XX-level Hokage

"Wood - Four Pillars of Family Connection Technique - Modified - Super Luxurious Banquet Table!" Rumble—!

The marble floor suddenly cracked open, and thick tree roots burst out of the soil. Instead of turning into a house as usual, they intertwined, coiled, and grew wildly.

In the blink of an eye, a giant, unpolished table, exuding a primitive and wild aura, occupied half of the banquet hall.

This table is less like furniture and more like a compressed version of an entire forest, with legs as thick as elephant legs and a tabletop so thick it could be used as a city wall.

"Phew, all done!" Wan Hua patted the sawdust off her hands with satisfaction. "This should be sturdy enough. Even if that Zona strikes it with lightning, or that Coco transforms, it should withstand it."

Manka really enjoys using Wood Release to build houses and furniture, perhaps because her childhood training teacher was named Yamato.

"Hahaha! As expected of my daughter! So bold!" A hearty laugh came from the doorway.

Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage who had retired and was enjoying life in this world, was seen striding towards them carrying a bottle of fine sake.

Time seems to have completely forgotten this legendary female ninja; she still retains her youthful appearance, only with a touch of maternal kindness in her eyes—well, just a little bit.

"Mom!" Wan Hua turned around. "Look, what do you think of this reception table? Doesn't it have a lot of our Thousand Hands Clan's style?"

"So-so." Tsunade stepped forward and forcefully slapped the huge wooden table. (Carazine.)

A crack instantly appeared on the hard wooden tabletop.

The servants were trembling with fear.

"It's still a bit too hard." Tsunade took a swig of sake, a smile playing on her lips. "I've heard that the woman named Boa Hancock's daughter, Felene, is skilled in physical combat and Haki."

If the table you build can't even withstand one of my palms, and gets kicked to pieces by those people over there, it'll be a disgrace to your mother.

"What?!" Manhua instantly bristled, her fighting spirit blazing even brighter. "How is that possible! I just did it casually! Since that's the case, I'll reinforce it again with Sage Chakra! I definitely won't lose to that so-called Haki!"

Watching her daughter, full of fighting spirit, begin to form hand seals again, Tsunade nodded in satisfaction, then found a comfortable chair next to her, sat down, and continued drinking.

"That's right, Manka. As Mashiro's daughter, she absolutely cannot be inferior to anyone in terms of strength. Although there are many powerful individuals across the sea, our ninja world is not to be underestimated."

Unlike the bustling atmosphere in the main banquet hall, which even resembled a demolition site, the atmosphere in the flower arrangement and tea ceremony preparation room in the side hall was so quiet that one dared not even breathe.

"wrong."

A cold, desolate voice rang out.

A girl with black hair and black eyes was kneeling on the tatami mat. She was dressed in a dark blue Uchiha clan robe, with the Uchiha clan crest embroidered on the back meticulously. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, yet she exuded a cold arrogance that kept people at a distance.

She is the daughter of Mashiro and Uchiha Izumi—Uchiha Miko.

At this moment, Miko's Sharingan with three tomoe was slowly rotating in her eyes, her gaze fixed on a cherry blossom in the vase in front of her.

“It’s tilted 0.5 degrees to the left.” Miko stretched out her slender fingers and gently touched the flower branch. “This disrupts the overall compositional balance. Father said that beauty exists in absolute harmony.”

"That prince, you can't really tell with the naked eye, can you?" the Uchiha clansman helping out said cautiously.

Those are the eyes of mortals. "Without turning his head, Miko said in a detached tone, "I've heard that her sister, Nicole Flora, is a learned archaeologist with extremely keen observation skills."

"If she sees any flaws in our welcoming flower arrangement, she'll definitely laugh at the Uchiha clan for having only brute force and no aesthetic sense." With that, Miko stood up and glanced around at the neatly arranged tea sets.

"The spacing between teacups must be precise to the millimeter; the temperature of the tea must be controlled at the perfect 65 degrees Celsius; and then there's the presentation of the desserts..."

Miko's gaze suddenly sharpened, and her Sharingan spun faster. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique... a miniature version of temperature-controlled heating."

A tiny flame flickered from her fingertips, precisely sweeping across the bottom of each teapot to reheat the slightly cooled tea to the perfect temperature without burning a single tea leaf.

Her incredible chakra control would put any medical ninja to shame, yet she used it to make hot tea.

"Oh my, Miko is still so serious." A gentle voice wafted over, accompanied by a sweet fragrance.

Uchiha Izumi walked in carrying a plate of freshly made three-colored dumplings.

Compared to before, Quan is now more gentle and charming, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye adds a touch of mature elegance to her.

"Mom." The Sharingan in Miko's eyes faded, and although her expression remained aloof, her eyes softened. "Why are you here? Weren't you busy in the kitchen?"

"Because I was worried that the princess would be too nervous, I avoided eating." Izumi smiled and sat down next to her daughter, picking up a string of dumplings and handing it to her. "Here, have some."

