The Senju clan compound was filled with festive cheer.
The moment Uchiha Ren arrived, the atmosphere became even livelier. A large group of children rushed out first, followed by quite a few adult members of the Senju clan stepping out to greet him.
To some people, Ren might be a shameless Hokage with questionable morals.
But to the vast majority—especially children—he was an outstanding Hokage and a genuinely good person.
Before long, Ren was surrounded by kids shouting for New Year money.
He had clearly prepared in advance. Reaching into his pocket, he took out dozens of red envelopes and handed them out one by one.
"Fire Shadow-sama is the best!!"
"Long live!!"
The children eagerly tore open the envelopes, and when they saw the thick stacks of money inside, cheers immediately erupted.
"Keep it safe," Ren said with a smile. "Don't let your parents trick you into handing it over."
"Got it!!"
"I'm spending it all today!"
"I already know what I'm buying!"
Ren chuckled softly. It seemed he had worried for nothing.
Then he took out the remaining envelopes and began handing out "double rewards" to a few lucky kids.
After all, it was New Year—if you're going to have fun, go all the way.
The children cheered even louder as they crowded around him.
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Mito stood off to the side with no one around her at all.
After all, she had no red envelopes.
She had come out in a hurry and hadn't prepared anything.
"So what if you're rich…" she muttered under her breath.
Still, her gaze couldn't help drifting toward the envelopes. After a quick mental calculation, her expression stiffened slightly.
That amount added up to the reward of a large A-rank mission.
…She definitely couldn't compete.
Beside her, Uzumaki Ashina tried his best to remain invisible.
He had actually prepared red envelopes as well, but after seeing Ren's generosity, he decisively chose not to take them out.
Better next time.
As they walked further into the compound, Ashina's attention shifted to the surroundings. The Senju clan grounds had clearly been renovated.
This was completely different from what he remembered.
The scale of the project alone meant a massive amount of money had been spent.
His eyes couldn't help showing a hint of envy.
This… was what it meant to have Konoha backing you.
Compared to that, the Uzumaki clan still lacked weight.
For the sake of the clan's future, he became even more determined.
Uchiha Ren had to become the Uzumaki clan's son-in-law.
The distance from the clan entrance to Mito's courtyard wasn't far, but with how many people kept stopping them along the way, it took over half an hour to arrive.
"Fire Shadow-sama, you're truly popular in Konoha," Ashina said with a sigh.
"That just proves I'm an excellent Hokage," Ren replied casually, glancing at Mito. "Wouldn't you agree, Mito-sama?"
Mito's expression wasn't great, but she still answered plainly.
"…Yes, Fire Shadow-sama."
Ren smiled, clearly satisfied, and stepped into the courtyard.
Inside, Tsunade was currently complaining to Uzumaki Yangyue.
"I've already lost to Uchiha Hikaru for a whole week…"
"I can't even show up in front of Fire Shadow-sama…"
"I can only send lunch through my dad every day…"
"…Two more days before I can see him again."
Yangyue listened quietly, her thoughts rippling slightly.
Their conversation didn't last long before the person they were talking about appeared.
"Fire Shadow-sama!!"
Tsunade immediately rushed over.
Technically, she wasn't allowed to approach him right now—but this time, he came to her.
"Hey, hey… calm down."
Ren reached out and patted her golden hair.
He already knew about the bet with Uchiha Hikaru. What he hadn't expected was that the lunch deliveries never stopped.
Every single day, Senju Taoma personally brought the lunch over with a completely expressionless face, running back and forth between home and the Hokage building.
No one knew how Tsunade managed to convince him.
"Ahem—Tsunade, watch your manners."
Mito coughed sharply, her expression extremely unpleasant.
But she wasn't the only one.
Ashina's expression also changed.
…Wait.
Had his clan just been cut off midway?
He suddenly realized something.
No wonder Mito had been against Yangyue marrying Ren.
She had already been making her own move—trying to push Tsunade instead.
Ashina's eyes narrowed slightly.
So that was her plan.
No way he was going to let that happen.
Everyone soon sat down, preparing for lunch.
During the wait, casual conversation began.
Ashina naturally steered the topic, moving from the Uzumaki clan to Konoha, then to the various clans… and finally, inevitably, to one subject—
The Hokage's wife.
Through careful probing and the information he had gathered beforehand, Ashina realized the situation was even more complicated than he thought.
It wasn't just Mito.
The Hyuga Clan was also making moves.
They couldn't produce a Hokage—but producing a Hokage's wife?
That was entirely possible.
Marriage alliances were suddenly being framed as "honor," and even their strict traditions seemed flexible under the right circumstances.
And then there was Uchiha Hikaru.
A returned Uchiha clan member personally brought back by Ren.
Clearly not ordinary.
But none of that mattered.
For Ashina, the key point was simple—
Only the woman who completed the formal clan marriage process would become the true Hokage's wife.
That position…
Had to belong to the Uzumaki clan.
By the time Ashina finished sorting through everything in his mind, lunch was finally ready.
Just then, Senju Taoma returned.
"Mother, I'm back."
He stepped inside with his usual stiff expression—then froze when he saw Ren sitting there.
"…You."
Ren smiled lightly.
"Oh, Taoma. No need to deliver Tsunade's lunch today."
Taoma's face instantly darkened even further.
This guy…
Actually I came straight to his house to eat now.
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