The atmosphere of the banquet was lively and harmonious.
Fine wine and delicacies flowed ceaselessly, and melodious music echoed softly throughout the courtyard. Ninjas from various clans and factions, usually rivals, now had a rare opportunity to gather in peace. They set aside their differences and intrigues, raising their glasses and sharing in the moment.
Furukawa Itoshiki and Tsunade walked side by side, weaving through the bustling crowd. Both wore composed smiles, responding with grace as people came forward to offer toasts and congratulations.
"Itoshiki, Tsunade, congratulations!" Sarutobi Hiruzen approached them with a wine glass in hand, a warm, sincere smile creasing his aged face.
"Seeing the two of you together, I'm truly delighted."
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Furukawa Itoshiki responded, raising his glass in return. "In the future, the Senju clan will continue to rely on your guidance and support."
"Of course, of course," Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, then shifted his gaze to Tsunade. His eyes softened with the affection of an elder. "Tsunade, you can't be as reckless as you were before. As the future matriarch of the Senju, you'll have many responsibilities. Understand?"
"I know, old man." Tsunade's response was casual, though a faint blush colored her cheeks. Without hesitation, she downed her glass in one bold gulp.
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled, clearly satisfied with her response.
He then leaned closer to Furukawa Itoshiki, speaking in a low voice. His words were filled with earnest expectations for the younger generation, tinged with subtle hints and advice.
Furukawa Itoshiki listened attentively, nodding in acknowledgment, his demeanor respectful and humble.
Elsewhere in the courtyard, Jiraiya was already drunk, excitedly pulling a few young and impressionable Senju clan members into a conversation. He rambled about his so-called "glorious deeds" from his youth, his words often slurring, and occasionally bursting into inappropriate, lewd laughter. The attention he drew was noticeable, and it wasn't long before the guests took notice.
Tsunade, seeing the scene from afar, felt the veins in her forehead throb. The urge to rush over and knock some sense into Jiraiya was almost uncontrollable, but she forced herself to hold back.
In stark contrast, Orochimaru was unusually quiet. Seated in an inconspicuous corner, he sipped his wine with calculated calm. Yet his golden snake eyes were sharp, scanning the room with a cold intensity. His gaze often lingered on Furukawa Itoshiki, as though inspecting him with a silent, almost predatory interest.
Furukawa Itoshiki noticed the gaze, but he didn't react. Orochimaru's issues would be dealt with eventually, just not today.
Soon after, Hyuga Hizashi approached, accompanied by his younger brother Hiashi, to offer their congratulations. Hizashi's attitude was respectful, sincerely congratulating the Senju clan's revival and expressing his hopes for future cooperation between their clans. Furukawa Itoshiki responded with a smile, agreeing readily.
Hiashi, noticeably more confident than their last meeting, bowed deeply before Furukawa Itoshiki. "Teacher, congratulations on your marriage to Lady Tsunade."
"No need for such formalities, Hiashi," Furukawa Itoshiki said gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You've made excellent progress recently, and I'm happy for you. Keep it up, and don't squander your potential."
"Yes, Teacher!" Hiashi's eyes sparkled with a determined light, full of hope for the future.
Then, Uchiha Kunitsuna, the head of the Uchiha clan, arrived, surrounded by several elders from his clan. He exchanged only the briefest of toasts with Furukawa Itoshiki and Tsunade, his tone still as cold and detached as ever.
"Clan Head Itoshiki, Lady Tsunade," Uchiha Kunitsuna said, his voice calm and measured. "Congratulations."
"Thank you, Clan Head Kunitsuna," Furukawa Itoshiki replied, raising his glass in return. "I hope that, in the future, the Senju and Uchiha can work together to maintain the peace of Konoha."
Uchiha Kunitsuna's gaze held a certain complexity, but his words were restrained. "The peace of Konoha is also the Uchiha's responsibility."
Behind him, the Uchiha elders exchanged glances, their expressions guarded. There was a subtle shift—apprehension, scrutiny, but no longer the overt hostility that once characterized their interactions.
Furukawa Itoshiki understood this was only the beginning. Earning the full respect of the Uchiha would take time and effort, but today was an important step in that direction.
The atmosphere at the banquet gradually reached its peak, with the sound of glasses clinking and laughter filling the air.
Suddenly, a voice broke through the merriment like a splash of ice water.
"Hmph, Senju revival? What grand words!"
