Izuna: Younger Brother of the Hokage, Mangekyo Sharingan User, Regent of Konoha.

Land of Whirlpools, Whirlpool Tide Village.

The moment Uchiha Yan and his party stepped into Uzumaki Clan territory, they immediately sensed something unusual—the air was suffused with faint chakra fluctuations. The ground beneath their feet, the trees lining the road, the houses in the distance—everywhere they looked bore traces of sealing techniques.

This was the Uzumaki Clan's foundation.

Uchiha Yan silently marveled. The sealing techniques spread throughout the village alone were enough to ensure that any invader would pay dearly.

Senju Hashirama walked at the head of the group, with Senju Tobirama close at his side. Behind them came Uchiha Yan, Uchiha Izuna, and Uchiha Yui.

A sea of red hair—this was the Uzumaki Clan's most distinctive trait. That vivid red was like clusters of blazing flames, symbolizing their vigorous vitality and immense chakra. Every one of them had red hair, whether dark or light, making them especially conspicuous beneath the sunlight.

"Hashirama, Tobirama, you're here."

A deep, powerful voice came from ahead. A middle-aged man strode toward them. He was broad and powerfully built, with red hair cascading over his shoulders, a square face, thick brows, and large eyes.

The Uzumaki Clan's patriarch, Uzumaki Mito's father—Uzumaki Ashina.

"Uncle." Senju Tobirama stepped forward first and bowed slightly. "It has been a long time. Have you been well?"

"Never better!" His gaze swept over the group, pausing briefly on Senju Hashirama before he nodded in satisfaction.

After exchanging pleasantries with Senju Tobirama, Uzumaki Ashina led everyone into the reception hall.

Uzumaki Ashina's gaze settled on Uchiha Yan.

"You must be Uchiha Yan, yes? Konoha's helmsman, the Uchiha Clan's brain."

Uchiha Yan paused slightly before bowing. "You flatter me, Patriarch Uzumaki. All of this is thanks to Lord Hashirama and Lord Madara. If Lord Hashirama and Lord Madara had not set aside their hatred and joined hands, then even if the Uchiha Clan had defeated the Senju Clan, it would only have been a pyrrhic victory. Creating Konoha Village would have been even more out of the question."

Senju Tobirama snorted coldly, his face visibly darkening.

Wasn't that just rubbing salt in his wounds?

If Uchiha Yan had not suddenly appeared and kicked him flying, he would have slain Uchiha Izuna long ago. Then those three had joined forces against his brother, leaving his brother outnumbered. The Senju and Uchiha had fought for so many years—throughout it all, his brother had faced Uchiha Madara while he had faced Uchiha Izuna—and the Senju Clan had always held the upper hand!

Who would have thought the Uchiha would suddenly produce a Mangekyo Sharingan wielder, one they had hidden so deeply!

Damn Uchiha Yan!

Uzumaki Ashina looked at Uchiha Yan with clear appreciation in his voice.

"Konoha's Three Departments and Six Ministries system, and the Konoha Constitution—I hear they were both your work?"

Uchiha Yan humbly replied, "I merely did what little I could. I would not dare claim credit."

Uzumaki Ashina shook his head. "Young man, there is no need to be so modest. Your system gave Konoha a soul."

Having fought and killed through the Warring States Era for so many years, he had seen too many once-mighty powers fall apart because of internal chaos. He considered himself a fair judge of character—this young Uchiha before him would certainly not stop here.

Becoming Hokage was practically a foregone conclusion.

When that time came, Konoha's first two Hokage would both be Uchiha. The Uzumaki Clan needed allies like that.

"Uncle."

As Senju Tobirama watched Uzumaki Ashina chatting so enthusiastically with Uchiha Yan, alarm bells rang in his head. He had no choice but to steer the conversation back on course. "Where is Mito? Regarding the marriage..."

Uzumaki Ashina snapped back to attention and laughed heartily. "That girl Mito is in the village. I've already sent someone to fetch her. It just so happens that you young people can get to know one another better."

Uzumaki Ashina being so warm toward Uchiha Yan was no good sign for the Senju Clan. He had to settle the marriage as quickly as possible and firmly bind the Uzumaki Clan to the Senju war chariot.

Before long, Uzumaki Mito and the others arrived.

"Mito, Shino, Uori, Nagetsuki."

With a smile, Uzumaki Ashina introduced them. "These are all outstanding young talents from the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan. Get acquainted."

Uzumaki Mito and Senju Hashirama had been betrothed since childhood and had known each other for a long time; that match was set in stone. As for Shino, Uori, and Nagetsuki—Uzumaki Ashina had slipped in a little something extra. He wanted to scoop up both the Senju and Uchiha in one net, binding the two strongest clans in the shinobi world to the Uzumaki ship in a single stroke.

But Uchiha Yan's eyes lit up.

Uzumaki Ashina's move was exactly what he wanted!

He had come to the Uzumaki Clan with the intention of finding a partner for Uchiha Madara. Even if Uchiha Madara did not work out, wasn't there still Izuna? A bargain had been delivered right to his doorstep—there was no reason not to take it.

He rose to his feet and began the introductions.

"Lady Mito, Miss Shino, Miss Uori, Miss Nagetsuki—"

He turned slightly and pointed to Senju Hashirama. "This is Lord Hashirama of the Senju Clan, the Senju Clan's patriarch."

"And this is Lord Tobirama."

But Senju Tobirama felt that something was off—Uchiha Yan had called him "Lord Tobirama."

Then Uchiha Yan walked over to Uchiha Izuna's side, straightened his back, and raised his voice several notches.

"The gentleman beside me is the younger brother of Konoha's current Hokage, wielder of the Mangekyo Sharingan, Konoha's regent—Lord Uchiha Izuna!"

Regent? Since when had he become a regent?

"I am Uchiha Yan, the right-hand man of Konoha's Hokage and the current Minister of Revenue of Konoha. I have accompanied them here for two purposes: first, Lord Hashirama's marriage; second, the everlasting friendship between Konoha and the Uzumaki Clan."

Shameless!

Vermin!

Evil Uchiha!

Senju Tobirama's face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

When he first heard Uchiha Yan call him "Lord Tobirama," he had been puzzled—since when had these evil Uchiha become so good at speaking? Who would have thought that while he and his elder brother were only mentioned in passing, Uchiha Izuna and Uchiha Yan received such detailed introductions!

What was he trying to do?

Since when had Uchiha Izuna become Konoha's regent?

That old bastard Uchiha Yan—did he still take my order banning disciples seriously?

This was contempt for the Senju Clan!

When they got back, he would impeach Uchiha Yan! He would impeach the Hokage, Uchiha Madara!

Senju Hashirama, on the other hand, did not find anything inappropriate. His gaze fell on Uzumaki Mito. "Mito... it's been a long time."

Mito said, "Hashirama-kun, it has been a long time."

As for Shino, Uori, and Nagetsuki, the three of them instead found Uchiha Yan rather interesting.

Uzumaki Ashina stood to one side, taking everything in, and could not help sighing inwardly—

No wonder Hashirama had failed to secure the position of Hokage.

With someone like Uchiha Yan around, Senju Tobirama's loss was not unjustified in the slightest.

Originally, it would have been best if Senju Hashirama had become Hokage, but now it seemed the Uchiha were not bad either.