Dusty History

"Sister."

Uchiha Yue, dusted with snow, had just pushed open the door when a plump ball of white collided with her. Uchiha Izumi, beneath the white fur, looked at her sister with delight.

Placing the Rain Cutter in her hand at her back, Uchiha Yue reached out and pinched her sister's soft cheek, easing the fatigue from her body and face.

At the same time, she also saw the figure standing behind Izumi. Though the same age as Izumi, he exuded an aura of cold indifference that kept people at a distance.

"Itachi-kun, thank you for keeping Izumi company these past two days. I bought some dango on the way, would you like to try some with Izumi?"

Upon seeing Uchiha Yue return, Uchiha Itachi, who had been about to take his leave, felt a flicker of emotion in his eyes. However, remembering his father's instructions, he politely bid farewell. After all, little Sasuke must be missing him.

Watching Uchiha Itachi's retreating figure, a hint of worry crossed Uchiha Yue's eyes. His identity meant he would likely become the clan head in the future, while Yue only wished for her sister to grow up happily. Getting too close to Itachi might not be a good thing.

Soon, however, her slight worry was dispelled by Izumi's cheerful laughter. The two sisters huddled together in the warm room, savoring the dango, sweet as honey, and gazing contentedly at the heavy snow outside.

Meanwhile, Senba, walking through the snow, wore a somber expression. Having just left his grandfather's bedside, he had received terrible news: the old man's condition was worsening, and his end was likely near within the next few days.

The old man had always been in poor health, and though he had been prepared for this, Senba couldn't help but feel a flicker of uncertainty as it truly approached.

With this lingering uncertainty, Senba entered the gates of the Senju Ancestral Home. Cherry blossom trees were planted all around the ancestral home, but unfortunately, it was the wrong season. Not a single pink or white petal adorned the branches; only bare limbs intertwined, reaching towards the gray sky.

Gazing at the snow falling on the branches, Senba, feeling somewhat vexed, walked towards a cherry blossom tree under the curious gaze of a nearby maid and kicked its thick trunk.

The next second, a flurry of snow rushed towards him. Senba tilted his head back, feeling the icy snowflakes slide from his forehead across his cheeks, finally landing in the scarf around his neck.

A man remains a boy until death, let alone Senba, who was still a youth. Such childish behavior finally brought some relief to his sorrowful heart.

"Lady Momoka, Aoki Senba has arrived."

The old woman, dozing by the warm fireplace, heard the maid's report. As if just waking up, she looked at Senba standing in the hallway with hazy eyes and couldn't help but break into a kind smile.

At this moment, Senba was like a puppet, surrounded by several maids who were using towels and other tools to clear the remaining snow from him. Feeling his cheeks being rubbed, a strained smile appeared on his face. He regretted kicking that tree.

A moment later, Senju Momoka lay on a soft couch, listening to Senba recount the details of his mission. She nodded slightly and said, "You did nothing wrong. Ninjas are not without emotion. It's good to think things through before acting. Sometimes, don't rush, or you'll end up losing more than you gain."

"Senba."

Hearing Grandma Momoka's solemn voice, Senba straightened his body and looked at the elder.

"The Senju Clan will eventually disappear. This is not only Lord Hashirama's and Lord Tobirama's command, but also what many people wish to see."

"Therefore, I don't want you to bear heavy pressure. Just live well. If possible, when you are able, protect the Senju and Uzumaki clans, just like that pitiful child from the Land of Grass."

As she spoke, Senju Momoka gazed out at the raging wind and snow, her eyes flashing with loneliness and desolation. Time truly smoothed over all unwillingness and resentment.

At this moment, Senba stepped forward, took Grandma Momoka's withered right hand, and sat on the elder's lap like a junior in an ordinary family.

"Grandma Momoka, tell me about the history of the Senju Clan after Konoha was founded. For example, why was the clan disbanded? Otherwise, if my descendants ask me the same question in the future, how should I answer?"

Senju Momoka looked at Senba, whose eyes sparkled with curiosity. After a moment of thought, she recounted the sealed history of the Senju Clan.

Konohagakure had been established for over fifty years. Konoha's ninja clans, such as the Sarutobi, Hyuga, and Shimura, had flourished here. However, the two great clans that founded Konoha, the Uchiha and the Senju, one was ostracized by everyone, and the other had disappeared into the masses.

The disbandment of the Senju was euphemistically called voluntary, but in reality, it was forced. And the clan that brought about this step for the Shinobi World's foremost clan was none other than the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Senju Momoka would never forget how, just as the clan was rejoicing over Hashirama Senju's victory over Madara Uchiha once again.

The declaration, "I have decided to disband the Senju Clan," extinguished all the joy in the clan.

The scene of the heavily wounded Hashirama Senju suppressing all dissenters with sheer aura—the man who was once the reliance of the Senju Clan had now become the perpetrator of its disappearance.

"My purpose in establishing Konoha was not to treat it as the Senju's private property, but to achieve true peace, so that children wouldn't have to go to war at such a young age, and so that everyone could live a good life."

"However, after observing for some time, I realized I was wrong. As long as the Senju Clan exists, people will see Konoha as the Senju's Konoha. If this continues, non-Senju clan members in the village will gradually lose their motivation to move forward. Therefore, I have decided to disband the Senju Clan."

"This is my final command as clan head. If anyone wishes to object, they must defeat me. Who objects?"

In Senju Momoka's eyes, the clan head at that moment had none of his usual gentleness. The authority in his eyes made it impossible for anyone to look directly at him. The setting sun outside cast a warm orange glow on everyone, and so did the fate of the Senju—bright, yet already twilight.

At this moment, a glimmer of hope still remained in everyone's hearts. Even though all the clan elders had been suppressed, as long as Lord Tobirama Senju, the Hokage's assistant, held a dissenting opinion, there was still a chance for reversal.

Thus, when the Senju clan members, at the village entrance, welcomed Tobirama Senju back to the clan after he had finished handling the aftermath of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

"I agree with my elder brother's proposal to disband the Senju Clan. And after I succeed him as clan head and Hokage, I will resolutely carry out this order until it is successful."

Tobirama Senju's words were like the most fatal finishing blow. Several clan elders immediately spat blood and fainted. Many clan members also left heartbroken, and those with deep resentment abandoned the Senju name and left Konohagakure.

This was the final swan song of the Senju Clan. Hashirama Senju, the man who raised the Senju name to its peak, had also personally extinguished it.

Senju Momoka recounted this history in the calmest tone, but her gradually moistening eyes revealed the pain in her heart.