Senju Clan Land
This area spans a vast expanse, filled with numerous buildings.
As the family of Konoha's founder, the Senju clan still holds a strong reputation within the village. However, nowadays, only a few members remain, with most of the clan having dispersed throughout Konoha, many even abandoning the Senju surname.
In one of the courtyards within the clan's territory, Uzumaki Mito brought Ishigami Hara and Uzumaki Kushina inside, leading them into the main hall of the courtyard.
The decor in the hall was simple, yet its elegance was evident.
For Uzumaki Kushina, arriving here felt like returning home. She casually sat down next to Uzumaki Mito, which left Ishigami Hara feeling slightly out of place.
However, in Ishigami Hara's mind, there was a voice constantly chattering, especially after witnessing the "miserable" state of the Senju clan. He couldn't help but feel some schadenfreude.
"No one left in the Senju clan? I never imagined the once-great Senju would fall to such a level."
"Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama died too soon. They should have seen the state of the Senju now, haha."
"In the end, our Uchiha clan won. The 'Senju of the Forest' is now just a name."
The sight of the nearly deserted Senju land brought Uchiha Izuna great joy. It felt like standing on dry land, watching others struggle to stay afloat.
Though Ishigami Hara kept his expression neutral, he was sneering internally.
"Isn't it possible that the Senju clan voluntarily gave up their name and blended into the civilian class, earning the love and support of all of Konoha?
Meanwhile, the Uchiha clan, clinging to old ways, rigid in their actions and temperament, gradually lost the support of the village."
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Izuna was instantly enraged.
"You brat, do you dare look down on my Uchiha clan?!"
Ishigami Hara smirked inwardly, but refrained from responding.
"Child, don't be shy, have a seat," Uzumaki Mito smiled warmly.
"Yes, ma'am."
Ishigami Hara took a seat across from her, waiting for what would come next.
Still smiling gently, Uzumaki Mito turned to Kushina and said, "Go bring Nawaki back. I have something to discuss with you both."
"Alright, Grandma Mito."
Uzumaki Kushina shot a glance at Ishigami Hara, silently warning him not to upset Uzumaki Mito.
Ishigami Hara gave a slight nod, understanding that Uzumaki Mito had intentionally sent Kushina away because she wanted to speak to him privately.
As soon as Kushina left, Uzumaki Mito's smile faded, and her expression grew more serious.
She fixed her gaze on Ishigami Hara and sighed. "Child, when we were at the Hokage's office, I sensed a peculiar Chakra on you.
Although it was very faint, I am certain of what I felt. It carried the distinct signature of Uchiha Chakra."
Ishigami Hara was momentarily stunned, followed by surprise.
Back in the Hokage's office, Uchiha Izuna's Chakra had indeed fluctuated slightly. When he saw Uzumaki Mito, emotions stirred, causing a subtle disturbance—so subtle, in fact, that it should have been imperceptible.
But he hadn't expected Uzumaki Mito, at her advanced age, to detect such a faint fluctuation.
Should he attribute this to her being a member of the Uzumaki clan, possessing the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, or perhaps heightened senses influenced by the Nine Tails' ability to perceive good and evil?
Ishigami Hara wasn't sure, but what mattered was that the person before him was far more formidable than her appearance suggested.
"Tsk, those Uzumaki clan members still have such sharp Chakra perception."
This was Uchiha Izuna's assessment as he subtly released a slight Chakra fluctuation.
As expected, Uzumaki Mito looked up at Ishigami Hara but remained silent, patiently waiting for a response.
Ishigami Hara had never underestimated the elderly woman before him. Despite her aged appearance, marked by the Creation Rebirth, she clearly possessed the immense vitality characteristic of the Uzumaki clan. Her decision to maintain an old visage might just be a personal choice. Underestimating her based on appearance would certainly be a grave mistake.
Ishigami Hara bowed his head slightly, letting the long strands of his hair fall to cover his left eye. In the right eye that remained visible, a blood-red hue emerged, revealing three slowly spinning tomoe. "Is this what you're referring to?"
Faced with the decision of whether to conceal his Sharingan or continue hiding Uchiha Izuna's presence, Ishigami Hara chose to reveal the Sharingan. Given the reputation of the Ishigami clan, he could easily attribute the eye's activation to his own bloodline.
Uzumaki Mito inhaled deeply before exhaling a long breath. Her tone grew more solemn as she spoke again.
"You've awakened the Sharingan, and yet you bear the vivid red hair that symbolizes the Uzumaki clan. How did this come to be?"
Ishigami Hara closed his eyes, and when he reopened them, his eyes had returned to normal.
"I'm sorry, I can't answer that. It's strange, but it all feels... natural."
Uzumaki Mito seemed to realize she wouldn't get a clear answer. She nodded slightly and then abruptly changed the topic.
"Child, do you have a dream? Or a vision for what kind of person you want to become?"
The question was sudden, but Ishigami Hara could sense the sincerity behind it. After a brief moment of thought, he smiled lightly and responded, "I suppose... I want to be someone useful to the world."
Uzumaki Mito didn't seem to expect that answer. For a moment, a strange expression flickered in her eyes as she gazed at Ishigami Hara.
"You know, I once heard those same words from someone," Mito said softly. "That man, along with his companions, founded Konoha. He was the First Hokage and my husband. But you're wiser than he was. He simply wanted to bring peace to the ninja world."
She smiled again, her expression softening.
Ishigami Hara didn't know how to respond, but Uchiha Izuna's rage stirred in the back of her mind.
"Senju Hashirama, that damn man," Izuna muttered.
Ishigami Hara inwardly sneered. "You'd better control yourself. The person in front of you is no ordinary woman. If she discovers your presence, it won't benefit either of us."
"Tsk!" Izuna snorted, but fell silent.
"Child, stay with this old woman for a while," Uzumaki Mito said warmly. "You are also a member of the Uzumaki clan, and I have something to teach you."
Ishigami Hara nodded respectfully. "Yes, Lady Mito."
Though he wasn't entirely sure of Mito's intentions, Ishigami Hara would never pass up the chance to learn more advanced knowledge.