Early the next morning, Masahiko stepped out of his room and headed toward the assembly hall. Deep, dark circles were carved under his eyes, giving him a distinct resemblance to a panda, yet the old man's spirits were surprisingly high. Younger clan members rushing to their morning training stole curious glances at him, but Masahiko, lost in his own thoughts, paid them no mind.
Upon reaching his destination, he realized he had arrived far too early. The hall was deserted, save for a few cleaners. The wedding procession wasn't due for another six hours, and the general clan gathering wouldn't start for at least four. As his initial excitement faded, a wave of leaden exhaustion crashed over him. Deciding he had time to spare, Masahiko sank into an armchair and was asleep in seconds.
Four hours slipped by unnoticed. The hall gradually filled with people. The elite of the Uzumaki clan had gathered here—every person present held a rank no lower than Elite Jōnin and far surpassed Masahiko in raw power. Seeing the sleeping elder, many offered only restrained, knowing smiles, long accustomed to his eccentricities.
Soon, the Clan Head and the three Elders entered. Taking their seats, the leader cleared his throat to call for silence. The hum of conversation died down. He drew a breath to begin his speech, but his gaze landed on his peacefully snoring relative. The Clan Head let out a resigned sigh and spoke loudly:
"Second Uncle, wake up. That's enough dreaming."
"Mmm..." Masahiko struggled to pry his eyelids open, putting his impressive dark circles on full display for the assembly.
Someone in the hall couldn't hold back a snort. That sound acted as the catalyst that broke the dam, and the room erupted in collective laughter. Masahiko looked around in confusion, not understanding the cause of their amusement.
"Alright, that's enough fun," the Clan Head brought the meeting back to a serious note. "The Senju delegation will arrive soon. We must receive them with dignity and send Mito off with honor."
"Precisely," the First Elder seconded. "This marriage will cement our alliance with the Senju, which is vital in this era. I ask that you treat this event with the utmost responsibility."
At that moment, the Second Elder cast a sidelong glance at Masahiko and remarked, "Clan Head, if this alliance is so critical, isn't it too risky to send only Masahiko as the escort?"
"It is of no concern," the leader replied calmly, ignoring the stinging tone. "The Senju side is providing security for the journey. Second Uncle is going solely to look after Mito and help her settle in. He will return in a month."
The Third Elder looked ready to add something, but after intercepting a stern look from the First Elder, he wisely held his tongue.
"It seems there are no further objections?" the Clan Head asked.
Masahiko feigned indifference, pretending the discussion didn't concern him, but internally he fumed: Damn it. Just because I thrashed you a couple of times when we were kids... surely you haven't nursed that grudge for forty years, Second Elder?
Suddenly, a voice rang out:
"Clan Head, please, allow me to accompany the cortège! Lady Mito's safety demands the greatest caution."
The speaker was Kureto Uzumaki. Masahiko looked at the young man with interest. In the old man's opinion, Kureto possessed a distinct "protagonist's aura." At barely twenty years old, his power already eclipsed that of most Elite Jōnin. People used to joke that he might marry Mito and become the next Clan Head, but now it seemed his luck had run dry.
"That is unnecessary, Kureto," the Head shook his head. "Trust in Second Uncle. You are strong, but matters like this require worldly experience, something the old man has in abundance."
"Hey, Nephew, you make it sound like I'm some decrepit ancient relic... Although, wait, I suppose I am," Masahiko interjected.
The tension in the room evaporated, and smiles touched the faces of those present once more. Just then, the doors flew open, and a guard rushed in:
"Clan Head, the Senju clan's wedding procession has arrived!"
"So fast? Everyone, follow me. Let us meet them!" the leader commanded.
The crowd moved toward the residence exit. Outside, the delegation was already waiting. Even a cursory glance was enough to assess their might: three peak-level Jōnin and about eight Elite Jōnin. The Senju clan fully lived up to its formidable reputation.
"Wonders never cease," Masahiko muttered under his breath. "Ninjas use sedan chairs in this world? And it's being carried by four Jōnin... I'm starting to feel embarrassed by my own mediocrity."
"What is it, Second Uncle? Did you say something?" the Clan Head turned around.
"No, no, nothing at all."
From behind the sedan chair, a young man stepped forward. Three distinctive red markings traced his cheeks and chin. It was Tobirama Senju.
"A familiar stranger... I've finally met you, Second Hokage," Masahiko mumbled again.
The Clan Head shot him a sideways glance but remained silent, used to his uncle's oddities, and addressed the guest:
"Tobirama—do you mind if I call you that? You have traveled a long way; please, come inside and have some tea."
"No need for trouble, Clan Head Uzumaki," Tobirama replied politely but curtly. "If the bride is ready, we depart immediately. We must return to the clan before nightfall to conduct the ceremony."
"Unexpectedly polite," Masahiko noted aloud, lost in his thoughts and momentarily forgetting he was surrounded by ninja with preternaturally sharp hearing.
The corner of Tobirama's mouth twitched, but he restrained himself out of respect for the elder standing before him. The First Elder of the Uzumaki, noticing the awkwardness, hastily commanded:
"Someone, invite Mito! Are her belongings packed?"
The Second Elder cut in immediately, clearly eager to take a dig at the guest or perhaps at Masahiko himself:
"Allow me, Tobirama, to introduce this man to you. This is our famous Masahiko Uzumaki. He is the one who will be accompanying Mito."
Tobirama frowned almost imperceptibly. So, it's him! the thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately objected:
"There is no need for that. We have sufficient strong fighters, myself included. The Elders need not worry about safety on the road."
"It is not a matter of doubt," the Clan Head parried gently. "I have only one daughter, and I cannot make the journey myself. Let Second Uncle accompany her. When he returns and tells me how the wedding went, I, as a father, will feel more at ease."
Tobirama wanted to ask why they couldn't send someone more presentable, but he prudently chose to remain silent.
At that moment, escorted by two kunoichi, Mito emerged. She bowed low to her father and the Elders, gave a reserved nod to Tobirama, and then stepped into the sedan chair.
"If that is settled, we depart," the Senju declared.
"Safe travels. Second Uncle, look after Mito," the Head instructed.
"Rest easy, Nephew!" Masahiko replied, flashing a cheerful grin.
"Move out!" Tobirama commanded.
The procession slowly departed from the Uzumaki clan lands.