The Fictional Zenin Clan

Early in the morning, Toji received a wedding invitation from the Senju clan.

The moment he received the invitation, he felt somewhat surprised.

In his original understanding, the source material never mentioned Tobirama having a wife or children. He had assumed this white-haired old ghost would likely remain solitary his entire life, burying himself in ninjutsu development and political maneuvering.

Yet now, Tobirama was getting married.

The historical progression of Konoha seemed to be moving in an unpredictable direction.

Is this the butterfly effect caused by me reattaching Senju Toka's arms?

Toji couldn't be sure.

Perhaps Tobirama would still end up without heirs, or perhaps Tsunade would simply have a few more cousins...

Toji changed into a newly purchased, elegant outfit and headed toward the Senju compound.

The streets along the way were bustling with noise, filled with a festive atmosphere everywhere.

The fact that the Hokage's younger brother, who was also a Konoha elder, was about to get married became the talk of the entire village, as if this marriage symbolized that the peace of Konoha would endure for a long time.

Hashirama took Tobirama's wedding very seriously, as if he were trying to make up for the regrets of his own wedding with Mito, which had been held in haste during the war-torn era of the Warring States period.

He took out a large sum of money to host a grand banquet, inviting the entire village.

The dining tables stretched from inside the Senju compound all the way to the end of the commercial district. Regardless of whether they were ninja clans or commoners, regardless of status or wealth, anyone could step forward to find a seat, share a bite of the wedding feast, and partake in the celebration.

Of course, there was still a distinction made for key guests.

Toji stood before the main gate and handed over his gift money.

The Senju gatekeeper counted the amount and shouted:

"Toji, ten thousand ryo!"

Following this, Toji was led into the compound and arranged to sit in the front rows.

It was not Toji's first time at the Senju clan, but this time, the scene inside still made him feel like his eyes were being opened.

The Uzumaki clan from the Land of Whirlpools, as well as the Uchiha who had conflicts with the Senju, had all sent representatives.

Hyuga, Sarutobi, Shimura, Ino-Shika-Cho...

The famous ninja clans of this era were all gathered at once. It allowed Toji to witness the splendor of Konoha in its prime.

If he wanted to see a scene like this again, he would likely have to wait over sixty years.

"Over sixty years..."

Toji felt dazed for a moment.

Tobirama's wedding began shortly after.

This was a wedding, but it was also a vanity fair for the Land of Fire.

In the intervals between the exquisite dishes being served, an envoy from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire approached Hashirama to converse: "Lord Hokage, the Daimyo wishes to marry his daughter to your son..."

Toji overheard the conversation.

A marriage alliance between the Hokage's son and the Daimyo's daughter.

In this way, the Hokage and the Daimyo would become in-laws, the relationship between Konoha and the Land of Fire would be tightened further, and there would be no more obstacles on the path of future development.

Princess Tsunade...

"Hime" (Princess) was the sign of royalty!

Toji knew Hashirama had a son, so naturally, Tsunade's mother must be the Daimyo's daughter.

Beside the envoy stood a blonde girl whose features were seventy percent similar to the future Tsunade.

Hashirama immediately called over his son, Senju Takayuki, a teenage boy with black hair who looked quite spirited. Under the witness of the elders, the two established their engagement, waiting only to marry once they reached adulthood.

Toji sat to the side, silently watching everything. Once again, he had witnessed the formation of history with his own eyes.

The banquet continued.

Senju Hashirama, carrying the joy of intoxication, swayed over to Toji's side and reached out to drape his arm carelessly over his shoulder:

"Toji, how does it feel to stay in Konoha during this time?"

"Konoha is great, and the villagers speak so nicely; I quite like it here."

"As long as you like it." Hashirama set aside some of his playfulness, his expression becoming much more solemn. "During this time, many villagers have received your kindness and remember your good deeds. The Reverse Cursed Technique you developed is also of great use to our Senju clan. I must thank you properly for this."

Toji's expression remained calm and indifferent: "Being able to reduce the separations and deaths in this world is something worth being happy about for a doctor like me. There is no need for thanks."

"You may not want it, but I must give it!"

"You once said that your own clan was wiped out in the war. Since that is the case, why not rebuild it here in Konoha?"

Hashirama's tone carried an irresistible generosity:

"I intend to mark out a piece of land in Konoha for you to use to rebuild your clan. It's a bit remote, but I hope you don't mind."

"Hashirama, this is..."

"Oh, don't decline." Hashirama interrupted him domineeringly. "I never asked you before, what is your clan called?"

Toji was slightly taken aback.

He had actually anticipated that, given Hashirama's personality, he would sooner or later be made to put down roots in Konoha and rebuild his clan. He just hadn't expected this day to come so soon, even earlier than his appointment as the director of Konoha Hospital.

"Zenin, I suppose. My clan is named Zenin." Toji blurted out.

"Good!" Hashirama promised, "Once the Hokage Building opens for business, I'll get the Zenin clan registered."

Just like that, in a daze, Toji fabricated the non-existent Zenin clan and became its patriarch.

And what he didn't expect was that the territory Hashirama allotted to him was actually right beside the Naka River.

In other words, he might have occupied the future clan grounds of the Uchiha.

"What a strange twist of fate."

Toji sighed softly and immediately announced that Gospel Clinic would be closed for a week.

He then hired a group of skilled craftsmen in the village and began a massive construction project on the land designated as the Zenin clan grounds.

As a long-lived ninja, things like taking a wife, having children, and spreading his lineage would only disturb his path.

For a long time to come, this Zenin clan compound would likely be inhabited by him alone.

But the necessary construction could not be skimped on.

For one, he needed a private space that belonged entirely to him—one sufficiently hidden—to set up a secret laboratory, which would facilitate his subsequent research and development of Earth Grudge Fear, as well as the conduct of certain unspeakable human experiments.

Secondly, it was also for the benefit of the Senju brothers. The more effort he appeared to put into rebuilding the Zenin clan, the more at ease Senju Hashirama and Tobirama would be with him.

A week later.

Hashirama personally led a group of people to preside over the completion and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Toji.

Amidst the bustling crowd, Toji raised his hand and steadily hung the plaque inscribed with the two characters "Zenin" in the center of the main gate.

A brand-new clan was thus officially established in Konoha.

Toji felt a sense of emotion...

It was so fast; in just a few months, he had officially put down roots in Konoha.

After greeting everyone, Toji followed tradition and held a housewarming banquet.

The guests arrived one after another, bearing gifts. Representatives of the ninja clans knew that Toji was a guest of honor to the Hokage, so the items they brought were by no means cheap.

The most peculiar gift among them was—

Ichiraku gave him a permanent, free ramen voucher identical to the one Naruto had.

In the reception room.

Hashirama said half-jokingly, "Toji, once this busy spell is over, you must return to work at Gospel Clinic. Many people have been complaining during the week you've been away."

"I will return as soon as possible."

Toji agreed, then spoke slowly, "However, Hashirama, I am only one person after all. Often, I find myself spread too thin and unable to keep up."

Hashirama scratched his head, looking slightly apologetic. "I truly owe you an apology for that. I will do my best to find a way to pool everyone's strength to solve the problem."

"I am not complaining."

Toji interrupted, "Hashirama, I have a suggestion for solving the village's medical issues."