The current clan head was named Uzumaki Ashina. He was about the same age as Bai Sui and had only recently taken the position, but he had grown up at the previous clan head's side, learning and gaining experience along the way. He was exceptionally experienced.
At a glance, he could tell Bai Sui was no ordinary person. Bai Sui gave off no dangerous or vicious air—in fact, he seemed quite gentle—but compared with the other returning ninja, he showed none of the dust and grime of a long journey.
Uzumaki Ashina had once led teams back and forth to the Senju Clan Territory. He knew that even he wouldn't remain spotless after such a journey. The distance wouldn't tire him, but he would still inevitably get covered in dust.
That alone couldn't be used to judge someone's strength, but it was enough to make him treat Bai Sui as an equal, rather than look down on him because of his youthful appearance.
The Uzumaki Clan was a renowned clan in the Ninja World. Not only was it powerful, but it had a long history and gathered all kinds of intelligence about the world. Naturally, they knew of secret techniques that could make someone look younger than they really were, so Ashina wouldn't assume Bai Sui was young just from his appearance.
After all, across the entire Ninja World, some people gained great power through their bloodline, but strength was ultimately proportional to age. A long life didn't necessarily mean great strength, but the strong were never young.
Now that he had formed an initial impression of Bai Sui's strength, Uzumaki Ashina took the possibility of a family reunion much more seriously. Rather than let Bai Sui go home with Uzumaki Kyohei, he invited him to the most central building in the clan—the clan head's residence, where the clan's affairs were usually handled.
At the same time, Uzumaki Ashina sent someone to fetch Uzumaki Kyohei's father, Uzumaki Kunio. While they waited, Ashina and several elders kept Bai Sui company. With both sides exchanging compliments, they had a pleasant conversation.
Before long, Uzumaki Kunio was brought in. Hearing that the clan head had summoned him, he felt a little uneasy, afraid something had happened to his son, Uzumaki Kyohei.
As far as he knew, there was almost nothing that could connect his family to the clan head. The only possibility was his son, who showed considerable talent as a ninja. Unfortunately, the person sent by the clan head to fetch him didn't know the details, so all he could do on the way was fret and let his mind run wild. The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became.
When the clan head explained why he had been summoned and he saw his son standing safely to one side, Uzumaki Kunio let out a huge sigh of relief. Then he tried hard to recall any relevant information.
"Yes, yes, there is something, Clan Head. My wife once told me she had an older brother she'd never met. Back then, my parents-in-law fled the chaos of war and had no choice but to send him to be fostered within the clan. They never heard from him again.
"After I married my wife, she asked me to look for him because I'm an Uzumaki. But a long time had passed, and the fighting had spread to the area around the Uzumaki Clan Territory.
"The only thing I managed to find out was that he had indeed existed, but he went missing after being assigned to escort supplies. Later, my wife died in childbirth, so I never continued the search." At first, Uzumaki Kunio stumbled over his words from nerves and the effort of remembering. But as he went on, he spoke more smoothly, and his initial timidity faded.
Bai Sui nodded. "That's right. I really was part of that supply mission. I remember that Uzumaki Sanjin led the team on one of my trips. We were intercepted by the Uchiha, and I was the only civilian who survived.
"I even brought back a message after that. I remember a medical ninja named Uzumaki Kinya treated my injuries. I didn't know how to change the bandages, so the scabs stuck right to them. Having them removed left a deep impression on me."
Bai Sui truly wasn't lying. That had been the only time he'd been injured since arriving in the Ninja World. The Uchiha Clan really was strong.
When Bai Sui named the Uzumaki from that time, Uzumaki Ashina, seated at the head of the room, immediately signaled someone to investigate.
They were all ninja from the same clan, related to one another in one way or another. It didn't take long to confirm that the two men had existed, though both had died in earlier wars.
After hearing the clan members' report and learning the identities of the two ninja, Ashina knew Bai Sui was probably telling the truth. They had both been Genin of the clan, and Uzumaki Kinya had spent most of his time in relatively safe places. If the fighting hadn't been desperate and they hadn't been short on manpower, they would never have sent an inexperienced medical worker into battle.
In fact, Uzumaki Kinya's only real experience fighting another person had been the battle in which he died. He had barely ever encountered outsiders.
Ashina asked Bai Sui about the two men. Bai Sui could only give a brief description of what they looked like; he knew nothing else.
After all these questions, those present had more or less accepted Bai Sui's identity.
Uzumaki Ashina glanced at the elder beside him. The man immediately understood and spoke up. "It's wonderful to see family reunited. Congratulations. Do you have any plans for what comes next, Lord Bai Sui?
"If you have no other relatives to look after, why not stay with the Uzumaki Clan? You're no longer young, after all. You can leave things to the younger generation from now on and enjoy a more peaceful life."
Uzumaki Ashina chimed in at the right moment. "That's right, Lord Bai Sui. I imagine you know the situation of our clan. Why not join us? Your nephew, Uzumaki Kyohei, and all the other youngsters will respect you as one of their elders. Stay with our clan."
That had been Bai Sui's purpose from the start. At first, he had only wanted to repay the kindness of the parents who had given him life. Now, it seemed he could repay the Uzumaki Clan's kindness at the same time.
Still, he couldn't agree too readily. The others didn't yet know what he was capable of, so the status and authority they offered him would surely be limited.
Bai Sui wasn't staying for those things, but they came with his strength. They were tools that could help him carry out his plans.
"Thank you for your kindness. I'm deeply honored." As he spoke, Bai Sui set his domain in motion. He rose into the air and floated above the hall.
The objects around the room began to rise and tumble at the pull of Bai Sui's consciousness. "I came here intending to find my blood relatives and pass on everything I've learned."
It wasn't only the objects floating in the air that were being moved by Bai Sui's consciousness. His control over energy far surpassed his control over matter.