Although Uchiha Kagami had rejected Hashirama's request for a political marriage, Hashirama still cared deeply about Uchiha Kagami's marital status, saying he hoped Uchiha Kagami could get married in the near future and not keep his fiancée waiting too long. As he spoke, Hashirama shifted his gaze to Fūmori Masaki. Fūmori Masaki felt the gaze upon him and his heart skipped a beat.
The other clan heads glanced at Fūmori Masaki and smiled kindly. Although Fūmori Masaki was very young, he was still a clan head, which put him a cut above the heirs of other Ninja Clans. These clan heads were well aware of the news that Fūmori Masaki insisted on not getting married. Hashirama looking specifically at Fūmori Masaki seemed to imply that he wanted Fūmori Masaki to take this opportunity to get married soon as well.
Fūmori Masaki was only startled for a moment before nodding slightly at Hashirama, agreeing to get married in the near future. They had already agreed to get married, but Hashirama had been slow to set a date. Now, with the Uchiha Clan's departure, Hashirama was becoming a bit anxious.
Seeing Hashirama press Fūmori Masaki to hold his wedding soon, Uchiha Kagami thought of an idea and suggested to Hashirama that it might be better to have them both marry their fiancées on the same day.
Hashirama clapped his hands together and said happily, "That's a great idea! Masaki, what do you think?"
Fūmori Masaki didn't expect Uchiha Kagami to come up with such an idea. He looked at Uchiha Kagami with amusement, and having no major objections, he nodded in agreement.
The stone in Hashirama's heart finally fell to the ground. This meeting could be considered very successful; the key point was showing the other families that the relationship between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan remained stable—although it was a pity they couldn't form a marriage alliance with the Uchiha Clan. With this, the other families wouldn't have to worry about the conflict between the Uchiha Clan and the Village intensifying, leading to the Village falling apart.
After the meeting adjourned, the other clan heads left while discussing the matter. Uchiha Kagami walked over to Fūmori Masaki's side, and the two prepared to take the same path, as both had things they wanted to say to each other.
Fūmori Masaki glanced at Uchiha Kagami and said, "Kagami-kun, you really gave me a fright, coming up with the idea of getting married on the same day."
"Isn't it perfect? Since Lord Hashirama wants both you and me to get married soon anyway, we might as well set the weddings on the same day. This will also liven up the Village." Uchiha Kagami smiled, "The atmosphere in the Village has been a bit poor lately, so let's use some festive cheer to wash it away."
"Fine, I don't particularly mind," Fūmori Masaki said. "I was actually surprised that you rejected Lord Hashirama. Have you really never been tempted? You know, marrying Lord Hashirama's daughter could ensure that the Uchiha Clan's status in the Village remains unshakable in the future."
"To say I wasn't tempted would be impossible," Uchiha Kagami said earnestly. He was well aware of how much benefit marrying Hashirama's daughter would bring to his clan, but as he had said, he could not let down his fiancée.
"Back then, Lord Madara rejected Lord Hashirama's marriage alliance and quickly found a fiancée for me. I was still young at the time and didn't understand Lord Madara's resistance towards the Village, so I just thought that since she was my fiancée, I should treat her well." Uchiha Kagami's eyes were very gentle. "So much time has passed, and she has become a part of my life. I cannot abandon her. Even knowing how good Lord Hashirama's offer was, I had to refuse."
Fūmori Masaki knew that the Uchiha Clan was a family that valued love immensely. The source of the Sharingan's power was the pain of losing a loved one. For love, they could abandon everything. Just like how Madara was willing to reconcile with Hashirama, but after his brother died, he chose to fight Hashirama to the end. In later generations, Uchiha Obito, upon seeing the death of the person he loved, would rather subvert the entire world.
Fūmori Masaki was silent for a moment before saying, "Kagami-kun, I wish you a happy future." He sincerely hoped that Uchiha Kagami would not lose his loved one. Once a loved one was lost, even someone as gentle as Uchiha Kagami would surely become twisted in the future.
Uchiha Kagami was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Yes, you too. I hope you can live a happy life with your wife."
