Visiting Family

Masahiko told the Clan Head about the results of his Sealing Jutsu training over the past few years, and the Clan Head was overjoyed.

"So, your strength..." the Clan Head asked.

"Ah, that's right. I've improved a little," Masahiko said lightly, though the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth gave away his mood.

"Then have you considered becoming an elder of our Uzumaki Clan?"

Just as the Clan Head said this and Masahiko was about to refuse, the guard at the door suddenly knocked and entered.

"Clan Head, Lord Masahiko, news has just arrived from the Senju Clan. Tomorrow, the Senju Clan Head will bring his wife back to our Uzumaki Clan to visit her family."

"Mito is coming back? Good, that's wonderful!" The Clan Head immediately forgot about asking Masahiko to become an elder. His mind was filled with Mito returning for a family visit.

"Clan Head," Masahiko interrupted helplessly, "are you sure Hashirama Senju bringing Mito back means they're visiting family rather than seeking help? Don't agree to everything the moment you see Mito."

"Don't worry." The Clan Head replied absentmindedly.

How can I possibly rest easy like this... Masahiko muttered as he walked out.

Forget it. We'll talk tomorrow. I should figure out how to use my remaining Witness Points. Maybe I'll have a chance to break through to Clan Head level, Masahiko thought.

The next day, Masahiko followed the Clan Head to welcome the couple, Hashirama and Mito, along with the captain of Hashirama's guard unit—Tobirama, self-appointed—at the entrance to the clan grounds.

After five years, Masahiko saw the three of them again. Both Hashirama and Tobirama had become more mature, while Mito looked just as she had before, except for the Diamond Mark on her forehead.

"Mito, it seems you've successfully mastered the Yin Seal." Masahiko smiled as he spoke to Mito, while repeatedly signaling with his eyes for her to cover for him.

"Oh, right, the Yin Seal. Second Grandfather, I remember you mastered it too. What..." Hashirama suddenly recalled, no wonder the mark on Mito's forehead had seemed so familiar.

"What kind of thing is that to say, boy?! This is a technique only women can practice." Masahiko glared at him while signaling to Mito again.

"That's right, Hashirama. When did Second Grandfather ever practice this technique?" Mito asked with a smile as she looked at Masahiko's still forty-eight-year-old face.

Seeing Mito say so, Hashirama scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "Then I must have remembered wrong."

"Phew..." Masahiko let out a quiet breath. He had finally bluffed his way through it. Luckily, Tobirama hadn't been there back then. He was far harder to fool than his older brother.

The three of them began chatting, leaving Tobirama and the Uzumaki Clan Head standing awkwardly to the side.

Those two, however, huddled together and whispered about something.

Before long, the Uzumaki Clan Head cried out, "Really? Mito is pregnant!"

His voice was so loud that it immediately drew the attention of the trio who had been deep in conversation.

Hashirama scratched his head again and said awkwardly, "That's right. Mito is pregnant, so I came back with her to take a look around."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?!" The Uzumaki Clan Head glared at Hashirama. "Quick, get inside and sit down."

Masahiko rolled his eyes beside them. Judging by Mito's figure, she was clearly not even three months along yet. Besides, Mito was a Jonin. How could she be so fragile?

But speaking of Mito being pregnant... Tsunade's father? Masahiko thought.

In his previous life, what kind of person Tsunade's father had been was always a mystery, with all sorts of speculation surrounding him. Before Obito's identity was exposed, some had even guessed that the masked man was Tsunade's father. Now, Masahiko would get to see Tsunade's father with his own eyes...

Faced with an Uzumaki Clan Head overflowing with paternal love, both Masahiko and Hashirama were helpless, and Mito could do nothing about it either.

The five of them entered the Main Hall and sat down. Masahiko, Hashirama, and Tobirama could only watch awkwardly as the other two put on their "father-daughter affection" performance.

After quite a while, the Clan Head finally returned to normal.

"Hashirama, thank you for still finding time to bring my daughter back to see me after becoming the Senju Clan Head," the Uzumaki Clan Head said slowly. "Have you still maintained the advantage on the battlefield lately?"

Masahiko's face darkened. As expected, ever since learning that Mito was pregnant, he had completely given up hope in his Clan Head's intelligence.

Unexpectedly, Hashirama did not take the opportunity to ask for aid. Instead, he said, "The situation on our battlefield is fairly good. We've maintained the advantage."

"However..." Hashirama hesitated.

As expected, as expected, they really are asking for help! Masahiko shouted inwardly.

"We've run into some trouble in the southwest corner of the Land of Fire. We were attacked by a small clan and lost quite a few clan members," Hashirama continued.

"A small clan?" the Uzumaki Clan Head asked in confusion. "There are Small Clans capable of fighting your Senju Clan? Which clan is it?"

"It's a small clan called the Balance Clan," Tobirama explained. "They aren't particularly strong, but most of their members can undergo a special transformation. After transforming, they lose their reason and fear no death, causing us considerable trouble."

The more I hear, the more familiar this feels. Balance, transformation... Wasn't Jugo called Jugo of the Balance? Masahiko had been transported here for over fifty years already, so he did not remember such details very clearly.

The Clan Head's expression turned somewhat ugly as he said, "Lose their reason and fear no death... Then our Uzumaki..."

"That's not what I mean," Hashirama interrupted. "I came this time only to ask for a senior from the Uzumaki Clan proficient in Sealing Jutsu to come with me and see whether we can seal their transformation ability."

"I see. That won't be a problem, then." The Clan Head breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, let our clan's First Elder go with you."

Hashirama's face brightened. "The First Elder? That would be wonderful. Where is he now?"

Masahiko looked puzzled. Hadn't the Clan Head said yesterday that the First Elder had retired? For some reason, he had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, the Clan Head continued, "Our former First Elder is advanced in years and has already retired. The current First Elder stands right before you—my Second Uncle, Masahiko."

Masahiko's face darkened. He had been set up by this grandnephew of his. He had not wanted to become an elder; he was used to being free and unrestrained. But he also wanted to follow Hashirama and see what the Balance Clan was really like. Maybe he could earn some Witness Points. Now, it would be difficult to turn down the position of First Elder...

"Second Grandfather?" Hashirama asked doubtfully. "Is he skilled in Sealing Jutsu?"

"Don't worry, Hashirama," the Clan Head replied. "Over the past few years, Masahiko has studied Sealing Jutsu extensively. He is already the strongest in Sealing Jutsu in our clan."

"In that case, I'm relieved." Hashirama continued, "Since we are asking Second Grandfather to help us this time, we have also brought a gift of thanks for the Uzumaki Clan. Tobirama, take it out."

Tobirama reluctantly took out a scroll and handed it to the Uzumaki Clan Head.

"This is a new technique Tobirama developed," Hashirama explained. "It is called the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, and it is suited for Uzumaki Clan members with a great deal of Chakra."

The Clan Head accepted the scroll. After reading it, delight appeared on his face, and the group began chatting happily.

Only Masahiko's face grew even darker...

Multiple Shadow Clone Technique?

Damn you, Tobirama! Give me back my Witness Points!