Just like the year before, when Uchiha Sosuke and Fukashi arrived with their families, the crowds filling the streets instinctively parted. Their presence carried weight unlike any other clans within in Konoha. Regardless of the setbacks they faced, Uchiha's reputation did not decline. With quiet dignity, they passed through the festival and entered the Senju compound with ease.
The compound was alive with celebration. Lanterns hung from every beam, casting warm light across the courtyard. Musicians played soft melodies on Shamisen and flutes, while children darted between tables, chasing each other with paper fans.
Once again, the Senju clan had commissioned Uchiha Gourmet to cater the banquet. The dishes were even more elaborate than before – steamed river fish glazed in plum sauce, lotus root crisps, and sweet dumpling filled with chestnut pastes. Despite her pregnancy, some of the food had been prepared by Minami herself, alongside her disciples. They had learned from the chaos of the previous celebrations and pre-cooked everything a day in advance, sealing the meals into scrolls and delivering them that afternoon. Now, the scrolls unfurled and the banquet was in full swing.
***
After a long while, the hosts made their appearance.
Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Uzumaki Mito, Senju Kenichi, Senju Atsuko, Senju Tsunade, and newborn Senju Nawaki entered the courtyard to a wave of applause. Atsuko cradled Nawaki gently, her smile glowing with maternal pride.
Hashirama held a cup of sake, his posture relaxed, his eyes bright. There was no sign of the deterioration whispered about in the shadows. He looked just as he had always been – strong, joyful, and radiant.
"Hahaha! I am thankful for every shinobi, clan, and villagers who came to celebrate Nawaki's birth!" he declared, voice booming.
"I've said it before, but I will say it again! We created this village so that children can be children in this world! And I think we are keeping that promise well! I'll keep this short so everyone can continue to enjoy the banquet!"
He raised his cup.
"FOR NAWAKI! FOR OUR CHILDREN! AND FOR KONOHA!"
"""FOR NAWAKI!"""
"""FOR OUR CHILDREN!"""
"""FOR KONOHA!"""
"AND LASTLY! THANK THE UCHIHA GOURMET FOR DELICIOUS CUISINES!!!"
"""THANK YOU UCHIHA GOURMET!"""
The crowd echoed his words with thunderous cheer.
***
Soon after the toast, each clan head approached to offer congratulations.
It was the Uchiha's turn.
"Congratulations, Hokage-samas, Kenichi, Atsuko, and Tsunade-hime on the birth of Nawaki…" Sosuke began, his voice formal and warm.
But he paused.
Hashirama and Tsunade were staring at him with wide eyes and faces filled with anticipation.
"…"
"Uchiha," Tobirama said cautiously, "you didn't prepare anything crazy today, did you?"
"…I thought you didn't like our gift from last time, so I didn't pre–"
Sosuke stopped again. Hashirama and Tsunade's expressions had turned gloomy, almost crestfallen.
"How could we Uchiha give the same gift as last time?" Shinichi stepped forward, his voice calm and confident. "We just modified it a little."
Hashirama and Tsunade lit up instantly.
Shinichi gave a subtle signal.
Katon: Karyūdan 火遁・火龍弾(Fire release: Fire dragon bullet)
Sosuke launched a massive flame dragon into the sky. It soared upward, exploding into a brilliant firework. At its peak, the flames twisted into the emblems of the Senju and Uchiha, slowly merging into the symbol of Konoha.
Raiton: Raihiryūdan 雷遁・雷火龍弾(Lightning release: Lightning Fire dragon bullet)
Shinichi followed with a lightning dragon wrapped in spiral flames. It collided with the burning Konoha symbol and erupted into a stunning tree – its trunk and branches formed from white lightning, its leaves ablaze in red and orange fire. The tree shimmered in the sky for a full minute before fading.
Hashirama burst into laughter, his joy uncontained.
"HAHAHAHAHA! As expected of Uchiha Clan. You surprised me again! I'm truly thankful for your gift! HAHAHA! Look! Tsuna loves it too!"
