"It's been a long time, Lady Mito."
Senju Mori performed the greeting with impeccable formality and perfect manners — not even the ceremonial officers of the Fire Daimyō's court could have found the slightest fault in his conduct.
Uzumaki Mito sat formally in the place of honor. Behind her, the wall was adorned with the crests of the Uzumaki and Senju clans.
Although her face wore a faint smile, for some reason her presence carried an air of profound loneliness.
Compared to the elaborate formalities along the way, Mito herself spoke in a surprisingly gentle and easy tone:
"Ah, Mori. Come, sit."
After sitting down, Senju Mori didn't speak right away. Instead, he placed a refined wooden box before him.
Only once Mito's eyes were drawn to the box did he finally begin to speak:
"Lady Mito, some time ago I happened to acquire a set of Shino ware tea utensils.
It's but a humble gift — I hope you'll be willing to accept it."
"Shino ware, hm…" Mito's voice was calm, but her tone softened.
"How thoughtful of you. I'm surprised you still remember my fondness for such things."
Just one glance at the exquisitely crafted box told her this was no 'chance acquisition' at all, despite Mori's modest words.
Still, her mood visibly improved.
"I knew you would come," she said gently. "With Tobirama's sudden passing, I imagine your clan must be deeply unsettled."
"Yes," Mori replied with a look of genuine sorrow. "Lord Tobirama's death has left our clan in immeasurable grief and rage. Kumo's despicable actions must be answered with blood."
His emotions were full and carefully measured — the grief when mentioning Tobirama, the slight pauses in his speech, the anger and agitation when speaking of Kumogakure…
Everything in Mori's demeanor was perfectly appropriate.
And since Mito possessed no ability to read minds, there was no way for her to know what he truly thought beneath the surface.
Even the perfect Nine-Tails Jinchūriki could only vaguely sense goodwill or malice — and even Mito had not reached that level.
She simply nodded slightly and continued:
"I heard that you risked your life infiltrating the Land of Lightning to recover Tobirama's body from Kumo.
If he could see you from the afterlife, I'm sure he'd be comforted."
Hearing this, Senju Mori's expression brightened just a little, though his tone remained modest:
"It was merely an impulse at the time. I was fortunate to succeed — but it was all thanks to Chisawa's help."
Mori deliberately avoided mentioning his intended marriage alliance with the Uzumaki clan.
First, because it had not yet occurred — speaking of it too early would seem frivolous.
Second, at such a critical moment, bringing up a marriage proposal might easily make Uzumaki Mito think of it as a mere political bargain, which could instead breed resentment.
By contrast, mentioning Uzumaki Chisawa indirectly — and modestly — seemed far more sincere and believable.
As expected, Mito's expression softened further, a faint smile forming on her lips:
"So, young Chisawa was involved as well? It seems the two of you are quite close."
"Yes. In fact, a few years ago, I once…"
And so, the conversation drifted on.
...
Senju Mori remained with Uzumaki Mito for the entire afternoon.
Even in this critical time before the Hokage election, he appeared to be doing nothing more than chatting casually with an elder, never once bringing up the matter of the Hokage seat.
Mito seemed to enjoy it as well.
Having married into Konoha, she had long since been cut off from her clan and homeland, and her husband Senju Hashirama had passed away early.
By now, people like Senju Mori and Tsunade — her few remaining relatives by marriage — were among the last close kin she had left in the entire Konohagakure.
It wasn't until Senju Mori was preparing to take his leave that Uzumaki Mito finally drew back the faint smile on her face.
After letting out a long sigh, she gently said:
"Mori, I've watched you grow up since you were a child.
Saru (Hiruzen) is also a good boy.
No matter which of you becomes Hokage, you must protect Konoha with all your heart —
and treat each other with kindness, as much as you can…"
"Yes, Lady Mito. I will engrave your words upon my heart,"
Mori replied, bowing with flawless composure — though inwardly, he was elated.
He added solemnly:
"Please, take care of your health, and don't grieve too much over Lord Tobirama."
Then, guided by one of Mito's attendants, he turned and left.
Although the entire afternoon's conversation had gone by without Uzumaki Mito ever explicitly declaring her support for Senju Mori as the Third Hokage,
the implication was already clear.
After all, compared to the upstart Mori, Sarutobi Hiruzen had been Tobirama's designated successor before his death.
Under such circumstances, Mito's ambiguous neutrality — her refusal to take a clear stance — was in itself a powerful statement of support.
...
Leaving Mito's residence, Mori made his way back toward the Senju compound, his mind quietly reviewing the ninja clans of the village one by one:
"Hyūga, Inuzuka, Aburame, Hatake, Gekko…"
Even the trio collectively known as 'Ino–Shika–Chō' — the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans — might still be open to persuasion.
Yes, the Sarutobi clan did have some old ties with the Ino–Shika–Chō trio from the Warring States period,
but didn't Lord Hashirama himself personally welcome them into Konoha?
When it comes to past friendship, it's not so clear which side they're truly closer to.
And for the Ino–Shika–Chō clans — who have always been pragmatic negotiators — why wouldn't they simply sell their support to the highest bidder?
"My offer can be clan co-governance itself," Mori mused.
"While Sarutobi Hiruzen is so stingy he won't even part with a single adviser's seat to win them over."
It was time, Mori thought with a cold smile,
"…for the clans of this village to see for themselves —
who is truly generous, and who is miserly."
Of course, unlike visiting Uzumaki Mito, who was practically family,
he couldn't just walk uninvited into the homes of other clans.
Returning to his own residence, Mori headed straight for his study.
He took a stack of fine sandalwood-patterned stationery from the shelf, then began to grind ink, moisten the brush, and shape the tip carefully.
Once everything was prepared, he began to write on one of the sheets with calm precision:
"To the esteemed head of the Hyūga Clan, Lord Sōgo,
From: Senju Mori
Respectful greetings.
I wish you continued health and prosperity.
It shames me that I have been remiss in my visits;
yet in light of the recent upheavals within the village, I feel compelled to…"
His brush flew across the page, and within moments, the letter was finished.
After adding the date and imprinting the Senju clan seal at the bottom,
a formal letter of invitation was complete.
It's worth noting that, although tools like pencils already existed in this world,
formal correspondence among ninja was still written with brush and ink —
a lingering custom from the Warring States era.
When the ink had dried slightly, Mori called for Senju Hane,
ordering him to seal the letter carefully and deliver it personally to the Hyūga clan.
Senju Hane was twenty-eight — a few years older than Mori —
an elite among the jōnin, and one of Mori's most trusted right-hand men.
The public opinion campaign that had previously targeted Sarutobi Hiruzen and his allies
had, in fact, been planned and executed under his direction.
Choosing who delivered such a letter was a matter of great importance —
for the messenger symbolized the sender himself.
Thus, sending Senju Hane was the perfect choice.