Hokage’s Office – Konoha Administration Building

  The air in the Hokage’s office was heavy with tension, as if every word spoken carried the weight of history. The bck-cased, gold-capped scroll rested on Hiruzen Sarutobi’s desk, a symbol of the power it held—both as a relic of Konoha’s past and as a potential weapon in the hands of the Senju.

  At the center of it all stood Ryoji Senju—a five-year-old, yet with the unshakable presence of a seasoned leader.

  To his right, Tsunade Senju, his mother and guardian, stood with her arms crossed, a glimmer of amusement in her sharp eyes.

  Across from them, Uchiha Tajima, head of the Uchiha Cn, stood tall and composed. His presence alone was enough to command respect, though there was an unmistakable tension in the room as he sized up Ryoji.

  Beside Tajima, his son Fugaku stood, watching the young Senju with a mix of curiosity and defiance.

  On Hiruzen’s left, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane were seated, the disapproval clearly visible on their faces.

  The ANBU operative in the corner stood silently, watching with unwavering attention.

  After a long silence, Tajima spoke, his voice cutting through the tension.

  "Hiruzen," Tajima began, his tone measured but firm. "I understand the situation, but I must ask—why is it that I learned of this incident from an ANBU before hearing it from you, the Hokage? A matter involving my cn, and the Senju should not have reached me secondhand."

  His gaze sharpened. "That aside, was Yagami’s attack truly a loss of control? Did his emotions get the best of him, or is there more to this?"

  Hiruzen gnced at Ryoji, before indicating that the matter itself occurred within minutes before the summons.

  Ryoji, who, without missing a beat, spoke in his steady, confident voice.

  “No,” Ryoji said, “Yagami Uchiha did not lose control. He made a choice.”

  Tajima’s eyes narrowed. “A choice?”

  Ryoji met his gaze, his golden-scarlet eyes unwavering.

  “He was losing a fight he knew he could not win. Instead of accepting his defeat, he reached for the kunai at his waist with deliberate intent.”

  The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Fugaku’s hands tightened at his sides, his gaze flickering between Ryoji and his father.

  Ryoji continued, his tone unforgiving.

  “This isn’t about one boy’s mistake. This is about precedent.”

  He turned his gaze from Tajima to Homura and Koharu, then back to the Uchiha cn head.

  “If I had not recorded this, what would have happened?”

  Silence filled the room. No one spoke.

  Ryoji answered for them.

  “Nothing.”

  Another beat of silence.

  “Yagami would be taken home. He would be treated. And no one—not even the Uchiha Elders—would acknowledge that he attempted murder.”

  Tajima remained silent, but Ryoji’s words rang out—direct and unyielding.

  Then, Ryoji shifted the conversation.

  “However.”

  The room held its breath.

  “I will publicly apologize.”

  Tsunade blinked, clearly shocked.

  Ryoji, unfazed, continued.

  “Publicly. For brutalizing Yagami Uchiha.”

  A moment of stunned silence. Ryoji pressed on, knowing this wasn’t enough.

  “In exchange, the Uchiha Cn will publicly acknowledge that Yagami Uchiha drew a real kunai with intent to kill.”

  The room went still. The stakes had just risen exponentially. Tajima’s face remained unreadable, but his eyes flickered with calcution.

  Ryoji didn’t stop there.

  “This is not just about saving face. This is about precedent. This incident cannot be buried.”

  Hiruzen nodded subtly, his expression tightening in response to Ryoji’s sharp insight.

  “If it is ignored, then who knows what will happen next time,” Ryoji continued. “If I, as head of my cn, cannot rely on the Uchiha to be honest and uphold justice, then there is no future for our cns together.”

  Tajima gnced at Fugaku, his son standing stoic and quiet, watching the exchange unfold. Then, his gaze returned to Ryoji, still considering his words.

  Finally, Ryoji made the final move.

  “Additionally,” he said, voice firm and deliberate, “to ensure no such incident happens again—and to solidify the peace between our cns—I will accept a betrothal of Uchiha origin.”

  The room went silent for a long moment.

  “What?” Tsunade’s voice broke through, her brows shooting up in disbelief. “You’re asking for a marriage contract? At five?”

  Ryoji turned toward her, completely unphased. “A marriage contract is a symbol of unity. An agreement. A way to secure both cns’ future.”

  Tsunade’s expression was one of stunned realization. “Holy shit,” she muttered under her breath.

  Ryoji turned back to Tajima, undeterred.

  “The betrothal will cement the alliance, preventing future conflict." His golden eyes glinted. “And ensure peace between our cns.”

  Tajima’s expression shifted, a subtle shift in his demeanor. He seemed to be considering the weight of this decision, the monumental implications of uniting the Uchiha and Senju bloodlines through marriage.

  After a tense pause, Tajima spoke.

  “You truly are like an Echo of Hashirama.”

  Ryoji nodded once. “Then it’s settled.”

  Tajima turned toward Hiruzen, giving the Hokage a silent nod. “We accept the terms, Hokage.”

  Ryoji then turned to Fugaku, his voice casual but with a challenge.

  “Fugaku-nii, spar with me ter. Please.”

  Fugaku’s lips twitched upward, the smallest smile pying at the corners of his mouth. “Hn. Fine.”

  Ryoji’s eyes flicked toward Homura and Koharu before he gave them a sharp, sarcastic grin.

  As Ryoji stepped out of the Hokage’s office, he paused just long enough to gnce at Homura and Koharu, offering them a respectful nod that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  “Elders Mitokado and Utatane,” he said smoothly, “it’s always reassuring to see such… enduring figures still present in the vilge’s decision-making. Your wisdom, shaped by the many, many years you’ve witnessed, must surely be a guiding light—especially when the world changes faster than some can keep up.”

  He smiled, all politeness on the surface, but his words hung in the air like a carefully pced kunai. “May you continue to serve… in whatever capacity time still allows.”

  Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, leaving them to ponder whether they had just been honored or dismissed.

  Tsunade snorted, barely holding in her ughter.

  Homura’s face turned bright red, his fists clenching at his sides. Koharu’s lips thinned as she shot him a furious gre.

  Ryoji turned to leave, his posture unbothered.

  “See you all soon.”

  [Break]

  Outside the Hokage’s Office

  Once outside, Tsunade wrapped an arm around Ryoji’s shoulders, her ughter finally escaping.

  “You little menace.”

  Ryoji straightened his robes, cool as ever. “I was just being polite.”

  Tsunade rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her grin. “Polite? That was the most unpolite thing I’ve ever seen.”

  Ryoji smirked. “They’ll be fine. If they need assistance, I’m sure the hospital has an excellent elderly care program.”

  Tsunade burst into ughter. “Stop—oh my god, you’re just as bad as me.”

  Ryoji’s gaze remained steady ahead. “I’ll surpass you.”

  Tsunade grinned. “Damn right you will.”

  And somewhere far beyond the walls of Konoha, Madara Uchiha sneezed—uncontrolbly, driven by a sudden and inexplicable urge to either adopt or kill a Senju.