"AHAHAH! iith amazhing!" Tsunade squealed, eyes sparkling like gemstones. Her short-tongued, high-pitched voice rang out with infectious delight. She bounced on her feet, clapping wildly, as if she'd just won a bet with her grandfather.
For a moment, Asami, Minami, and even Komei nearly faltered. Their expressions twitched, and they almost drooled at the sheer cuteness. Minami had to pinch her thigh to suppress the urge to capture the moment with her Sharingan.
But as expected of the Uchiha, their composure held. They offered only subtle smiles.
---
As the Uchiha began to take their leave, Tsunade pouted.
She hadn't gotten the reaction she wanted.
The rest of the Senju facepalmed. They knew her game well, Tsunade could speak perfectly clearly, but she loved to act cute in front of strangers – especially when it meant getting gifts.
But the Uchiha were unmoved.
"Tsuna, you should stop acting like that."
"Hmph! Tobi-ji Baaa-ka!" Tsunade just stuck her tongue out and hugged Hashirama tightly.
"Ahaha ahhahhahaha! Come on, Tobirama," Hashirama laughed. "Let her enjoy the moment."
"Anija! It's because you spoil her too much that she's become uncontrollable. I knew you'd be a bad influence – even passing your awful gambling habits on her!"
Hashirama gave a mock-depressed sigh.
"Am I really such a bad influence?"
"Ani–ugh. I didn't mean it like that…."
Ever since Tobirama had discovered Hashirama's condition, he couldn't bring himself to scold him as before. He wanted his brother to enjoy every moment he had left.
Hashirama recovered quickly, smiling again.
"Hahaha. Don't worry, Tobirama. Tsuna will become a great Kunoichi. Right, Tsuna?"
"Eng! Of Course I will! I'll become the strongest Kunoichi in the world!"
Tsunade stood proudly on Hashirama's knee, chest puffed out, eyes blazing with determination.
***
Shinichi walked quietly through Senju courtyard, the sounds of celebration echoing around him. Kaito trotted beside him, eyes wide with curiosity, mouth full of questions he hadn't yet asked.
'Nawaki…'
The name lingered in Shinichi's mind.
It wasn't unfamiliar.
Nawaki had been his adjutant when he was Grandmaster of the Outer Knight Order – knight of Master-level skill, bordering Grandmaster. He was loyal, fierce, and calm in the face of chaos. Nawaki had led the surviving knights out of the headquarters during the final battle and his fate remained unknown after Kuro's final encounter with the gods.
'I hope the rest survived…'
Shinichi's thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Shinichi, I see you're here. You too, little Kaito."
A white-haired youth approached, his expression calm, his presence familiar.
"Sakumo," Shinichi nodded.
"Kumo!" Kaito pointed dramatically. "Shinichi-nii is my brother! Not yours! If you want a brother, go ask your parents for one!"
"…It's Sakumo. And I'm not – never mind."
Sakumo sighed. He knew better than to argue. Kaito never listened. It was always like this – whether they were training, traveling, or on missions. Kaito was fiercely possessive of Shinichi, and Sakumo had long accepted his role as the "intruder."
"Hng!" Kaito turned his head with a snort.
As the group bantered, a voice rang out behind them.
"Ah! I finally found you!"
A small figure trotted toward them: a four-year-old girl with short, loose twin-tails of blonde hair and amber-orange eyes that sparkled with mischief.
"Is that…?"
"Tsunade-hime," Shinichi murmured.
"HA! I finally caught you!" Tsunade grinned. "Teach me that ninjutsu!"
She lunged for Shinichi's hand, but he sidestepped her with ease.
"Hmm?" Tsunade frowned. She wasn't used to being ignored, especially not by someone she'd decided was interesting.
"What a bothersome brat," Shinichi muttered, she reminded him of rich spoiled noble heirs that treated the Outer Knights and himself as toys. He vanished in a blur of Shunshin.
"…??!!!"
Tsunade stood frozen, stunned. Her face twisted in outrage. Her brows twitched, and veins bulged on her forehead.
"HAAAHHHHH???!!!!"
'Did my request just get rejected?'
Sakumo chuckled nervously.
"Well, Tsunade-hime, I shall take my leave. Ah ha… haha…"
He turned and slipped away before her fury could find a new target.
