The Senju Clan Leaves Konoha

"Cough, cough... Sarutobi Shinnosuke used the Shadow Clone Technique to attempt an assassination on me.

The explosion that cost me my legs was also his orchestration.

He did it just to ensure the Senju Clan's bloodline would be severed.

To make the Senju Clan vanish and become nutrients for the Sarutobi Clan.

What is your choice, my sister?"

Senju Nawaki raised his head, his face terrifyingly calm as he looked toward Tsunade.

This sister of his, under the tutelage of Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and the Third Hokage, still had a skewed sense of loyalty.

"Impossible! The village already investigated that explosion; it was the work of the Iwagakure demolition squad."

Hatake Sakumo's brows collided as he growled in rebuttal.

If what Senju Nawaki said were true, Konoha would be thrown into chaos.

Even though the Senju Clan's strength had been whittled down and divided, in terms of influence, they remained the strongest in Konoha.

This had to be a conspiracy by other ninja villages to divide Konoha; he must not let Senju Nawaki be deceived, especially not the Senju family that Senju Tojian had awakened.

"Twice he wanted me dead? He was willing to have his own son take action personally—this is something you all witnessed.

The fact that the Hokage's guard requires the Hokage's protection is the greatest irony of all."

A sneer appeared on Senju Nawaki's face as he pulled a ninja headband from his hand and tossed it to Hatake Sakumo.

Hatake Sakumo examined the serial number on it, falling into deep thought.

This was the headband of the Anbu ninja Yamanaka Shuichi.

Some time ago, he had been sent out by the Hokage to execute a certain mission.

The timing of that mission coincided exactly with the time Senju Nawaki was attacked, and now, this headband was in Senju Nawaki's hands.

His heart was filled with doubt. Is this really a conspiracy by other villages?

Jiraiya, hanging from the tree, had eyes filled with bloodshot veins; even though he had no chakra left in his body, he still struggled frantically.

Orochimaru, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, looked as if none of this had anything to do with him.

"Impossible! Teacher wouldn't do such a thing!"

Tsunade waved her hands, trying to explain on behalf of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Her eyes were full of conflict as she looked at the miserable state of Senju Nawaki.

Her heart was filled with unbearable pain, but in the end, she chose to believe in Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Senju Tojian watched everyone's reactions quietly and couldn't help but sigh.

"In terms of political ability, Sarutobi Hiruzen's talent exceeds that of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama a hundred, a thousand times over."

The Senju Clan did not lose unjustly.

Fortunately, Senju Nawaki's performance was also quite outstanding; in this dark world, he was capable of holding up the sky for the Senju Clan.

"Heh..."

Senju Nawaki let out a scoff; such a reaction was within his expectations.

"I will head to my fief. If Konoha has any sincerity, they only need to have Sarutobi Shinnosuke admit his wrongs, and our Senju Clan can return to Konoha.

Now, I announce that the Senju Clan is seceding from Konoha."

After speaking, he nodded at Senju Tojian and then looked toward Hatake Sakumo.

Rumble...

Receiving the signal, Senju Tojian pressed his palms together and dispelled the Deep Forest Emergence.

The dense trees within the Konoha camp vanished.

"This..." Hatake Sakumo thought.

He suddenly realized with a jolt that, based on the current evidence, Senju Nawaki was the one who had been victimized.

"Nawaki, do you know what you are doing? The Senju Clan are the founders of Konoha!" Tsunade asked.

"You bastard, you also know the Senju Clan are the founders of Konoha?

Look at the situation of our clansmen; to what extent have they been pushed? They fight on the most dangerous front lines, yet all they receive is constant abuse and blame. Is this what that brat Sarutobi Hiruzen calls the Will of Fire?

What has he twisted the Will of Fire into?"

Senju Tojian could no longer hold back; a violent aura radiated from his body as he stared fixedly at Tsunade.

"Sister, open your eyes and look—to what extent has the Senju Clan been weakened?

Don't even mention comparing us to the Uchiha Clan; even the Sarutobi family and the Shimura family far exceed the Senju Clan.

The strength of these families was built by leeching off the Senju Clan."

Senju Nawaki was completely disillusioned.

Chakra is a medium for communication, but it is also a tool for assimilation.

Those who possess powerful chakra can influence the will of the weak through their own energy.

The Third Hokage had taught them since they were young, keeping them by his side and brainwashing them until they lost a part of their true selves.

Only by surpassing the Third Hokage in strength could one slowly break free from this influence.

This influence was akin to a chronic genjutsu, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, that old schemer, must have noticed it long ago. That was why he constantly went to the Ninja Academy to give speeches; by radiating his own chakra, he ensured his status in Konoha remained unshakable.

Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, and Orochimaru fell into deep thought.

They recalled everything that had happened on the battlefield.

The dirty and exhausting work always drained the strength of the Senju Clan, while the final credit was snatched up by several rising families, especially the families of the elders.

Many times, they had felt deeply pained in their hearts.

They believed the village was being somewhat harsh toward the Senju Clan.

Especially when it came to supporting the Uzumaki Clan, only the Senju Clan had given their all.

Yet, it was Konoha that had signed the mutual defense pact with the Uzumaki Clan!

They were shameless oath-breakers, and the Senju Clan was merely their fig leaf.

Once they realized this, the three of them had no standing to dissuade Senju Nawaki from his decision.

"Pfft... What nonsense are you spouting? No matter what, the Senju Clan is a part of Konoha. Shouldn't they contribute to Konoha?"

Jiraiya fell to the ground after the Wood Release dissipated.

He spat out a leaf from his mouth, stood up, and accused Senju Nawaki.

What he was doing now was nothing short of splitting Konoha apart.

He could already imagine the pressure Konoha would face and the heavy losses the village would suffer in the brutal wars to come.

To him, sacrificing the Senju Clan was only natural.

"As expected of Sarutobi Hiruzen's prized pupil; you've truly inherited his shameless face. Konoha? It has already become a tool for Sarutobi Hiruzen, and I do not acknowledge it. As long as he proves his sincerity by sending Sarutobi Shinnosuke to see me and explain this assassination attempt, I will remain a part of Konoha. The Senju Clan can still die for Konoha."

Senju Nawaki narrowed his eyes, never having expected that there could be someone in this world even more shameless than his unscrupulous mentor from his past life.

To twist black and white so brazenly was truly an eye-opener.

He just wondered if Jiraiya could bring the dead back to life?