The Return of the Senju Clan (2)

Hokage Office Building - Hokage Office

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, eyes narrowed as he stared at the intelligence report in his hands for a long while, finally letting out a sigh.

"Sigh, Nawaki just returned from the Land of Wind battlefield and immediately drops this on me without a word. He really knows how to give this old man a headache."

"I hear Tsunade is back too, yet she doesn't even come to see this old man. She must still be holding a grudge over what happened to Nawaki all those years ago."

Just then, a knock sounded at the door, and three Anbu ninjas entered.

"Lord Hokage, the heads of the Uchiha, Sarutobi, Hyuga, Nara, and Akimichi clans are at the door, requesting an audience with you."

"Oh, they really can't sit still, can they? Coming to me one after another."

"Let them all in."

With a bustle, a large group of people filed in; the heads of all the major Konoha clans were present.

"Lord Hokage, what is your take on the Senju Clan's reorganization?"

The group watched Sarutobi Hiruzen with eager eyes, unable to hide their anxiety regarding the Senju Clan, waiting for the Third Hokage to state his position.

"I have only just received word of this matter myself. As I see it, this is a matter for the Senju Clan, and it is not really my place to interfere."

At this moment, a figure shrouded in a black cloak, face obscured, stepped forward.

"What? Lord Hokage, have you forgotten the approach of the First Hokage? The Senju Clan should be integrated into the village; they should not be appearing in the public eye again."

Many of the clan heads nodded in agreement.

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at the person hiding their face. He had recognized him long ago; despite the altered voice, he knew his old friend of many years. Who else could it be but Danzo?

"As Hokage, what would you have me do? The village needs peace, and the war is not yet over."

"Although the war in the Land of Wind has just ended, the peace talks have yet to begin. Our troops are still at the borders, the fighting in the Land of Earth has not ceased, and the Land of Lightning is restless."

"With the victory in the Land of Wind, Senju Nawaki's reputation in the village is at an all-time high. Combined with the return of Tsunade, one of the Sannin, the Senju Clan's prestige is soaring, unstoppable. What reason could I possibly have to stop them from reorganizing their clan?"

"I repeat: the village needs peace, and the Land of Fire needs peace."

Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand, turned his chair around in frustration, and faced the window.

"All of you, go back. There is nothing more to say about this."

In truth, there were things the Third Hokage did not say. He knew Li Yu's identity in the Anbu—codenamed Zi Yu. During the S-rank mission in the Land of Birds, he had displayed such overwhelming strength that he was nearly on par with the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. So much time had passed since then that he had no idea to what extent he had grown.

Even if all the ninjas from the major clans in the village attacked together, they might not be able to take down Li Yu. Furthermore, with Tsunade back and the Land of Fire currently surrounded by threats on all sides, the village could not afford a civil war—especially not one against the Senju Clan. That would be a decision that would destroy the village and the nation.

"Next term, let the boy Nawaki serve as the Fourth Hokage. I am getting old."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, how can you make such a decision? How can Senju Nawaki be Hokage?"

"Did I not tell you all to leave?"

"Hmph, you are simply too weak. If I were in the position of Hokage, such a thing would never happen."

After all the clan heads had left, Danzo removed his cloak. He did not immediately leave the office, but upon hearing the Third Hokage mutter about the next Hokage, he bristled with rage.

"Oh, Danzo, you really are shameless. Then tell me, why are you hiding your head and showing your tail, afraid to show your face in the village?"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen, you—"

"Danzo, just stay in the shadows and be the 'Root' of Konoha."

This remark struck Danzo at his core. Having been nearly killed by Li Yu, he had been hiding in the dark, terrified that Li Yu would discover he was still alive. Because of the pressure from Li Yu, his dealings with Orochimaru had become increasingly frequent.

Danzo was still a cunning old fox; despite the mockery, he quickly composed himself. With a "Hmph," he pulled his cloak back on and turned to leave the Hokage Office.

"To hell with the Senju Clan. I will be the one to become Hokage."

Senju Clan Compound

The former Senju compound had only contained the residences left behind by the First and Second Hokage, but now, a large area nearby had been purchased by Li Yu.

The announcement of the Senju Clan's reorganization was like the start of a construction project. Senju ninjas used Earth Release ninjutsu to level the ground, working vigorously to build residential and commercial areas centered around the main estate.

Seeing so many people wearing the Senju clan crest, Tsunade remarked with emotion:

"How can there still be so many people in the Senju Clan? When I was a child, I thought it was just Grandfather Hashirama, Grandfather Tobirama, and a few others."

"These are the clansmen I have spent years tracking down through underground connections. It took a great deal of effort to find them. Most of them are ordinary villagers forced by circumstance; few of their children became ninjas, wasting the innate talent of the Senju."

"The few who did become ninjas only achieved mediocre results due to a lack of resources and poor foundations, performing only slightly better than the average ninja."

After hearing Li Yu's words, Tsunade increasingly agreed that gathering the Senju Clan was a wise choice.

In truth, Li Yu had a selfish motive. As a modern person from the 21st century, he had to think about the next generation. First, they could not lose at the starting line. Second, they could not end up like the children and grandchildren of Hashirama and Tobirama, who died without the protection of a clan, meeting mysterious ends just like the original Senju Nawaki and his parents.

With the protection of the clan, they would not be sent to the battlefield as cannon fodder to die pointlessly.

An Anbu ninja arrived at the Senju compound and found Li Yu.

"Lord Nawaki, the Hokage has business with you. Please head to the Hokage Office."

"Understood, I'm on my way."

Li Yu informed those around him of his destination and immediately headed for the Hokage Office Building, thinking along the way, "Old man Third, what could be so urgent that you're looking for me?"

Hokage Top-Floor Office

"Nawaki, you've arrived."

"Yes, Lord Third Hokage. May I ask why you summoned me?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, studied Li Yu with a complex gaze for a long moment before narrowing his eyes into a smile.

"Tomorrow, a delegation from the Land of Wind will arrive in Konoha Village to discuss the terms of their surrender."

"I am sending you to receive the delegation and preside over the negotiations. Reach a conclusion as quickly as possible so that Nara Shikaku can withdraw his troops from the front lines."

"Is that all? No problem."

"That is good. I shall await your good news."

After leaving the Hokage Office Building, he glanced back at the structure and revealed a faint smile.

That old man, the Third, really knows how to put on an act. He didn't mention a single word about the Senju Clan, as if nothing had ever happened. I wonder what those old geezers are really plotting.

Whatever. The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can call it a day.