The journey ahead was smooth, with no one causing trouble. They arrived at Senju without any issues, and all the elders came out to greet them.
"I didn't expect Ren to be the one escorting you." The Senju elder's expression was serious. This attitude showed that the Uzumaki clan valued Mito highly. If they mistreated her, they would face the wrath of the Uzumaki clan.
"Surprised to see me?" Ren smiled.
"Haha, of course not. It's even better that you came." The Senju elder laughed heartily.
"I'll probably stay in the Senju clan for about half a month. Thank you for your hospitality." Ren cupped his hands politely.
"No problem. Someone, prepare a room for Ren." The elder gave the order.
Soon, a young Senju woman led Ren away.
After Ren left, the Senju elder signaled Tobirama to come over and asked, "So, what's the attitude of the Uzumaki clan?"
Tobirama shook his head. "Uzumaki Ren won't involve himself in the disputes between Senju and Uchiha clans."
"What about the others?" The elder pressed, knowing that the Uzumaki were one of the Five Great Clans, and their strength could not be ignored.
"They follow Ren's arrangements." Tobirama answered honestly. With Ren's prestige in the Uzumaki clan, he was practically equal to the clan leader.
"And that counts as what?" The Senju elder was somewhat dissatisfied. After all, Hashirama was the only Wood Release ninja and the strongest in the Senju clan.
"Mito Uzumaki is also a genius. She knows almost all of Uzumaki's sealing techniques." Tobirama pointed out one clear benefit of this alliance. At least they now had access to Uzumaki's sealing skills, which were among the best.
"I see." The Senju elder relaxed slightly. At least it wasn't a complete loss. If the marriage were canceled, it would definitely sour relations with the Uzumaki clan, which wasn't worth it.
Tobirama thought for a moment and said, "Ren is very strong. Madara Uchiha is no match for him."
The elder's expression grew serious. He trusted Tobirama's words. He knew Madara Uchiha, the Uchiha's leader and strongest fighter.
Only Hashirama could contend with him—but Ren could defeat him. This was information the Uzumaki clan had never revealed.
It seemed the Uzumaki clan were hiding more than expected. Still, it was reassuring that the Senju and Uzumaki clans would at least not become enemies.
At the same time…
A dark figure appeared at the site of Ren's fire-style destruction.
"This destructive power… this chakra… Ashura's reincarnation is definitely Senju Hashirama but Ren? The Uzumaki clan also carries a maternal bloodline. Looks like this needs investigating." The dark figure slowly sank into the ground.
He had endured for a thousand years for his goal. Finally, he had turned Indra and Ashura against each other, changed the Uchiha and Senju, and was close to success. Nothing could be left to chance.
The Uchiha clan's territory.
"You couldn't even beat him?" An Uchiha elder frowned. With the Senju and Uzumaki clans now allied through marriage, they urgently needed to know the Uzumaki clan's stance.
Though proud, the Uchiha elders understood that now Madara was the strongest in the clan. Even he had been defeated so easily, which meant the Uzumaki clan had become the leading clan among the Five Great Clans.
Uchiha Madara said nothing. He had his pride, but quietly resolved to continue growing stronger.
"Who will test the Uzumaki clan's attitude?" Another Uchiha elder asked.
Silence fell. With the Senju and Uzumaki clans now allied, testing them was extremely risky—a near-suicidal task.
"I'll go." Uchiha Izuna raised his hand.
"Wait, Izuna, I'll go instead." Uchiha Madara spoke quickly. He had fought Ren before and knew he could not match him now. He couldn't let Izuna face such a deadly mission.
"Big brother, the Uchiha clan still need you. Besides, I don't plan to fight the Uzumaki clan." Izuna gave Madara a reassuring look.
"But…"
"Big brother, I also want to grow stronger and become your support." Izuna's resolve was firm.
"Fine. Then the Uzumaki side is yours, Izuna." Madara finally made up his mind.
"Yes." Izuna felt pleased. This was the first step to gaining his big brother's recognition. He quickly disappeared.
"What is the Senju clan doing?" An elder snorted.
"They're preparing for battle. It seems they want revenge for being stopped from getting married before," a clan member said.
"Madara, you'll lead the team this time," the Uchiha elder said, looking at Uchiha Madara.
"All right," Uchiha Madara replied, accepting the task. He needed to cover Izuna's whereabouts.
...
Ren was very comfortable within the Senju clan.
Everything came easily—food appeared when he wanted it, clothes when he needed them—and many curious Senju girls secretly came to see the red-haired handsome guy.
But Ren didn't slack off. Over the years, he had developed a solid training habit.
In this chaotic world, only strength could give him a sense of security.
Even in a great clan, weak members couldn't control their own fate.
"Big Brother Ren, are you going back tomorrow?" Uzumaki Mito came to the courtyard where Ren was staying.
"Yeah, it's been half a month. It's time to go back. Mito, seeing you doing well here makes me feel at ease," Ren said, quite satisfied with Hashirama, though he was a bit naive. He had nothing but praise for Uzumaki Mito.
"Mm, Big Brother Ren, please say hello to my father for me," Uzumaki Mito had already taken on the aura of a wife, shedding her youthful innocence.
"Time flies. Even Mito is married now," Ren couldn't help but sigh, looking at her current state.
"You're just too picky, Big Brother," Uzumaki Mito rolled her eyes.
Many girls in the clan admired Ren, and the elders were worried about it.
In their view, Ren had shown signs of having the purest Uzumaki Bloodline.
To continue Ren's lineage, they had tried to introduce him to every possible match.
"Haha, how could that be," Ren laughed. At first, he didn't really notice.
To master the Eight Gates technique, he trained like crazy, ignoring everyone else. Back then, people in the clan always laugh at him.
It wasn't until he showed his abilities on the battlefield that those voices quieted. But deep down, he had always carried a small burden in his heart.
"Big Brother Ren, please get some rest. I'll head back first." Uzumaki Mito bowed slightly and stepped out.
In the past half month, Hashirama had also come to see him, hoping to build a village together and pursue peace.
Of course, Ren had mercilessly refused. When Hashirama asked a third time, Ren even unleashed a jutsu within the Senju clan to make his point clear.
Tobirama had also visited, coming to study jutsu development with him.
Ren's Flying Thunder God Technique suited Tobirama perfectly, and he had done a lot of research on it.
Ren was naturally happy to see his techniques grow stronger. He talked freely with Tobirama.
In fact, he rarely kept his techniques secret; the clan's ninjas could study them freely. He wanted to improve his jutsu through the collective power of the people.
That evening, the Senju clan held a grand banquet in Ren's honor. They had not given up on the Uzumaki clan; they had married into the Uzumaki clan, even willing to dilute the Senju bloodline.
Failing to gain any advantage left them frustrated.
Ren instructed the Senju clan to confirm with the Uzumaki clan leader. He planned to travel the ninja world next and would not stay long within the clan.
**********
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