“Mom, I’m not a child anymore.” Miko blushed slightly and turned her head away awkwardly, but still obediently opened her mouth and took a bite of the dumpling. “So sweet,” Miko whispered.

"Hehe, as long as it's sweet." Izumi looked at her daughter, her eyes full of doting affection. "Actually, you don't need to put so much pressure on yourself. Mashiro, what she wants most is to see you two happy, not like you're taking some kind of ninjutsu exam."

“This is not just an exam.” Miko swallowed a dumpling and said seriously, “This is war. Mom, you are too gentle and don’t understand that sense of competition. I heard there’s a girl named Zona across the sea who is very similar to Aunt Nami. She’s very shrewd. There’s also Amaterasu Kohaku who can shoot arrows into the future. If we don’t do our best, we will be looked down upon.”

Izumi smiled helplessly and reached out to tidy up the stray hairs at Miko's temples: "Alright, alright, our Miko is the best. However, that child named Amatsuki Kohaku, her mother, Lady Toki, is very gentle. I think Kohaku should be a good child too."

"You can know a person's face but not their heart." Yu Zi snorted, reverting to her arrogant demeanor. "In any case, I'll use these eyes to see through their every move, from table manners to how they cut the food."

As preparations drew to a close, Manka and Miko unexpectedly met in the corridor.

On one side is Wanhua, carrying a huge log, radiating heat and smelling of sawdust; on the other side is Miko, spotless, with even the folds in her clothes perfectly symmetrical.

"Hey, isn't this Miko-neechan?" Manka coughed loudly and slammed the log to the ground with a loud thud. "Still fiddling with those flowers and plants? If you ask me, to welcome the pirate sisters, we should just have a bonfire party, eat meat and drink wine to our hearts' content! Do they even understand those fancy things?"

Miko frowned slightly, took a step back in disgust, and dodged the flying dust.

“Rude.” Miko coldly uttered two words. “Precisely because our guests have come from afar, we should show the demeanor of the Ninja Kingdom as a land of civilization and etiquette. Making it like a barbarian settlement like you do will only bring shame to Father.”

"Who are you calling a barbarian?!" Veins bulged on Wan Hua's forehead, her fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "I think you're just jealous that my table is bigger than your vase!"

"Large size doesn't equate to value." Miko crossed her arms, her Sharingan slightly visible. "Besides, your wooden table is blocking my way; I need to set up the screen for the main seat."

"Want to come over? Beat me first!" Wan Hua also had a fiery temper and immediately assumed a fighting stance. "Last time during training you tricked me with illusions, but this time I won't fall for it!"

“That’s tactical,” Miko calmly replied. “Since you want to waste your energy here, I’ll keep you company and trim those extra branches for you while I’m at it.”

Seeing that the two were about to have another civil war on the eve of the great battle, the surrounding servants were in a panic.

"Alright! Stop it, both of you!" Two figures intervened simultaneously.

Tsunade instantly appeared behind Manka and grabbed her shoulder; Izumi stepped in front of Miko and gently took her hand. "Mom?!" they both exclaimed at the same time.

"Today is a good day, don't let the guests laugh at us." Tsunade glared at Manka. "Save your energy for when those troublemakers over there provoke us." "My lady, you should be polite to your older sister." Izumi gently advised.

Fang Hua and Yu Zi exchanged a glance. Although they still disliked each other, they obediently concealed their auras.

"Hmph, for Mom's sake." Wan Hua pouted, picked up the log, and said, "I'll go set up the table. Hey, Miko, since you're so particular, you can pick the color of the tablecloth later. Don't choose anything too tacky."

Miko paused for a moment, then her lips curled up slightly, revealing a very faint smile, but she still didn't let up: "Of course, if you weren't allowed to choose, you would probably choose that tacky bright green."

"What's wrong with bright green?! It's the color of life!"

That's the color of a frog. "You!!"

Watching the two bicker as they walked towards the banquet hall, Tsunade and Izumi exchanged a smile.

“They’re so energetic,” Quan exclaimed. “Just like we were back then… even though we weren’t in the same village back then.”

“Yeah.” Tsunade looked at the sky. “That Mashiro guy, connecting these two worlds and creating such a big family, there will probably be a lot of excitement like this in the future.”

Izumi nodded, her eyes filled with anticipation: "I've heard that the children across the sea are all very individualistic. I wonder if Miko can get along well with them."

"You'll get to know each other after a fight." Tsunade waved her hand dismissively. "Whether you're a ninja or a pirate, the spirit behind your fists is the same. Just don't tear down the palace."

"That's true."

Bonus Chapter: Welcoming (Part 2)

Location: Ninja Kingdom, Imperial City, East Corridor and Side Hall; Time: Two hours before the Dual Realm Passage opens.

