That evening, Senju Mori returned to the Senju Clan compound and immediately convened a new clan meeting.
He summoned all the jonin of the clan, along with several elders, to formally propose two matters — the Clan Head Succession Ceremony and Tsunade's Return-to-the-Clan Ceremony.
As dusk deepened, the Kōga Shrine within the Senju compound glowed brightly with lantern light.
Massive wooden beams rose like the arms of giants, supporting the high roof and creating an expansive, solemn space within.
On the wall behind the altar, painted in vermilion, was the enormous Senju clan crest — so large it covered the entire wall. Under the glow of the lanterns, it seemed to shine even brighter, almost alive.
The shinobi of the clan gathered in silence, an air of restraint and solemnity filling the room.
For before them stood their new clan head — the Third Hokage of Konohagakure, Senju Mori.
Mori was not dressed in the Hokage's ceremonial robes. Instead, he wore the traditional garments of the Senju, seated upright upon a slightly elevated wooden platform.
His expression was calm, his eyes steady as they swept over the gathered clan members.
Compared to the previous clan meeting, which had been fraught with tension and sharp opposition, this time the atmosphere was much calmer — even warm.
Both the younger generation, who had long admired Mori, and the older generation — the parents and uncles who once doubted him — now showed faces full of pride and excitement.
Even the few elders who had previously glared at him and rebuked him harshly were now smiling kindly, their old faces softened with warmth, as if to declare their unconditional support for their new clan head.
Mori rose to speak once again.
In this meeting, he intended to make his convictions and intentions absolutely clear — to set the tone for the Senju Clan's path for decades to come.
"The Clan."
Mori's voice was calm yet resonant, carrying a strength that compelled belief.
"The Clan is the foundation upon which we survive in this shinobi world.
It is our greatest shield in this cruel world of shinobi,
and the very root of every Senju's identity."
"The village is a union of clans— a community bound by shared interests.
It is a greater, stronger force.
But the founding of a village does not mean that the importance of the clan disappears."
"Even in this new age of 'Hidden Villages,' the clan remains each person's firmest shield,
the most reliable source of protection and belonging."
"As the Hokage of Konoha, I bear the duty and obligation to protect the village and its people.
Yet even Clan Head Hashirama and Clan Head Tobirama could not possibly know every villager or every shinobi by name…"
"But the clan is different!"
Mori's voice suddenly rose, filled with commanding power.
"We are bound together by blood and kinship —
a whole that is united more tightly than any political alliance!"
"And I can say this with a clear conscience —
every single member of the Senju Clan is my relative, my family,
someone I treasure above all else."
Mori's gaze swept over the hall before settling on the elders seated in the front row.
"Elder Taigo, Elder Yoshimura, Elder Kaga…"
Since becoming Hokage, Mori had generously chosen to retain these elders in their honorary positions within the clan — an act that filled them with gratitude and relief.
Now, hearing their names called first, they felt deeply respected and cherished.
Their aged faces broke into wide smiles — as radiant as blooming chrysanthemums.
Senju Mori's gaze moved slowly across the hall, meeting the eyes of each elder one by one.
In every face he saw respect, joy, and even a flicker of regret for their earlier doubts.
The elders hurriedly returned his look, bowing slightly in acknowledgment.
Then Mori turned his eyes to a group of middle-aged clan members sitting a bit farther back, his tone softening and becoming more intimate:
"Aunt Tōka, Uncle Shinmaru, Uncle Tokutai, Aunt Sachi…"
One by one, those he named looked up at him, their eyes filled not only with affection but also with the gentle pride and approval of elders watching the younger generation rise.
Finally, Mori's gaze settled on his closest followers — the younger generation of the Senju clan.
"Tao, Genma, Yoru, Hane…"
Each time his eyes rested on one of them, the person whose name he called would stand at once, bow neatly, and salute.
Their faces glowed with pride, and in their eyes shone a light of almost blind devotion toward Senju Mori.
With a faint smile, Mori continued until he had spoken the name of every clan member present.
"Today, I already serve as the Hokage of Konoha," he declared solemnly,
"but at the same time, I will formally assume the position of Head of the Senju Clan."
"To safeguard the clan's security and prosperity,
to lead our clan toward growth and strength,
to protect every person who bears the name Senju —
these are my lifelong mission and duty."
Within the sacred Kōga Shrine, the most solemn place of the Senju Clan, Mori's declaration shook the entire clan to its core.
The gathered clansmen erupted into wild cheers, their support now unreserved and absolute.
Through the tranquil night of Konoha, the cheers and shouts from the shrine split the air, echoing across the entire Senju compound.
Many Senju who had not been invited to the meeting stepped out of their homes, looking curiously toward the shrine.
They knew, of course, that the jonin were holding a clan meeting there —
but they could hardly imagine why those usually composed, dignified high-ranking shinobi were shouting like this at dusk, their self-control utterly gone.
Yet the enthusiasm inside the shrine only grew stronger.
Mori's speech was not yet over.
At the end of the meeting, he formally announced the coming Clan Head Succession Ceremony and Tsunade's Return-to-Clan Ceremony,
instantly setting off a second wave of cheers from the crowd.
This time, the cheering was even louder.
Though there were only about thirty jonin inside the shrine, their united voices thundered through the compound, so loud that even the nearby clans of Konoha heard the commotion.
Inside the shrine, the elders — eager to mend relations with Konoha's new Hokage and the Senju's new clan head — all volunteered to take part in the ceremony,
even if only in ceremonial or symbolic roles.
Mori agreed immediately.
He appointed Senju Hane as the chief organizer, assigning the elders to assist in refining the rituals and procedures.
Together, they would prepare a grand and formal ceremony to be held three days later.
Finally, as the third great cheer thundered through the Kōga Shrine,
the Senju Clan's second meeting came to a close.
Dozens of Senju jonin filed out into the night, hurrying back toward their homes —
eager to tell their families of their new clan head's solemn vows,
and to share the excitement and joy that still burned in their chests.
That night belonged entirely to the Senju —
a night of pure celebration.