"YOU BRAT!" Kaito shouted, stepping forward. "What are you trying to do to my brother?! Go find your own brother to ask for ninjutsu!"
"Hah?! Aren't you a kid too? Just a few years older than me!" Tsunade snapped. "Just watch, I'll become the strongest kunoichi and make you brothers regret this moment!"
"Sono KUSOGAKI GA?!! (THIS BRAT?!!)"
"BAAKA! (IDIOT!)"
"Bo-Ge! (DUMBASS!)"
Before the argument could escalate further, Shinichi reappeared between them.
"Shinichi-nii!" Kaito cried.
"YOU!" Tsunade growled.
Shinichi bowed slightly.
"Forgive me, Tsunade-hime. You can come looking for me later. Let's go, Kaito."
He placed a hand on Kaito's shoulder and vanished again with Shunshin, leaving behind a trail of wind and stunned silence.
He didn't want to get involved.
His instinct screamed that this girl was trouble.
And he could feel Tobirama's chakra nearby, watching her closely.
"WAIT–!!!"
Tsunade stomped her foot.
"Hmph! Shinichi and Kaito, was it? Watch me! I'll surpass you both!"
***
After the encounter, Shinichi and Kaito returned to the banquet. They ate quietly, watched the fireworks, and exchanged stories with their clan. The night passed in laughter and warmth.
And when they finally returned home, Shinichi looked up at the stars.
He said nothing aloud.
But he could smell a new era approaching.
An era of bloodshed, conflict, and destruction.
***
The courtyard had quieted. Lanterns still flickered, casting soft light across the stone paths, but the laughter had faded into murmurs. Most guests had returned to their homes with their bellies full and hearts light.
Senju Tobirama stood alone on the veranda, arms folded, eyes fixed on the distant rooftops of the Uchiha compound. The wind tugged gently at his robes. Behind him, the soft sound of Tsunade's voice echoed faintly, still recounting her encounter with Shinichi, still fuming.
"HE just vanished! He didn't even look at me!"
Tobirama closed his eyes.
He had seen the whole thing.
From the moment Tsunade chased Shinichi through the courtyard to the instant Shinichi reappeared, bowed, and left with Kaito. It had lasted less than a minute, but it had told him everything he needed to know.
'Her talent is undoubtably brilliant and it is good that she has great confidence in herself, but she's too spoiled and unchecked.'
Tsunade was a force of nature. She had inherited Hashirama's charisma, Mito's fire, and Kenichi's stubbornness. She would be powerful – there was no doubt. But power without humility was dangerous.
And then there was Shinichi.
Tobirama had watched him for years. A quiet, calculating, and brilliant shinobi. A prodigy not just in technique, but in temperament. He didn't seek attention. He didn't crave praise. He moved with purpose, spoke with precision, and carried the weight of his clan without arrogance.
'He didn't reject her out of hatred or arrogance. He rejected chaos.'
Tobirama understood that instinct. He had lived by it and felt a sense of familiarity from it. He could tolerate his brother, but if a stranger with Hashirama's temperament approached him, he too would avoid them.
But more than that, he saw something else.
'Only the Uchiha can rival the Senju in name and influence. And only someone like Shinichi could temper Tsunade's fire.'
It wasn't about romance or alliance.
It was about balance.
Tsunade needed someone who wouldn't be swept up in her storm. Someone who could stand firm, challenge her, frustrate her, and – eventually – teach her.
And Shinichi… he needed someone who could shake him. Someone who could draw emotion from beneath the surface. Someone who could remind him that brilliance alone wasn't enough.
'They are opposites. But they are not incompatible.'
Tobirama turned, watching Tsunade stomp her foot and declare once again that she would become the strongest kunoichi in the world.
Hashirama laughed, clapping his hands.
Tobirama didn't smile.
But he didn't frown either.
He simply watched.
And thought.
'Uchiha... Is a double-edged sword. If wielded correctly, it will become a powerful force that empowers Konoha. If not, it will become a great threat to the village.
He stepped down from the veranda and walked into the night.
The future was already moving.
And he, no. Konoha would be ready.