Time, like a white steed, galloped by, and seven days passed in a flash.
On this day, the Konoha sky was clear, and the entire Village was bathed in golden light.
Along both sides of the road from the Village entrance to the Hokage Building, countless banners emblazoned with the Senju Clan crest and Uzumaki patterns fluttered in the wind.
As the warm midday sun rose high, a low and solemn melody drifted from the Village entrance.
It was the Uzumaki Clan's bridal procession.
Leading the procession was the Clan Head of the Uzumaki Clan, Uzumaki Chihaya, dressed in an elaborate white Clan Head ceremonial robe with intricate Uzumaki patterns, his red hair neatly tied back, his expression solemn and dignified.
His personal escort was, in itself, the strongest political signal—
This was not merely a daughter being married off, but a public display of the unbreakable alliance between Uzushiogakure and Konohagakure, a powerful continuation of the thousand-year friendship between the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan.
Behind him were two rows of red-haired Uzumaki Ninja.
Uzumaki Chizawa had also changed into a dark red family ceremonial robe, standing at the front of the procession, his face beaming with genuine joy.
At the heart of the procession was a luxurious bridal palanquin.
The sedan body was made of fine cedar, exuding a faint, delicate fragrance, entirely coated in vermilion lacquer, and painted with exquisite Uzumaki patterns.
White gauze curtains embroidered with gold thread hung from the lattice windows, swaying gently in the wind.
Senju Mori had already led the high-ranking Konoha officials to wait at the Hokage Building entrance; he was also dressed in extremely formal attire today, a dark ink-black twisted-silk haori, with the Senju Clan crest embroidered in gold thread on his back.
He stepped forward steadily and bowed respectfully to Uzumaki Chihaya.
"Clan Head Chihaya, you've had a long journey."
Although he was marrying his daughter, Senju Mori's address remained very formal; at least at this moment, he still represented the identity of Konohagakure's Hokage.
Uzumaki Chihaya was not surprised by this and returned the bow with equal solemnity:
"Your Excellency, the Hokage, I entrust my daughter to you from now on."
Uzumaki Chizawa also stepped forward with a smile, coming to Senju Mori's side and whispering:
"Big Brother Mori, this day has finally arrived... Everything is as we wished it to be."
Senju Mori said nothing more, only gently patting his shoulder... The procession advanced along the central road of Konoha Village, finally reaching the Senju Clan's compound, stopping before the vermilion Torii gate of Kouga Shrine.
Ancient trees soared here, and the atmosphere was solemn.
Senju Mori personally stepped forward and gently lifted the palanquin curtain that separated the inside from the outside.
"Mio."
He extended his hand, his voice gentle and firm.
"We've arrived."
A hand wearing a pure white glove gently rested in Senju Mori's palm, and under his guidance, the beautiful red-haired woman stepped out of the palanquin, her posture light and elegant.
Her name was Uzumaki Mio.
As Uzumaki Chizawa's younger sister, though not as familiar with him as Senju Mori and Uzumaki Chizawa, it was not their first meeting.
Her appearance bore a resemblance to Mito in her youth, her red hair styled into two buns at her ears, the traditional "double bun" style of the Uzumaki Clan, with a talisman hanging from the end of each strand, swaying gently with her steps.
Perhaps due to their proficiency in Sealing Jutsu, for thousands of years, the Uzumaki Clan has always been associated with some of the Ninja World's secret histories and legends, giving the entire family a mysterious aura.
She wore a pure white "Shiromuku," and the heavy "Tsunokakushi" slightly veiled her cascading red hair; the faint Uzumaki Clan crests visible at her cuffs and hem declared her noble lineage.
Inside the shrine, Uzumaki Mito appeared as the officiant, sitting upright in a dark kimono embroidered with both the Senju and Uzumaki Clan crests.
As the First Hokage's widow, Uzumaki Mito held an extremely high status within both the Senju and Uzumaki Clans; her very presence was the strongest bond between the two great Ninja Clans.
Inside the shrine, Uzumaki Mito sat in the main seat as the officiant.
She wore a dark kimono embroidered with both the Senju and Uzumaki Clan crests, her posture solemn; as the First Hokage's widow and a former princess of the Uzumaki Clan, she held revered status in both Clans.
Her very existence was the strongest bond connecting the two great Ninja Clans.
The wedding proceeded very smoothly, gradually following the established procedures as time passed.
In a solemn atmosphere, Senju Mori and Uzumaki Mio performed the "San-san-kudo" sake-sharing ritual; three sets of vermilion lacquer cups were passed between their hands, and the clear sacred sake entered their mouths, symbolizing the intertwining of their destinies from this moment on.
At this moment, Uzumaki Mito slowly rose, preparing to offer the final blessing to the gods, her voice clear and full of power:
"I respectfully offer this prayer to the Six Paths Sage and the spirits of the Senju and Uzumaki ancestors..."
However, just then, a hint of surprise flashed in Uzumaki Mito's eyes, and her voice briefly faltered.
Fortunately, Uzumaki Mito was experienced; the kind and solemn expression on her face did not change in the slightest, and she quickly resumed the blessing smoothly, perfectly continuing the ceremony.
The wedding concluded quickly, and the reception after the ceremony was held within the spacious Senju Clan compound.
The high-ranking officials of Konohagakure, including the four Hokage Advisor, the Clan Heads of various Ninja Clans, and numerous Jonin, came forward one after another to offer toasts and send their blessings to the couple.
Senju Mori handled them with ease.
Soon after, a figure bearing the red and white fan crest appeared in his line of sight.
Uchiha Isshin, the Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan, walked forward with a wine cup, but he was not alone; he held the hand of a quiet-eyed little boy, about two or three years old.
"Congratulations on your marriage, Hokage-sama. The entire Uchiha Clan is genuinely delighted by your union. May you and your wife enjoy an eternal bond, and may Konoha, under your leadership..."
It proved that even the proud Uchiha Clan was not truly incapable of speaking such beautiful words.
"Thank you for your blessings, Clan Head Isshin."
Senju Mori wore an appropriate smile, but his gaze fell upon the small figure.
Uchiha Isshin quickly patted the little boy's head, urging him:
"Fugaku, quickly greet Hokage-sama."
The little boy looked up, his dark eyes clear and earnest, and spoke clearly in a still childish voice:
"Congratulations on your marriage, Hokage-sama. May you and your wife enjoy an eternal bond."
"Fugaku... as solid and stable as a mountain. That's a truly good name."
Senju Mori praised.
His voice was gentle, yet clear enough for everyone around to hear.
"Clan Head Isshin, I believe Fugaku will surely become an outstanding Konoha Ninja. When he graduates from the Ninja Academy, if you and your Clan have no objections, I would be very happy to personally guide him in his training."
At these words, the surroundings instantly quieted down a bit.
Uchiha Isshin's pupils slightly contracted; after a moment of silence, he bowed deeply:
"Hokage-sama's great kindness... the Uchiha Clan will remember it in our hearts."