The alliance ceremony between the Uchiha Clan and the Uzumaki Clan was finally scheduled for a bright, sunny day. Under countless watchful eyes, Madara Uchiha and Mito Uzumaki shook hands to seal the alliance, witnessed by their respective clans.
The entire gathering fell silent. The Uchiha Clan behind Madara Uchiha, the Uzumaki Clan beside Princess Mito, and the members of other shinobi clans who had come to watch all held their breath.
The silence was absolute. Only after a moment did a smattering of applause break out.
Compared to the grand alliance ceremony that had shaken the entire shinobi world several years ago, this alliance inspired confidence in no one-not even its own participants.
Looking at the sour-faced Uchiha across from them, the redheaded Uzumaki exchanged glances, finding nothing but bewilderment and blankness on familiar faces. They asked themselves:
Was this really a good idea?
Suddenly feeling that their future was bleak, the Uzumaki stared vacantly, their faces full of worry as countless thoughts clamored through their minds:
Wouldn't the Senju Clan be angry? Wouldn't the clan head be angry?
Were the Uchiha Clan really reliable?
Wouldn't their furious clansmen throw them into the sea once they got home?
In the end, after thinking themselves into a mental deadlock, the redheads decided to trust their princess.
Whether in cunning or strength, Mito was one of the finest of their generation. They trusted her judgment.
By contrast, the red-eyed Uchiha had none of the redheaded Uzumaki's concerns. Though they were still doing their utmost to look cool and aloof, these stubbornly prideful people could barely keep the corners of their mouths from rising.
*This was the Uchiha Clan's first alliance with another shinobi clan since the village was founded, and the other party was both an ally and an in-law of