Senju Mori withdrew his hand, looking at the undisguised amazement on the faces of his three disciples, and slowly said: "A Ninja's life is accompanied by danger; injury and even death are commonplace. Powerful force can eliminate enemies, but only by mastering the power of healing and regeneration can one survive better."
His gaze swept over the three, finally lingering on Tsunade and Orochimaru.
"Medical Ninjutsu is not simply a healing technique."
"It involves the most subtle understanding of the human body, the ultimate control of Chakra, and is a deep understanding and means of intervention in 'life' itself. Its profoundness can even bring the dead back to life."
"The First Hokage could heal his wounds without hand signs, which was also an important reason why he could defeat Uchiha Madara."
"Bringing the dead back to life..."
Tsunade murmured, repeating the phrase.
In this Ninja world full of killing and death, almost no one could resist the temptation this phrase brought.
A certain longing also burned in Orochimaru's eyes.
As a war orphan, he often went alone to the Village's memorial stone, silently mourning his deceased parents... This magical green light completely ignited his desire to explore the human body, life, and the essence of Chakra.
Even Sakumo Hatake, who had always only been interested in swordsmanship, touched his freshly healed wound with considerable curiosity while trying to move his arm.
Senju Mori took in his disciples' reactions, knowing that the seed planted today might grow into a towering tree one day in the future.
He said no more, only smiled and instructed:
"Since this mission has been successfully completed, quickly deal with the scene. We need to prepare to return to the Village."
"Yes! Teacher Mori!"
The three answered in unison, their voices containing less of the eagerness they had at the start of the mission and more calmness and thought.
The setting sun completely sank below the horizon, the last warm light swallowed by the dark blue night sky. The returning team grew much quieter, only the rustling of footsteps on the forest path... When the group returned to the Village, they found that the entire Konohagakure had become lively. It was the end of Konoha Year 20, and the cold winter air was filled with a festive bustle and warmth.
On both sides of the street, many residences and shop eaves already had Shimenawa hung to welcome the New Year.
They were also adorned with orange and plump Daidai oranges, glowing with a warm luster under the light of lanterns, symbolizing the beautiful wish for generations of family prosperity.
But unlike ordinary New Year decorations, this year's Konoha seemed particularly different.
Between many of the Shimenawa decorations, carefully interspersed and hung were strings and clusters of paper cranes folded from colored paper—white, red, gold—gently swaying in the night breeze.
Like fairies about to take flight, they added a sacred and festive atmosphere to the Village.
Tsunade also keenly noticed that among the many Ninja within the Village, there were some familiar figures—Uzumaki Clan Ninja who, like Grandma Mito, had the distinctive vibrant red hair.
Their presence added an unusual solemnity to the festive atmosphere of the Village.
Senju Mori stopped after entering the Village and said to his disciples behind him:
"This mission has been successfully completed. You are now dismissed. Go back and rest well, summarize the experience of this mission. Anbu will notify you of the next assembly time."
Although Tsunade was full of curiosity, observing the unusually decorated surroundings, especially the conspicuous Uzumaki Clan members and paper cranes, she still suppressed the urge to ask questions.
After bowing with Orochimaru and Sakumo, they each turned and left. Three small figures quickly disappeared around the brightly lit street corner.
Watching his disciples' figures disappear, Senju Mori also turned around, just about to walk towards the Hokage Building, when a familiar, smiling voice came from the side.
"Big Brother Mori!"
Looking towards the sound, a figure stepped quickly from under a lush, leafy tree. The person had a head of vibrant red hair like a burning flame, the most classic feature of the Uzumaki Clan.
His face was handsome, with a unique cheerfulness and magnanimity in his eyes, and a heartfelt smile radiated on his face, even warmer than the lantern light on the street.
At this moment, he was not wearing his usual combat uniform or casual clothes, but a rather formal family attire—a dark-patterned uchikake, with the unique spiral clan emblem of the Uzumaki Clan embroidered in gold and silver thread on the lapels and sleeves.
Clearly, he had been waiting here for a long time.
Senju Mori walked up to him, and the two tacitly patted each other's arms.
"You've worked hard, Chizawa."
Uzumaki Chizawa's face was full of smiles, and his tone carried a strong sense of ease and anticipation:
"It was no hardship, everything went smoothly along the way."
"Now that the engagement ceremony is complete, the formal acceptance and return gifts have been sent to the Senju Clan grounds. This morning I also visited Lady Mito, and now only the final ceremony remains."
Senju Mori nodded. He naturally trusted the arrangements made by his clan and Uzumaki Mito, so he asked directly:
"In that case, when is the date set?"
Uzumaki Chizawa's smile grew wider. He took out a small and exquisite scroll from his embrace, unrolled it, and handed it to Senju Mori:
"After careful divination by the clan elders, three auspicious dates have been chosen, all in the near future. The final date awaits you, Hokage-sama, to confirm."
Senju Mori's gaze swept over the dates on the scroll. After a moment of contemplation, he quickly made a decision:
"Let's set it for seven days from now."
"Good!" Uzumaki Chizawa nodded vigorously:
"I will immediately send word back to the clan so that our people can begin the final preparations. At that time, Father will also arrive in Konoha with the clan's entourage."