That evening, Senju Mori returned to the Senju Clan's territory and immediately convened a new clan meeting.
He gathered all the Jonin and several elders of the Senju Clan, preparing to formally propose the idea of holding a "Clan Head Succession Ceremony" and a "Tsunade Homecoming Ceremony."
As dusk deepened, the Kouga Shrine was brightly lit.
Thick beams, like the arms of giants, held the roof of the entire building high, creating a vast space within the shrine.
On the walls, the Senju Clan crest, painted in vermilion, was so large it occupied an entire heavy wall, appearing even more vibrant under the lamplight.
The Ninja within the shrine were gathered, yet they displayed an unusual restraint and quietness.
This was because their new Clan Head, the Third Hokage of Konohagakure—Senju Mori—had already appeared at the forefront.
Senju Mori was not wearing the Hokage's ceremonial robe, but had changed into traditional family attire, sitting on a platform slightly raised above the ground.
His gaze was calm as he looked down upon everyone.
Compared to the tense confrontation at the previous clan meeting, the atmosphere of this meeting was much more peaceful.
Whether it was the young clan members still gathered around Senju Mori, or the older generation of family members composed of their parents, uncles, and other elders, everyone's face was filled with excitement.
Even the elders who had previously glared at Senju Mori and shouted angrily now displayed gentle smiles full of kindness, appearing to unconditionally support Senju Mori.
Senju Mori began to speak again; he wanted to thoroughly explain his determination and ideas to the clan members at this meeting, formally setting the tone for the family's next few decades.
"Family."
Senju Mori spoke, his voice clear and steady, filled with a convincing power:
"Family is the cornerstone of our existence in this Ninja World, our greatest shield in this cruel Ninja World, and the foundation upon which every Senju Clan member stands."
"A Village is a community of interests composed of individual families, a stronger and more reliable force, but the establishment of a Village certainly does not mean that the role of the family has disappeared."
"In this era known as 'Ninja Village,' family remains the most solid shield, the most reliable protection and reliance for every one of us clan members."
"As the Hokage of Konoha, I naturally have the responsibility and obligation to protect the Village and its villagers, but even Clan Head Hashirama and Clan Head Tobirama could not know and remember every villager and Ninja of Konoha..."
"However, family is different!"
Senju Mori's tone suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable power, "We are a whole, united more closely by blood and kinship."
"I can say with a clear conscience that every Senju Clan member is my kin, my family, my most cherished existence."
Senju Mori's gaze swept across the room, first looking at the elders seated in the front row:
"Elder Taigo, Elder Yoshimura, Elder He..."
Since Senju Mori, after becoming Hokage, had generously retained the positions of several elders within the family, these elders were naturally grateful and relieved.
Now, seeing that Senju Mori had mentioned them first, clearly showing them, these old fellows, full respect and care, their old faces smiled like blooming chrysanthemums.
Senju Mori's gaze slowly moved, meeting the eyes of several elders one by one, each person's eyes filled with respect and joy, and a hint of belated regret, as they eagerly returned Senju Mori's gaze.
Senju Mori then looked at a group of clan members a little further away, and his address became more intimate:
"Aunt Momoka, Uncle Shinmaru, Uncle Tokutai, Aunt Sachi..."
One by one, middle-aged Senju Clan members also looked towards Senju Mori, their gazes revealing not only closeness but also the satisfaction and approval of elders.
Finally, Senju Mori looked at his confidants, the younger generation of clan members.
"Tao, Genma, Yoru, Hane..."
Whenever Senju Mori's gaze focused on one of them, the young person whose name was called would stand up directly and bow cleanly.
Their faces were beaming with pride, and they looked back at Senju Mori with an almost blind adoration.
Senju Mori, with a smile, called out the names of all the clan members present.
"Now I have become the Hokage of Konoha, but at the same time, I will also formally take over as the Clan Head of the family."
"Maintaining the safety and prosperity of the family, leading the family to develop and grow, including protecting every clan member with the Senju surname, is also a mission and obligation that I will uphold throughout my life..."
In the most solemn Kouga Shrine of the Senju Clan, Senju Mori made a clear statement that shook the entire family, and he received the unreserved, fervent support and endorsement of the clan members.
In the quiet Konoha Village, shouts and cheers that pierced the sky erupted from the Kouga Shrine, almost echoing throughout the entire Senju territory.
Countless Senju Clan members who could not attend the meeting came out of their homes, curiously looking towards the shrine.
They, of course, knew that the Jonin were holding a clan meeting there.
But they found it somewhat hard to imagine why the Jonin, who usually appeared extremely steady and even quite dignified, would be so out of control this evening.
Amidst such a fervent atmosphere, Senju Mori's speech was not yet over.
At the end of the clan meeting, Senju Mori then announced that the "Clan Head Succession Ceremony" and "Tsunade's Homecoming Ceremony" would be formally held, directly causing the clan members to erupt in a second round of cheers.
This time, the cheers were even more intense.
Only about thirty Jonin were gathered in the shrine, but the sound waves they unleashed were incredibly astonishing, even disturbing several families living around the Senju Clan... And within the Kouga Shrine, the elders, eager to reconcile with him, the new Hokage of Konoha and the new Clan Head of Senju, eagerly volunteered to participate in the ceremony.
They were even willing to take on a purely ceremonial role.
Senju Mori immediately agreed.
He appointed Senju Hane as the main person in charge, allowing the elders to participate and assist in refining the etiquette and procedures, jointly preparing a grand and formal ceremony to be held three days later.
Subsequently, amidst the third round of massive cheers, this clan meeting of the Senju Clan finally officially concluded.
Dozens of Jonin from the Senju Clan filed out, hurrying towards their respective residences.
They were eager to relay the new Clan Head's solemn promises to their families and share the excitement and joy they had just received.
This was a carnival belonging to Senju.
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