Giving the Benihisago separately as a betrothal gift to the Uzumaki clan was, of course, not because Senju Mori had lost his mind.
No one understood better than him that the Shichiseiken, Kōkinjō, and Benihisago were a set—three Six Paths tools meant to be used together to unleash their full power.
But he understood even more clearly the unspoken rules of inter-clan marriages and the temperament of the Uzumaki clan:
They would never simply accept such a valuable gift for free.
In the end, whether they returned it as "dowry," or placed it under the keeping of his future wife, the Benihisago would eventually circle right back to Konoha—back into Senju Mori's own hands.
Just as how, although he "donated" the Benihisago and Kōkinjō to the village, did Senju Mori truly lose them?
Of course not.
Once these two Six Paths tools were classified as village treasures on par with the Forbidden Sealing Scroll, who else would ultimately keep them, if not the Hokage?
This so-called "surrendering of assets" was nothing but a carefully crafted political performance.
The items made a public detour, but real control never left Senju Mori's hands.
...
After the grand alliance celebration ended, a suffocating sense of impending storm began spreading throughout Konoha.
Those who attended returned home and quickly spread word of Kumogakure's outrageous demands and the Hokage's firm refusal.
By late afternoon, nearly the entire village understood one thing—
War is coming.
Amid this heavy atmosphere, two figures wearing jōnin flak jackets appeared at the entrance to the Senju compound, requesting an audience with Senju Mori.
One had spiky, wild hair and bold red fang-like markings on his face, exuding a feral aura—Inuzuka Dō, clan head of the Inuzuka.
The other was his opposite, wearing a high-collared coat, hood, and sunglasses, covering nearly every inch of himself—Aburame Shikan, clan head of the Aburame.
They were soon granted entry and led deep into the compound.
Unlike Hashirama and Tobirama, Senju Mori had not built a separate "Third Hokage Residence."
Even after becoming Hokage, he continued living within the Senju compound among his clan.
And because arrangements were still being made for the visiting Uzumaki, Mori hadn't yet returned to the Hokage's office—he was still nearby.
After changing into casual clothes, he received the two clan heads in the tea room.
"Shikan, Dō—it's rare to have you both here," Mori said warmly, dressed loosely and looking relaxed.
The two quickly bowed respectfully.
"Our apologies for disturbing you, Hokage-sama."
Inuzuka Dō, impatient by nature, spoke first:
"Hokage-sama, we saw everything at the celebration. Those Kumogakure bastards are too arrogant—daring to threaten Konoha with war!"
Clenching his fists, he added, voice quivering with anger:
"Not just me—even the young ones in the clan are itching to rush to the front lines and teach Kumo a lesson!"
Aburame Shikan removed his hood and solemnly echoed:
"The Aburame clan feels the same. Under Hokage-sama's command, we are ready to fight Kumogakure for the sake of the village."
When Mori first heard the two clan heads wished to see him, he already knew what they had come for.
So none of this surprised him.
"Your loyalty brings me great comfort," Mori said with a smile, gesturing for them to drink tea.
"With the enemy before us, unity is exactly what Konoha needs."
"But do not be impatient. Both the Aburame and Inuzuka are noble clans of Konoha. Your roles will naturally be arranged at the coming council…"
...
The next morning, Senju Mori went straight to the Hokage building and immediately ordered a jōnin council meeting.
One by one, the jōnin arrived—but compared to the meeting for the Hokage election, the number was noticeably smaller.
Only about ninety people attended.
This, in fact, was the normal situation.
After all, aside from those leading teams on missions, many jōnin were required to remain stationed long-term at the borders—
to the northeast against Kumogakure,
to the northwest wary of Iwagakure,
and to the southwest watching Sunagakure.
Only the southeast, though still threatened by Kirigakure, was made lighter thanks to their allied nation, the Land of Whirlpools.
That alliance spared Konoha a significant amount of manpower and resources.
This was why the Hokage election had been scheduled five days after the announcement—
to allow time for these scattered jōnin to return to the village.
...
Inside the conference room of the Hokage building, Senju Mori sat alone at the raised platform.
Below him, Hyūga Sōgo and the other four advisers sat on either side, facing the assembled jōnin with him.
"War is coming!"
Senju Mori's voice boomed through the entire hall.
"The cause of this war is already clear to all of you.
Kumogakure, shameless as ever—not only attempting to wrest the Six Paths tools from us, but even trying to extort Konoha under the guise of war!"
"A new war has become unavoidable!"
"But hear me—there are different kinds of wars!"
"Though the death of Lord Second Hokage is indeed a great loss to Konoha, compared to us, the losses sustained by Kumogakure are far more severe!"
"The Second Raikage… the Gold and Silver Brothers… their elite squadron…
Kumogakure is no longer the great power it once was!"
"Unlike the previous Great Ninja War, Kumogakure now can't even sustain a real war.
This time, they only hoped to intimidate Konoha—to carry out one of their usual acts of despicable war extortion!"
"For this battle, I will personally go to the front lines and meet Kumogakure head-on!"
"Their conspiracy will not succeed!"
Senju Mori's gaze swept across the faces of the jōnin, finally stopping on one particular man.
"Jōnin Shimura Danzō!"
"...Here."
Danzō stood expressionless, his single eye sharp and sinister as it locked onto Mori.
"In the days when Lord Second Hokage still lived, you often proclaimed yourself his most accomplished student.
You were the most enraged by his assassination.
Now that Kumogakure threatens us, this is your chance—your perfect opportunity to avenge Lord Second!"
Senju Mori's voice was calm, yet left no room for refusal.
"By my order—Jōnin Shimura Danzō, Shimura Yukio, Shimura Hayasa, Mitokado Sawa, Mitokado Ichiro, Mitokado Shimon, and Utatane Mennin, seven jōnin in total, will form a special tactical unit under my direct command!"
At these words, Danzō's already unpleasant expression darkened even further.
But Mitokado Homura and Koharu both blanched, unable to hide their panic.
—What was the meaning of this?!
Was the time for settling accounts with Sarutobi's old faction finally here?
Had their hesitation to pledge loyalty angered the new Third Hokage?
Damn it.
Damn it!
They never should have clung to their connections with Hiruzen and Danzō.
Now the fire had turned back onto them…
"Jōnin Homura. Jōnin Koharu."
Though Senju Mori's tone remained even, the two jolted as though struck by lightning.
Their bodies stiffened, trembling ever so slightly.
"And what about the two of you?"
Mori looked directly at them, his voice not loud—but each word landed like a giant boulder, crushing their hearts.
"Are you willing…
to avenge Lord Second Hokage?"