Outside Konoha's eastern outskirts, the rising sun was gradually dispelling the darkness before dawn. Damp mist filled the air, draping the entire Senju Clan Compound in a thin veil and giving it a dreamlike appearance. The rising sun hung on the horizon, pouring down its golden radiance without reserve. Bathed in its light, the Senju Clan Compound seemed edged in gold, ablaze with rosy light and breathtakingly beautiful.
At the outskirts of the Senju Clan Compound, ancient trees towered into the sky. Enormous trunks rose from the ground, their thick branches intertwining to blot out the sun. Sunlight struggled through gaps in the layers of foliage, casting dappled shadows and patches of gold across the ground. Now and then, a breeze stirred the leaves, making them rustle as though whispering ancient stories.
Beyond the tranquil, secluded grove of ancient trees, old residences with gray-brick walls and red-tiled roofs stood in an orderly arrangement. Like treasures left behind by the years, they were solemn and mysterious. Lifelike carvings of rare birds and exotic beasts adorned the eaves of the ancient houses. Some spread their wings as though ready to take flight, while others stood in imposing poses. Every detail displayed the craftsmen's exquisite skill. In the sunlight, the carvings seemed to come alive, extraordinarily animated.
Elaborate patterns were carved into the vermilion gates, their flowing lines intricate and magnificent. Like some mysterious formation, they gave off an ancient and profound air. Eight massive stone pillars stood on either side of the gates. Divine dragons wound around them, their whiskers flowing and their eyes bright and vivid, as though they might burst from the stone and soar into the heavens at any moment. A glazed glass bead was set into the top of each pillar, giving off a faint glow in the morning light and lending the solemn residence an added touch of mystery.
All around the courtyard walls grew rare and precious flowers, grasses, and trees. Brilliant blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, red as fire, pink as rosy clouds, and white as snow. Waves of enchanting fragrance lifted the spirits of anyone who breathed them in. Green leaves gleamed with the luster of life in the sunlight, complementing the vivid flowers to form a beautiful picture.
Senju Yasuhei stood at the gates of the Senju residence. He wore a black robe embroidered with golden threads that outlined mysterious patterns, shimmering faintly in the sunlight. A broad sash was tied around his waist, adorned with an emerald-green jade pendant that further accentuated his composed and dignified bearing. His hair was neatly bound atop his head, and his eyes showed a trace of anticipation and respect.
Senju Tenpuku stood beside him in a dark blue short jacket, with delicate patterns embroidered around its cuffs and collar. Black trousers and black cloth shoes completed his outfit, giving him a capable and neat appearance. He raised his head slightly to look at the residence before him, his eyes full of awe.
Tsubasa stood behind them, wearing a little white jacket whose hem fluttered gently in the breeze. His light blue shorts left his slender calves bare. He gazed curiously at everything around him, his eyes full of childlike wonder and curiosity. From time to time, he rose onto his tiptoes, trying to get a better look.
The three stood quietly at the gate, waiting for the gatekeeper to announce them to the master of the residence, Lord Hashirama Senju.
Soon, the vermilion gates slowly opened with a low creak, and Hashirama Senju and his wife, Mito Uzumaki, came out side by side to greet them. Hashirama's white robe swayed gently in the breeze. Golden thread embroidered with the distinctive patterns of the Senju Clan glimmered in the sunlight, giving him a noble yet carefree appearance. A navy-blue sash was tied around his waist. His signature long black hair was loosely bound, with a few stray locks falling beside his resolute face. He wore a hearty smile, his eyes narrowing into crescents as he laughed loudly. "Uncle Yasuhei, you honor us with your presence! Forgive me for not coming out to meet you sooner!" His voice was loud and warm, as though it carried the power to dispel all gloom.
Mito Uzumaki stood beside Hashirama in a red kimono embroidered with subtle, elegant whirlpool patterns. The delicate edging at the cuffs and collar highlighted her distinctive status. Her long, lustrous red hair fell smoothly down her back, a few strands tucked behind her ears, further accentuating her lovely face. The corners of her lips lifted in a gentle smile, her eyes full of friendliness as she quietly watched everyone.
Senju Yasuhei smiled and replied, "I came uninvited without asking in advance and have caused you some inconvenience. I hope you won't take offense, Hashirama."
Seeing this, Senju Tenpuku and Tsubasa immediately bowed to Hashirama and his wife. Senju Tenpuku lowered his head slightly, his movements composed and respectful, respect evident in his eyes. Tsubasa copied Tenpuku, bending at the waist in a proper bow, his little face full of earnestness.
Hashirama Senju laughed and waved a hand, sincere joy shining on his face. "Your visit brings honor to my humble home, Uncle Yasuhei. Please, come inside!" As he spoke, he made a welcoming gesture.
