The Emergence of Various Factions

Tsunade was not aggressive, merely acting extremely cold toward him as she searched everywhere for traces of Senju Nawaki.

He recalled the Third Hokage's instructions, hoping to ease the relationship between the Senju Clan and Konoha, and felt a sliver of relief in his heart.

Banda Yiming also helped Tsunade search, believing this to be an opportunity to mend the ties between both sides.

He, too, did not wish to gain another enemy; if he could get the Senju Clan to leave of their own volition, that would be the best possible outcome.

After some searching, they found no sign of the Senju Clan, but instead discovered people from Kumogakure Village and Sunagakure.

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

Only then did Tsunade realize that her position within Konoha was not that of a leader, but rather a tool used to appease the Senju Clan.

The person truly coordinating the Land of Fields incident was this elder, Mitokado Homura.

Konoha's intelligence agency must have received word of Sunagakure and Kumogakure's entry long ago.

It was possible that even before the Senju Clan or the Land of Fields knew the situation, the cake that was the Land of Fields had already been carved up.

Under Mitokado Homura's mediation, the various factions gathered together, preparing for negotiations.

The purpose of Tsunade's presence was to use her identity to exclude the Senju Clan.

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

Senju Nawaki and Senju Tojian had run across nearly the entire territory of the Land of Fields, clearing away all Wood Release creations.

Without the suppression of the Wood Release, the seeds of the tumbleweeds would once again sweep across the entire Land of Fields in a short time.

The other ninjas of the Senju Clan awaited Senju Nawaki's orders, prepared to alter the landscape of the Land of Fields.

Inside the Daimyo Mansion of the Land of Fields, a meeting was being held to decide the fate of the nation.

Banda Yiming was not dejected; on the contrary, he was exceptionally excited. The more people chasing after his land, the more secure he felt.

Even as a Daimyo, he had long since adapted to how to compromise under the politics of the Great Nations.

This was exactly what he was best at: surviving in the cracks.

Only when multiple powers were interested in the Land of Fields could he fight for the greatest benefits for himself; in the end, it was only the citizens of the Land of Fields who would suffer, and that had little to do with him.

The entire Land of Fields, under the interference of the Great Nations, had no right to decide its own fate.

With several major powers arriving on the scene, he was more than happy to play host.

Ebizo of Sunagakure had once been a major client of the Land of Fields, as a large portion of the nation's grain was sold to Sunagakure and the Land of Wind.

A of Kumogakure represented the Land of Lightning; as a neighbor to the Land of Fields, even without a subordinate relationship, they had been required to hand over ten percent of their grain back when they were under the protection of the Senju Clan. Such was the sorrow of a small nation.

Konoha Village was a special existence. The Sarutobi Clan, which had nominally and factually defected to Konoha, had done so because they could not withstand the pressure of the Senju Clan and needed to find a larger backer in Konoha.

Mitokado Homura represented the interests of Konoha Village.

Tsunade, a special presence among them, was there to some extent to ease the conflict with the Senju Clan.

Regrettably, the Senju Clan had still not arrived.

Ignoring Tsunade's expression, Mitokado Homura announced the start of the meeting.

Konoha Village had long since formulated a strategy to exclude the Senju Clan from the interests of the Land of Fields, even going so far as to concede some benefits to the other two nations, who might otherwise be enemies, to achieve this.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fields received a look from Mitokado Homura and announced the start of the meeting.

Outside the Daimyo Mansion.

Senju Nawaki and Senju Tojian examined the building.

At the very center stood a massive tree, the last one, the tree that suppressed the national fortune of the Land of Fields.

"Clan Head, this is the last Wood Release creation within the Land of Fields, and also the most powerful one."

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

Senju Tojian looked up, a sense of melancholy in his heart.

This tree, which required nearly ten people to encircle, represented the influence of the Senju Clan during its peak.

Senju Hashirama had led the Senju Clan to transform the environment, turning the barren and uninhabitable Land of Crushed Stone into the bountiful Land of Fields—a great miracle.

Yet now, it was a stepping stone blocking the Senju Clan's resurgence.

He passed judgment on the Land of Fields in his heart; since the Land of Fields had betrayed their trust, let it revert to a barren wasteland.

"I can feel it; it really is far inferior to the peak of Great-Grandfather's Wood Release."

Senju Nawaki also looked up at the giant tree. Its massive canopy, like a green umbrella, kept the Daimyo Mansion in a perpetually comfortable environment.

This giant tree could regulate the surrounding natural energy, allowing those who lived nearby to live longer and making the surrounding vegetation more vibrant.

At this moment, Senju Nawaki finally realized the gap between himself and Senju Hashirama.

Senju Nawaki's Wood Release, as rated by the system, had already reached the intermediate level.

Compared to the great power of Senju Hashirama, it was like the difference between an ant and a human.

He began to unconsciously use the information he possessed to measure the gap between the two.

Primary Wood Release was similar to a Bloodline Limit formed by the fusion of two types of chakra; it was the level of White Zetsu, capable of using the Cutting Technique and other low-level Wood Release ninjutsu.

Intermediate Wood Release, similar to the Kekkei Tota formed by the fusion of three chakra natures, possesses power comparable to Dust Release. This is his current level; he can utilize most Wood Release ninjutsu, yet he lacks a certain unique vitality.

Yamato's Wood Release in the original story is similar to what he possesses now.

High-level Wood Release is formed by three basic chakra natures—Earth, Water, and Yang—combined with a special Sage Body. This is Senju Tojian's current level, possessing his own unique characteristics and the ability to wield it as easily as his own limbs.

For instance, the cage Senju Tojian used was a special skill he developed by combining the characteristics of a giant Venus Flytrap with his own concepts.

Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, consisting of Earth, Water, Lightning, Wind, Fire, and Yang—lacking only the Yin chakra—has transcended the high level, becoming a special type of plant that possesses vitality and the ability to propagate.

Even if separated from Senju Hashirama, it can continue to survive in the Ninja World.

Whether it is Deep Forest Emergence or Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands, these techniques have already attained a legendary status.

Taking it a step further, by adding Yin chakra, it might just be the source of all power in the Ninja World—the God Tree!

Given Senju Nawaki's current level of knowledge, he has no way to quantify this specifically; he can only vaguely sense this evolutionary path and needs to go further to gain a deeper understanding.

Without realizing it, Senju Nawaki had been lost in thought until Senju Tojian roused him.

"Clan Leader, there is no need to hesitate or be soft-hearted. They have already cast aside the Senju Clan to engage in a new round of distributing benefits."

"Traitors deserve the punishment they are due!"

Senju Tojian still thought Senju Nawaki was hesitating and spoke up to persuade him.

Senju Nawaki's past image was far too benevolent, and Konoha Village had even sent Tsunade specifically to pressure him, which, coupled with the suffering of the citizens of the Land of Fields, might have led him to choose to take a step back.

If he were to retreat, the impact of the Senju Clan's move to deter the entire Ninja World would be weakened.

This was not the result the Senju Clan wanted.

"It is time to let the Ninja World re-learn the Senju Clan's code of conduct."

"Blindly seeking peace and constant weakness will never earn any respect."

A flicker of determination flashed in Senju Nawaki's eyes as he walked toward the giant tree at the center of the Daimyo Mansion.