"It's been a long time, Lady Mito."
Senju Mori maintained perfect etiquette and a respectful attitude throughout, so much so that even if an official from the Land of Fire's daimyo had come, they wouldn't have found a single flaw.
Uzumaki Mito sat kneeling in the main seat, the wall behind her adorned with the family crests of the Uzumaki and Senju Clans. Though she maintained a smile, her figure somehow appeared exceptionally lonely.
Compared to the rather cumbersome process of getting there, Uzumaki Mito herself didn't seem particularly strict. Instead, she spoke in a very amiable tone:
"It's Mori. Come and sit."
After taking his seat, Senju Mori didn't immediately speak. Instead, he moved an elegant wooden box from his side to in front of him.
Only when Uzumaki Mito's gaze was drawn to this gift did he finally speak:
"Lady Mito, a few days ago, I coincidentally acquired a set of 'Shino-ware' tea utensils. It's a small token, but I hope you'll accept it."
"Shino-ware... You're thoughtful. It's rare that you still remember this little hobby of mine."
Uzumaki Mito's voice was steady. With just a glance at the exquisitely crafted box, she knew this gift was definitely not "coincidentally acquired" as Senju Mori claimed.
However, her mood clearly improved significantly.
"I knew you would come. Tobirama's sudden death has left the clansmen quite unsettled, hasn't it?"
"Yes, Lord Tobirama's matter... The clansmen are filled with immense grief and anger. Kumogakure's despicable actions must be repaid with blood."
Mori's emotions were rich and full. The sadness he showed when mentioning Senju Tobirama, the slight pause in his words, the anger and excitement when speaking of Kumogakure... all of Senju Mori's expressions were reasonable. Uzumaki Mito, lacking the ability to read minds, naturally couldn't know his true inner thoughts.
Even a perfect Jinchuriki could only vaguely sense goodwill and malice, and she hadn't even reached that level.
Uzumaki Mito simply nodded slightly, then continued:
"I heard that you risked your life to infiltrate the Land of Lightning and retrieve Tobirama's body from the Cloud Hidden Ninjas. If he knew, he would surely be very pleased."
Hearing Uzumaki Mito mention this, Senju Mori's expression immediately brightened with a hint of excitement, though he uncharacteristically spoke with humility:
"That was just an impulsive act. Although I was fortunate enough to succeed, I also owe much to Chizawa's help."
Senju Mori did not mention his intention to form a marriage alliance with the Uzumaki Clan.
Firstly, it hadn't happened yet, and mentioning it too early would seem frivolous. Secondly, at such a critical moment, mentioning a marriage alliance could easily be misunderstood by Uzumaki Mito as a purely transactional exchange of interests, which would lead to her disliking him.
In contrast, subtly mentioning Uzumaki Chizawa made it seem more genuine and sincere.
As expected, Uzumaki Mito couldn't help but smile upon hearing this:
"So that child Chizawa was also involved? It seems your relationship is quite good."
"In my younger years, I also once..."
...Senju Mori stayed with Uzumaki Mito for an entire afternoon.
At this critical moment before the Hokage election, Senju Mori seemed genuinely to be visiting an elder for casual conversation, never once discussing the matter of the Hokage position.
Uzumaki Mito also seemed to enjoy it.
Marrying into Konoha forced her to be far from her original family and clansmen, and her husband, Senju Hashirama, had died early.
By now, Senju clansmen close to her, like Senju Mori and Tsunade, had become some of the few close people she had in Konohagakure.
It wasn't until Senju Mori was about to leave that Uzumaki Mito finally reined in the smile on her face, sighed, and then admonished him:
"Mori, I watched you grow up. Hiruzen is also a good child. Whichever of you becomes Hokage, you must protect Konoha and treat each other as kindly as possible..."
"Yes, Lady Mito, I will engrave your words in my heart."
Senju Mori was overjoyed, but on the surface, he rose and bowed meticulously, saying:
"Please prioritize your health and do not grieve too much over Lord Tobirama's passing."
He then turned and left, guided by a female attendant.
Although after an afternoon of conversation, Uzumaki Mito had not explicitly stated her support for Senju Mori to become the Third Hokage.
But it's important to remember that compared to the up-and-coming Senju Mori, Hiruzen Sarutobi was Senju Tobirama's designated successor for the Third Hokage during his lifetime.
In such circumstances, Uzumaki Mito's ambiguous attitude and lack of explicit statement was in itself the greatest statement and support...
After leaving Uzumaki Mito's residence, Senju Mori walked back towards the Senju Clan territory, his mind pondering the various Ninja Clans in the Village, big and small.
The Hyuga, Inuzuka, Aburame, Hatake, Gekko... even the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Tri-Clan, often referred to as "Ino–Shika–Chō," might not be impossible to win over.
Your Sarutobi Clan certainly had some ties with the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio during the Sengoku period, but didn't my Senju Clan's leader, Hashirama, also accept Ino–Shika–Chō into Konoha?
When it comes to past friendships, it's really hard to say whose runs deeper.
For Ino–Shika–Chō, they're just waiting for the best offer, so why not sell themselves for a good price?
My maximum offer can even reach Ninja Clans co-governance, yet Hiruzen Sarutobi hides and hoards even an Advisor position, unwilling to use it to win people's hearts.
It's time to let the big and small Ninja Clans in the Village see clearly who is more stingy and who is more generous...
Of course, compared to visiting Uzumaki Mito, who was almost like a family member, visiting other families couldn't be done directly.
After returning to his own residence, Senju Mori plunged into his study.
He first took a stack of high-quality sandalwood paper with a dark pattern from the bookshelf behind him, then proceeded to grind ink, moisten the brush, and adjust the tip... Once everything was ready, he unhurriedly wrote on one of the sandalwood papers:
"To Excellency So-go, Head of the Hyuga Clan, under your esteemed gaze,
Senju Mori
Respectfully submits,
Wishing your esteemed health daily improvement.
My apologies for neglecting to inquire after you lately. Now, with the sudden changes in the Village, at this time..."
Senju Mori wrote quickly, finishing the few sentences in no time. As he wrote the date and stamped the Senju Clan's family crest at the end, a formal calling card was complete.
It's worth noting that although writing tools like pencils already existed in this world, Ninjas still had the habit of using calligraphy brushes in more formal settings.
Perhaps it was a lingering custom from the Sengoku period.
Once the ink was slightly dry, Senju Mori called for Senju Hane, instructing him to seal the calling card and personally deliver it to the Hyuga Clan.
Senju Hane was twenty-eight this year, a few years older than Senju Mori, and was undoubtedly an elite among the Jonin, and one of Senju Mori's most trusted right-hand men.
The previous public attacks against Hiruzen Sarutobi and others were personally directed and executed by him.
The choice of who delivered the calling card was very important, as that person would, to some extent, represent Senju Mori himself. Choosing Senju Hane for this role was perfectly suitable.
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