The road back to the Senju clan is smooth.
Unlike Madara, Akira was warmly welcomed upon his return to the Senju clan.
Hyuga, Sarutobi, the InoShikaCho clan.
Even in the corners stood a few members of the Taketori Clan, their hair tied in buns and their smiles noticeably awkward.
These ninja, wearing the emblems of their respective clans, were also part of the group welcoming Hashirama and the others. Just like the rest of the Senju clan, they stood silently on either side of the path, smiling as if they had fully accepted the alliance with the Senju.
Looking at the families around him-ones he'd only heard about in his previous life-Akira would have thought they were gathered for the founding of Konoha Village if he hadn't known they were there for Hashirama's wedding.
Naturally, Akira, who disliked scenes like this, complained to Tobirama standing beside him.
"Hashirama has only been gone a little while. Is it really necessary for so many people to welcome him back?"
Tobirama, usually cold-faced, couldn't help but grin slightly at Akira's question.
"They're not here to welcome Big Brother back. They're here for you."
"Me?"
Akira was about to question Tobirama when he overheard some chatter from nearby people.
"Is this the last of the [Three Senju]? He looks so young. I thought he would be an old man."
"He's good-looking, but it's a pity..."
Though the voices weren't loud, ninja are trained for tasks like assassination and intelligence gathering-listening comes instinctively. Akira caught nearly every word being said around him.
Mito, who was pretending to sleep in Akira's arms, blushed from the attention. Her reaction made Akira tense up briefly-until he noticed that Hashirama hadn't reacted to the situation. Feeling relieved...
*Slap.*
Akira gave Mito's thigh a light smack. Mito opened her eyes awkwardly.
"Lazy little pig. Get up."
"Oh."
Knowing her act had been exposed, Mito quickly climbed down from Akira's arms.
However, she behaved oddly afterward. She walked close behind Akira and refused to release his hand.
Assuming it was just Mito being shy, Akira ignored her and continued speaking with Tobirama.
"Tobirama, what's really happening here? I don't remember having any connection with these people. I haven't even left Uzumaki territory for years."
Seeing Akira's confusion, Tobirama explained patiently.
"Remember those strategies you had people send back? Big Brother used them in every war-and won. At every celebration after a victory, he gave credit to 'the wise ones in our clan.' Now, not just a few allies-the entire ninja world knows about you, even if they don't know your name."
"No way? I just gave him-"
It finally clicked for Akira. While the Warring States era had lasted centuries, military understanding was basic-raw strength was valued over tactics. Even advanced ninjutsu wasn't common knowledge.
After centuries of relying solely on brute force, books like "Art of War," "Thirty-Six Stratagems," and even posts from future forums were practically a cheat code in this world.
Akira had originally shared them with Hashirama just to earn a little favor-to secure support from one of history's strongest figures.
His second bet had been on Madara.
Now, seeing how everyone looked at him, it was clear his "contributions" had gone further than intended.
"If those ideas were that effective… could the Senju actually unify the whole ninja world?"
Just as he pondered this possibility, Akira realized Mito and he were walking ahead-everyone else had stopped. No one else moved forward with them.
"Oops-I walked too fast." Akira gently tugged Mito's hand and turned back toward Hashirama's team.
*Hahaha...*
His words sparked laughter throughout the welcoming party. Hashirama laughed the loudest by far.
"Hahaha! Akira, this entire thing is for you. You deserve this for your contributions to the clan."
Without waiting for protest, Hashirama clapped his hands and addressed those around them:
"Let us celebrate the return of our clan's brilliance-Senju's own Thousand Stars!" (T/N: i made this note like.. after i translated over 40 chapters, Thousand stars is one of the Mc's nickname, you will see me having a fit about who the fuck is thousands star and is it a clan in future chapters, it took a while before its been fully confirmed that Thousands Stars is Mc's nickname.. lol..)
*Wow...*
Cheers erupted among Senju members. Allies nodded in visible approval. The genius strategist who guided battles from afar now led Senju's future-and victory seemed certain in the coming wars.
For their allies, a powerful Senju clan was good news-for now.
Others smiled but quietly reconsidered their alliances. Akira appeared far younger than Hashirama and might dominate war strategy for decades to come. Any hopes of long-term equality with Senju had just vanished.
Among them walked Akira and Mito hand-in-hand-signaling to some that any potential political marriage plans were now off the table.
Only two paths remained-full surrender or open defection.
While some allies hesitated on what to do next, nearby Senju aunties couldn't help gossiping among themselves:
"The clan leader is getting married… and Lord Akira seems taken too… but Tobirama doesn't have anyone, right? Isn't your cousin's uncle's sister's daughter single?"
"If Lord Tobirama took my niece... I'd die proud."
"Yes! Exactly!"
...
Their chatter made quite a few wandering allies suddenly sparkle with interest again.
Tobirama, meanwhile, felt an inexplicable chill crawl up his spine.