Senju's Grand Gift · Yin Seal

Toji was a staunch believer in bloodline theory.

In the Ninja World, family and lineage determined an individual's fate.

Descendants inherited the talents of their ancestors; a genius's forebears were inevitably geniuses themselves.

Those who could break through their limits through sheer effort were, in the end, few and far between.

The Ninja World was filled with countless genjutsu. Setting aside the Infinite Tsukuyomi, there might be many debates over which technique ranked second, but there had always been only one strongest genjutsu—Kotoamatsukami.

Kotoamatsukami was the unique ocular technique of Uchiha Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan.

Following the reverse logic of Toji's bloodline theory, as Shisui's ancestor, Uchiha Kagami must have possessed the same top-tier talent for genjutsu. Just like the Shisui of the future, Kagami held the village in his heart and would eventually be chosen by Senju Tobirama to serve as a member of his personal guard.

If nothing else, anyone with "Kagami" in their name was never weak.

This year.

Kagami's ancestor stood before Toji, still just a boy who had recently turned ten.

"The makings of a Hokage..."

"My son Kagami has the makings of a Hokage!"

"The Uchiha have produced a Hokage-to-be!"

The surrounding Uchiha clansmen beamed with joy upon hearing this, their backs straightening instinctively.

To them, this was the best New Year's blessing.

Lord Madara had left, but life had to go on, and the position of Hokage was the Uchiha's goal.

It was well known that Toji acted with impartiality and possessed high character and prestige; the evaluations he gave were the most objective in all of Konoha.

"I didn't expect you to rate Kagami so highly."

"Well, it's mostly because he has a mentor like you, Chirori."

Toji's tone was earnest.

If not for him, Uchiha Chirori might have died young from the Bloodline Disease last year. But now that her fate had been rewritten, she had become Uchiha Kagami's mentor...

Under such interference, the Uchiha clan would likely return to their peak.

By then.

Within the clan, there would not just be one or two, but perhaps... three pairs of Mangekyou Sharingan existing at the same time.

He was incredibly envious.

Uchiha Kagami was also an object worth investing in.

Accompanied by Chirori, Toji spent the afternoon strolling through the Uchiha district and was later hosted for dinner.

As he was leaving, Uchiha Bin walked toward them.

The one-eyed Uchiha Bin possessed an even gloomier temperament. He gave Toji a slight nod of greeting before walking up to Chirori, his remaining eye casting a subtle glance at Toji.

"Clan Head..."

Chirori looked at Toji, her eyes filled with a hint of apology.

Toji understood and silently stepped aside, using the keen perception granted by Earth Grudge Fear to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"What is it, Bin?"

"Once the New Year passes, I hope the clan will appoint me to participate in the mission to hunt down Uchiha Yan."

The air suddenly froze.

The joyful New Year scene seemed to be slashed open by a kunai, revealing the cold and cruel reality beneath.

Chirori's expression was grave. "You don't have to push yourself this far."

"I know her best and understand her behavioral patterns; I am the most suitable person in the clan to hunt her down. I will bring her back... and if I cannot, I will kill her with my own hands."

Uchiha Bin's voice remained devoid of any ripples.

"She is my sister, but she is also a member of the Uchiha. I cannot allow the clan's bloodline to leak out. I have already steeled my resolve."

Even though he had been inciting clansmen to defect just last year, after the twisted baptism of Izanami, Uchiha Bin seemed to have accepted his fate.

He stood completely on the opposite side of his past self, willing to even strike down his own sister.

The Uchiha...

The blood flowing through this clan was truly insane.

"You..." Chirori was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Wait half a year. If Uchiha Yan hasn't been caught after six months, you will be the one to carry out this mission. I trust your resolve—bring Uchiha Yan back alive."

"Tell her that whether it is I or the Hokage, we can tolerate her mistake this one time, but only this once."

"Yes!"

The second day of the New Year.

Toji received an invitation to visit the Senju Clan.

His current situation was like that of a unique existence caught between the Senju and the Uchiha.

Although the two clans no longer had open, bloody conflicts, they were still competing in the shadows, both wanting to prove to the rest of the village that their own clan was superior and more powerful—

And Toji had become the focal point of their secret rivalry.

Fine wine, delicious food, and generous gifts...

He received an incredibly warm welcome at the Senju Compound.

The Reverse Cursed Technique he had developed for the Senju Clan had benefited many of their members, and quite a few had saved their lives thanks to this technique, so they held him in high regard.

Tobirama's expression was as usual when he saw him, as if the unpleasantness of that day did not exist, becoming an unspoken secret between the two. Meanwhile, Hashirama's son, Ryuji, brought his fiancée along to welcome the New Year at the Senju Compound.

Not even an adult yet...

Is Tsunade one step closer to being born?

Toji speculated maliciously.

Then, he saw Hashirama.

The man still had that carefree demeanor, though in Toji's eyes, Hashirama already had a few fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes compared to two years ago.

Even the God of Shinobi would grow old...

Hashirama was already forty-one years old this year.

"Yo, Toji, Happy New Year!"

"Happy New Year, Hashirama."

Hashirama suddenly changed the subject: "I heard you went to the Uchiha side yesterday? How did it feel?"

"Vibrant and full of life. The Uchiha clansmen are all celebrating for peace."

"Is that so? That's not bad then." Hashirama nodded, "But that's not what I was asking."

"Hm?" Toji was slightly stunned, "Then what is..."

"How are things between you and Uchiha Chirori right now?" Hashirama winked at him and even nudged him with his elbow: "She is the official clan head now, standing at the pinnacle of the Ninja World in terms of power and influence. Toji, don't you have any thoughts? You two are about the same age, right?"

"About that..."

Toji felt a bit helpless inside.

Being pressured to marry during the New Year was truly the same scenario everywhere.

He casually brushed it off: "My ambition is to become the top doctor and end this chaotic era. The Ninja World hasn't seen true peace yet, and I haven't reached my goal, so I don't have the heart to consider such personal matters for now."

"Oh, these two things don't conflict with each other."

Hashirama continued to egg him on, looking as if he couldn't wait to facilitate a marriage between the Zenin and the Uchiha.

Before Toji could respond, Mito reached out and grabbed Hashirama by the ear, dragging him to the side: "Why do you keep meddling in young people's business?"

"Ahem, let's talk business then."

Hashirama's face turned red as he changed the subject:

"Toji, Mito mentioned to me that you have a talent for learning sealing techniques."

"So I was thinking, as a representative of the Senju Clan, I'd like to gift you a sealing technique as a New Year's present."

"You previously mentioned that the Zenin Clan has a unique constitution, being long-lived and aging slower than ordinary people... So, after discussing it with Mito, we decided to pass the Yin Seal on to you."

"As for the specific effects of the Yin Seal..."

Hashirama looked to the side, "Mito, why don't you explain it to Toji."