Senju Yasuhei nodded. "All right." He then led Senju Tenpuku and Tsubasa after Hashirama Senju into the residence.
Tsubasa followed the adults through the gates, and the moment he entered the Senju clan leader's residence, he was stunned by the sight before him. Rockeries and flowing water filled the grounds, a whole different world within. Bluestone rockeries of various shapes stood in an orderly arrangement, with streams winding and trickling between them. The clear, pleasant sound of water danced through the air like lively musical notes. A magnificent palace stood at the center, its upturned eaves and interlocking brackets lending it a majestic grandeur, as though it were telling the glorious history of the Senju Clan. Behind the palace, a towering pavilion rose into the clouds, looking even more mysterious in the sunlight. The spacious training ground was empty, but Tsubasa seemed able to imagine the clan members training hard there on ordinary days. Along both sides of the paths, exotic flowers and plants bloomed everywhere in a riot of color, giving off waves of enchanting fragrance.
Everyone arrived at the reception hall and took their seats, exchanging a few more pleasantries.
Senju Yasuhei cleared his throat softly. His expression grew serious, and he sat up straight as he slowly explained the purpose of their visit. "I came today mainly to thank Lord Hashirama for looking after my family all these years. My unfortunate grandson Tsubasa recovered yesterday, so I brought him here today to express our gratitude."
When Hashirama Senju heard this, his already bright eyes lit up even more. He sat up straight, his face full of pleasant surprise and his voice brimming with excitement he could not contain. "Little Tsubasa woke up? Doesn't that mean Natural Energy has finished transforming him and he's attained a Sage Body? Quick, let me have a look!" As he spoke, he and Mito Uzumaki eagerly turned to look at Little Tsubasa.
With everyone's eyes on him, Tsubasa took a deep breath and rose steadily to his feet. His hands hung naturally at his sides, his fingers slightly curled, and his back was ramrod straight, like a young poplar striving to grow. Then he took a small step forward, brought his feet together, and slowly bent at the waist, lowering his head. His movements were neither hurried nor slow, and every detail showed the care he put into them.
First, he gave Hashirama Senju a deeply respectful bow, his forehead almost touching the ground. His voice was clear and carried a hint of nervousness. "Lord Hashirama, thank you for looking after me all these years." Then he turned to Mito Uzumaki and bowed just as properly. "Lady Mito, Tsubasa thanks you as well."
Hashirama Senju looked at the considerate boy before him, his eyes full of approval and his face breaking into a hearty smile. He strode forward, firmly took Tsubasa by both arms, and gently helped him up, saying in a booming voice, "My, what a fine young man! Just look at that vigor. You're sure to be extraordinary someday!" As he spoke, he looked Tsubasa up and down, the fondness in his eyes plain to see.
Baptized by the power of nature over many long years, Tsubasa's body seemed to have been infused with the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, an otherworldly, immortal aura surrounding him.
Every inch of his skin seemed to have been carefully shaped in nature's embrace, his contours smooth and full of strength. Every gesture gave off an ethereal charm unlike anything of the mortal world. This charm was not an affected pose, but something that radiated naturally from within, as though he had already become one with heaven and earth, a part of nature itself.
What was more, after taking the Senju Secret Medicine for years, he carried a faint medicinal fragrance. Unlike the pungent, intense smell of ordinary herbs, it was light and delicate, like the nearly imperceptible scent carried by a spring breeze across an herb garden. With every breath, one could sense this distinctive fragrance. Like an invisible force, it instantly brought peace and calm to the heart. This medicinal fragrance was not merely a scent from his body; it was also part of his distinctive bearing. Blending with his immortal aura, the two enhanced each other, leaving people unable to resist losing themselves in the unique atmosphere he created.
Mito Uzumaki smiled, her eyes curving into lovely crescents as she gazed gently at Tsubasa. "He really is a good child," she said softly. "Just looking at him makes you fond of him from the bottom of your heart, and you can't help wanting to dote on him a little more."
Hashirama Senju looked at Tsubasa with bright eyes full of expectation. He took a step forward, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke in a voice like a great bell. "Little Tsubasa, I once said that when you recovered, I would take you as my disciple. Now that you're well, are you willing to accept me as your master and train under me?" His gaze held both an elder's concern and admiration for a promising talent.
When Tsubasa heard this, he did not hesitate for a moment. He bent his knees and dropped firmly to the ground with a thud, placed both hands on the floor, and knocked his head heavily against it with a series of thumps. As he kowtowed, he called out in a clear young voice, "Greetings, Master! Thank you for accepting me as your disciple!" After finishing his kowtows, he turned to Mito Uzumaki and respectfully kowtowed again. "Greetings, Mistress!" His voice was loud and firm.