"I said before that during the Warring States period, the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan were the two strongest ninja clans."
"Especially after Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha inherited their respective positions as clan heads, the strength of those two great clans was on an entirely different level from the others."
"And the strength of the two clans did not lie solely in their clan heads. Every one of their ninja was among the very best at the same rank."
"Precisely because the two clans were so powerful, when an employer chose the Senju, another employer with opposing interests would inevitably choose the Uchiha, and vice versa."
"That was why the hatred between the two great ninja clans ran the deepest."
"If the two strongest clans, who also hated each other the most, could put aside their hatred and join hands to move forward, wouldn't that set the best possible example for everyone else?"
Shisui and Itachi hurriedly nodded.
"Only then could ninja clans whose hatred toward the Senju and Uchiha was not as deep put aside their doubts and fears about the Senju."
"What were they doubtful and fearful about?"
"Whether they would become vassals, or even be completely annexed, leaving no trace of their own clan behind."
"You need to understand one concept. At the very beginning, Konoha was essentially a collection of ninja clans large and small, like one enormous family."
"The Senju were the head of this super-family. It was only right that they held the highest status and greatest authority, as the leaders."
"But that did not mean the Senju could freely oppress, exploit, enslave, or annex other ninja clans. Status might differ, and duties might differ, but everyone was equal in dignity."
"What had the major ninja clans joined Konoha for in the