Crazy Shinobi: Rise of the uzumaki Clan[On Hold]

Mito's POV

The journey from the Uzumaki village to the Senju lands had been long, but the moment I stepped into the territory of the Senju Clan, the air seemed to change. It was filled with life and energy, and a strange sense of anticipation stirred within me. My heart beat a little faster, and for the first time in years, I felt the tingle of excitement mixed with uncertainty.

Fifteen years had passed since I was just a child, cradled in my mother's arms, and the girl I was then felt like a distant memory. My fiery red hair had grown long, cascading down my back like a blazing wave. I had matured into a young woman, no longer hidden behind my brother's shadow. But as much as I had grown, something in me had remained unchanged—the burning curiosity to see the world outside the Uzumaki Clan, to meet others who might share my fire.

Today, I wasn't just Mito Uzumaki, daughter of Kazuto and Hoshiko. I was a member of a legacy, carrying the strength and the will of my clan within me. Still, there was something else I had been drawn to—a name, a legend, a flame that sparked my imagination every time it was spoken.

Hashirama Senju.

The man who would one day become the future of the Senju Clan, the shinobi world's prodigy. I had heard so much about him from the elders—stories of his strength, his leadership, and the way his very presence could inspire others to do the impossible. But none of that compared to the curiosity bubbling within me as I walked toward the Senju compound.

As I passed the gates, I was greeted by the Senju guards, who were polite but distant. They knew who I was, of course. The Uzumaki and Senju were allies, bound by blood and shared purpose. But there was something else I was searching for—a face I had only heard of, a name that had haunted my thoughts for years.

And there he was.

In the distance, just ahead, a young man was standing beneath the shade of a tall tree, his back to me. Even from a distance, I could feel his presence, as if the very air around him crackled with power. He was tall, with dark brown hair that cascaded around his face in wild strands. His posture was relaxed, yet there was an undeniable strength to his form, a raw energy that made him seem larger than life.

I felt my heart skip a beat.

Hashirama.

Something pulled at me—an invisible thread that urged me closer. My steps were hesitant at first, but as I drew near, my heart seemed to beat in time with my footsteps, faster and faster. I couldn't quite explain it, but there was an overwhelming sense of destiny in the air.

He turned just as I reached the clearing.

Our eyes met, and in that instant, I was frozen.

Hashirama Senju was even more handsome than I had imagined—his dark eyes were warm, filled with an almost mischievous energy, and his smile was wide and inviting. It was as though he had been waiting for me all along, and the moment we locked eyes, it felt like the universe had shifted. His gaze softened as he took in the sight of me, and I could see something spark in his eyes—a recognition, perhaps, or something deeper.

"Ah, you must be Mito Uzumaki," he said, his voice low and easy, as though we had known each other for years. "It's an honor to finally meet you."

My breath caught in my throat. The way he spoke—so effortlessly, yet with a warmth that seemed to radiate from him—was enough to leave me speechless for a moment.

"Y-Yes," I managed to stammer, trying to regain my composure. "I've heard a lot about you as well, Hashirama-sama. Your name precedes you."

He chuckled, a deep, resonant sound that made something flutter in my chest. "I hope I'm not living up to all the expectations. But I've heard plenty about you too, Mito. The eldest of the Uzumaki clan... You've grown into quite the beautiful woman, haven't you?"

I felt my cheeks flush, my heart pounding in my chest. No one had ever spoken to me so casually, yet with such warmth. His words weren't just compliments—they felt genuine, like he saw me as more than just an ally from another clan. He saw me as a person.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice almost caught in the throat. The wind rustled through the trees, and for a moment, the world felt still.

We stood there for a long while, both of us unsure of how to proceed, but something between us felt undeniable. I had heard stories of how Hashirama was a natural leader, how he could bring together anyone, even those who were at odds with each other. But standing in front of him, I realized that his strength wasn't just in his power—it was in his heart. In his ability to make those around him feel seen and heard.

"Would you like to take a walk?" he asked, his eyes gentle. "We don't have to stand on ceremony here."

I nodded, feeling the weight of my nerves melt away. There was something about him that made me feel at ease, like I had known him forever. We began to walk side by side, the sound of our footsteps in sync with the rhythm of the wind. The conversations flowed easily, the bond between us growing stronger with each word.

As we walked through the Senju grounds, my heart couldn't help but race. It was strange, this feeling that had settled deep within me. I had known about the Senju for years, had studied their ways, their history, but nothing had prepared me for this—nothing had prepared me for him. The way he made the world seem less chaotic, how everything felt brighter when he spoke, how my heart fluttered whenever he smiled at me.

I realized, then, that this wasn't just admiration or respect. It was something more. It was the beginning of something I couldn't yet fully comprehend, but it was something that felt so undeniably right.

I had fallen for him. And I didn't care if it was foolish or sudden. There was no denying it.

This was childhood love—pure, simple, and untainted by the complexities of the world. It was the feeling of meeting someone who made the world feel like it had just been made for you. Someone who would change your life without even trying.

We continued to walk, talking about everything and nothing, but with every step I took beside him, my heart only grew fonder.

I was Mito Uzumaki, and I was in love with Hashirama Senju.