Besides the major Ninja Clans within the village, there was also an elder Ninja of special status in Konoha Village at this time, possessing immense influence that no one could ignore.
It could be said that even with the existence of the "Jonin Confidence Vote" system, if that individual was willing to clearly state their position, the side they supported would immediately gain an overwhelming advantage.
It was now the twentieth year after the establishment of Konoha Village.
For Konohagakure, the past few years had been fraught with disaster, not only experiencing a large-scale Ninja World War, but also seeing the successive deaths of the Senju brothers, the two pillars of Konohagakure.
If one were to ask who was the strongest in Konoha Village at this time?
It was neither Hiruzen Sarutobi, Senju Tobirama's most outstanding disciple, whom many considered a Hokage candidate, nor Senju Mori, the outstanding young member of the Senju Clan.
It was the widow of Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi — Uzumaki Mito, the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
As a powerful Ninja who came from the Sengoku period and helped establish Konoha with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, Uzumaki Mito was not only incredibly strong but also proficient in various Sealing Jutsu passed down by the Uzumaki Clan.
For Senju Mori, if he wanted to successfully ascend to the position of Third Hokage, Uzumaki Mito's attitude was crucial.
On the second day after returning to Konoha, Senju Mori changed into a very formal, plain kimono with the Senju Clan crest, and went to visit Uzumaki Mito.
Although Uzumaki Mito was the widow of Hashirama Senju, she did not reside in the Senju Clan's territory, but rather in the Hokage residence where Hashirama Senju once lived.
This was a circular multi-story building with white exterior walls and red eaves, considered one of the tallest in all of Konoha Village.
"Lord Mori." Upon seeing Senju Mori, the guards and servants at the entrance bowed in unison.
It was clear that Senju Mori was not visiting Uzumaki Mito for the first time, as the servants in the residence were very familiar with him, even leading him in without needing an announcement.
"Uncle Mori!"
On the first floor of the residence, as a clear call rang out, Senju Mori immediately saw Little Tsunade.
Compared to her exaggerated physique in the future, Tsunade at this time was just an unremarkable little bean.
As for her attire, it was actually quite similar to the future Anko Mitarashi; her golden hair was tied into a simple ponytail, and beneath a short red and blue outer robe was a fishnet-like undershirt.
Senju Mori had never worn such a thing, but it was said to be woven from very tough materials and could provide some simple defensive effects.
"It's Little Tsunade."
Although it was a bit strange to be called "Uncle" in his twenties, Senju Mori still showed a gentle smile:
"Time really flies, doesn't it? You've already graduated from the Academy and become a qualified Ninja."
Senju Mori was not at all surprised that Tsunade was at Uzumaki Mito's house.
In fact, it was expected.
As Tsunade's parents lived in the Land of Fire's capital year-round, after the successive deaths of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, Uzumaki Mito became one of Tsunade's few relatives in Konoha Village.
"Is Uncle Mori here to see Grandma Mito?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"Indeed, I've come to visit Lord Mito, but I've also prepared a gift for Little Tsunade."
Saying this, Senju Mori took out a small scroll from his sleeve and handed it over, smiling:
"This is a genuine Water Release Ninjutsu. If Little Tsunade can learn it beforehand, you'll surely impress your Jonin and classmates."
In fact, both the Senju Clan's treasury and Uzumaki Mito's personal Ninjutsu collection were vast.
However, for the still young Tsunade, she was naturally not yet allowed to freely browse through them.
And for the aspiring young Ninja who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy, what they most desired were all sorts of flashy Ninjutsu.
Senju Mori's gift perfectly addressed this point.
Tsunade was born in Konoha Year 13 and had only recently graduated from the Ninja Academy.
If nothing unexpected happened, Hiruzen Sarutobi would become her Jonin, along with Orochimaru and Jiraiya, after he succeeded as Hokage.
What a flawless arrangement, Clan Head Tobirama.
Not taking any Senju Clan members as his own disciples, yet arranging for Tsunade to become Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple was truly a brilliant move.
It not only limited the direct competitiveness of Senju Clan members for the Third Hokage position but also subtly appeased and won over most of the Senju Clan members for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Thinking about it carefully, if he hadn't interfered...
Even if Tobirama Senju himself died outside the village, with the support of Hiruzen Sarutobi's own political alliance, Ino–Shika–Chō, the Senju Clan, and Uzumaki Mito, these four factors...
Even if the Uchiha, Hyuga, and other small and medium-sized Ninja Clans all united, they would still be unable to shake Hiruzen Sarutobi's position as the Third Hokage, right? Soon, led by the guiding servant, Senju Mori walked slowly along the narrow corridor, quickly entering the depths of the solemn residence.
Uzumaki Mito herself was in the main room of the inner courtyard.
It was very quiet outside the main room, and a faint, clean fragrance, the scent of burning incense, permeated the air.
Senju Mori did not rush inside; instead, he first took off his shoes at the entrance, placing them neatly with the toes pointing outwards.
Then, he took a slightly damp hand towel from the female attendant beside him, carefully wiped his hands, and then returned it.
It must be said that for ancient families like the Senju and Uzumaki, which had existed for a thousand years, there was not much difference in the complexity of their etiquette compared to the nobles of the Land of Fire.
If an outsider were to visit, they would likely have to wait patiently in a side room for Uzumaki Mito's summons, but for Senju Mori, this step was directly omitted.
Just a minute later, another female attendant opened the sliding screen and softly said:
"Lord Mito asks you to come in."
Soon, Senju Mori saw Uzumaki Mito herself.
As the First Hokage's widow, Uzumaki Mito was a bit older than Tobirama Senju, around fifty years old this year, but she didn't appear particularly aged.
Her long hair still had a fiery red color, with two buns on each side, adorned with a talisman.
On top of her head, Uzumaki Mito also wore a golden crown-like headdress, resembling an open fan, adding a touch of solemnity and dignity to her overall demeanor.
Rather than a Ninja, Uzumaki Mito's attire was more like that of a shrine maiden from the Sengoku period, even wearing a red and white shrine maiden outfit.
Like the future Tsunade, Uzumaki Mito also had a purple diamond-shaped mark on her forehead.
That was the "Strength of a Hundred Seal," a Chakra Sealing Jutsu originating from the Uzumaki Clan, and also the true reason why Uzumaki Mito's appearance had not changed much from her youth.
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