A Daimyo's Kneeling Plea [Please Bookmark and Vote!]

"Mhm, my name was given to me by my father too."

Hashirama answered earnestly, introducing, "This is my younger brother, Tobirama Senju."

"Hello."

Tobirama amicably extended his hand. This was Mito's younger brother and very likely to become his elder brother's brother-in-law someday, so he did not dare neglect him.

After they shook hands and exchanged pleasantries, Shusen curiously asked Hashirama, "How did you meet my sister?"

Shusen had never heard Mito mention Hashirama at home before. He had assumed they had not met yet at this point in time, or that his presence had caused a butterfly effect that would keep them from ending up together as they had in the original story.

Now, it seemed they had known each other for quite some time.

"Two years ago, Mito and I joined forces against the Hagoromo Clan on the battlefield. Back then... back then, Mito even saved my life." At this point, Hashirama's face reddened awkwardly.

Two years ago, he had been around Shusen's age. He had carelessly fallen for the Hagoromo clan head's trick and suffered severe injuries. Mito had rolled up her sleeve and told him to bite her hard, allowing his wounds to heal completely. The two of them then joined forces to kill the Hagoromo clan head, turning the tide of the battle in one stroke.

Embarrassingly, that bite had also been his first kiss. Ever since then, he had been unable to stop thinking about Mito. In the dead of night, unable to sleep alone, he would often drag Tobirama into listening to his longing, nearly driving the single man to collapse.

"Oh, so that's how it was." Shusen did not know what Hashirama was thinking, but seeing him blush, he concluded that his feelings for his sister were anything but ordinary comradeship.

"Sis, why didn't you tell me?"

"Why would I tell you about that?"

Telling her little brother about her relationship with Hashirama just felt strange to Mito.

"Don't you know I really admire Big Brother Hashirama? Father often says that Big Brother Hashirama is the strongest prodigy among Fire Country's younger generation and tells me to learn more from him."

Mito: "..."

That was enough.

Yet Hashirama was delighted to hear it. It seemed that being acknowledged by Mito's younger brother was an immense honor.

"Clan Head Ryū flatters me. I admire him greatly as well. His establishment of Whirlpool Village was an incredibly bold move, and it has been of immeasurable importance in easing the chaos within Fire Country!"

Hashirama was an honest man, and he was speaking the truth. His dream was to end the chaos of the Warring States era and build a great village where a hundred clans could coexist. He regarded Ryū as a pioneer.

In the early days of Whirlpool Village's founding, he had repeatedly suggested to his father, Butsuma Senju, that they should establish a village like Ryū had. But Butsuma Senju was too hesitant to show such resolve. He rejected Hashirama's proposal and told him that if he had the ability, he could handle it himself after becoming clan head in the future.

Butsuma Senju and Ryū chatted animatedly at the front, while Shusen and Hashirama were equally engrossed in conversation within the group, both feeling as if they had met too late.

After actually interacting with Hashirama, Shusen discovered that he was very well-suited to being a friend. He was not calculating or full of schemes. Straightforward and candid, he said what he meant. There was no need to worry about saying the wrong thing around him; one could relax as much as one wanted. In fact, Shusen was often the one who grew nervous.

A person like that made an excellent friend, but as an enemy, he would be terrifying. Shusen had no doubt about that.

After passing through the bustling streets, the two groups soon arrived at the gates of the imperial palace.

Guards were waiting there to receive them and led everyone to the banquet hall.

The Uzumaki Clan and Senju clan were not the first to arrive. Ninja clans such as the Kaguya Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and Hatake Clan were already seated solemnly in the hall. When the two clans arrived, they merely cast them cold, indifferent glances.

"Please find seats, Clan Heads. The daimyo will arrive shortly," the guard said respectfully.

Ryū and Butsuma Senju nodded and led their clansmen to their seats.

The banquet hall was enormous and could hold several thousand people. Even after both clans had taken their seats, there were still many empty places.

Time passed, and the atmosphere in the hall was so silent that a pin drop could be heard. It was oppressive.

Even Ryū and Butsuma Senju stopped conversing. They looked at their noses and focused their minds, maintaining silence.

The other ninja clans were the same. None of them had the mood to chat with one another. On the battlefield, they all wished they could beat each other's brains out, fighting to the death. If not for the daimyo arranging this gathering, they would never have been able to remain in the same room.

Ninja clans entered one after another, gradually filling the once-empty hall.

Half an hour later, the Hyuga Clan arrived.

Hyuga Tenfu noticed Ryū and gave him a friendly look, nodding in greeting.

Ryū nodded back. The two sides exchanged no further words.

Shusen noticed a subtle detail: more than half of the Hyuga clansmen standing behind Hyuga Tenfu wore iron clan emblems on their foreheads.

"So the Caged Bird has already been implanted."

Shusen fell into thought.

He continued looking, sweeping his gaze across them one by one, but did not see Hyuga Rika.

For some reason, he felt a faint sense of disappointment. Remembering the sweet fruity scent that had lingered between their lips and teeth half a month ago, he felt somewhat restless.

Cut, cut, cut!

He silently reminded himself that women would only slow down his eye-gouging.

At each age, one should do what was appropriate for that age. His foremost goal now was to grow stronger, not to think about romance.

Without strength, he would not even be able to protect the person he liked.

Dusk fell.

Virtually every notable ninja clan within Fire Country had arrived. The clans that had not come were all insignificant small clans, not even qualified to receive an invitation from the daimyo.

The daimyo made his appearance last. Dressed in a gilded robe, he looked noble and magnificent.

"Greetings, Lord Daimyo!"

The clan heads all rose and cupped their hands in salute, displaying the proper conduct of subjects.

"No need for formalities."

The daimyo smiled faintly, his gaze lingering a moment longer on Ryū, carrying a hint of satisfaction.

The facts had proved that his assistance back then had been worthwhile. After the Uzumaki Clan established Whirlpool Village, it had indeed produced a positive effect. It had not only resolved the plight of a great many refugees, but also stabilized the situation in Fire Country.

In the past, the Uzumaki Clan, Senju Clan, Uchiha, and Kaguya Clan had fought the fiercest battles in Fire Country. Now, all four clans had become more restrained, honestly recuperating and rebuilding. Otherwise, Fire Country would surely be even more chaotic today.

"First, I would like to thank all the clan heads for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend this gathering," the daimyo began. He did not sit, and the ninja clans remained standing with him.

"I imagine you are all curious about the purpose of this banquet. I will not keep it from you."

The daimyo's voice gradually lowered.

"To be honest, today, on behalf of the countless common people of Fire Country, I wish to implore all of you as the daimyo. Please, stop this war!"

As soon as his words fell, the daimyo dropped to his knees before the ninja clans with a thud.

The hall, which held thousands of ninja, instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at one another in shock.