Before that colossal white ship, symbolizing the maritime superpower, broke through the clouds and arrived, the undercurrents within the palace were no less intense than the bustling activity outside.

If Senju Manka and Uchiha Miko were as dazzling as the "sun" and "moon" in the imperial palace, then in the corners where the light couldn't reach...

There were also a few quietly blooming flowers, which seemed out of place on the eve of this grand family gathering, perhaps due to their personalities or their living environment.

Meanwhile, Da Jianmu Guan Chen, the eldest daughter who possesses the "Eye of God," is walking along the long corridor.

Her steps were light, her long silver hair swaying slightly with each step, and her snow-white robe, embroidered with pale gold magatama patterns, made her appear holy and inviolable.

"The commotion caused by Yu Zi and Wan Hua is too great."

Within Tian Chen's sleeve, a dark substance slowly wriggled, emitting a hoarse, low sound. That was Black Zetsu, the mastermind who once attempted to revive Kaguya, but now became Tian Chen's most loyal "mentor" and "nanny."

"Father (Mashiro) is about to return. If those two idiots tear down the palace, or if the guests from across the sea see the chaos, that would be disrespectful to the King, Tianchen. This is your chance to establish your authority," Black Zetsu coaxed patiently. "As the eldest daughter destined to inherit the throne, you need to demonstrate the ability to manage the overall situation. To do this, you can't do it alone. You need... pawns, or rather, supporters."

Tianchen lowered his eyes slightly, his dark green Rinnegan eyes remaining calm: "Brother Hei Zetsu, don't use the word 'chess piece' to refer to my sisters. But you're right, Manka is too reckless, and Miko is too obstinate. This gathering does need someone to maintain order."

She stopped and looked at the villa shrouded in mist in front of her.

"First, we need an environment master who can calmly control the situation."

The Water Villa is a residence within the Imperial Palace specifically prepared for envoys from the Land of Water (formerly Kirigakure). Unlike other places where the sun shines brightly, this place is perpetually filled with humid air.

Deep within the courtyard of the villa, a young girl stood by the pond, staring blankly at the ripples on the water's surface. She wore a long, dark blue dress, the hem of which flared out like a fishtail.

Her thick, reddish-brown hair was casually draped down, almost covering most of her face, revealing only one slightly gloomy eye. She was Terumi, the daughter of Mashiro and the Fifth Mizukage Terumi Momo.

"Hoo..." Terumi let out a soft sigh, her fingers lightly touching the water's surface. The once clear pool water instantly boiled, releasing a puff of steam. "I don't want to go... There are so many people. It's too much trouble."

Although she inherited her mother's "Lava Release" and "Boiling Release" bloodline limits, which are capable of melting steel, Yu's personality is completely different from that of the passionate, unrestrained, and even somewhat marriage-hungry Terumi Momo.

Having spent many years stationed with her mother in a remote watery land, she developed an extremely withdrawn personality and an instinctive aversion to large social gatherings.

"Yu, my precious daughter, why are you still growing mushrooms here?"

A fragrant breeze wafted by, and Zhao Meimo, still charming and even more mature than before, walked out. She looked at her socially awkward daughter with a mixture of helplessness and heartache. "The banquet is about to start. You need to change your clothes. What about the backless dress that Mom prepared for you?"

"No..." Yu buried her head in her knees, her voice muffled, "People will stare... and Manka-neechan's voice is so loud, and Miko-neechan's eyes are so fierce... I want to go back to Kirigakure."

"No way! Your father specifically asked to see you this time." Mei Terumi said, hands on her hips. "Besides, I heard the Empress's daughter from across the sea will be coming too. If your mother's limelight is overshadowed back then, you have to help your mother prove herself!"

Just when Yu felt despair, a clear, cold voice pierced through the mist.

"Aunt Mizukage, if you don't mind, could you let me and Yu-mei talk alone?"

Mei Terumi turned her head and saw Otsutsuki Tenchen standing at the end of the corridor, smiling at them.

"Oh, it's Tianchen." Terumi Mei's eyes lit up. "Of course, if it's you, you might be able to take this child out."

After Mei Terumi left, Tenchen walked up to Yu. "Sister Yu."

"Tianchen...Sister." Yu raised her head slightly. Although she was somewhat...

I felt awe, but not resentment, because Tian Chen always possessed a quiet demeanor.

"You also think the sunlight outside is too bright, right?" Tianchen asked softly. Yu paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Me too.” Tianchen sat down next to Yu, completely unconcerned that his expensive robes were damp. “But if everyone hides, Father will be disappointed, and… I also need your help.”

"My help?" Yu asked incredulously.

“Yes.” Tianchen pointed outside. “Wanhua and Yuzi are too noisy. I need someone to create a quiet mist. You don’t need to be in the center of the stage, just in a corner, using your mist to shut out the unruly clamor. Just like you did in the Land of Water, become the guardian behind the scenes.”