your marriage, Lord Hokage. May you and your wife share eternal harmony."
"Fugaku… solid and steady like a mountain. An excellent name." Senju Mori praised him gently.
His tone was calm, yet perfectly loud enough for those nearby to hear.
"Clan Head Isshin, I believe Fugaku will grow into an outstanding shinobi of Konoha. When he graduates from the Academy, if neither you nor your clan object, I would be pleased to personally oversee his training."
The surroundings quieted instantly.
Uchiha Isshin's pupils constricted. After a brief moment of silence, he bowed deeply.
"Your favor honors us, Lord Hokage. The Uchiha clan… will remember this kindness."