In Konoha, Kagami Uchiha stood on the terrace of the Hokage's office, his Hokage robes fluttering in the wind. Ever since he took over as the Fourth Hokage, he had been working tirelessly to handle all the affairs of the Land of Fire, daring not to slack off in the slightest.
With a soft "thump," Anbu ninja landed lightly behind him, kicking up a gust of dust as he knelt on one knee. " Lord Hokage, the entire Ten Family clan has returned to the village."
Mirror didn't turn around, her fingertips tapping lightly on the railing. "Did they all return? Including those Mizukage and Tsuchikage?"
"Yes." The Anbu's voice was extremely low, tinged with barely suppressed tension. "Lord Mizukage Tian Yukihime- hime has entered the Ten Family villa, and Lord Tsuchikage Lady Tian Uguisu has also entered the village."
Mirror's fingers paused. Tian Yukihime had ruled the Land of Water for several years, and Tian Uguisu's position in the Land of Earth was even more supreme. For both of them to simultaneously return to Konoha —even a fool would know something important was about to happen. As he turned, his crimson Sharingan darted halfway around in its socket before quickly disappearing. "What about Mount Myōboku?"
" Tian Mai has returned as well, and she's probably already inside the Ten Family." The Anbu looked up, his eyes behind his mask filled with unease. "And... Queen Tian Flying Swallow returned to the village last night with her personal guards, traveling light."
Upon hearing this, Kagami Uchiha took a deep breath, turned around and walked towards his office. As soon as Gate of Opening, he Hiruzen Sarutobi arguing with Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, with the scrolls on the table scattered in a mess.
"Stop arguing, all of you." Kagami Uchiha tossed his Hokage hat onto the table with a dull thud. "The entire Ten Family has returned to Konoha."
Utatane Koharu's pen fell with a "thud" onto the scroll, spreading a small blot of ink. "They're all... all back? Queen Tian Flying Swallow is back too?"
"Not just her, but Tian Yukihime, Tian Uguisu, Tian Muyan, Tian Yueqing, Tian Mai, Tian Zhiyun, and Tian Ming—not one is Tenmei." Kagami Uchiha pulled up a chair and sat down, tapping his fingers on the table. "Tell me, what do you think?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi stopped stroking his beard, his brows furrowing. "The Tenka Ten Family... any one of them could overturn the Shinobi World on their own. Tian Flying Swallow is the undisputed ruler of the Land of Fire; even I have to show her respect. Tian Yukihime controls most of the ninja forces in the Land of Water. And Tian Uguisu, needless to say, is the absolute authority in the Land of Earth."
"And then there's Tian Zhiyun," Mitokado Homura interjected, his voice tense. "Back then, she kicked half of Sunagakure's castle to the ground, scaring the Kazekage into sending an envoy to surrender. Now that they've returned, something important must have happened? Or are they here specifically to target us?"
"Impossible." Kagami Uchiha, drawing circles on the table with his fingertip. "If they wanted to attack us, they wouldn't have voluntarily withdrawn from the core of Konoha's power structure, I wouldn't have become Hokage, and they wouldn't have needed to make such a grand return to the village. The Ten Family's style has always been either inaction or, when they do act, they leave no time for anyone to react."
Utatane Koharu, her hands still trembling, picked up her teacup and took a sip. "So... they want to negotiate with Konoha?"
"Negotiate terms?" Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled bitterly. "Just us? Tian Mai is the lord of Mount Myōboku, possessing the core inheritance of the Tsubasa Immortal Cultivation; Tian Yueqing is the principal of the Kage Academy, and the Mirai pillars of Konoha all support her; Tian Muyan is the lord of the moon, and has awakened the Rinnegan... If they really want to negotiate terms with Konoha, we can only listen with our heads down?"
The office was quiet for a moment, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind outside the window. Tsunade leaned against the doorframe, twirling a small pebble in her hand. "Instead of guessing here," she said, "We might as well just go and ask. The Ten Family aren't unreasonable people, and my master, Tian Yueqing, is very easy to talk to."
Kagami Uchiha looked up at her and suddenly smiled, "You're more composed than the rest of us." He stood up and put his Hokage hat back on. "Prepare the car. We're going to the Ten Family. Hiruzen, Tsunade, you two come with me."
"And what about us?" Mitokado Homura asked.
"Focus on official business, don't cause any unnecessary trouble." Jing's voice deepened. "Remember, no one should provoke the Ten Family."
The Ten Family's villa was built atop the Divine Weapon Pavilion; it was more of a fortress than a villa. Without Super Kage Level strength, not even a single brick could be pried off. The entire Divine Weapon Pavilion was protected by an array set up by the Third Hokage.
