The elder who accompanied Uzumaki Chisawa was named Uzumaki Iro, a veteran shinobi who had once been active during the Warring States period.
Though now nearly sixty years old, his sharp, penetrating eyes showed no sign of dullness.
As a senior member of the Uzumaki clan, Iro was, of course, well aware of the upcoming political marriage between the newly appointed Hokage and the Uzumaki clan.
The moment they met, his keen gaze fell upon Senju Mori, studying him closely — even giving him an unabashed up-and-down appraisal.
The young man before him had long, black hair, a proud nose, and facial contours faintly reminiscent of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama — bearing that same heroic and dignified aura so characteristic of the Senju bloodline.
However, unlike Hashirama's gentle and kind demeanor, Mori's features carried a colder sharpness. His eyes were like still pools in a deep valley — calm and unshaken, yet exuding an unmistakable, commanding power.
Looking closer, he actually resembled Lord Tobirama, the Second Hokage, even more.
When Iro's gaze drifted to Mori's Hokage robes and the bold red characters on his back reading "Third Hokage," the old Uzumaki couldn't hold back a booming laugh of satisfaction.
"Hahaha! Excellent! Excellent! Lord Hokage truly cuts an imposing figure — proud and noble in bearing! You remind this old man so much of Lord Hashirama in his prime — such charisma could make anyone bow in admiration!"
"This marriage alliance is a great blessing for our Uzumaki clan!"
Mori's lips curved upward into a modest smile as he replied gently:
"Elder Iro flatters me. I simply wish to follow in the footsteps of Lord Hashirama and Lady Mito — to renew the thousand-year bond between Senju and Uzumaki, and draw our clans ever closer."
"Haha! Indeed, indeed!"
Iro laughed heartily once again. Taking advantage of the cheerful atmosphere, Mori gestured politely, leading the Uzumaki delegation toward the main gates of Konohagakure.
At that moment, Chisawa quickened his pace, placing a hand on Mori's shoulder and lowering his voice.
"Mori, I've brought everything you asked for. As for the corpses of Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and that other one — they've all been completely sealed with a special technique. They should keep for a long time…"
Mori wasn't the least bit surprised. He smiled, nodded, and continued walking forward without breaking stride.
...
At the end of the road stood the great wooden gates of Konoha Village, towering over ten meters high. The massive doors, forged of interlocking timber and metal, made the figures below seem minuscule by comparison.
Above the gate hung a stone plaque — inscribed on both sides with the character "忍" (nin, meaning "ninja"), and in the center, a spiral leaf emblem — the symbol of Konoha. Interestingly, the spiral motif closely resembled the crest of the Uzumaki clan.
This was no coincidence. Since Konoha's founding, the Uzumaki had been one of its earliest and most steadfast allies, and traces of their influence could be seen throughout the village.
Every chūnin and jōnin of Konoha bore the red spiral mark on their uniforms — on the back and on their upper arms — identical to the symbol engraved on the Uzushiogakure forehead protectors.
Given that this visiting delegation included the Uzumaki clan head's son, a senior elder, and six elite jōnin, Konoha had naturally prepared an elaborate welcome ceremony.
Beneath the village gates stood Senju Tōka, Hyūga Sōgo, Nara Shikatsune, and Sarutobi Hiruzen — the four senior advisors to the Hokage. Many of the village's top jōnin had also gathered to receive the guests.
This was a formal diplomatic event between two allied nations and their respective ninja villages, and Konoha treated it with the utmost importance.
After the grand welcoming ceremony concluded, Senju Mori and Uzumaki Chisawa entered the village side by side, walking shoulder to shoulder beneath the broad Konoha archway.
The two — Senju Mori and Uzumaki Chisawa — led the Konoha leadership and the Uzumaki delegation down the village's most bustling main street, deliberately parading the entire envoy before the watching crowds.
Countless Konoha villagers stopped in their tracks to watch, whispering excitedly to one another.
They knew nothing of Chisawa's personal friendship with Mori.
To the villagers, it was simple: their newly appointed Hokage had only just taken office, and already an allied nation had sent a high-ranking diplomatic mission of this scale. The show of support and goodwill was obvious to all.
Eventually, the procession arrived at the square in front of the Hokage Tower — a space that had been meticulously prepared in advance for the upcoming "20th Anniversary of the Konoha–Uzu Alliance" celebration.
Behind the plaza loomed the Hokage Tower itself, and above it, the carved faces of the First and Second Hokage gazed down solemnly from the mountainside.
Looking out from the plaza, one could see the bustling main street they had just passed through — now completely packed with people. The villagers had crowded every inch of it, eager to join in the festive excitement.
The people of Konoha loved celebrations; whenever one was held, the village came alive as though it were a grand festival.
Senju Mori entered the plaza first, taking Chisawa by the arm and leading him to sit beside him on the raised platform, with the four senior advisors following closely behind.
As everyone took their seats and the ceremony was about to begin, a figure suddenly appeared — a masked man wearing the standard ANBU uniform, the fox mask marked with stylized flame patterns.
He dropped to one knee beside Mori. It was Senju Genma.
"Lord Hokage, a report just came in…"
His voice was low and formal — the kind of tone used only in the presence of the Hokage, especially when speaking as an ANBU operative.
As Mori listened to Genma's whisper, his expression shifted — first surprised, then tinged with faint amusement.
Who could have expected that on this very day, it wasn't only the Uzu delegation that had come to Konoha — but also a delegation from Kumogakure, arriving almost at the exact same time?
After a moment's thought, Mori's lips curved into a calm smile.
"How fitting. During such a celebration, with our allies gathered from afar and the whole of Konoha assembled — what better opportunity could there be?"
He did not bother to lower his voice. His tone was composed and even, his words carrying clearly to Chisawa and the four advisors nearby.
"Invite the Kumogakure envoys to join us. Let them share in the joy of this festival."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Genma bowed and vanished in an instant.
Once he was gone, Mori's expression turned more serious. He glanced around at his advisors and said solemnly:
"The arrival of Kumo envoys is timely. It's about time we gave them an answer regarding the matter of the Second Hokage."
"Lord Hokage… you don't mean to—" began Nara Shikatsune, raising an eyebrow in concern.
Mori only shook his head lightly. "There's no need to rush. Let's first see what kind of attitude they bring with them — then we'll decide our next step."
As he said this, he casually rested his hand on something beside his seat.
Only then did Shikatsune and the others notice it — a huge scroll, standing upright beside Mori's chair. It was heavy and imposing, radiating an unmistakable sense of power.