Recognizing Relatives

The current clan head, Uzumaki Ashina, is of a similar age to Bai Sui. Though he has only recently ascended to the position, he spent his youth at the side of his predecessor, learning and gaining experience, which has left him well-versed in the ways of leadership.

With just a glance, he noticed that Bai Sui was no ordinary man. While he radiated no dangerous or fierce aura—appearing, in fact, quite gentle—a comparison with the ninjas who had accompanied him back revealed a stark difference: Bai Sui bore not a single speck of dust from the journey.

Uzumaki Ashina had led teams to and from the Senju Clan Territory many times in the past. He knew that even for someone of his own caliber, such a journey would inevitably leave one covered in grime, even if the travel itself did not leave him fatigued.

While this alone could not determine a person's true strength, it was enough for Uzumaki Ashina to treat Bai Sui as an equal, ensuring he would not be slighted due to his youthful appearance.

The Uzumaki Clan is a renowned power in the Ninja World, possessing both formidable strength and a long, storied heritage. They collect intelligence from across the lands and are well aware of secret arts that can make one appear younger than they truly are, so they would not be so foolish as to judge Bai Sui by his face alone.

After all, while some in the Ninja World gain great power through their bloodline, strength is ultimately proportional to age. Living a long time does not guarantee power, but those who are truly powerful are never young.

Having formed a preliminary assessment of Bai Sui's strength, Uzumaki Ashina took a greater interest in this potential family reunion. Instead of letting Bai Sui return home with Uzumaki Kyohei, he invited him to the central building of the clan—the clan head's residence, where official matters were handled.

At the same time, Uzumaki Ashina arranged for Uzumaki Kyohei's father, Uzumaki Kunio, to be brought over. During the wait, Bai Sui was hosted by Uzumaki Ashina and several elders, and amidst their mutual pleasantries, the conversation flowed quite enjoyably.

Before long, Uzumaki Kunio was brought in. Hearing that the clan head had summoned him, he felt a sense of trepidation, fearing that something might have happened to his son, Uzumaki Kyohei.

In his view, there was almost no reason for his family to have dealings with the clan head, save perhaps for his son's budding talent as a ninja. Unfortunately, the person sent to fetch him knew nothing of the situation, leaving Kunio to fret and let his imagination run wild, growing more fearful with every step.

Upon learning the reason for his summons from the clan head and seeing his son standing safely to the side, Uzumaki Kunio let out a long sigh of relief and began to rack his brain for any relevant information.

"Yes, yes, there is, Clan Head. My wife once told me that she had an older brother she had never met. When my parents-in-law fled during the chaos of war, they had no choice but to send him to be raised within the clan, and they lost contact thereafter."

"Until I married my wife, she had asked me to help search for him because of my status as a member of the Uzumaki Clan. Due to the passage of time and the fact that the fires of war had spread near the Uzumaki Clan Territory, the only information I could gather was that such a person did indeed exist, but he had gone missing after a mission to transport supplies. Later, my wife passed away during childbirth, and I stopped investigating." At first, Uzumaki Kunio stuttered due to his nerves and the effort of recollection, but as he spoke, he became more fluent, shedding his initial timidity.

Bai Sui nodded in affirmation. "That is correct. I did participate in that transport mission. I remember the ninja leading the team was Uzumaki Sanjin. We were intercepted by the Uchiha, and I was the only civilian to survive."

"I returned with the letters, and I remember a medical ninja named Uzumaki Kinya treated my wounds. Because I didn't know how to change bandages, the blood scab had hardened directly onto the cloth; removing it left a very deep impression on me."

Bai Sui was not lying; that incident was indeed the only time he had been injured since arriving in the Ninja World. One had to admit, the Uchiha Clan lived up to their reputation—they were truly strong.

Upon hearing the names of the Uzumaki clansmen from the past, Uzumaki Ashina, seated at the head, immediately signaled for someone to investigate.

Since they were all clansmen, everyone was related by blood or marriage. It was quickly confirmed that such individuals had existed, though both had perished in the wars of the past.

Hearing the report and confirming the identities of the two ninjas, the clan head knew Bai Sui was not speaking nonsense. Both were low-ranking ninjas of the clan, and Uzumaki Kinya, in particular, had spent most of his time in relatively safe areas; he would not have been forced into combat had the war not been so desperate that they lacked experienced personnel.

It could be said that the only combat experience Uzumaki Kinya ever had was the battle in which he died; he had almost never interacted with outsiders.

After asking Bai Sui a few more questions about the two, to which Bai Sui provided only simple descriptions of their appearances, the gathered crowd essentially accepted his identity.

Uzumaki Ashina glanced at the elder beside him, who immediately understood and spoke up: "To see family reunited is truly a joyous occasion. Does Lord Bai Sui have any further plans?"

"If you have no other kin, why not stay with the Uzumaki Clan? You are no longer young, and you could delegate tasks to the younger generation, allowing yourself some leisure."

Uzumaki Ashina also chimed in at the right moment: "Indeed, Lord Bai Sui. You are surely aware of our clan's situation. Why not join us? From now on, not only your nephew Uzumaki Kyohei, but all the younger generation will respect you as their elder. Stay with us."

This had been Bai Sui's intention from the start. Originally, he only wanted to repay the debt of his birth, but now it seemed he could repay the kindness of the entire Uzumaki Clan as well.

However, he could not agree too easily. The others did not yet understand his capabilities, and the status and authority he would be granted would surely be low.

Though Bai Sui did not stay for such things, they were natural byproducts of his strength and would serve as tools to help him realize his own goals.

Bai Sui replied, "I am honored by your kindness; I am truly fortunate." As he spoke, Bai Sui began to channel his domain, rising into the air and hovering within the hall.

Surrounding objects began to fly and swirl at the command of his spiritual sense. "My purpose in coming here was indeed to find my blood kin and pass on what I have learned."

It was not just the objects floating in the air that were moved by his spiritual sense; his control over energy far surpassed his influence over mere matter.