[Outside Konoha]
Mu, tall and wrapped all over in white bandages, walked forward at an unhurried pace side by side with the small child Onoki.
"Teacher, we came all this way specifically to visit Konoha. Do you think they'll agree to our request?"
Onoki tilted his head up, then couldn't help adding, "Let's not end up being the only ones eager while they brush us off coldly."
Hearing the worries filling his disciple's heart, Mu did not stop walking.
He lowered his gaze and thought for a few seconds, then his gentle voice slowly came through the gaps in his bandages. "Probably not."
"Everyone says Konoha's First Hokage has a kind nature and has always upheld the path of peace. He's genuinely part of the peace faction. He wouldn't slight visitors for no reason."
"Alright, I'll listen to you, teacher."
Onoki seemed to relax a bit, nodding lightly, his eyes fixed on the direction of Konoha.
Before long, the two arrived at Konoha's entrance. Looking at the towering, imposing wooden gates, both Mu and Onoki showed a flash of amazement in their eyes. A village with such grandeur far exceeded their expectations.
"Who goes there?"
The Konoha guards at the gate immediately stepped forward, stopping the two with wary expressions as they shouted their question.
Mu stepped forward half a pace, his tone calm and polite. "Brother, the two of us come from Iwagakure. We've come here specifically hoping to meet the First Hokage."
The two guards exchanged a glance.
They had never heard of Iwagakure. It was probably a newly established ninja village that had emerged in these recent chaotic years.
In recent years, a wave of forming ninja villages had swept across various regions. Many newly established villages would come to visit Konoha after their founding, so this wasn't unusual.
"Please wait here at the gatehouse. I'll go into the village and report this immediately.", The lead guard said in a low voice.
As soon as he finished speaking, he used the Body Flicker Technique and vanished from sight in an instant.
———
Inside Arisu's residence, the atmosphere was heavy.
Arisu lay weakly on the bed, his eyes lightly closed. His breathing carried a faint, subtle urgency, his sickly state fully apparent.
Uchiha Madara stood silently at the bedside, his brows tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with worry that wouldn't fade as he stared at the old man without blinking.
"Cough, cough… Madara, there's no need to worry so much. I've weathered storms all my life. Life and death, partings and reunions, joy and sorrow, I've long since taken them lightly. When I leave, don't grieve too much."
Arisu slowly opened his eyes, his voice hoarse and weak. He raised a hand and gently patted the back of Madara's hand.
"You should also visit your father Tajima more often. He's already quite old."
"Great-grandfather…"
Uchiha Madara's chest tightened, his face full of sorrow as he quickly spoke, "Great-grandfather, you'll definitely live a long life… no… you'll stay healthy and live long. Please don't say things like that."
"Ahem… cough, cough…"
Arisu didn't say anything more. He simply coughed lightly, his gaze empty as he looked at the beams and painted patterns on the ceiling.
At that moment, Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna entered together.
The two walked to the bedside and bowed in unison, their tone respectful. "Lord Hokage!"
"I'm no longer the Hokage.", Arisu let out a soft, helpless sigh.
"In our hearts, you will always be Konoha's Hokage."
Senju Tobirama replied in a steady voice, his expression solemn.
"Mm, always Konoha's Hokage," Izuna added.
Arisu slowly turned his head to look at them, a trace of confusion in his tone. "Didn't I instruct the two of you to temporarily handle Konoha's affairs? You've come here now, has something happened?"
At this time, the new Hokage had not yet been chosen.
So Arisu had specifically entrusted Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna to jointly manage the village's affairs, big and small, to prevent governance from falling into neglect.
"Lord Hokage, two people have arrived at the village gate claiming to be envoys from Iwagakure. They insist on meeting you."
Uchiha Izuna stepped forward and bowed as he reported.
"Ridiculous!"
Before Arisu could speak, Uchiha Madara's expression darkened, and he snapped sharply, "Iwa what? Hidden what? Never heard of it. It's probably just another unknown backwater village!"
"Can't you see Great-grandfather is gravely ill and needs rest? Just send them away!"
Hearing this, Arisu's thoughts stirred. Iwagakure…
Arisu gently waved his hand, stopping Madara's anger, and spoke slowly, "Madara, when friends come from afar, we must not lose our courtesy. That is basic etiquette in receiving guests."
Uchiha Madara quickly stepped forward, speaking urgently, "Great-grandfather, your health isn't good. Leave this small matter to me."
But Arisu gently shook his head.
In the original timeline, it was Madara who received Iwagakure's envoys, and it ended badly. This matter could not be left in his hands.
After thinking for a moment, Arisu directly instructed, "Go, invite them into the residence."
"Yes!"
Not long after, Mu brought Onoki with him, and under the guidance of Konoha guards, slowly stepped into Arisu's residence.
The courtyard inside the residence was elegant, yet the layout carried a steady, solemn atmosphere.
As soon as the two stepped into the main hall, they met Arisu seated in the main position.
Arisu wore a plain-colored robe, his posture straight. Though long afflicted by illness, his expression remained gentle, like a kind old man.
Uchiha Madara stood quietly at his side, a layer of cold frost covering his handsome face. The chill he gave off made the entire hall's atmosphere tense.
"This guy is so fierce…" Onoki thought to himself.
He subconsciously glanced at Uchiha Madara, only to feel that cold gaze cut like a blade. His body shrank back, and he quickly lowered his head, hiding behind Mu, not daring to make another sound.
In contrast, Mu's expression remained calm and composed, without the slightest hint of fear.
Mu stepped forward a few paces, then bowed deeply to Arisu, his tone respectful and polite. "Lord Hokage, I am Mu. I have come with my disciple Onoki to pay our respects. Please accept our greetings."
"No need for formalities."
Arisu's brows relaxed as he revealed a gentle smile. "You've traveled a long way to Konoha. The journey must have been tiring."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two chatted casually about Iwagakure's early days, as well as the customs and sights along the way. The atmosphere gradually eased.
Once the moment felt right, Mu no longer hesitated. He bowed again and solemnly stated the true purpose of their visit.
"Lord Hokage, to be honest, Iwagakure was only recently established, and our foundation is still weak."
"We've come here to sincerely request forming an alliance with Konoha, opening trade routes between our lands, promoting exchanges between ninjas and civilians, supporting each other, and advancing together."
As his words fell, Uchiha Madara's brows instantly tightened. A trace of disdain and impatience flashed in his eyes, and he immediately wanted to speak and reject it.
In his view, a mere unknown village simply wasn't worthy of forming an alliance with powerful Konoha.
But when he thought of his gravely ill great-grandfather on the bed, he ultimately restrained himself, forcing the words back down, though his expression grew even colder.
After hearing Mu's request, Arisu didn't hesitate at all. He nodded immediately and agreed.
"This matter is, of course, acceptable."