The Senju compound buzzed with an unusual weight in the air, a far cry from its typical tranquility.Today, the once-comfortable surroundings felt filled with an unspoken significance.
Tsunade adjusted her collar, looking at Furukawa Itoshiki with a touch of scrutiny."Have you grown taller again? Becoming a reliable man, I see."Her voice was light, but her eyes betrayed a sharpness that made Itoshiki straighten up, even if only slightly.
Before he could react, she sighed and threw a small but impatient glance in his direction."Hurry up, Itoshiki!" she urged, voice almost too brisk."The people coming today are all elders from the branch families, so don't embarrass us."
This wasn't the Tsunade he was used to—her usual casualness was absent.Instead, she wore a light blue kimono, one that gave her a dignified appearance, and her hair was elegantly pinned up with a simple wooden hairpin bearing the Senju clan emblem.The commanding aura she exuded was unmistakable, reminding him of her lineage in ways that always made him feel a little out of place.
"I know, I know." Itoshiki waved off her worry with a lazy gesture, clearly unconcerned."It's just some members of the branch families. Does it really need to be so formal?"
Tsunade shot him a fierce glare, her expression hardening."What do you mean 'just'?" she snapped, then softened slightly."The Senju may not be as mighty as it once was, but we still have a presence that commands respect in the Land of Fire."Her tone dropped, the change so subtle it almost escaped his notice."The elders coming today... are highly respected. Their opinion matters to us. It matters very much."
He raised an eyebrow, keenly catching the nuance in her words."Important to what, exactly?" Itoshiki prodded, his voice deliberately teasing.
Her hand froze momentarily on his collar as she searched for an answer, her eyes flicking around nervously before she feigned composure."Of course, it's important for the future of the Senju clan," she said, her voice becoming firmer once she found her footing."The war has just ended. Now, it's time to rebuild, to reorganize. The clan needs to reclaim its old strength."
"Right, right," Itoshiki nodded along, an amused smile tugging at his lips."Granny Mito mentioned that Great-Grandfather always wanted to reunite the scattered branches of the clan."
Tsunade's expression tightened for a brief moment, but Itoshiki caught it before she concealed it again.He didn't comment on it, however—he understood what was unspoken.
Since his arrival in the Senju compound and the manifestation of his Wood Release, he had sensed their intentions—subtle, patient, waiting for the right moment to move him into a more prominent position within the clan.But for now, they were biding their time.
"Alright, Lady Tsunade commands," he said with an exaggerated bow, playing along."Today, I will leave a perfect impression on the elders. They won't forget me in a hurry."
Her lips twitched into a fleeting smile as she patted his shoulder with an air of satisfaction."Good. Let's head to the main hall. They should be arriving soon."
The main hall of the Senju compound had been meticulously arranged for the occasion.A solemn atmosphere permeated the air, suffocating the space in a heavy silence.
Uzumaki Mito, ever the figurehead of the clan, had excused herself due to her advanced age, leaving Tsunade to handle the gathering.To Itoshiki's surprise, he found himself seated in the place of honor—a spot that, just years ago, would've belonged to Hashirama Senju himself.Even more surprising was Tsunade herself, who sat beside him, draping a white robe—a symbol of Hashirama's authority—over his shoulders.It was a gesture that left Itoshiki with a fleeting sense of déjà vu.In that moment, it was as if he were watching Hashirama Senju and Uzumaki Mito seated together once more.
The doors creaked open, and several Senju clan members, dressed in traditional kimonos, slowly entered.They were accompanied by servants, moving with a grace that spoke of the weight of their years.The leader of this group was an elderly man with sharp, hawk-like eyes, his white hair framing a stern, imposing face.
Senju Morishige, the elder of the branch families, stepped forward, his gaze first resting on Tsunade with respectful acknowledgment before moving to Itoshiki, appraising him with an intensity that bordered on scrutiny.His eyes lingered on Itoshiki, sharp and calculating, as if assessing him for some unspoken measure.
"Lady Tsunade," Morishige said, bowing slightly but without breaking eye contact, his voice low and firm."It is an honor to be here. I trust the journey was not too taxing?"
"Elder Morishige, it is a pleasure to have you here."Tsunade rose gracefully to meet them, her posture dignified and composed."Please, take a seat."
The group settled into their places, and an oppressive silence fell over the room, heavy with the weight of old traditions and expectations.
Morishige cleared his throat, breaking the tension."Lady Tsunade, you've summoned us today. I must admit, I am curious about the purpose of this gathering."
Tsunade's smile was poised, her demeanor almost disarming."You are too formal, Elder." She smiled gently."This isn't a summons. It's just been some time since we last gathered. I thought it would be a good opportunity to reconnect, share news, and discuss matters of the clan."
The elders exchanged quiet glances, the meaning of her words not lost on them.Tsunade's invitation was a careful maneuver—one that hinted at things unspoken, yet to be revealed.
"Of course, I also wish to discuss the future development direction of our Senju clan."Tsunade paused, her gaze drifting toward Furukawa Itoshiki, who sat beside her. She introduced him with a tone of clear authority:"This is Furukawa Itoshiki.""I believe many of you have heard his name before."
A middle-aged woman, sharp-eyed and calculating, spoke up with a polite but distant smile."I have heard much about Lord Itoshiki. The tales of your abilities precede you."Her words were delivered with the smooth, practiced cadence of someone accustomed to formal exchanges."It is said that Lord Furukawa has inherited the Wood Release of the First Hokage, a rare and prestigious gift. Truly, this is a blessing for the Senju clan."
Her words were framed as a compliment, perfect in its politeness, yet Itoshiki, with his perceptive nature, caught the subtle nuance."A blessing for the Senju clan," rather than "a blessing for our clan."It was a subtle shift, yet it revealed the undercurrent of reserve—an unspoken distance between them. Despite her formal respect, this woman didn't yet view him as one of their own.
Itoshiki, sensing this, stood up with quiet composure. His posture was impeccable, tall and dignified, as his gaze met the scrutinizing eyes of the elders.He bowed neither too deeply nor too stiffly, offering a courteous yet self-assured reply."You are too kind, elders." His voice was soft but carried an unmistakable strength beneath the surface."To inherit the power of the First Hokage is a great honor for me, but also a responsibility that weighs heavily on my shoulders."
He paused, his words measured and calm."Though I may not be the most talented, I am willing to dedicate every ounce of my strength toward the revival of the Senju clan."
His words were humble, but there was a clear, undeniable confidence in them—a quiet yet firm declaration.The mention of "revival of the Senju clan" struck a chord among the branch family representatives.Their eyes flickered slightly, curiosity and interest glinting in their gazes. The importance of those words didn't go unnoticed.
Senju Morishige, the eldest among them, leaned back slightly. His gaze was sharp despite his age, and as he stroked his long white beard, a thoughtful expression crossed his face.His fingers tapped rhythmically on his knee, as if weighing the gravity of the moment.After a brief pause, he slowly raised his voice, aged but unwavering."Lord Furukawa's intentions are commendable, and this old man is deeply gratified by your words."His gaze softened for a moment, but the gravity of his next statement brought a weighty silence to the room."However, our Senju clan has been passed down for millennia, and we are governed by our own traditions, our own laws."
He looked directly at Itoshiki now, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly."The power of the First Hokage is, of course, an unparalleled honor. Yet, it is the inheritance of bloodlines that forms the very foundation of our clan."
.. your subscription is my motivation patreon Seasay