Butterfly Effect

"Genma-sensei, I'll see you tomorrow then. Bye-bye."

Senba waved goodbye to Genma Shiranui, with Tsuki and Iruka in tow, then turned and crunched away through the snow.

After the three left, Genma Shiranui stretched and gazed at the bright moonlight. A wave of sleepiness washed over him, perfect for taking advantage of the alcohol to get a good night's rest.

"Hey, isn't that Genma? What a coincidence! My treat today, let's all have a good time."

"No, Raidō, I already ate."

"That excuse again. Haven't seen you in days, Genma, are you getting distant with us?"

"No, I..."

"It's good that you're not. Come on, let's go have another round inside. I heard your students did well on their mission this time, tell us about it?"

And so, a burping Genma was pulled back into the izakaya by Namiashi Raidō and Iwami Tetsu, arm in arm. With nothing else to do, they could only pass the time this way.

Just as Genma was introducing his students and their performance in the Land of Grass to the two, another faction had also dispatched a reconnaissance team to investigate the situation in the Land of Grass.

Mei Terumi, with her shoulder-length reddish-brown hair, her green right eye hidden by her bangs, and wearing a loose kimono, was walking through a city in the Land of Water.

After the news of Kusagakure being attacked by suspected Kirigakure members spread, even the heavily sealed Blood Mist had to send people to investigate.

Belonging to the faction of Genji, Mei Terumi was at odds with the Fourth Mizukage's faction and was thus sent out on this meaningless mission.

To prevent detection by Konohagakure and Iwagakure, she and her subordinates entered a merchant caravan in disguise, leaving the Land of Water and traveling across the continent together.

Tomorrow was the day they would leave the Land of Water, and worry for her village kept her awake at night. Bored, she took her two subordinates for a walk in the snow under the cover of darkness.

Unknowingly, she arrived at an arched bridge. With her keen senses, she seemed to detect something and looked into the distance.

Haku felt like he was about to die. After his mother's death, he had been hunted by his biological father and had lost all desire to live. Perhaps leaving in the snow was his destiny.

In his final moments, an ice-like senbon materialized in his hand. This power that had caused his family's ruin was the last thing accompanying him.

"You're from the Mizunashi Clan, aren't you? How did you end up here?"

Accompanying the gentle voice, Haku was gently picked up. His bruised and purple body was wrapped in a thick cotton coat. In his daze, he saw a gentle face looking at him.

At this moment, Haku was like a ray of hope seen in the darkness. His dry lips moved a few times before he finally passed out.

Looking at Haku held in the arms of her personal guard, Mei Terumi's eyes held not only pity but also irrepressible rage. The Fourth Mizukage had gone mad.

It wasn't just clans like the Mizunashi that had been annihilated; recently, even the lunatics of the Taketori Clan had caught wind of the commotion and were gathering their clan's strength.

The Fourth Mizukage had to die, otherwise, Kirigakure would eventually be destroyed by his own hand, which would be even more laughable than the Konoha White Fang's suicide.

"Boil Release, Art of the Acid Mist!"

The next second, Mei Terumi quickly formed hand seals. With a slight parting of her red lips, she spat out acidic, high-temperature mist that spread forward, blowing towards the bridgehead, which had become misty at some unknown time.

"This power? Mei Terumi?" Momochi Zabuza, wielding a nameless greatsword, dodged the incoming acid mist. He recognized her not as a rich young lady, but as his former talented colleague.

"Mei Terumi, I discovered that child first. If you hand him over to me, I'll leave immediately, how about it?"

Zabuza had actually been following Haku in secret for some time. Today, at the boy's most desperate moment, it was supposed to be his opportunity to recruit him, but now someone had intercepted him.

"It's you, Zabuza," Mei Terumi lightly wiped the acid from the corner of her mouth. Looking at him, a glint of interest flashed in her eyes. "Today is truly a good day. Not only did I find the orphan of the Mizunashi, but I also have the chance to collect the head of a rogue ninja."

As Mei Terumi finished speaking, several figures appeared behind her, staring menacingly at Zabuza opposite them.

Not only were his possessions taken, but his life was also coveted. Even a clay figurine would get angry, let alone Momochi Zabuza.

A moment later, the sound of a massive ninjutsu clash echoed through the surroundings, and the once sturdy arched bridge collapsed with a roar.

Unaware that the wings of this little butterfly he had flapped had so quickly changed the fate of another person, Senba was now sitting beside Grandma Momoka, a shy smile on his face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, looking at Senba's appearance, was full of smiles. At least from his current perspective, he would support Senba's existence.

"Lady Momoka, Tsunade had developed an illness due to past events, and my disciple here has also picked up gambling."

Speaking of this, Hiruzen couldn't help but think of the First Hokage's hobby, and his eyes turned helpless. He really didn't learn the good things, but he learned all the bad ones.

"At the time, I was worried that Tsunade's bad habit would drag down the Senju Clan. Now that we have this well-behaved child, Senba, I can rest assured."

Hearing Hiruzen's words, Senju Momoka, perhaps due to her old age and lack of energy, struggled to open her hazy eyes and responded somewhat sluggishly.

"I don't have any hopes for little Tsuna in this life. As long as she's happy outside, that's fine. She just carries the title of Senju Clan Head." Saying this, Senju Momoka reached out her aged hand and stroked Senba's forehead.

"Hiruzen, I am already like a candle in the wind. I only hope that after I leave, you can look after little Senba, so that the name of Senju doesn't completely disappear from Konoha in a dozen years."

Seeing Grandma Momoka's frail appearance, Senba remembered how energetic she had been that morning, eating two bowls of white rice. His eyes immediately turned red, and he covered his face with tears, sobbing softly.

Witnessing this touching scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but think of the Senju Clan's contributions to Konoha, and a sense of guilt arose in his heart.

Not to mention how many ninjas were added to Konoha's lower ranks over the decades after the Senju Clan disbanded and joined Konoha, but how many Senju clan members were involved in Danzo's experiments, ultimately becoming cold wooden sculptures.

Yes, in Hiruzen's mind, these experiments were all done by Shimura Danzō.

Thinking of this, Hiruzen became increasingly uneasy. He reached for his pipe, wanting to use tobacco to boost his spirits, but considering the current environment, he forcibly stopped himself.

Finally, Hiruzen nodded silently, implicitly indicating that the Senju Clan had contributed enough to Konoha and didn't need to completely disappear.

As long as the Senju Clan, like Gekko and Hatake, only had a few core members per generation.

Seeing this, Senju Momoka knew she had succeeded in securing time for Senba to grow and that her goal for the day had been achieved.

Don't underestimate a ruler who has held the position of Hokage for over twenty years. His suspicious nature runs deep; otherwise, he wouldn't have come here today.