Visitors from the Land of Fire

"Haha... Clan Leader, you don't need to address me that way from now on. You must maintain your dignity.

"There are some things I haven't explained clearly to you. The family records say that only by finding your own way of the ninja and following it can you break through a certain limitation. That is a kind of transcendence. Hashirama and Madara called it Beyond Kage.

"I found my own way of the ninja a long time ago: protect the clan and help it prosper. But as I followed that path, I ran into obstacles and couldn't make any further progress.

"Now, with your leadership, I've surpassed my former self. By combining my style with the unique techniques of Wood Release,

"my strength is also increasing rapidly."

Senju Tojian laughed heartily. He was delighted that Senju Nawaki addressed him that way, but he couldn't let it continue.

As the clan leader, Nawaki had to maintain his dignity. Tojian was an elder responsible for passing on the clan's traditions, and Nawaki's senior. He had to uphold the clan leader's authority.

Only then could the Senju Clan go further.

He also explained some of the ninja world's secrets to Senju Nawaki.

His strength might not match Senju Hashirama or Senju Tobirama at their peak, but he was already stronger than Hanzo of the Salamander. Taking on one or two Kage would be a breeze.

His style suited his role in the Senju Clan, much like a Venus Flytrap. Anyone who set their sights on the Senju Clan would be crushed by him.

He would do whatever it took to protect the Senju Clan and Senju Nawaki.

"I've been a little arrogant. I should take the time to study the clan's archives."

Senju Nawaki furrowed his brow, then relaxed, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Lately, he had been acting as if he were above everyone else. Senju Tojian's reminder made him realize that this world was just as full of geniuses.

There were not only the reincarnations of Asura and Indra, but also all kinds of remarkable figures, like the prodigy Senju Tobirama and the Uchiha's Izanami and Izanagi.

And that was only in Konoha. The Ninja World was far more vast.

All kinds of strange techniques and strange people could hurt him and get in his way.

He had to take them seriously.

He stroked his right arm, feeling a little regretful.

He shouldn't have put himself on the line back then to frame Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

Once they had dealt with the matter in the Land of Fields, he would have to make his body undergo a transformation and regenerate his severed limb as soon as possible. In this condition, his strength was limited.

"Of course. That way, I can fulfill my duty as an elder responsible for passing on the clan's traditions."

Senju Tojian smiled with satisfaction, as if he could already see the Senju Clan's glorious future.

He hadn't fulfilled his duty as that elder. After all these years of Konoha suppressing the Senju Clan, Nawaki had received far less guidance and resources than even Tsunade, a girl. He had never received proper training as a clan leader.

But in his heart, Senju Nawaki was becoming a more and more capable clan leader.

"Let's get started. The two of us will have to work hard over the next few days.

"This plant might be able to help us.

"From what I've observed, it's hardy, reproduces quickly, and is poisonous. It can only grow in the Land of Fields, where it will ruin the soil and water. If we destroy some of the Wood Release trees left behind to improve the land, the Land of Fields will revert to its current state next year.

"Those Wood Release trees have had an extraordinary effect on the land of the Land of Fields. Only Wood Release can have an impact on them."

Senju Nawaki narrowed his eyes and spoke with a smile, taking a handful of seeds from his pocket.

Each seed was spiny and about the size of a sesame seed.

"Anything for the Senju Clan.

"These are tumbleweed seeds. They used to be a blight in the Land of Fields. Hashirama had to use Wood Release to stop them from spreading. They eventually disappeared. Where did you find them?"

Senju Tojian took them and examined them closely, probing the tumbleweed seeds with his Wood Release chakra.

He had lived through the Senju Clan's efforts to transform the Land of Fields and knew all too well the trouble tumbleweed had caused.

Only Senju Hashirama, using Wood Release, had managed to stop the tumbleweed from spreading.

Now they would use Wood Release to make the tumbleweed bloom across the Land of Fields once again. It was only fair.

He was simply curious how Senju Nawaki had found the seeds.

"Wood Release guided me to them."

Senju Nawaki's mouth curved slightly as he answered with a hint of candor.

Senju Tojian's guiding principle was to protect the Senju Clan. That belief was reflected in how he fought with Wood Release, much like the cage he had once woven: both a restraint and a means of protection.

Senju Nawaki's guiding principle was a self-righteous kind of fairness, defined by his own understanding. It might be narrow-minded, and he was willing to use any means necessary.

That belief shaped how Senju Nawaki acted. When he was trying to destroy the Land of Fields, Wood Release had guided him.

He had discovered two things.

One was the Wood Release creation Senju Hashirama had once left in the Land of Fields: giant trees that held the soil in place.

The other was the tumbleweed, which was on the verge of extinction.

Senju Nawaki made his decision.

He would destroy the Wood Release creations Senju Hashirama had left behind and let the tumbleweed reclaim the land of the Land of Fields.

Once that was done, he would have the Senju Clan reshape the terrain of the Land of Fields, returning it to the kind of landscape where even monkeys could fall to their deaths, like the rocky mountains they were standing on now.

If the Sarutobi Clan and Konoha wanted the Land of Fields, they could have it.

The same went for any other faction.

He would make them remember: without the Senju Clan, the Land of Fields had another name—the Land of Crushed Stone.

For the past two days, an eerie silence had fallen over the Land of Fields.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fields, Banda Yiming, had been on edge, bracing himself for the Senju Clan's retaliation. In the end, it had all been a false alarm.

He was glad he had made the choice he had.

The Senju Clan's reputation for generosity had made him feel lucky.

By siding with Konoha's new rulers, the Land of Fields could survive, and the Banda Family could prosper.

He had already received Sarutobi Hiruzen's permission to move some of his family members to Konoha. Those with the talent to become ninja could even attend the Ninja Academy.

They could become civilians of Konoha.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's shrewdness was undeniable.

One important reason he would be able to control public opinion in Konoha for decades to come was that the village's civilian population had already been replaced several times over.

All those civilians were attached to his clan. Like the Banda Family, they had received Sarutobi Hiruzen's favor and been allowed into Konoha. That was why they admired him so much.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fields had no idea how mistaken he was.

That was, until Konoha's new representative arrived. It was Tsunade.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fields treated her cautiously, but he felt confident in his position.

No matter what, someone had to plant the fields. Someone had to manage the harvest and gather the grain.

He understood his awkward position. Letting Tsunade take charge now meant he wanted to negotiate.

As long as he controlled the land of the Land of Fields, its cheap labor, and the distribution of grain, he could still call the shots. He would remain a partner of the Sarutobi Clan.