As the wedding day drew nearer, the Senju compound buzzed with excitement, brimming with a sense of festivity and purpose. Red silk banners fluttered alongside the proud Senju clan emblem, adorning the ancient grounds with their vibrancy. Yet, amidst the whirlwind of preparations, Itoshiki had not forgotten another pressing matter: visiting the Uchiha clan.
He knew, deep down, that unlike the gradual approach needed with the Hyuga, winning the Uchiha's trust required more. It wasn't just about political maneuvering or the prestige brought by his marriage. For the Uchiha, it was something far more elemental: power. Absolute power.
Tsunade paused from her task of sorting the wedding invitations, her gaze resting on Itoshiki. Her expression was tinged with concern, a subtle furrow in her brow."Do you really have to go?"She hesitated, her voice lined with worry. "Those Uchiha... They practically have eyes on the back of their heads." She gave a small sigh. "And given the history between the Senju and the Uchiha, I'm afraid they might try to make things difficult for you."
Itoshiki picked up the invitation to the Uchiha clan, his tone unwavering, yet calm."It's precisely because of this that I must go," he said, a determined edge in his voice. "If the Senju are to truly revive, we can't avoid the Uchiha. We can't just wait for them to come to us. It's time to step into their territory and make things clear. Face to face."His eyes softened as they met Tsunade's. A slight, confident smile tugged at his lips."Don't worry, Tsunade. I'm not going there to argue. I'm delivering the invitation and making connections... emotionally," he emphasized the word with a playful glint in his eyes.
Tsunade couldn't suppress a weary sigh. She shook her head, though there was a faint smile on her lips."Alright, I'll go with you. Wouldn't want you to be dazzled by those Sharingan eyes and end up needing rescue."Itoshiki smiled, taking her hand naturally, feeling the warmth of her confidence bolster his own."With you by my side, Tsunade, I'm even more confident."
After a brief preparation, the two of them set off, hand in hand, toward the Uchiha clan grounds.
The Uchiha clan grounds were starkly different from the austere and rigid Hyuga clan grounds. Where the Hyuga exuded a distant coldness, the Uchiha grounds were dominated by an overwhelming sense of pride and arrogance.
The ancient architecture was striking, its bold, flamboyant lines on full display—a clear testament to the confidence that coursed through the Uchiha's blood. The patrolling members of the Uchiha Military Police Force moved with cold precision, their expressions hard, their clan emblem a silent declaration of inviolable power.
As Itoshiki and Tsunade crossed the boundary into the Uchiha grounds, an almost immediate shift occurred. Dozens of sharp, discerning gazes converged upon them—curiosity, scrutiny, and more than a hint of warning filled the air.
"Halt!"
Two Uchiha ninjas materialized in front of them, instantly blocking their path. Though their words were polite, the wariness in their eyes was unmistakable.
"Koga Itoshiki," one of them said, his voice measured.
Itoshiki didn't flinch, his expression calm and composed."I'm here with my fiancée, Tsunade. We've come to visit the Uchiha clan head and deliver a wedding invitation."
The two Uchiha ninjas exchanged a glance, their eyes narrowing slightly. They had, of course, heard of the upcoming wedding between the Senju and the rising star of their clan. Was this Itoshiki, the man rumored to have awakened the First Hokage's Wood Release? The one poised to lead the Senju to a new era?
One of the ninjas gave a subtle signal to his companion, who swiftly disappeared into the depths of the compound. The remaining ninja kept his stance, eyes sharp and watchful.
Tsunade, though still composed, felt a flicker of annoyance. She didn't like the subtle hostility in the air, nor the cold reception on Uchiha turf. But Itoshiki remained unfazed, his demeanor serene. He even nodded toward the vigilant Uchiha, offering a soft, friendly smile.
The Uchiha ninja blinked in surprise, clearly expecting some form of irritation or confrontation. Instead, he was met with calm indifference. For a moment, his wariness faltered, replaced by a flicker of confusion.
