Rumors in the Ninja World

Now that he was taking the lead, many people would respond.

In Senju Nawaki's eyes, he saw ambition.

He was also more than happy to help Senju Nawaki fulfill his wish.

All of this would become a source of strength in Senju Nawaki's hands.

"Good!"

Senju Nawaki lay in his hospital bed, turning his head to look at Senju Tojian, who had merged into the ground.

The Earth Release: Underground Fish Projection Technique allowed someone to move underground as freely as a fish in water. Its only drawback was that other objects, such as tree roots, could get in the way.

Now that Senju Tojian had awakened Wood Release, he could use the Fish Projection Technique enhanced with Earth Release, Water Release, and Wood Release. It was similar to the Mayfly Technique used by White Zetsu, but faster and more stealthy.

If Senju Nawaki hadn't also mastered Wood Release, there was no way he could have sensed the trail left by Senju Tojian's departure.

He began working out his plans for the future.

The Anbu Ninja's behavior today had convinced him that Konoha still hadn't noticed the changes in him. They still expected him to keep giving like a lovesick fool.

They wanted him to weaken the Senju Clan during the wars to come.

Senju Nawaki had also guessed the identity of that Anbu.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

He recalled the Anbu who had questioned him earlier and realized that the one wearing the monkey mask was Sarutobi Hiruzen's eldest son.

By this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen had already begun paving the way for his son, making him a squad leader in the Anbu. Though he hadn't yet learned his father's ruthless cunning, his true colors were already ugly enough. He wanted to squeeze the last bit of profit from Senju Nawaki, who was nearly out of the picture.

Senju Nawaki's former image as a spineless fool was already deeply ingrained in everyone's minds.

Now that he had a plan, he would start by collecting some interest from Sarutobi Shinnosuke, using the Hokage's son's identity to drive a wedge between himself and Konoha.

The Sarutobi bloodline was also quite exceptional. Both Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Sarutobi Hiruzen possessed all five chakra natures.

He had heard they were now trying to combine three chakra natures to create a powerful Kekkei Genkai.

The Senju Clan would collect what it was owed, bit by bit.

Senju Nawaki calculated that he had more cards in his hand than he'd imagined, and they were more than capable of striking back.

It was just that the fool who had once inhabited this body had been brainwashed and didn't know how to use them.

For now, the most important thing was to nurse his current body back to health.

He relaxed without realizing it.

Before long, Senju Nawaki drifted off to sleep.

The Ninja World was in turmoil.

The fundamental question of how to divide up the spoils remained unresolved, and war was still brewing.

The Land of Fire's geographical position and abundant resources were tempting targets.

The story of Senju Nawaki's misfortune spread, becoming a laughingstock.

The grandson of the God of Shinobi had become a useless cripple.

Konoha held a special meeting of the jonin and decided how to handle the matter.

The last heir of the Senju Clan was incapable of upholding the family's honor. So Konoha would follow the order of the Second, Senju Tobirama, and have the Senju Clan fully assimilated into Konoha.

The various Konoha clans sent representatives to escort Senju Nawaki back to Konoha. They could hardly wait to divide up the Senju Clan's remaining resources.

In exchange, Konoha would ensure Senju Nawaki's safety.

None of them had asked Senju Nawaki what he wanted.

In their eyes, he was still the same fool who could be carved up at will.

Three days later.

At the Konoha Ninja encampment, in the hospital room.

Senju Nawaki had fitted his leg with a wooden prosthetic he'd made himself and was pacing beside the bed.

He still looked rather awkward, like a toddler learning to walk.

"This still feels wrong. Looks like I'll have to improve my life force as soon as possible and reach the point where I can regenerate severed limbs."

Senju Nawaki still couldn't get used to it. Given the chance, he naturally wanted his body back to normal.

He needed to speed up his plans. His bloodline needed further refinement and restoration.

He sat back down on the bed and wiped the sweat from his face.

He strained to listen as the noise outside reached his ears.

Today, Konoha had sent three jonin, led by Hatake Sakumo, to announce its decision.

The Hatake Clan, which Hatake Sakumo belonged to, had once intermarried with the Senju Clan. He should be unaffiliated with any faction.

Konoha was doing this to reassure him and make him return to Konoha.

But he already had other plans. To him, Konoha was nothing but a cage.

The name Hatake Sakumo reminded him of Konoha's darkness. He wouldn't dare call himself a loyal servant of Konoha.

Two Senju jonin were now guarding the entrance to his room. Even Tsunade had to get his permission before entering, unless she was Senju Tojian.

There wouldn't be another incident where the door was smashed in. That gave him some sense of security.

Tap... tap... tap...

There was a knock at the door.

"Come in..."

Senju Nawaki spoke. He recognized the familiar knock and knew it was Senju Tojian.

This time, he hadn't used a ninja's stealthy methods to enter the room.

"Nawaki, how's your recovery going?"

There was still dust on Senju Tojian's armor.

He looked as if he'd just completed a long-distance raid.

"Grandpa Six, I'm recovering well." Senju Nawaki stood up again and took a few stiff steps before continuing, "What did my aunt say?"

He sat back down and looked at Senju Tojian.

Over the past three days, they had finished putting their plans into motion.

They had consolidated the Senju Clan's forces, gathering those willing to follow him. The two jonin guarding the door were proof of that.

At the same time, through his aunt, they had contacted the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and moved to undermine Sarutobi Hiruzen's reputation.

Senju Tojian quickly stepped forward and helped Senju Nawaki sit back down. His eyes were full of delight.

He began to explain.

"The Sarutobi Family has gone too far lately. They've joined forces with the Ino-Shika-Cho clans and other Konoha families, trying to seize our Senju Clan's sources of income.

"This has harmed the interests of many nobles who work with us. Given enough time, they might really use the power of the ninja to usurp what belongs to us.

"Now the Daimyo and several powerful nobles have decided to put pressure on Sarutobi Hiruzen."

A cold glint flashed through Senju Tojian's eyes. Everything was ready. Now it was up to him.

"There's still time."

Senju Nawaki nodded.

This time, the pawn was ready to leap off the board and become the player moving the pieces.

Senju Tojian's response sent a chill through him.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Konoha had already reached their hands into the Land of Fire's nobility.

With the power of the ninja as their fallback, the nobles who were close to the Senju Clan would eventually be eliminated. It was only a matter of time.

Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama had really caused trouble for them. They'd nearly gotten them all killed.

Giving up their power would only turn them into a dish on someone else's table.

Fortunately, he'd reacted quickly enough. Now was the time to strike back.