Chapter 73: Whirlpool Country

"Are you sure the God of Ninja is right here?" Bai Lian asked his subordinates in disbelief.

He didn't understand why the first thing Senju Hashirama did upon arriving at Kirigakure Village wasn't to cause trouble, but to go eat.

Could it be... he wants to eat his fill before making a move?

Bai Lian's keen eyes scanned the surroundings, and he instructed his subordinates: "Seal off the area; no one may enter."

After all, he'll have to apologize later, and too many witnesses would be bad...

Having said that, he shakily stepped into the shop.

Considering that he is the illustrious First Water Shadow, whose formidable influence lifted the Water Country into the Five Great Nations.

He has been wise all his life, yet now his reputation is at risk.

The moment he entered the shop, the diners around him stood up at the sight of Bai Lian, shouting, "Water Shadow Lord!"

Bai Lian saw this, his mouth twitched, realizing he had never noticed the villagers' eyes be so admiring...

He forced a thin smile and nodded in response to the crowd.

Lian Ye and Hashirama naturally noticed the commotion at the shop's entrance.

Lian Ye was puzzled: how did the First Water Shadow get here?

But he was soon drawn to Bai Lian's insightful gaze.

Good grief, he's not even looking people straight at all...

No wonder he's the First Water Shadow; his power is terrifying, and he never looks people in the eye!

Senju Hashirama saw Bai Lian at the doorway and waved enthusiastically, "Water Shadow, this way!"

Bai Lian saw Hashirama beckoning him, and fine beads of sweat instantly formed on his forehead as he thought to himself.

"Damn, he's really coming straight at me!"

With that in mind, he forced a flattering smile and approached Hashirama, probing, "The Hokage isn't handling official business in the village; why did he come to my Kirigakure?"

Hashirama warmly invited Bai Lian to sit, laughing, "Haha, I heard the seafood in Water Country is tasty, so I came to try it."

Upon hearing that, Bai Lian immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed he had overthought; after all, with Senju Hashirama's magnanimity, how could he travel thousands of miles just to cause trouble for him?

He's already quite old; he was almost scared to the point of wetting himself just now.

After all, with Senju Hashirama's power, no one could stop him from destroying Kirigakure Village.

"Haha, as long as the Hokage likes it," Bai Lian replied with a smile.

Lian Ye sat nearby, watching the two exchange pleasantries while silently eating sashimi.

Bai Lian naturally noticed Lian Ye, but he had no intention of asking.

After some small talk with Hashirama, he excused himself, citing busy affairs, and left.

After stepping out, Bai Lian, still a bit shaken, said, "Fortunately, things aren't as I imagined..."

He's getting old and can't help being frightened; it seems he should consider retirement.

After Lian Ye and Hashirama finished their meal and wandered around Kirigakure Village for a while, finding nothing fun, they left the Water Country under the cover of night.

Only this time they didn't take a boat; instead they bound chakra to their feet and ran across the sea surface.

"Uncle Hashirama, where shall we go next?" Lian Ye asked.

He had intended to be the guide, but unfortunately the map wasn't in his hands.

Hashirama looked at the map, pondered briefly, and said, "Let's go to Whirlpool Country."

"Whirlpool Country?" Lian Ye was taken aback.

He certainly knew the nation; it is the home of the Uzumaki Clan.

The Uzumaki Clan is renowned throughout the Ninja World for its powerful Sealing Technique.

But precisely because of this, it will later be coveted by the nations, ultimately leading to its downfall...

"Indeed, Whirlpool Country," Hashirama said with a smile. "Your Mizuto Ayi was a princess of Whirlpool Country before she married me."

Lian Ye nodded, saying nothing.

He wasn't interested in such an arranged marriage.

During the Warring States Period, the Senju and Uzumaki clans forged an alliance through arranged marriage, aiming to jointly oppose Uchiha.

Senju Hashirama, as the junior head of the Senju Clan, naturally had the Uzumaki Clan's princess as his arranged marriage partner...

———————

The night was as black as ink, and the two were discovered as soon as they entered Whirlpool Country.

A group of Uzumaki villagers brandishing torches swarmed before the two.

"Who are you? Why have you come to Whirlpool Country!"

The Uzumaki Clan's perception is strong; they had already sensed the two approaching.

Facing the wary Uzumaki villagers, Hashirama quickly identified himself, "I am Senju Hashirama!"

Hearing this, the Uzumaki villagers exchanged puzzled looks, frozen in place for a moment.

Soon after, the Uzumaki villagers stepped aside, and a white-haired elder leaning on a cane emerged.

The elder was the current clan leader of the Uzumaki Clan.

Seeing the elder, Hashirama waved with a smile, "Reed Clan Leader, long time no see!"

The elder's murky eyes widened as he saw Hashirama, "Hashirama, it really is you!"

Saying that, the elder tossed his cane aside, rushed forward, and grasped Hashirama's hand excitedly.

"Hashirama, how is my niece doing?"

"Reed Clan Leader, Mizuto is doing well," Hashirama replied.

The old man heard that, smiled and nodded, "If that girl is doing well, this uncle of mine can rest easy; whenever she leaves, I can go down and report to big brother."

Since Mito married into the Senju, she has hardly returned.

Big brother passed the clan head position to him before his death, and this uncle has constantly worried that his niece isn't faring well in the Senju…

He tried several times to go see his niece, but each time his health forced him to cancel.

"Ashina Clan Leader, you will surely live to a hundred!" Hashirama patted the old man's hand, comforting him.

At those words, the expression on the faces of the Uzumaki Clan members present instantly froze.

Lian Ye noticed the atmosphere was off, not knowing what had happened.

Hearing that, the old man gave a wry smile and said, "Hashirama, I'm ninety‑eight this year."

"Ashina Clan Leader, sorry about that," Hashirama awkwardly scratched his head.

"It's fine, it's fine; this old bone really isn't doing well," the old man said without getting angry.

Lian Ye's mouth twitched; he finally understood why everyone around wore that expression.

Uncle Hashirama, aren't you basically saying the old man has less than two years left?

At that moment, Lian Ye noticed the old man's gaze fall on him, and he politely nodded toward the old man.

The old man's complexion turned strange as he stared at Lian Ye, opening his mouth but saying nothing.

If his perception isn't wrong, the child Hashirama brought must be from the Uchiha Clan, right?

It's truly hard to believe.

Two families that have been fighting each other for over a thousand years have actually ended the war and coexisted peacefully.

The two stayed in Whirlpool Country for one night, and the next day they bid farewell and left.

Before departing, Hashirama said that when he has time he will bring Mito back to Whirlpool Country to visit relatives.

That made the old man overjoyed, proclaiming, "This old bone of mine will definitely hold out until Mito returns…"

In the following period, Hashirama took Lian Ye around the Ninja World, almost touring the entire Ninja World.

…………

Wind Country, in the desert.

"Uncle Hashirama, when are we going back?"

Lian Ye wiped the sweat from his face, thinking to himself how scorching this place was.

ps: Everyone, it's not that I don't want to add updates; I have a terrible cold and just can't manage it.

I originally didn't feel like writing today; the two chapters I owe will be done once I recover, and I'll make them up with all‑night work!