The three of them had just stepped outside the villa and were looking around at this legendary Ten Family villa, which ordinary people were not qualified to enter.
" The Ten Family's residence is rather simpler than I've heard," Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the ninja tool pouch at his waist.
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to reply, the vermilion gate creaked open, revealing Senju Tenpuku, who was dressed in a moon-white robe with dark gold vine patterns embroidered on the cuffs. His hair was tied back with a wooden hairpin, making him look less like a general who had once held real power and more like a reclusive scholar. Behind him was a young man who bore a Kageko to Senju Tenpuku but possessed a greater composure than the average youth. This was none other than Tenmei, the current commander of the Azure Dragon Corps.
"Kagami, Hiruzen, and Little Tsunade, welcome!" Senju Tenpuku smiled and took a few steps forward, grabbing the wrists of Kagami Uchiha and Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Come in, come in! The tea at home was just brewed. I didn't expect you to come so soon."
Kagami Uchiha bowed respectfully, and the Hokage flicked his sleeve, saying, " Tenpuku Tenfu is too kind; we have troubled you."
"Hey, what's with all this talk about being an adult or not," Senju Tenpuku patted his arm, the force neither too light nor too heavy, " With Tsubasa missing, everyone is in a state of panic. We, the Ten Family, are very grateful that you were able to take on this important task. In terms of seniority, you should call me Uncle Tenpuku."
These words amused everyone. Tsunade raised an eyebrow and smiled, " Tenpuku, what are you saying? Do you think we, who have gained power, should be thanked by you?"
"Little girl, becoming a high-ranking member of Konoha is no easy feat!" Senju Tenpuku smiled and waved his hand, leading them inside. "This is for the service of the entire Land of Fire and Konoha. If you're only after power and fame, you'll be ousted. The burden of Hokage is too heavy for ordinary people to bear. Kagami reached this position because he earned everyone's approval. If you lead everyone to a better life, you will naturally earn everyone's gratitude."
As the group entered the council hall, several people paused subconsciously. The room was much more spacious than they had imagined. The floor was paved with large, polished bluestone slabs, but there was no carpet, giving it an imposing and cold feel. Above the hall hung a plaque inscribed with the words "Shou Zhuo" (meaning "Holding to Simplicity"), the calligraphy powerful and vigorous, as if infused with Chakra, with a subtle flow of energy between the characters. Most striking were the seats on either side—seven women sat upright in the seat to the left of the head of the table.
The seats were arranged along the wall, and the first seat was occupied by Tian Yueqing, the principal of the Kage Academy, who was dressed in a long silk robe and looked like a scholar.
The second person in the position is Tian Muyan, dressed in a moon-white gauze robe. The runic lights behind her make her look like Sage about to ascend to heaven.
The third was Tian Mai, the lord of Mount Myōboku, with a three-legged golden toad, taller than a person, squatting beside her. The toad stuck out its tongue, its eyes darting around, staring at the Military Rations Pill in Tsunade's hand as she entered.
The woman seated in the middle, Tian Flying Swallow, wore a fiery red embroidered embroidered robe, with a phoenix embroidered in gold thread spreading its wings on her shoulders. Although she did not speak, her domineering aura was so overwhelming that it was hard to breathe.
Below them was Tian Uguisu, her yellow clothes speckled with dust.
Sitting to her left was Tian Yukihime, whose light blue robe trailed on the ground like flowing lake water. When her fingertips brushed against the armrest, tiny ice particles condensed in the air.
At the very back sat Tian Zhiyun, dressed in ninja attire. She smiled as they entered, but that smile, reflected in Jing's eyes, was more chilling than a sandstorm from Sunagakure —this was the woman who had single-handedly destroyed half of the Sunagakure.
"Oh, the Fourth Hokage has arrived." Tian Zhiyun teased with a smile, "I thought you'd hesitate until dark before daring to come."
Suppressing the shock in his heart, Jing bowed slightly lower than usual as he clasped his hands in greeting. "It is my duty as the Fourth Hokage to pay my respects to the wives of the Third Hokage upon their return to the village. I have been impolite."
Tian Flying Swallow raised her eyes, and when those phoenix eyes swept over him, Jing felt as if his skin had been burned by flames. " Hokage, there's no need for formalities, please sit." Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority. "We were just discussing something, and your timing is perfect."
Tsunade bowed to the Tian Yueqing and then to the others.
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly pulled Tsunade, who was still stubbornly trying to walk towards Tian Yueqing, to Tsunade down, while he himself sat next to Kagami, his buttocks barely touching the edge of the chair. Tsunade glanced at the three-legged golden toad next to Tian Mai, which was winking at her. She irritably pulled a Military Rations Pill from her ninja tool pouch and tossed it over. "Catch."
