The Various Powers Finally Make Their Appearance

Tsunade wasn't being aggressive. She was simply treating him very coldly as she searched everywhere for traces of Senju Nawaki.

He recalled the Third's instructions to try to ease relations between the Senju Clan and Konoha, and felt somewhat relieved.

Sakata Ichimei also helped Tsunade search, seeing it as an opportunity to improve relations between the two sides.

He didn't want to gain another enemy either. If he could get the Senju Clan to leave of their own accord, that would be the best possible outcome.

After searching for a while, they found no members of the Senju Clan. Instead, they discovered people from Kumogakure and Sunagakure.

Just as a clash was about to break out, the true mastermind behind the Konoha ninja forces appeared: Mitokado Homura of the Konoha Elder Council.

Only then did Tsunade realize that her position in Konoha wasn't that of a leader. She was merely a tool to ease tensions with the Senju Clan.

The one truly coordinating the Land of Fields affair was the elder Mitokado Homura.

Konoha's intelligence network should have received word long ago that Sunagakure and Kumogakure had entered the Land of Fields.

It was possible that the Land of Fields had already been divided up before the Senju Clan—or even the country itself—knew what was happening.

With Mitokado Homura mediating, the various parties gathered together, ready to negotiate.

Tsunade's purpose was to use her status to keep the Senju Clan out of the negotiations.

It was the seventh day since the Senju Clan had entered the Land of Fields.

Senju Nawaki and Senju Tojian had nearly covered the entire Land of Fields, clearing away every Wood Release construct.

Without the Wood Release constructs to hold them back, the tumbleweed seeds would sweep across the entire Land of Fields again in no time.

The other Senju Clan ninjas waited for Senju Nawaki's orders, ready to reshape the terrain of the Land of Fields.

Inside the Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Fields, a meeting was underway to decide the country's fate.

Banda Yiming wasn't dejected. On the contrary, he was exceptionally excited. The more people vied for him, the safer he felt.

Even as a Daimyo, he had long since learned how to compromise under the political pressure of the great nations.

That was what he excelled at: surviving in the cracks.

Only with multiple powers interested in the Land of Fields could he secure the greatest benefits for himself. In the end, the only ones who would suffer were the people of the Land of Fields, and that had little to do with him.

With the great nations interfering, the Land of Fields had no right to decide its own fate.

He was more than happy to host the various powers as they arrived.

Ebizo of Sunagakure had once been a major customer of the Land of Fields. A large portion of its grain was sold to Sunagakure and the Land of Wind.

A of Kumogakure represented the Land of Lightning, which bordered the Land of Fields. Even without any vassal relationship, back when the Land of Fields was under the Senju Clan's protection, it still had to hand over a tenth of its grain. That was the tragedy of a small country.

Konoha was a special case. The Sarutobi Clan had now pledged itself to Konoha, in name and in fact, because it couldn't withstand the Senju Clan's pressure and needed to find a greater power to back it.

Mitokado Homura represented Konoha's interests.

Tsunade was another special case. To some extent, she was there to ease tensions with the Senju Clan.

Unfortunately, the Senju Clan still hadn't arrived.

Ignoring Tsunade's expression, Mitokado Homura announced that the meeting would begin.

Konoha had already settled on a strategy: exclude the Senju Clan from the Land of Fields' power struggles, even if that meant ceding some of the benefits to the other two countries, who might become enemies.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fields saw Mitokado Homura's signal and announced the start of the meeting.

Outside the Daimyo Mansion.

Senju Nawaki and Senju Tojian studied the building.

At its center stood a colossal tree—the last one left, and the tree that suppressed the fortunes of the Land of Fields.

"Clan leader, this is the last Wood Release construct in the Land of Fields, and the most powerful one.

"Hashirama once said it symbolized the friendship between the Land of Fields and the Senju Clan."

Senju Tojian looked up, his heart heavy with emotion.

Nearly ten people would have to join hands to encircle this enormous tree. It represented the Senju Clan's influence at the height of its power.

Led by Senju Hashirama, the Senju Clan had transformed the environment, turning the barren, uninhabitable Land of Crushed Stone into the bountiful Land of Fields. It had been a remarkable miracle.

Now, though, this tree was the stepping stone blocking the Senju Clan's resurgence.

He had already passed judgment on the Land of Fields. The treacherous country would be sent back to its barren state.

"I can feel it. I'm still a long way from Great-Grandfather's peak in Wood Release."

Senju Nawaki also looked up at the giant tree. Its massive canopy was like a green umbrella, keeping the Daimyo Mansion's surroundings comfortable at all times.

The tree could regulate the Natural Energy around it, helping those who lived nearby live longer and making the surrounding plants more vigorous.

Only now did Senju Nawaki realize the gap between himself and Senju Hashirama.

Senju Nawaki's Wood Release had already reached the intermediate level according to the system's rating.

Compared to Senju Hashirama's power, the difference was like that between an ant and a human.

He instinctively began to measure the gap between them using what he knew.

Beginner-level Wood Release was like a Kekkei Genkai formed by combining two types of chakra. It was at the level of White Zetsu, who could use the Cutting Technique and other low-level Wood Release jutsu.

Intermediate-level Wood Release was like a Kekkei Tōta formed by combining three types of chakra, with power comparable to Dust Release. That was his current level. He could use most Wood Release jutsu, but lacked a unique vitality.

In the story, Yamato's Wood Release was about the same as his current level.

Advanced Wood Release was a Kekkei Genkai formed from three ordinary chakra natures—Earth, Water, and Yang—combined with a special Sage Body. It was Senju Tojian's current level. It had its own distinctive traits and could be wielded as naturally as an extension of his body.

The cage Senju Tojian used, for example, combined the traits of a giant Venus Flytrap with his own ideas to create a unique technique.

Senju Hashirama's Wood Release combined Earth, Water, Lightning, Wind, Fire, and Yang. It lacked only Yin Release Chakra. It had already surpassed the advanced level, becoming a special kind of living plant capable of reproducing.

Even apart from Senju Hashirama, it could continue to survive in the Ninja World.

Techniques like Deep Forest Emergence and Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands had already taken on a legendary quality.

One step further, with Yin Release Chakra added, and perhaps it would become the source of all power in the Ninja World—the God Tree!

With Senju Nawaki's current understanding, he couldn't quantify it precisely. He could only vaguely sense this path of evolution. He would need to advance further before he could understand it more deeply.

Before he knew it, Senju Nawaki had gotten lost in thought. Senju Tojian's voice brought him back.

"Clan leader, there's no need to hesitate or show mercy. They've cast the Senju Clan aside and started dividing up the spoils all over again.

"Traitors deserve the punishment they've earned!"

Senju Tojian thought Senju Nawaki was hesitating and tried to persuade him.

Senju Nawaki had always seemed far too kind. Konoha had even sent Tsunade to pressure him, on top of the suffering of the people of the Land of Fields.

Perhaps he would choose to take a step back.

But that would weaken the impact of the Senju Clan's efforts to intimidate the entire Ninja World.

That wasn't what the Senju Clan wanted.

"It's time for the Ninja World to learn the Senju Clan's code of conduct all over again.

"Constantly seeking peace and showing weakness will never earn you respect."

A flash of resolve crossed Senju Nawaki's eyes as he walked toward the giant tree at the center of the Daimyo Mansion.