Journey

Perhaps worried about clan affairs, Hashirama only stayed one night with Mito in the Uzumaki Clan before leaving under the reluctant gaze of the Uzumaki Clan Head.

There had been three of them on the way there, but Masahiko joined them on the way back. The group of four returned to the Senju Clan Compound.

Along the way, Masahiko wore a deeply aggrieved expression, glaring at Tobirama from time to time.

Tobirama had no idea how he had offended Masahiko, much less that Masahiko had even considered kidnapping him and only releasing him after he developed Impure World Reincarnation...

In that awkward atmosphere, the group of four arrived at the Senju Clan Compound.

Watching the Senju clansmen they encountered lower their heads in greeting whenever they saw Hashirama, Masahiko suddenly remembered that Hashirama was already the clan head.

After seeing Mito home, he followed Hashirama to the Clan Head's Main Hall. Watching Hashirama skillfully handle clan affairs, Masahiko finally saw another side of the God of Shinobi.

About two hours passed. It was already noon, and Masahiko was beginning to nod off.

Hashirama finally finished dealing with the matters that had piled up over the past two days and said, "Second Grandfather, sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's fine. You keep working. I'll take a nap," Masahiko replied groggily.

"My brother has finished handling the clan affairs! Second Grandfather, we should get going!" Tobirama shouted.

Masahiko jumped in fright and muttered inwardly, Sure enough, I should've tied this kid up and made him develop ninjutsu for me...

"No, Tobirama, you're staying behind this time," Hashirama said. "Second Grandfather and I don't know how long this trip will take. Stay in the clan and help me handle affairs..."

That last part was the point, wasn't it? Tobirama thought. He's just afraid too much work will pile up by the time he gets back.

Still, Tobirama only thought it and ultimately agreed reluctantly.

Hashirama brightened and said, "Second Grandfather, shall we set out? It's quite a long journey. We'll need to find a small town to rest in tonight, and we probably won't arrive until tomorrow evening."

"It's that far? Then let's have a good meal first..." Masahiko was feeling a little hungry. There was no hope of eating properly tonight or tomorrow.

"Alright..." Hashirama replied helplessly and could only instruct the clansmen to prepare a lavish lunch. Only after eating and drinking his fill did Masahiko follow Hashirama toward the Balance Clan territory.

They traveled all afternoon, but by dusk, the two still had not found a town where they could stay.

Thinking about it, that made sense. In these troubled times, it was already good enough for there to be a few civilian villages outside the Land of Fire's capital.

In the end, Masahiko and Hashirama had no choice but to continue on. After night fell, they found an open area, made do with some food, and settled in for the night.

Masahiko was not picky about it. On the contrary, he was rather excited inside.

Could this be The Days I Ate and Slept with the God of Shinobi? Masahiko thought.

Naturally, Hashirama had no idea what had crossed Masahiko's mind. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Second Grandfather, I'll sleep first. You take the first watch, and I'll take the second."

"We have to keep watch too? Why not just build a house with Wood Style..." Masahiko said gloomily.

"Uh, right." Hashirama looked as though he had suddenly realized something.

Sure enough, Hashirama handling official business must have been a fake Hashirama... Masahiko muttered inwardly.

After Hashirama built a wooden cabin, the two went inside to rest. The night passed without incident.

The next morning, after tidying up and eating a little, the two set off once more.

They did not stop to rest at noon and traveled without pause, finally arriving near the Balance Clan by evening.

Masahiko sensed the Chakra fluctuations of the Balance Clan and found that their strongest member was only close to a Peak Jonin. Yet there was something strange about their Chakra.

Natural Energy? Masahiko wondered. But something feels off. Natural Energy shouldn't feel evil, should it?

"Second Grandfather, that is the Balance Clan territory over there," Hashirama said.

"Ah, I sensed it," Masahiko replied. "Something is indeed off. Their Chakra isn't particularly strong, but it has a strange feeling to it. By the way, where are the Senju Clan personnel stationed here?"

"Not far over there." Hashirama pointed to one side and asked in confusion, "Second Grandfather, didn't you sense them?"

The two exchanged a glance. Hashirama immediately grew tense, worried about the Senju clansmen left behind here.

The two searched everywhere but found no sign of the Senju clansmen. Only after searching for about two hours did they discover the Senju Clan camp more than ten kilometers away.

Hashirama looked worried, wondering whether the clansmen had suffered heavy losses and thus retreated far from the Balance Clan territory.

When the two entered the camp, they found that things were not as Hashirama had feared.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled the camp. The Senju clansmen did not look as though they had just fought a major battle; they looked as if they were camping...

"Ah, Clan Head, you're back!" Several Senju clansmen noticed Hashirama and Masahiko and immediately greeted them.

"Where is Senju Tenyu?" Seeing that the clansmen in the camp were all safe and sound, Hashirama sighed in relief and asked about the Peak Jonin stationed here.

"The captain is in the main tent at the center of the camp. I'll take you there right away." A Jonin noticed Hashirama's arrival and stepped forward to lead the way.

Masahiko and Hashirama arrived at the central tent. Senju Tenyu, who had been sitting in the seat of honor, immediately stood and said, "Clan Head, you're back?"

"Yes. What happened while I was gone these past few days? The clansmen..." Hashirama was full of questions.

"It's like this, Clan Head. On the second day after you left, the Balance Clan took the initiative to seek peace with us. The Balance Clan Head explained that his clansmen had attacked ours only after losing their reason, and he also compensated us with a great deal of supplies."

"Since they took the initiative to apologize, it wasn't appropriate for us to keep camping near their territory, so we moved here to wait for you," Senju Tenyu explained.

"Then... are the clansmen outside having a banquet?" Hashirama asked again.

"Uh..." Senju Tenyu looked ashamed. "The clansmen have been fighting year after year and haven't relaxed in a long time. Since there was nothing else to do, I let everyone hold a banquet and unwind."

"It's fine. As long as the clansmen are safe, I'm relieved," Hashirama said. He then turned to Masahiko. "Second Grandfather, sorry, but it seems I may have made you come all this way for nothing..."

"It's fine. I'll just treat it as a trip to clear my head," Masahiko said with a smile.

"Clan Head, there's one more thing." At that moment, Senju Tenyu spoke again. "The Balance Clan Head hopes to meet with you after you return. It seems he has other matters he wishes to discuss with you. But regarding your safety..."

"Alright, I understand. We'll rest for the night, and I'll go tomorrow," Hashirama replied. As for safety, Hashirama was clearly very confident in his own strength. "Second Grandfather, would you like to come along?"

"Yes, I'll go too." Thinking of the strange Chakra he had sensed, Masahiko agreed without hesitation to accompany Hashirama.

He had a feeling that this trip would not be in vain.