Wedding Procession

Early the next morning, Masahiko walked out of his room with a pair of panda eyes and headed for the clan's Reception Hall. The younger clan members he passed, who had risen early to train, all secretly glanced at him sideways, but Masahiko, in an excellent mood, paid them no mind.

After arriving at the hall, he realized he had been too excited and had come far too early. Aside from a few clansmen responsible for cleaning, no one else had arrived. The Wedding Procession would not arrive until noon; there were still three hours to go, and two hours until the gathering. Once his excitement faded, he felt tired as well. Since there was still plenty of time, he sat down in a chair and fell asleep.

The two hours passed quickly. One after another, the clansmen who could take part arrived. They were the clan's true elites, each at least an Elite Jonin. In other words, everyone here was somewhat stronger than Masahiko in raw combat ability. They all noticed the sleeping Masahiko, but merely smiled softly and said nothing—or rather, they had long since grown used to it. Before long, the Clan Head and the three elders entered as well, taking seats at the head of the hall. The Clan Head gave a light cough, and the hall immediately fell silent. Just as he was about to speak, he spotted the sleeping Masahiko again. Helplessly, he could only say:

"Second Uncle, wake up. Stop sleeping."

"Mm..." Masahiko opened his eyes, exposing his dark circles to everyone.

"Pfft." One clansman could not hold it in and laughed. That opened the floodgates, and the entire hall burst into laughter.

Masahiko looked around, utterly bewildered.

"All right, all right, stop laughing, everyone. Let's discuss business!" At a crucial moment like this, it still took the Clan Head to speak.

"Before long, the Senju Wedding Procession will arrive. Let's welcome them and send Mito off in grand style."

"That's right. Princess Mito's marriage will strengthen our relationship with the Senju Clan. In these chaotic Warring States, it will better protect our clansmen. Everyone must take this seriously," the First Elder added immediately.

At that moment, the Second Elder glanced lightly at Masahiko and said, "Clan Head, since this political marriage is so important, is it really safe to have only Masahiko accompany her?"

"There is no need to worry. The Senju side will be responsible for safety along the way, so we need not be concerned. I am only sending Second Uncle so that he can look after Mito. Once Mito has settled in, he can return in half a month at the earliest, or a month at most." Pretending not to hear the mockery in the Second Elder's words, the Clan Head replied calmly.

At this point, the Third Elder slightly opened his eyes, intending to say something, but when he saw the First Elder signal him with a look, he closed his eyes again and said nothing.

"It seems the three elders have nothing more to say. Do the rest of you have anything to add?" the Clan Head continued.

Masahiko raised his eyes for a look, then lowered his head again, as though the matter under discussion had nothing to do with him. He silently cursed, Damn Uzumaki Masahiro, the Second Elder. I only bullied you a few times when we were kids. Was it really worth holding a grudge for forty years?

Then a young voice rang out. "Clan Head, please allow me to accompany the procession. Princess Mito's safety must be treated with the utmost caution." This person was Uzumaki Muto, only one character different from the protagonist Naruto. In Masahiko's view, he was also someone blessed with a protagonist's halo. At merely twenty years old, he already possessed strength surpassing that of most Elite Jonin. Since the Clan Head had only one daughter, Mito, everyone used to joke that Muto might marry Mito, become the next Clan Head, and reach the pinnacle of life. But now, it seemed your protagonist's halo was overdue on its payment...

"No need, Muto. Leave it to Second Uncle without worry. Though you are strong, matters like this still require an old man. His experience is abundant," the Clan Head refused.

"Hey, hey, Clan Head nephew, when you put it that way, it makes me sound like a feeble old man... Uh, that does seem to be the case." Masahiko spoke up.

With that, the atmosphere eased again, and everyone smiled once more. At that moment, a clan guard pushed open the doors and entered. "Clan Head, the Senju Clan's Wedding Procession has arrived!"

"So soon? Everyone, come welcome them with me!" the Clan Head ordered.

The group filed out and arrived at the entrance to the clan compound. Sure enough, a group was waiting outside. With a quick glance, they spotted three Peak Jonin and seven or eight Elite Jonin. As expected of the Senju Clan.

"This really is something you only see after living long enough. There are sedan chairs in the Naruto World too? And the four carrying it are actually Standard Jonin. This is truly making me ashamed to show my face," Masahiko muttered.

"What is it, Second Uncle? What did you say?"

"Nothing, nothing."

At that moment, a man emerged from behind the sedan chair. He had three streaks of blue paint on each cheek and his chin. It was Tobirama Senju in his youth.

"What a familiar stranger. I've finally met you, Second Hokage." Masahiko slipped into muttering mode again.

The Clan Head glanced lightly at him but said nothing. Perhaps he had grown accustomed to this Second Uncle who often acted foolishly. "Tobirama, you do not mind if I call you that, do you? You must be tired from the journey. Come in and sit for a while, have some tea."

"There is no need, Uzumaki Clan Head. Once my sister-in-law is ready, we will set out. We still need to return to the clan before nightfall to hold the wedding ceremony," Tobirama replied.

"Unexpectedly polite." Someone who had fallen into muttering mode was completely unaware that everyone present was a ninja with exceptionally sharp senses and could hear every word he said.

Sure enough, Tobirama's mouth twitched, but he could not very well say anything. Judging by Masahiko's age, he was an elder no matter what. Seeing this, the First Elder hurriedly said, "Someone, go invite Mito out. Her luggage is all packed, correct?"

The Second Elder immediately followed up, saying, "Come, Tobirama, let me introduce you. This is the 'renowned' Uzumaki Masahiko of our clan. He will be accompanying the procession to look after Mito."

Tobirama's mouth twitched as he thought, So it really is him! He immediately declined. "There is no need. This trip has three Peak Jonin, eight Elite Jonin, and myself. Elder, there is no need to worry about safety along the way."

"It is not that I am worried you will fail to protect her. I have only this one daughter, and it is inconvenient for me to go myself. I am having Second Uncle accompany her so that when he returns, he can describe the scene of my daughter's marriage to me and let me, her father, share in the joy," the Clan Head replied at once.

Then why not send someone else to describe it... Tobirama thought, but in the end, he was too embarrassed to say it aloud.

At that moment, Mito emerged accompanied by two female ninjas. She bowed to the Clan Head and the three elders, gave Tobirama a slight nod, then turned and entered the sedan chair.

"Then we shall set out as soon as possible, Uzumaki Clan Head."

"Very well. Be careful on the road. Second Uncle, please take good care of Mito," the Clan Head said.

"Don't worry, Clan Head nephew!" What met their eyes was Masahiko's somewhat aged smile.

"Set out!" Tobirama gave the order, and the group slowly departed from the Uzumaki Clan Compound.

Masahiko began a new journey...