No One Is Qualified to Stop the Senju Clan

"Orochimaru, the Third Hokage forbade you from studying Impure World Reincarnation for your own good. Why not go back and discuss it with him first?

Right now, the most important thing is to stop Nawaki's reckless behavior.

You know how much damage this will cause to Konoha, don't you?"

Jiraiya also noticed the contents of the scroll and anxiously tried to stop Orochimaru.

What concerned him even more was Orochimaru's attitude; he seemed to have no intention of stopping the actions Nawaki was about to take.

The crazed Nawaki before them had to be restrained immediately, or he would bring an unimaginable catastrophe upon Konoha.

Orochimaru merely glanced at him, then continued to watch, ignoring everything else around him.

This fool, he thought, he still hasn't grasped the situation. Even if he united everyone here, they couldn't stop Nawaki.

Senju Tojian alone was a force they could not contend with, to say nothing of the Senju Clan members who were gathering.

As a true commander on the battlefield, he was the only one who understood the strength the Senju Clan possessed in the Land of Rain—it was no exaggeration to say they had mobilized their entire clan.

The cannon fodder Konoha had once been so proud of now possessed a will of its own.

Recalling the events of the past few days in the camp, Nawaki must have been planning this for a long time, and he likely had arrangements made back in Konoha as well.

He was forced to re-evaluate Nawaki. How had he transformed from a hot-blooded idiot with no schemes into this calculating, cautious monster? What kind of tragedy had forged such a creature?

On second thought, he mused, let my teacher worry about all of this!

He was already immersed in the Impure World Reincarnation, seeing the hope of his own immortality.

Jiraiya looked toward Hatake Sakumo and Tsunade, but when neither responded, he turned back to stare heavily at Nawaki. If he could just take him down, all these complications would be resolved. He bit his finger, preparing to execute his own plan.

Swish—swish—

Vines erupted from the ground, binding the fool once more, gagging him, and driving four wooden spikes into his limbs.

Senju Tojian cast a look of disgust at Jiraiya. So, this is Sarutobi Hiruzen's most loyal disciple.

He actually wants to lay a hand on Nawaki?

In his heart, he believed everything in Konoha should be handled by the Hokage.

He even views the forbidden jutsu Nawaki provided as Sarutobi Hiruzen's private property?

It was clearly the legacy of the Senju Clan, yet they had brazenly claimed it as their own, all while assuming they held the ultimate right to dispose of it. His resentment toward Senju Tobirama flared once again.

The forbidden jutsu Tobirama mastered were indeed developed by him, but the foundation of everything was the heritage of the Senju Clan. Whether it was the Myojinmon or the Impure World Reincarnation, both were tied to the Senju lineage. The most obvious evidence was the design of the torii gates, which served as the boundary between the living world and the Pure Land.

The suffering of the Senju family was something for which Senju Tobirama bore more than half the responsibility.

Nawaki's gaze fell upon Orochimaru, who was still immersed in the forbidden jutsu. Setting aside the fact that Orochimaru had once saved him, the aura of scientific research about him alone made Nawaki feel quite favorable toward him.

What he had done was merely a matter of convenience. The most important thing was to show Sarutobi Hiruzen that the things he wanted to keep secret—the forbidden jutsu recorded on the sealing scrolls—were originally the property of the Senju Clan.

None of this had ever belonged to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He was a shameful thief, and in the future, he would take back what was his.

Sweat poured down Hatake Sakumo's face.

As his gaze swept over the gathering Senju ninja, his heart grew heavy.

It was then that he realized with astonishment:

Almost every ninja of the Senju Clan was present here. Only now did he realize the contribution the Senju Clan had made to this war.

It was precisely by relying on these nameless Senju ninja that Konoha had been able to gain the upper hand in the conflict.

Yet, the rights and benefits they were owed had no guarantees whatsoever.

Not a single commander or squad leader on the Land of Rain battlefield was from the Senju Clan; they were all cronies of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

He was now certain of the truth Nawaki had spoken: Konoha had been using the war to drain the strength of the Senju Clan.

As a clan close to the Senju—a clan that had essentially branched off from them—he had no standing to continue accusing Nawaki. His actions were merely an attempt to carve out a sliver of survival for himself and his kin.

He silently stepped back a few paces.

Only Tsunade remained, standing dejectedly as she watched everything unfold.

Her gaze also turned toward her former kin, and in their eyes, she saw a sense of alienation, even hostility.

She had once been the pride of the Senju Clan, and under the Third Hokage's praise, she had for a time become the pride of Konoha and the pride of the Senju.

Nawaki, who had never been particularly outstanding, had merely been a foil to her.

It was in this moment that Tsunade realized how ridiculous she had been.

Her achievements had all relied on the Third Hokage's tutelage and the foundation of the Senju Clan.

The Nawaki she had always tried to "protect" had been the one she was constantly stifling, the one being suppressed by the Third Hokage.

The moment she saw Nawaki unleash Wood Release, the Third Hokage's suppression became nothing more than a joke.

Wood Release was a legend in Konoha and throughout the Ninja World.

All the doubts and suppression had turned into a farce.

Tsunade stepped back dejectedly, likewise resigned to Nawaki's actions.

The leaders of the Konoha camp, with the exception of the late Sarutobi Shinnosuke, realized at this moment that they lacked the ability to stop Senju Nawaki's next move, nor did they have any reason to do so.

The injustice within Konoha was the root cause of all this.

Senju Nawaki moved, stepping forward.

He widened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the members of the Senju Clan present.

Most of them were in their forties or fifties, considered advanced in age among ninja, and should not have been on the battlefield.

Their attire was mostly tattered, and some still bore bandages and bloodstains, their expressions of exhaustion impossible to conceal.

Yet, their eyes radiated a glimmer of hope.

Was the injustice they had endured finally about to be shattered?

Senju Nawaki took a deep breath and bowed, apologizing for the foolish actions of his predecessor while simultaneously severing ties with his former self.

"Fellow clansmen of the Senju, you have suffered!"

He straightened his back and used chakra to amplify his voice, which carried across the entire camp.

The Senju ninja shuddered, their eyes turning red.

Their grievances had finally been released.

Senju Tojian's eyes widened as tears rolled down his cheeks; he felt immense relief in his heart, knowing the Senju Clan had finally welcomed a glimmer of hope.

More and more other ninja gathered around, whispering to one another.

There was no other reason; they realized that something terrifying was happening.

Senju Nawaki's current demeanor was like that of a completely different person compared to his past behavior.

Despite being someone they had viewed as cowardly and glory-seeking, the charisma he radiated at this moment left them feeling dazed.

Recalling the unusual behavior of the Senju Clan just moments ago and the unfair treatment they had previously faced, they grew increasingly anxious.