New Agreement

This sudden, over-the-top grand welcome clearly stunned Senju Hashirama and the party behind him for a moment.

The Senju Four Polar Generals instantly went on alert instead, their sharp gazes sweeping the surroundings as their hands unconsciously settled on their weapons.

As they saw it, the Uzumaki Clan, who had only recently been betrayed, putting on such a display now was far too abnormal. Could it be a trap?

Senju Hashirama tilted his head slightly and whispered in a voice only they could hear, "Don't be nervous!"

Hashirama took a deep breath, put a gentle, sincere smile back on his face, and strode toward Uzumaki Ashina.

"Clan Leader Ashina, Miss Mito, elders, it has been a long time. Forgive me for visiting so abruptly."

A formal smile also squeezed onto Uzumaki Ashina's face. "Young Clan Leader Hashirama, you are too courteous.

"You must be tired from the journey. Please come inside first, and we can discuss things in detail."

"Many thanks, Clan Leader Ashina." Hashirama bowed again, then led the Senju Four Polar Generals after Uzumaki Ashina and the others into the clan grounds.

The twenty elite Senju jonin spread out in tacit understanding, guarding the surroundings, forming a state of clear separation and mutual vigilance with the Uzumaki Clan's guards.

Inside the Uzumaki Clan's reception hall.

Exquisite dishes and mellow wine filled the long table.

Host and guests sat separately, raising cups and exchanging toasts. On the surface, they smiled and chatted warmly, but in secret, each harbored their own thoughts.

After several rounds of wine, the atmosphere warmed slightly.

Senju Hashirama set down his cup, his gaze turning incomparably sincere, and bowed deeply to Uzumaki Ashina and the four elders.

"Clan Leader Ashina, Miss Mito, elders, in truth, the foremost purpose of my visit this time is to offer the deepest apologies to every member of the Uzumaki Clan for what my late father, Butsuma, did before!

"That was absolutely not the Senju Clan's intention, much less my own!

"The Senju Clan has failed the trust of its allies!"

Uzumaki Ashina looked at Hashirama's sincere bearing and waved a hand. "Young Clan Leader Hashirama, you have already apologized and paid the price, so there is no need to mention it again.

"What matters is that the same mistake is not made again in the future."

"There will certainly be no next time! I, Senju Hashirama, swear it here!" Hashirama said firmly.

"Clan Leader Ashina, the second matter of this visit is to sincerely request that the Uzumaki Clan set aside past grievances and form an alliance with my Senju Clan once more!

"So we may jointly face the growing threat of the Uchiha Clan!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes focused on Uzumaki Ashina.

Uzumaki Ashina did not answer immediately, but turned his gaze to Uzumaki Mito beside him.

Meeting Hashirama's gaze, Uzumaki Mito said softly, "Young Clan Leader Hashirama, forming an alliance again is not impossible."

A trace of joy flashed through Hashirama's eyes. "Miss Mito, please speak!"

"However," Uzumaki Mito changed tack, "we need to sign a formal alliance document, not rely on a verbal promise.

"And the terms of the alliance must be made clear."

"That is only natural! Miss Mito, please state the terms." Hashirama nodded.

Uzumaki Mito continued, "First, on the battlefield where we jointly oppose the Uchiha, my Uzumaki Clan will send troops to assist the Senju.

"As for ninjutsu scrolls seized on the battlefield, no matter their rank, the Uzumaki Clan must have the right to copy and keep one duplicate.

"As for seized weapons, money, or other supplies, as well as... the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan, they must be fairly divided according to the actual proportion of troops both sides send to the battlefield."

"What? You want a share of the Sharingan too!" Senju Kai was the first who could not hold back. He shot to his feet. "This condition is going too far!"

"Exactly!" Senju Wu also slammed the table and rose. "Copies of ninjutsu scrolls are one thing, but the Sharingan is the bloodline treasure of the Senju Clan's generational enemies, and an important material for studying their weaknesses!

"On what grounds should we give them to you? What does your Uzumaki Clan want the Sharingan for? Don't tell me you want to transplant them too?"

Senju Hao even laughed in fury. "By that logic, we might as well give all the spoils to you Uzumaki! Is our Senju Clan supposed to work for you for nothing?"

Facing the anger of the Senju Four Polar Generals, Uzumaki Mito revealed a sly smile. "If the heroes of the Senju are willing to generously give all the spoils to our Uzumaki Clan, then this humble girl... naturally would not mind."

"You...!" Senju Hao was choked red in the face by her soft barb.

"Enough!" Senju Hashirama spoke with unquestionable authority.

Though Senju Kai and the other two were unwilling, they could only force down their anger and sit back down resentfully.

Hashirama raised his brows. "Weapons and money can be divided by proportion. Copies of ninjutsu scrolls are also acceptable.

"But the Sharingan... Miss Mito, could you tell me what use the Uzumaki Clan has for this item?"

"This..." Uzumaki Mito lifted her chin slightly. "Young Clan Leader Hashirama need not ask more. This is our condition.

"Just tell us, do you agree or not?"

Hashirama turned his gaze to Uzumaki Ashina. "Clan Leader Ashina, are the conditions Miss Mito proposed her personal wishes, or... the wishes of the entire Uzumaki Clan?"

Uzumaki Ashina said solemnly, "Mito's wishes represent the wishes of everyone in my Uzumaki Clan!"

Senju Hashirama fell silent, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop. Clearly, he was weighing things intensely.

In the end, he slowly said, "Good! I can represent the Senju Clan and agree to your conditions!"

Hashirama changed tack, his tone turning serious. "However! After the alliance is signed, I hope the Uzumaki Clan can abide by the agreement and cooperate in good faith.

"Do not act one way in public and another in private, and even more, do not deliberately delay when support is urgently needed on the battlefield and miss the chance to win! Otherwise..."

"Young Clan Leader Hashirama, you may rest assured!" Uzumaki Ashina promised solemnly. "As long as the alliance is signed, from now on, Senju and Uzumaki will be one family! If family is in trouble, my Uzumaki Clan will certainly do all we can and never stand by!"

"Good!" Senju Hashirama nodded hard. "There is no time to lose. Clan Leader Ashina, please have someone prepare two copies of the alliance document immediately, and we will sign them on the spot! There are still important matters in my clan, so it is inconvenient for me to remain long."

"That is how it should be." Uzumaki Ashina nodded. "Mito!"

"Yes!" Uzumaki Mito personally rose and went to prepare the documents.

About half an hour later, Uzumaki Mito returned to the hall with two formal alliance documents carried on fine scrolls in her hands.

"Young Clan Leader Hashirama, please look them over." She handed one of them to Senju Hashirama.

Hashirama accepted the scroll and carefully reviewed it word by word, sentence by sentence.

The terms on the scroll were completely identical to what Uzumaki Mito had described just now.

After confirming there were no mistakes, he bit open his thumb without hesitation, signed his name, "Senju Hashirama," at the end of both scrolls, and solemnly stamped them with the unique seal representing the Senju Clan.

Uzumaki Ashina also accepted both scrolls. After confirming the contents, he likewise signed his name and stamped them with the Uzumaki Clan's seal.

From this moment on, the two alliance documents took effect.