The ninja who had gone to report returned quickly, his footsteps echoing with urgency."The clan head invites you in," he said, his tone colder than before, but laced with a newfound respect. "Please, follow me."
As Itoshiki and Tsunade followed the ninja into the heart of the Uchiha clan's grounds, the underlying tension in the air remained palpable. They were stepping into a world defined by pride, and it was clear the road ahead would be anything but simple.
Under the guidance of the Uchiha ninja, Itoshiki and Tsunade passed through several clean but stark streets, their surroundings growing more imposing with each step. Finally, they arrived at a grand mansion with towering gates, the true heart of the Uchiha clan—the clan head's residence.
Inside the reception hall, the current Uchiha clan head, Uchiha Kunigang, was already waiting. Seated beside him were several Uchiha elders, their auras as steady as mountains, their eyes sharp and assessing, like blades.
Kunigang appeared younger than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, in his prime, his features striking and yet cold. His dark eyes were like a bottomless, frozen pool, exuding an intimidating presence that required no raised voice. He wore a dark gray kimono embroidered with the Uchiha clan's emblem. Sitting upright in the main seat, his posture radiated authority, and an air of quiet arrogance enveloped him.
When Itoshiki and Tsunade entered, Kunigang did not rise to greet them. Instead, he gave a brief nod, a simple acknowledgment that reeked of superiority. The elders beside him didn't even bother with the smallest gesture of courtesy. They merely scrutinized Itoshiki with a sharp, calculating gaze, sizing him up as though he were nothing more than an object to be evaluated.
This was a stark contrast to the "courtesy" extended by the Hyuga clan. The Hyuga's coldness was a product of rigid traditions. The Uchiha's rejection, however, was naked arrogance, fueled by an unshakable self-belief.
"Upper Ninja Itoshiki, Lady Tsunade, please, have a seat."Kunigang's voice was low, steady, and as immovable as a boulder. There was no inflection, no warmth—just an unwavering neutrality that hinted at the weight of his status.
Itoshiki didn't react to the palpable pressure in the air, nor to the blatant rudeness directed at them. His demeanor remained as calm as ever, leading Tsunade to a seat with effortless grace.
He could feel it from the moment they stepped into the room—at least three powerful chakras, locked onto him. Each one seemed to probe and assess, trying to gauge his depth, his true worth. The most subtle, yet strongest, came from Kunigang, whose steady gaze remained focused on him, unwavering.
"I hear Upper Ninja Itoshiki is soon to be married to Lady Tsunade and will take the position of new clan head for the Senju."Kunigang casually picked up his teacup, taking a slow sip. His voice was even, devoid of emotion."Congratulations."
"Thank you for your concern, Clan Head Kunigang," Itoshiki replied, his smile unchanged, his voice as calm as ever."I've come today specifically to deliver the invitation, and I hope that Clan Head Kunigang and the elders will grace us with your presence at the wedding."
As he spoke, Itoshiki handed over the invitation—crafted from the finest materials, gilded edges gleaming in the light. It was a display of the highest respect from both the Senju and Uzumaki clans. One of the Uchiha standing nearby stepped forward and, without a word, took the invitation and presented it to Kunigang.
Kunigang barely glanced at the exquisitely crafted invitation, his attention elsewhere. He set it down on the low table beside him, not even bothering to open it. The simple, dismissive act was loaded with silent contempt.
"The Senju clan has been silent for many years," the eldest Uchiha elder spoke, his voice gravelly, tinged with a subtle sarcasm. His appearance was ancient, his hair as white as snow."It's truly a blessing for Konoha that the Senju now has a new helmsman."
He paused, his eyes narrowing. The tone shifted, sharper, more cutting."But I wonder…"The elder's gaze sharpened, locking onto Itoshiki."Besides being fortunate enough to inherit the First Hokage's Wood Release, how much of the First Hokage's spirit does this new Senju head truly possess?"
The room seemed to freeze. The weight of the elder's words hung in the air, as though the temperature had dropped in an instant. All the Uchiha elders' eyes were now fixed on Itoshiki, their intent clear.
It was not merely a question. It was a challenge. A provocation.