The golden toad let out a loud "roar," caught the toad, and after swallowing it, it even let out a satisfying burp, much like a human. Tian Yueqing chuckled softly, her voice like a wind chime striking jade. " Tsunade is still so mischievous."
Kagami Uchiha bowed slightly and said respectfully, " Senju Tenpuku, Her Majesty the Queen, the Mizukage, the Tsuchikage, and all the high-ranking members of the Ten Family, I, Kagami Uchiha, have come to pay my respects to the Ten Family today. My second purpose is to request guidance on the Mirai development direction of Konoha, and I would like to hear any suggestions from the Ten Family members."
Tian Flying Swallow smiled slightly, her tone calm yet authoritative. " Lord Hokage, you've come at the right time. Our Ten Family has returned to Konoha to discuss the Mirai of the Land of Fire and Konoha with you."
Tian Flying Swallow continued, "The main reason the Ten Family is returning to Konoha is because Sister Tian Zhiyun has finally come back after so many years. We want to reunite as a family and make some arrangements for the Mirai. Our Ten Family has many businesses, and each branch has its own path to Mirai. This time, we've decided to the Branch Family, and some members will leave Konoha to cultivate and live elsewhere."
Kagami Uchiha nodded, indicating his understanding. "I understand. The members of the Ten Family are all top figures in the Shinobi World, each with their own mission. However, Konoha cannot do without the support of the Ten Family, and I hope the Ten Family will continue to pay attention to and support the Mirai development of Konoha."
Tian Yueqing smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry, Konoha is our home, how could we abandon it? After we Branch Family, we will each establish several sacred cultivation sites. For example, Tian Mai will establish the Limitless Sect on Mount Myōboku, which you should all know about; Tian Uguisu will establish the Divine Dragon Cult in Ryūchi Cave; Tian Muyan will establish the Moon Goddess Palace on the moon; and I will establish the God-Sealing Palace Shikkotsu Forest. In the future, any talented people from Konoha who want to Immortal Cultivation can enter these places to cultivate. We will do our best to nurture talent for Konoha. The Mirai of Konoha is entrusted to you. I believe you can manage Konoha well and make it continue to prosper."
Kagami Uchiha said: That's great. Immortal Cultivation is the fastest way to reach the Sage Level. To be honest, I even want to cultivate Senjutsu myself.
Tian Flying Swallow continued, " Kagami Uchiha, as the high-ranking members of Konoha, you bear a heavy responsibility. The situation in the Shinobi World is currently complex. You, the Second disciples, have regained power, so you must treat yourselves as ninjas. The power of the Shinobi World aristocracy is also becoming increasingly unstable. You must handle this carefully and not let the Land of Fire or Konoha fall into the same crisis that occurred during the Second Hokage's rule."
Kagami Uchiha nodded, his tone firm. "Your Majesty, please rest assured, we will do our utmost to protect the civilians of the Land of Fire and Konoha. We will also strengthen technological development, enhance the strength of our ninjas, and actively respond to external threats."
Senju Tenpuku also spoke up, saying, "Kagami, you must pay special attention to the movements of the Land of Lightning. The Land of Lightning's Lightning Release Chakra Cannon and the strength of the Turtle God beneath Island Turtle should not be underestimated. If they unite with nobles from other countries to oppose us, you must be fully prepared."
Kagami Uchiha nodded. " Tian Zhiyun, we have taken note of the movements of the Land of Lightning. We will strengthen our defenses and actively seek countermeasures."
Tenmei added, " Lord Hokage, the Azure Dragon Corps will do its utmost to guard against the Land of Lightning, but the movements of their nobles need to be monitored by Konoha. If the nobles truly become ruthless, our Azure Dragon Corps will strike immediately."
Kagami Uchiha said gratefully, " Tenmei, with the support of your Azure Dragon Army, we have even greater confidence. We hope that we can join hands and work together to protect the peace of the Land of Fire."
Tian Flying Swallow smiled slightly, " Hokage, as long as you are devoted to the people, our Ten Family will always fully support you. We hope you can lead Konoha to an even more glorious Mirai."
Kagami Uchiha bowed deeply. "Please rest assured, Ten Family Majesty and the Queen, we will do our utmost to make Konoha's Mirai even brighter!"
The meeting between the Ten Family and the Konoha leadership concluded in a harmonious atmosphere. Although the Ten Family members were about to leave Konoha, their concern and support for the Konoha remained unchanged. Kagami Uchiha knew that Konoha's Mirai depended on the Ten Family's support.