Chapter 2: The Bridal Procession
The next morning, Masahiko walked out of his room with a pair of dark circles under his eyes, heading for the clan's main hall. On the way, the juniors who were up early for morning training all glanced at him sideways, but Masahiko, being in high spirits, paid them no mind.
After arriving at the hall, he realized he was too excited and had come too early. Other than a few clansmen responsible for cleaning, no one who was supposed to be there had arrived. The bridal procession wouldn't arrive until noon. There were still six hours until then, and four hours until the gathering.
Once the wave of excitement passed, he felt exhausted. Since there was still plenty of time, he sat down in a chair and fell asleep.
Four hours passed quickly. The clansmen participating in the event arrived one after another. These people were the true elites of the clan; every single one was at least an Elite Jonin. In other words, everyone here had higher raw strength than Masahiko. They all noticed the sleeping Masahiko, chuckled softly, and said nothing. Or perhaps, they were just used to it.
After a while, the Clan Head and the three Elders also walked in, taking the seats of honor at the head of the hall. The Clan Head cleared his throat, and the hall immediately fell silent. He was about to speak, but then he saw the sleeping Masahiko. Helpless, he could only say, "Second Uncle, wake up. Stop sleeping."
"Hmm..." Masahiko opened his eyes, revealing the pair of dark circles to everyone.
"Pfft!" One clansman couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing. This opened the floodgates, and the entire hall erupted in laughter.
Masahiko looked left and right, completely bewildered.
"Alright, alright, that's enough laughing. Let's discuss business!" At the critical moment, the Clan Head had to take charge. "In a little while, the Senju's bridal procession will arrive. We will welcome them and send Mito off with full honor."
"That's right. Princess Mito's marriage this time will bring our Uzumaki clan and the Senju clan closer. In this chaotic Warring States Period, it will allow us to better protect our people. Everyone must take this seriously," the First Elder immediately added.
At this moment, the Second Elder glanced sideways at Masahiko and said, "Clan Head, since this political marriage is so important, is it really appropriate for only Masahiko to accompany the procession?"
"It's fine. For this marriage, the Senju side is responsible for security on the road. We don't need to worry. Sending Second Uncle is just to have him look after Mito. Once Mito is settled in, he can return in half a month at the least, or a month at the most." The Clan Head replied indifferently, pretending not to hear the sarcasm in the Second Elder's voice.
At this, the Third Elder opened his eyes slightly, as if to say something, but he saw the First Elder give him a look. He then closed his eyes and said no more.
"It seems the three Elders have nothing further to say. Does anyone else have anything to add?" the Clan Head continued.
Masahiko glanced up, then lowered his head again, as if the matter they were discussing had nothing to do with him. He cursed internally, "Damn that Uzumaki Masahiro. So I bullied you a few times when we were kids. Do you really have to hold a grudge for 40 years?"
Just then, a young voice spoke up: "Lord Clan Head, please allow me to accompany the team! We must be extremely cautious with Lady Mito's safety."
This person's name was Uzumaki Kureto. In Masahiko's view, this was another guy with a protagonist's aura. At only 20 years old, he already possessed strength surpassing most Elite Jonin. Because the Clan Head only had one child, Mito, everyone used to joke that Kureto might marry Mito, become the next Clan Head, and walk the path to the pinnacle of life. But looking at it now, it seems your protagonist aura is overdue for payment...
"That won't be necessary, Kureto. Leave it to Second Uncle. Although you are strong, this kind of matter still requires an elder. He has a wealth of experience," the Clan Head refused.
"Hey, hey, my dear Clan Head-nephew. When you put it like that, it sounds like I'm just a weak old man... Er, well, I guess that is the case," Masahiko spoke up.
At this, the atmosphere relaxed again, and smiles returned to everyone's faces. Just then, a clan guard pushed open the main doors and walked in. "Clan Head, the Senju family's bridal procession has arrived!"
"So soon? Everyone, follow me to greet them!" the Clan Head ordered.
The group filed out and arrived at the clan compound's entrance. Sure enough, a group of people was waiting outside. A quick glance revealed three Peak Jonin and seven or eight Elite Jonin. As expected of the Senju clan.
"This is definitely a 'living long enough to see it' moment. The Naruto world has palanquins? And the ones carrying it are four Average Jonin... This really makes me feel ashamed of myself," Masahiko muttered.
"What is it, Second Uncle? What did you say?"
"Nothing, nothing."
At this moment, a person walked out from behind the palanquin. He had blue markings on both cheeks and his chin. It was a young Senju Tobirama.
"A familiar stranger. I finally get to see you, Second Hokage," Masahiko entered his muttering state again.
The Clan Head glanced at him but said nothing. Perhaps he was used to this often-foolish Second Uncle.
"Tobirama, you don't mind if I call you that, do you? It must have been a hard journey. Please, come in and have some tea."
"There's no need to trouble you, Lord Uzumaki. We will depart as soon as Sister-in-law is ready. We must get back to the clan before dark to hold the wedding ceremony," Tobirama replied.
"Surprisingly polite," mumbled the certain individual, completely unaware that everyone present was a shinobi with sharp senses who could hear every word he said.
Sure enough, Tobirama's mouth twitched, but he couldn't very well say anything. After all, judging by Masahiko's age, he was clearly an elder.
Seeing this, the First Elder quickly said, "Someone, go and ask Lady Mito to come out. Her belongings are all packed, correct?"
The Second Elder immediately followed up, "Come, Tobirama. Let me introduce you. This is our clan's 'renowned' Uzumaki Masahiko. He will be accompanying the team this time to look after Mito."
Tobirama's mouth twitched again. He thought, 'It really is him!' He immediately refused, "That won't be necessary. We have 3 Peak Jonin, 8 Elite Jonin, plus myself on this trip. The Elder does not need to worry about safety on the road."
"It's not that I'm worried about your protection. She is my only daughter, and it's inconvenient for me to go personally. I'm sending Second Uncle along so that when he returns, he can describe the scene of my daughter's wedding to me. Let me, as a father, also share in the joy," the Clan Head replied.
'Then why not send someone else to describe it...' Tobirama thought this, but in the end, he didn't have the heart to say it out loud.
At this moment, Mito walked out, accompanied by two kunoichi. She bowed to the Clan Head and the three Elders, gave Tobirama a slight nod, then turned and entered the palanquin.
"In that case, we will depart as soon as possible, Lord Uzumaki."
"Very well. Be careful on the road. Second Uncle, please take good care of Mito," the Clan Head said.
"Don't you worry, my big nephew Clan Head!" What met their eyes was Masahiko's slightly aged, smiling face.
"Depart!" With Tobirama's order, the group slowly left the Uzumaki clan compound.
Masahiko's new journey had begun...