Hokage Office Building—Hokage Office
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi held a pipe between his lips. Squinting, he studied the intelligence report in his hand for a long while, then let out a sigh.
"Ah, Nawaki just got back from the battlefield in the Land of Wind, and now he's pulled this on me without a word. He really knows how to make things difficult for an old man like me."
"I hear Tsunade is coming back too, but she won't even come see this old geezer. She must still be angry with me over what happened to Nawaki back then."
Just then, someone knocked at the door. Three Anbu Ninja entered.
"Lord Hokage, the heads of the Uchiha, Sarutobi, Hyuga, Nara, and Akimichi clans are outside. They've come to see you."
"Oh? They really can't sit still. Every one of them has come to see me."
"Let them all in."
In they came, one after another. All the major clan heads in Konoha had gathered.
"Lord Hokage, what do you think about the Senju Clan reorganizing?"
The group stared eagerly at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Unable to hide their concern about the Senju Clan, they waited for the Third Hokage to state his position.
"I've only just received word about this myself. In my view, this is a matter for the Senju Clan. It wouldn't be right for me to interfere."
At that, a figure in a black cloak, their face hidden, stepped forward.
"What? Lord Hokage, have you forgotten what the First did? The Senju Clan should be integrated into the village. They shouldn't step back into the limelight."
Many of the clan heads nodded in agreement.
The Third Hokage glanced at the cloaked figure, whose face remained hidden. He had already recognized him. They had been friends for many years, and although the man had changed his voice, Hiruzen recognized him at once. Who else could it be but Danzo?
"As Hokage, what can I do? The village needs peace, and the war is still ongoing."
"Although the war with the Land of Wind has just ended, peace talks haven't even begun. We still have troops at the border, the fighting with the Land of Earth is not over, and the Land of Lightning is making a move."
"After its victory in the Land of Wind, Senju Nawaki has become highly respected in the village. With Tsunade, one of the Sannin, back as well, the Senju Clan's influence is at its peak. They're unstoppable. What reason could I possibly have to stop them from reorganizing their clan?"
"Let me say it again: the village needs peace, and the Land of Fire needs peace."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand, then turned his chair toward the window, looking rather troubled.
"Go back, all of you. There's nothing more to discuss."
There was something else Hiruzen hadn't said: he knew Li Yu's Anbu identity—his codename was Zi Yu. During the last S-rank mission in the Land of Birds, Li Yu had displayed tremendous strength, almost on par with First Senju Hashirama. So much time had passed since then that no one knew how strong he had become.
Even if every ninja from every major clan in the village attacked together, they might not be able to take Li Yu down. And Tsunade had returned as well. With the Land of Fire surrounded by hostile eyes, the village couldn't afford even a hint of internal conflict—especially not a war with the Senju Clan. Starting one would practically mean destroying the village and the country.
"Let's have that boy Nawaki become the Fourth Hokage next time. I'm getting old."
"Sarutobi Hiruzen, how could you make such a decision? How could Senju Nawaki become Hokage?"
"Didn't I tell you all to go back?"
"Hmph. You're far too softhearted. If I were Hokage, I'd never let something like this happen."
After all the major clan heads had left, Danzo took off his cloak but didn't leave the Hokage Office right away. When he heard the Third Hokage mutter about who would become the next Hokage, he flew into a rage.
"Oh? Danzo, you really have some nerve. You hide your face and never dare show yourself in the village. Why is that?"
"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you—"
"Danzo, just stay where you belong—as the Root of Konoha."
Those words seemed to strike a nerve. Li Yu had nearly killed Danzo, and ever since, Danzo had been hiding in the shadows, afraid to show his face in case Li Yu learned he was still alive. Under the pressure Li Yu exerted, he had also been meeting with Orochimaru more and more often.
Danzo was still as cunning as ever. Though Hiruzen had mocked him, he quickly composed himself, gave a contemptuous "Hmph," put his cloak back on, and left the Hokage Office.
"What a load of nonsense about the Senju Clan. I'm going to become Hokage no matter what!"
The Senju Clan compound
The old Senju Clan compound had contained only the homes left behind by First and Second Hokage. Now, Li Yu had bought a large area around it.
Announcing that the Senju Clan was reorganizing was like announcing the start of construction. Senju clan members used Earth Release to level the buildings and began building residences and commercial areas centered around the compound.
Seeing so many people wearing the Senju Clan crest, Tsunade remarked with a sigh,
"How can there still be so many people in the Senju Clan? When I was little, I thought it was just Grandpa Hashirama, Grandpa Tobirama, and a few other family members."
"I spent all these years secretly getting in touch with clan members. It took a lot of effort to find them. Most of them are ordinary villagers, forced to struggle just to make ends meet. Few of their children became ninja, so the Senju Clan's natural talent went to waste."
"Even those who became ninja had too few resources and a poor foundation, so they accomplished little. They're only a bit better than ordinary ninja."
After hearing Li Yu's explanation, Tsunade became increasingly convinced that gathering the Senju Clan together had been the right choice.
Li Yu had another reason for doing this, too. As someone from the twenty-first century, he had to think about the next generation. First, they shouldn't be made to start at a disadvantage. Second, when Hashirama and Tobirama died, the children and grandchildren left without the clan's protection shouldn't meet mysterious deaths—like Senju Nawaki and his parents in the original story.
With the clan's protection, they wouldn't have to go to the battlefield and be used as cannon fodder, only to die just like that.
An Anbu Ninja came to the Senju Clan compound and found Li Yu.
"Lord Nawaki, Lord Hokage needs to speak with you. Please come to the Hokage Office Building."
"Understood. I'll be right there."
Li Yu told the people around him where he was going, then hurried to the Hokage Office Building. On the way, he wondered, What does the old Third Hokage want with me in such a hurry?
Hokage Office, top floor
"Nawaki, you're here."
"Yes, Third Hokage. What did you want to see me about?"
The Third Hokage studied Li Yu with a complicated look for a while, then smiled, his eyes narrowing.
"Tomorrow, a delegation from the Land of Wind will come to Konoha to discuss the terms of the Land of Wind's surrender."
"I want you to receive the delegation and lead the negotiations. Try to reach an agreement as soon as possible so Nara Shikaku can withdraw his troops from the front."
"That's all? No problem."
"Good. I'll await your good news."
After leaving the Hokage Office Building, Li Yu glanced back at it and smiled faintly.
"Old Third Hokage, you sure know how to put on an act. He didn't mention the Senju Clan once, as if nothing had happened. I wonder what those old foxes are plotting."
"Never mind. The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can call it a day."