The voice belonged to none other than Shimura Danzo, who had been sitting silently in the corner, out of sync with the joyous atmosphere. He slowly raised his wine glass, his eyes narrowing with a predatory gleam as they fixed on Furukawa Itoshiki.
" Itoshiki, I admit you have some remarkable luck, inheriting the Wood Release power of the First Hokage."
Danzo's voice, though not loud, had a peculiar resonance, cutting through the crowd and drawing everyone's attention. The once-bustling courtyard fell into sudden silence. You could hear a pin drop.
"But!" Danzo emphasized sharply, his voice thick with cold malice. "Power alone is not enough! If the Senju clan wants to truly revive, if they want to reclaim their place in Konoha, it's not just about the legacy left by the First Hokage!"
His gaze flicked over the room, sharp and biting, like the strike of a snake's tongue.
"Konoha belongs to all the people of Konoha!" His voice grew firmer, more imposing. "Any attempt to disturb the existing balance and place the narrow interests of a single clan above the well-being of the village will never be tolerated!"
The moment he spoke, all eyes turned toward Furukawa Itoshiki.
The courtyard fell into a tense silence, as everyone held their breath, awaiting his response. Tsunade's expression darkened, her chakra surging within her as her fists clenched. She was on the verge of an outburst, her anger barely contained.
But Furukawa Itoshiki gently held her hand, giving her a subtle signal to stay calm. His smile remained serene, as if Danzo's sharp rebuke had not pierced him at all.
With a quiet, steady resolve, he raised his glass, his gaze drifting toward Danzo.
"Elder Danzo, you are absolutely right," Furukawa Itoshiki said smoothly, his voice steady, yet imbued with a quiet strength that made his words seem like unshakable truth. "The stability and prosperity of Konoha must always come first."
He paused, allowing his gaze to sweep across the room, before it returned to Danzo's shadowed face. His eyes sharpened ever so slightly, though his tone remained calm.
"And because of that, the revival of the Senju clan becomes even more vital, doesn't it?"
A flicker of a smile danced at the edges of his lips, the kind that held an unspoken depth. "A strong Senju clan will only serve as a more unyielding shield for Konoha's future, not as a threat."
Furukawa Itoshiki's voice softened as he added, his words carrying a weight of undeniable conviction: "Konoha belongs to all of Konoha's people, not to those hiding in the shadows, seeking to manipulate things for their own gain."
He leaned in slightly, his gaze never leaving Danzo's. "I believe that anyone who dares to harm Konoha's foundation for personal gain will face severe punishment. No exceptions."
The air between them seemed to thicken, charged with the weight of his words. Furukawa Itoshiki's statement was neither boastful nor defensive; it was firm, a declaration of the Senju's position, elegantly dismantling Danzo's attempt to create a rift between clan and village.
More importantly, his final words—like a subtle yet resonant drumbeat—reminded everyone that Konoha was far from unified. The true threats to its stability often lay hidden in plain sight.
Danzo's face darkened further, his one eye narrowing, sharp as a predator. He stared at Furukawa Itoshiki, trying to find some trace of weakness or guilt in the calm demeanor before him.
But Furukawa Itoshiki's gaze was unwavering, his expression unreadable—a deep, bottomless pool that refused to reveal its depths. For a long, unbearable silence, they locked eyes.
Finally, Danzo snorted, breaking the tense stillness. Without another word, he drained his glass in one swift motion, his actions sharp and deliberate.
The small storm that Danzo had tried to stir was over—elegantly defused by Furukawa Itoshiki, who had handled it with remarkable ease. It was a deft display of political skill and personal composure.
As the atmosphere in the room relaxed, it became even livelier than before, as if the tension had been released like a taut rope snapping back into place.
Tsunade turned to look at the man standing beside her, who had effortlessly dealt with the situation. Her amber eyes glimmered with admiration and a hint of affection.
"What are you looking at?" Furukawa Itoshiki felt the heat of her gaze, turning toward her with a playful smile.
"It's nothing," Tsunade replied, her voice soft as she leaned closer, her lips almost touching his ear. A sly smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. "I just realized... it seems I really found a treasure."
Furukawa Itoshiki chuckled softly, wrapping his arm naturally around her waist, his voice gentle as he whispered back, "Likewise."
They shared a quiet, knowing smile, their eyes locking without the need for further words.
In that moment, the atmosphere between them seemed to shimmer with an unspoken bond. The strong sweetness of their connection hung in the air, almost palpable—a shared sense of understanding that left everyone around them feeling the warmth of their intimacy.