Ren casually teased the Nine-Tails as he returned to the clan territory. The land was now prosperous, largely because of him, and he had directly set up a massive sensory barrier.
"Big brother Ren, the Senju's wedding procession is almost here. We need to get ready," a red-haired boy burst into Ren's courtyard.
"Sansei, it's just the Senju, all anxious and loud," Ren said, glancing at the boy in front of him.
"This is to show the Senju how strong the Uzumaki are, so that Sister Mito won't be bullied," Sansei scratched his head.
"That's necessary. Let's go to the reception hall," Ren said, leading Sansei toward the hall.
"Ren, go ahead inside. Everyone else wait outside," one of the clan members said.
When the two arrived, the Uzumaki clan members at the door signaled Ren to enter. They revered him greatly.
Ren was the strongest of the Uzumaki clan, and in these chaotic times, strength was everything.
Ren walked in. The clan leader and all the elders were there. Seeing him enter, they all paused their work.
"Ren is here," the clan leader said with a wide smile, doting on him.
The Senju had Hashirama, the Uchiha had Madara, and the Uzumaki had Ren—three top pillars of power. With these three, other ninja clans were ordinary by comparison, even the Hyuga.
Since Ren first shared abilities with other selves, he had fought in countless battles, big and small. He had gained fame and was known as the strongest. Unlike the Uchiha, the Uzumaki were not as warlike, so their clan remained relatively stable.
"Hm, where is Mito?" Ren asked, looking at the elders.
"Today she's getting married. Naturally, she's waiting in her room for the Senju procession," the clan leader said, stroking his beard with a smile.
"Ren, you're twenty-three now. It's time to make you the clan leader," the great elder said.
"Exactly. We can't let the Senju or Uchiha use this as an excuse," the second elder snorted. On the battlefield, such rumors were common.
It felt as if the Uzumaki were mistreating their meritorious members, but Ren was the legitimate son of the clan leader—there was no one more suitable than him.
"Today is Mito's wedding day. Matters of the clan leader can wait," Ren said, a little speechless. He was here to honor the Uzumaki clan, not to become the clan head at this moment.
"Hahaha, we'll talk about it later."
"Ren, you must be the one to lead the Uzumaki clan," the elder said earnestly.
"..." Ren had nothing to say. It seemed the position of clan leader was already decided for him.
"Clan leader, the Senju have arrived," a man rushed into the reception hall to report.
"Good, come with me to welcome the Senju," the clan leader said, setting off first.
Ren followed to the clan's gate and saw a white-haired young man, a neatly dressed man, and the elite ninjas of the Senju clan. They clearly took this union seriously.
"Ren, long time no see," Hashirama greeted first.
"Big brother!" Tobirama sighed. The Uzumaki clan leader's face was about to turn black—who greets Ren first like this?
"Hahaha, in the end, it's still the world of you young people," the clan leader first frowned, then let it go.
"Lord Ashina, this is my big brother's betrothal gift. Please accept it," Tobirama signaled his men to present a pile of gifts.
Compared to Re:Zero Ren's wealth, it was small, but for the Senju clan, it was a significant offering, showing they valued this greatly.
"Put it down. Ren will accompany the wedding procession this time," Uzumaki Ashina accepted the Senju's gifts.
"That's reassuring. Is the bride ready?" Tobirama asked with a smile.
"Long ready," Uzumaki Ashina replied with a smile.
"Since everything is ready, we need to return. Sorry, Clan Leader Ashina," Tobirama said apologetically.
"It's alright. In these chaotic times, the sooner, the safer," Uzumaki Ashina didn't mind, and Ren prepared to join the wedding procession.
The Uzumaki only sent Ren with the wedding party, not because they didn't value him, but because they valued him too much.
Ren was the clan's top fighter, unmatched by anyone, and remained unparalleled to this day.
After receiving Mito, the group began their journey back.
"Ren, I heard you recently caught a pet?" Hashirama asked, curious.
"Yes, but it's still a bit unruly. I have to reason with it and appeal to its feelings," Ren said, thinking of Kurama's state.
"That is a dangerous being. It's too risky for ordinary people," Hashirama said, his expression turning serious.
"But to us, isn't it just like having a pet?" Ren asked, knowing it would be easy for the other side to capture the Nine-Tails.
"Sigh, but there's no doubt the Nine-Tails could bring disaster to this world." Hashirama sighed, naturally aware of the Nine-Tails, but due to the chaotic times, he had no chance to deal with it.
"Ren, thank you for the Flying Thunder God Technique." Tobirama quickly changed the subject. In truth, his feelings toward Ren were complicated, a mix of gratitude and subtle discomfort over overlapping ideas.
"It's nothing." Ren shook his head. Many techniques were now his creations, including the Flying Thunder God. Tobirama's developments were only extensions of his techniques.
"Brother Ren." The girl in the carriage waved at him.
After signaling to Hashirama, Ren approached the carriage. "Mito, what is it?"
"Brother Ren, thank you for coming with me this time." Uzumaki Mito was grateful to Ren.
Normally, clan members did not marry outside their clans, especially among the four great ninja clans, to maintain pure bloodlines.
Marrying outside was usually for gaining the other clan's strength or benefits. Ren's presence sent a clear message to the Senju clan: the Uzumaki clan highly valued Mito.
"It's nothing. I came to ensure your safety." Ren frowned. With Hashirama's wedding, Madara would naturally try to cause trouble. He had already sensed Madara's presence, though he was still some distance away.
"Will the Uchiha clan attack on this road?" Mito asked worriedly. The Senju and Uchiha clans were true rivals, sparing nothing, not even a wedding.
"Yes. Although the Senju clan brought many elite ninja, they still needed to protect their clan. This is the Senju's weakest moment, and the Uchiha clan will not miss it." Ren sighed. As he had mentioned before in the Black Fog Space, this would definitely become an event.
Hashirama and Tobirama had not realized it, but Ren's perception was the sharpest here. This was why the Uzumaki clan stayed relatively stable during chaotic times.
"Sigh, more war again." Mito exhaled. Not only was there a political marriage, but now they had to face battle as well.
"Relax. With me and Hashirama here, the Uchiha clan won't cause any real harm." Ren reassured her.
The group continued forward, while their scouts carefully sensed the surroundings to prevent any Uchiha ambushes.
Meanwhile, Ren began considering plans to capture all the Tailed Beasts. The chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts was still necessary.
No one disliked becoming stronger, even if he already had no rivals in the ninja world for now.
Even the Six Paths Sage guarding the Pure Land could become his enemy in future.
After fusing with Re:Zero Ren, he had mastered sage techniques. His over a hundred years of experience allowed him to quickly calm his restless heart.
The Uzumaki clan still thought Ren's personality had changed, considering he had been such a carefree, playful person before.
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