Fūmori Masaki smiled and accepted Uchiha Kagami's well wishes.
Uchiha Kagami walked beside Fūmori Masaki for a while, then, as if remembering something, said, "By the way, can I call you Masaki from now on?"
Previously, Uchiha Kagami had always addressed him as Masaki-kun. Dropping the "-kun" suffix meant he considered Fūmori Masaki a close friend.
Fūmori Masaki thought about it. After all, they were both going to be under the same master, so there was no need to seem distant. He said, "Sure. Then can I also call you Kagami?"
"Of course." Uchiha Kagami smiled and continued, "Masaki, since we are both getting married on the same day, it can be considered fate. Why don't we make a pact?"
"What kind of pact?" Fūmori Masaki frowned slightly, wondering what crazy idea he had come up with now.
"I was thinking, if the children our wives give birth to happen to be a boy and a girl, why don't we make them engaged?" Uchiha Kagami said.
Fūmori Masaki almost tripped. This guy Uchiha Kagami actually wanted to arrange a child engagement with him. He said with some surprise, "The children haven't even been born yet, and we haven't even gotten married ourselves, yet you've already made plans?"
"I think it's a great idea." Uchiha Kagami really admired Fūmori Masaki. Over these days, he had long regarded him as a friend. They were both the same age, and their wedding dates were the same day; in his view, an arranged engagement was no big deal.
"Regardless of whether I agree or not, what about your clan?" Fūmori Masaki asked. "There's no way they would be willing to accept a child from an outsider like me, right?"
At this time, clans with Bloodline Limits generally practiced intermarriage within the clan to ensure the purity of their bloodline. Although the Uchiha Clan was not like the Hyuga Clan, where even the children of biological siblings could marry, the Uchiha Clan was not open enough to accept descendants from a small Ninja Clan like the Fukimori Family.
"Isn't your fiancée from the Senju Clan? Your children will also possess the bloodline of the Senju Clan, and I remember she seems to have a close blood relationship with Lord Hashirama. Although not a direct descendant, the distance isn't far. As long as that's the case, there shouldn't be any problems," Uchiha Kagami said.
"Then why don't you get engaged to Lord Hashirama's grandchildren? The age would be appropriate, and the bloodline would be purer than my children's," Fūmori Masaki asked. "If you were to make this request, Lord Hashirama would agree."
Uchiha Kagami hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "Honestly, Lord Madara's departure has also dealt me a significant blow. Lord Hashirama has fallen into trouble because of it, and I feel I don't have the face to try and climb the social ladder with Lord Hashirama's descendants..."
Uchiha Kagami did not continue, but Fūmori Masaki understood his meaning. Since he was unwilling to aim for Hashirama's descendants, and the Uchiha Clan was best off integrating the bloodline of the Senju, Fūmori Masaki, whom Uchiha Kagami regarded as a friend, was undoubtedly a suitable candidate.
Fūmori Masaki pondered for a moment. His mind had undergone significant changes; not only was he calm and easily able to absorb Natural Energy, but he could even sense people's emotions. He could tell that Uchiha Kagami sincerely hoped to become in-laws with him. Although there were some considerations for the clan, it was only human nature, and there was nothing to criticize. If it were him, he might have made the same decision.
Whether from the perspective of clan interests or personal friendship, Fūmori Masaki felt it wasn't a bad thing. He said, "I actually value the wishes of my children more. Letting me directly decide the future of the children is really a bit too much. However, our two families can let the children be together from a young age. Whether they are truly willing to live together will depend on them."
Uchiha Kagami smiled and said, "That's not bad either. Then it's settled."
After this topic was passed over, the atmosphere between the two returned to what it was usually like at the Konoha Academy. Perhaps because of the decision, they felt their relationship had become closer. They talked about future training plans and things after the children were born until they reached the gate of the Fukimori Family, where Uchiha Kagami finally said his goodbyes and left.
Fūmori Masaki watched Uchiha Kagami leave and shook his head. Quite a lot had happened today. Then, he turned and pushed open his door.