Itoshiki knew with clarity what was at stake. He understood that the Uchiha would never easily accept an "outsider" as the head of the Senju clan. A trial was inevitable, a test of his resolve, his worth.
His smile remained as serene as ever as he met the elder's sharp gaze. His voice, though gentle, carried an undeniable confidence that filled the room.
"I wouldn't dare presume to emulate the brilliance of the First Hokage," Itoshiki began, his tone smooth but firm. "However, when it comes to my determination to protect Konoha, protect my comrades, and protect the Senju clan... I, Itoshiki, am confident that I am second to none."
"Determination?" The elder sneered, his eyes narrowing with disdain. "In the world of ninjas, determination alone is not enough!" His words dripped with contempt. "Without the power to back it up, determination is nothing but empty rhetoric!"
At his words, the air in the room shifted. Kunigang and the other elders tightened their focus, their eyes narrowing. It was clear—they were testing the new Senju clan head. Testing his bottom line. Testing his strength.
The pressure built, and Tsunade, sensing the rising tension, frowned deeply. Her chakra flared instinctively, a subtle yet intense force surging through her. Her eyes burned with anger, ready to strike if necessary. But as her gaze flickered to Itoshiki, she saw him remain perfectly composed. He met her eyes, signaling for her to hold back. With a quiet breath, she controlled her anger, willing herself to remain calm.
The oppressive mental pressure, like a wave crashing against a stone cliff, pressed down on Itoshiki. But he did not falter. He remained as still as a mountain, unshaken by the invisible weight bearing down on him.
With a casual grace, Itoshiki reached for his teacup, lifting it with an almost meditative air. He blew gently on the swirling tea leaves as though the oppressive atmosphere didn't even exist. To anyone watching, it seemed as though the force trying to unnerve him was nothing more than a passing breeze.
Then, something changed.
A vast, boundless aura began to emanate from Itoshiki's body, but it was not aggressive. It was gentle, profound, brimming with an untold vitality. Like the steady earth beneath one's feet, like towering mountains unshaken by the fiercest winds.
The pressure that had once dominated the room dissipated into nothingness.
The atmosphere, once tense, was now strangely calming. The very air seemed infused with warmth and life, as though the world itself had softened. Even the small, wilted plant in the corner seemed to regain some vitality, its leaves stretching slightly toward the light.
It was unmistakable.
Wood Release.
The unique power of the Senju clan, a force tied to nature itself, radiating calm and life. A power that had the ability to not only protect but to transform.
The Uchiha elders recoiled inwardly, their expressions shifting in shock.
The mental pressure they had exerted was not some mere bluff. It had been infused with the weight of the Sharingan—a force that could bend minds. Yet, against Itoshiki's calm aura, it was as if it had met an immovable force. His presence was as unyielding as the earth, his aura a quiet, incomprehensible strength.
But it wasn't just the mental pressure that had been dispelled. It was the control, the sheer mastery of his chakra, that left them stunned. This wasn't simply power—it was an art.
Itoshiki lowered his teacup, his demeanor unruffled. As if nothing had happened, he looked up at the elder who had provoked him.
"Good tea," he remarked lightly, his voice steady, the smile never leaving his lips. "The elder is right, determination does need strength to support it. But I believe the true meaning of power isn't in competing for strength—it's in protecting."
His gaze swept across the Uchiha leaders in the room, sincerity evident in his eyes. "The Senju and Uchiha clans, as the founding families of Konoha, have both made great sacrifices for the village's protection. The historical grievances between us may be difficult to erase entirely, but it is the future we must focus on."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper of conviction. "Konoha may seem peaceful now, but the turmoil in the ninja world has never truly subsided. A united and strong Konoha is our shared reliance."
Itoshiki fixed his gaze on Kunigang, his eyes calm and unwavering. "I hope that the revival of the Senju clan can become the cornerstone for a stronger Konoha, rather than becoming the catalyst for new conflicts. I believe the head of the Uchiha clan, Kunigang, shares this view."
Kunigang met his eyes, the depths of his thoughts hidden behind his calm expression. Wood Release—this was not only a power to rival any, but a symbol of the Senju's revival. It was a game-changer, a force that could disrupt the fragile balance Konoha had maintained for so long.
The three tomoe in Kunigang's eyes slowly faded as his mind processed the implications. To make an enemy of someone like Itoshiki was unwise. But cooperating with him might offer a way to shift the Uchiha's tenuous position in the village.
He remained silent for a moment, the weight of his decision pressing on him. Finally, he spoke, his voice measured, his gaze softening just slightly.
"What Superior Ninja Itoshiki says... is indeed reasonable," Kunigang conceded. "The prosperity and stability of Konoha is also the long-cherished wish of my Uchiha clan."
He reached for the invitation on the table, lifting it solemnly. "The Uchiha clan will attend your wedding, on time, as promised."
He nodded, a subtle, respectful gesture toward Itoshiki and Tsunade.
"Congratulations, new Senju clan head, and to Lady Tsunade."
With those words, the Uchiha clan's stance was made clear. There would be no open hostility. For now, at least.
Although the recognition granted by the Uchiha clan was largely based on Itoshiki's displayed strength, potential, and an astute judgment of the shifting tides of power, it still amounted to acknowledgment.
Despite the elder's lingering reluctance, once Uchiha Kunikazu had made his stance clear, they were left with little choice but to suppress their dissatisfaction. They muttered a few polite words in response, but it was evident they were not fully on board.
Itoshiki and Tsunade exchanged a few more pleasantries with Kunigang before they made their exit.
As they stepped beyond the boundaries of the Uchiha clan's territory, Tsunade let out a long, audible sigh of relief, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Phew," she exhaled, rubbing her forehead.
"The pressure from those elders was immense. I really thought they might do something reckless. But you handled it perfectly."
Itoshiki smiled lightly, his calm demeanor unwavering.
"The Uchiha are like that. If you don't assert yourself, they won't take you seriously. They respect strength above all else."
He paused, glancing over at her with a hint of amusement. "But all in all, the result was good. At least it looks acceptable on the surface."
"More than just 'acceptable,'" Tsunade shot back, her eyes narrowing with a playful scowl. "Did you not notice the look Uchiha Kunikazu gave you at the end?"
She smirked, leaning closer. "That wasn't just acknowledgment—it was fear. You really hid that power well."
Itoshiki chuckled softly. "Just a necessary display," he replied, his voice serene. "To get the Uchiha to truly set aside their prejudices, they need to see that you carry enough weight to back up your words."
He glanced toward the horizon, his tone shifting slightly. "Anyway, let's head back. We still have a wedding to prepare for."
The two of them continued to walk side by side down the bustling streets of Konoha. With the major issues surrounding the Hyuga and Uchiha clans resolved, the final obstacles before the wedding had seemingly been cleared away.
The path was now open for the revival of the Senju clan, and with it, the promise of a new future.