Senju Ancestral Home

After checking the time and the "flexible handling" slot originally reserved for the afternoon on his schedule, he made up his mind.

"I need to visit the Senju Ancestral Home this afternoon," he murmured, beginning to sort through his thoughts.

This trip had three clear purposes:

Mito Uzumaki, his teacher's wife, had given him unwavering support at a critical moment. That support was the foundation that had allowed him to gain a firm footing.

Both publicly and personally, he had to pay her a formal, solemn visit to thank her and show concern for this highly respected elder.

As the First Hokage's widow, Mito had personally witnessed the entire process of Konoha and the Land of Fire forging their alliance. Her views on the daimyo and her understanding of the relationship between the two sides held irreplaceable reference value.

Perhaps he could glean some of the First Hokage's true considerations back then, as well as the web of personal ties he had left behind.

Most importantly, he knew that, at this very moment, there was a little girl immersed in immense grief at the Senju Ancestral Home—Tsunade.

Second Grandpa's—Teacher Tobirama's—sudden passing had been far too great a blow to a child who had lost her grandfather—Teacher Hashirama—at a young age, and had now lost another important relative.

As Tobirama's disciple and the current Third Hokage, he had a responsibility to counsel her and arrange as stable and caring a future for her as possible.

"As for the matter of becoming her teacher..." Nangō Kumoi thought of the original story, a gentle yet somewhat helpless smile appearing on his lips.

"With everything on my plate, I'm afraid I truly won't have time to teach a disciple systematically.

Senior Brother Hiruzen has a steady temperament and solid fundamentals, and he is also the Hokage's aide. He would be the most suitable person to serve as Tsunade's main instructor.

I'll just... be a nominal grand-uncle teacher, or perhaps an unofficial master?

Like Kakashi and Jiraiya would be to Naruto in the future—busy with their own affairs most of the time, but offering guidance, support, and resources when it mattered."

Having thought it through, he no longer hesitated. After making a few simple preparations, he changed into a somewhat solemn but not overly formal everyday outfit. He brought no large escort, only having two Anbu follow from a distance as he set out on foot toward the Senju clan grounds.

The Senju Ancestral Home still retained its ancient, stately style, though the repeated blows it had suffered inevitably left its gates and courtyard looking somewhat desolate.

After his arrival was announced, Nangō Kumoi was led into a simply decorated tea room.

Mito Uzumaki was already seated inside. She wore a plain kimono, her red hair combed meticulously, her expression tranquil, as though no turmoil in the outside world could disturb her in the slightest.

Only the weathered depth in her eyes, and the occasional sharp glint that flashed through them, reminded others of the terrifying power sealed within her and the magnificent, turbulent era she had once witnessed.

"Lady Mito."

Nangō Kumoi stopped at the doorway, standing tall as he bowed respectfully, his tone solemn.

Mito Uzumaki looked up at him. A gentle ripple passed through those calm eyes that had witnessed countless storms.

Rather than remaining seated to receive his bow, she lightly raised a hand. Her tone carried the faint reproach and deeper intimacy of an elder seeing a junior who had returned after a long absence:

"Yunjiang, you're here. Now that you've become Hokage, have you grown distant from your teacher's wife instead?"

She shook her head slightly and pointed to the cushion before her. Her voice was gentle, yet carried an unquestionable warmth. "There are no outsiders here. Sit and talk. Just call me Teacher's Wife as you always did."

Those seemingly reproachful yet truly affectionate words were like a warm breeze, instantly dispersing the invisible distance that might have arisen between the new Hokage and the First Hokage's widow because of their sudden change in status.

She had taken the initiative to dissolve the distance imposed by etiquette, anchoring their relationship once more in the warmer, more intimate bond of teacher's wife and disciple.

At her words, Nangō Kumoi felt a faint warmth in his heart, and the tense line of his shoulders quietly relaxed.

The solemn expression on his face melted away, replaced by a more genuine smile. That smile carried a trace of embarrassment at having his little thoughts exposed, as well as gratitude for her concern.

He no longer clung to a completely formal posture. Instead, he stepped forward as instructed and sat on the cushion Mito had indicated in a more relaxed, yet still respectful, manner.

"Teacher's Wife is right."

He readily changed his form of address, and his tone became much more relaxed and natural.

"I simply didn't adjust right away. I only thought that, now that my status was different, I had to be even more meticulous about etiquette. Instead, I ended up making things distant. Please don't take offense."

His expression then turned serious as he said sincerely, "In truth, I would never dare forget even half of my gratitude toward you, Teacher's Wife.

If you had not held the situation steady yesterday, things would never have gone so smoothly. Yunjiang will remember this kindness in his heart."

Mito shook her head slightly. "You earned it yourself. Your speech and arrangements both struck at the heart of the matter.

Tobirama did not choose wrongly when he chose you."

Then she changed the subject and asked in an apparently casual tone, "The compensation and reconstruction efforts haven't been easy to push forward, have they? Especially... when it comes to funding?"

Nangō Kumoi's heart stirred. He knew the opportunity had come.

He answered frankly, "It has indeed been difficult, but we are overcoming it. Fortunately, the daimyo has shown consideration, and the first reconstruction funds have already arrived, easing the immediate crisis."

Yunjiang paused briefly, as though reflecting aloud.

"When the First Hokage formed the alliance with the daimyo back then, their mutual trust and support truly laid the foundation for Konoha's decades of stability.

It is only that, with times having changed, I wonder how this alliance... should best be maintained and developed in the future. Teacher's Wife, you have lived through two generations and see things more clearly than anyone. Could you perhaps offer some guidance?"

Mito lifted her teacup and gently blew away the steam. Her gaze grew distant, as though she had returned to those days when her husband and his closest friend had joined hands to forge a new era.

"Hashirama and the current daimyo's father were true confidants and comrades-in-arms. Their alliance was founded upon shared ideals, deep trust, and a clear understanding of each other's strength and responsibilities."

She spoke slowly. "The exchange of money and military force was merely the surface.

At its core, it was this: 'The Land of Fire needs Konoha's blade to expand and safeguard stability, while Konoha needs the Land of Fire's banner to gain a foothold and achieve lasting peace.'

Once trust is broken, or once either side is no longer needed, the alliance will begin to waver."

She looked at Nangō Kumoi, her gaze clear and profound:

"Yunjiang, what you wish to ask is not merely how to maintain it, is it? You have seen the risks of dependence. Hashirama and Tobirama may not have failed to see them either, but in their era, they had no other choice.

Now... Konoha may have the possibility of more choices. But remember: any change must be built upon replacing the old arrangement with stronger value, and its bottom line must be not betraying the original goodwill and trust.

Let the daimyo see that a stronger, more self-disciplined Konoha—one more capable of giving back to the Land of Fire—is more beneficial to him and to the Land of Fire than a Konoha that is merely obedient. That will require time, and wisdom as well."

Her words almost perfectly aligned with Nangō Kumoi's earlier thoughts, yet were more concise and filled with political wisdom.

Fully convinced, he bowed to her once more. "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher's Wife. Yunjiang will remember it well."