Personally, I’ve always thought that the Senju and Uchiha clans were considered noble bloodlines within the Land of Fire, especially during the era of Konoha’s founding,They all had political power, legendary abilities, and access to valuable resources so it’s logical to assume they also held a certain level of wealth and influence.But when I compare them, I honestly feel like the Uzumaki Clan stood a bit above the other two.Why? Because they didn’t just have prestige in the ninja world they were the leaders of their own country: the Land of Whirlpools.That kind of status changes everything. Having a village is one thing but having an entire nation under your protection, along with your own sealing systems and defenses? That’s on a completely different level, and above all, Mito Uzumaki gives off serious royal energy.Even in her youth, she wore a headpiece that looked very much like a tiara or crown. If we assume it was made of gold or some other precious metal, then it wasn’t just a symbol of power it was a luxury item that, in ancient times, would’ve represented royalty or high leadership. Not to mention, she was chosen as the wife of the First Hokage, which could very well have been a politically strategic union.
Yes, this really aligns with what I had in mind when it came to the creation/expansion of Ushizo. The Senju and Uchiha had a lot of power and wealth in comparison to other clans. But with the Uzumaki's prestigious nomadic roots and pacifist ideals, they would need land where the damiyo aligned with their views. And thats how Ushizo came to be, but what further established their political and royal roots would be Mito's mother's marriage with the prince. Causing the Uzumaki to rise in power that's beyond the Senju and Uchiha. As we know, in Konoha, the one who provides the funds, missions, and so on is the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. By having the Uzumaki clan be a part of the damiyo family for the land of the whirlpool, they aren't under the Damiyo and have to listen to their request and do as they please.
Also, we know ninjas were treated as weapons even before the founding of hidden villages and since both the Uchiha and Senju are indeed one of the strongest clans within the Narutoverse it make's sense alot of their wealth and prestige came from missions taken from higher ups.
Mito also gave me princess vibes and also priestess vibes, which aligns with what I'm writing for the Uzumaki clan and for her. I do agree that their marriage is a political strategic union. For their marriage, I thought it would work well that it was Mito's grandfather who arranged the marriage alongside Hashirama's father to restrengthen the alliance between the Senju and Uzumaki, but also because Mito's grandfather wanted even more political power and since Hashirama wished to create a hidden village in similar fashion to the Uzumaki. In his mind having his granddaughter marry Hashirama who comes from a clan their already allied with whose also strong and have the politcal poweress.
I feel like before the Uzumaki settled and created/expanded Ushizo, they weren't as politically strong as the Uchiha and Senju, but that doesn't mean they didn't have the prestige of either clans. They avoided conflict, and conflict avoided them. During their nomadic days, I do think other clans and ninjas alike would avoid the clan at all costs. The Uzumaki weren't the common ninjas; they were instead guardians, protectors of their secrets. They were a nomadic clan full of scholars who excelled in the sealing arts; they have so much to offer and so much to take from.
The Uzumaki clan would already be a culturally enriched clan before their settlement, and since they focused so much on building their foundations, Ushizo was able to come to fruition quickly. And as I mentioned with another person since the Uzumaki was most likely the only clan within Ushizo, they held the most influence and power.
I'm in the middle of creating what kind of fighters the Uzumaki clan was, and one of it involves fan dances, and I was thinking of how there would be a rumor that the whirlpools in Ushizo are manmade by the Uzumaki. This would be half true as the whirlpools occur naturally but the Uzumaki who are proficient in either wind or water elements would strengthen or calm the whirlpools depending on whether it's an enemy or ally approaching their broaders.
But anyways I loved reading what you had to say this is so fun :)