He grew even more wary of Sarutobi Hiruzen's underhandedness. No wonder the man would later earn the titles of the Land of Fire's Twin Jade and the Strongest Hokage.
Once a person had no shame and possessed great strength, he could write his own history.
He was skilled at using rumors to attack people's weaknesses and beliefs.
As long as he stood on the moral high ground, he held an absolute advantage.
"Even I'm not allowed in?!"
A commotion reached Senju Nawaki's ears. Among the voices was his sister Tsunade's.
He also heard the ground cracking. He could already picture his sister losing her temper and leaving a fissure in the ground with her uncontrollable monstrous strength.
"Grandpa Six, they can't wait any longer."
A sharp glint flashed in Senju Nawaki's eyes.
His sister had been brainwashed by the Third, immersed in a false lie.
If she had to choose between Konoha and Senju Nawaki now, she would surely try to talk him around.
"That little brat Sarutobi Hiruzen turned her into this. It's infuriating."
Senju Tojian's eyes filled with complicated emotions.
He had acknowledged Tsunade's talent and intelligence.
Every one of Tsunade's achievements had been used to disparage Senju Nawaki and claim he was unworthy of being heir to the Senju Clan.
That was why he didn't approve of Tsunade. She hadn't inherited the Senju name.
Only Senju Nawaki was the future of the Senju Clan.
Now, Senju Nawaki had awakened Wood Release and gained the power to help others awaken it as well. Given enough time—for him and for the Senju Clan—the clan would reach unimaginable heights.
Senju Nawaki's mindset had changed, too. He was no longer the foolish boy he had once been. He was fully capable of shouldering the burden of the Senju Clan.
"Grandpa Six, let's start the plan. I only see Sarutobi Shinnosuke."
Senju Nawaki nodded and spoke to Senju Tojian.
"All right."
Senju Tojian nodded and went outside.
A commotion rose beyond the door. It was still his sister, demanding to know why Senju Tojian wouldn't even let her see Senju Nawaki.
But Senju Tojian subdued her. This clan elder, who had inherited the Senju legacy, had once even crossed arms with Senju Tobirama.
A few minutes later,
a figure who should have been following behind Senju Tojian sped up and passed him.
Senju Tojian didn't stop him. Displeasure surfaced in his eyes.
The Sarutobi Clan really had no respect for him. They didn't understand even the most basic etiquette.
"How could you stop a fool who's walking to his own death?"
Shaking his head, Senju Tojian watched Sarutobi Shinnosuke's retreating back.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke was no longer wearing the standard Anbu uniform.
His face was covered in thick hair. He looked just like a monkey that hadn't finished evolving.
With or without his monkey mask, there was hardly any difference.
Senju Nawaki recognized him at once as the Anbu squad leader who had questioned him back then. The corner of his mouth lifted involuntarily.
So it's happening.
Konoha was already under Sarutobi Hiruzen's control to this extent.
"Senju Nawaki, I'm here to read out Konoha's verdict against you..."
As Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke, he pulled a scroll from behind his back. His eyes gleamed with arrogance and excitement.
He looked down at Senju Nawaki, who was sitting on the hospital bed,
as if he were gazing at a delicious meal he couldn't wait to devour.
Senju Nawaki furrowed his brow. He hated that look.
He exchanged a glance with Senju Tojian. They both knew what to do.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke was in the middle of reading Konoha's decree when he sensed something strange in the air.
Whoosh...
Wooden spikes burst from the ground, piercing him until he looked like a hedgehog.
"Ah... Wood Release?"
He had no time to react. His body was pierced through, blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and he let out a scream. His eyes were full of disbelief.
The life force drained from his body.
The scroll fell to the ground. Senju Nawaki saw the part of Konoha's decree that Sarutobi Shinnosuke hadn't had time to announce.
[...Senju Nawaki is to hand over all the hidden strength of the Senju Clan...to be allocated by the Konoha Elder Council...Konoha guarantees his safety...]
A trace of contempt curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Safety?"
The word echoed in his mind as he turned his gaze to Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who lay on the ground.
What a fool.
He clearly wasn't strong enough, yet he had come alone into Senju Nawaki's hospital room.
It was because Senju Nawaki had once seemed so easy to bully.
That was why he dared to oppress Senju Nawaki and the Senju Clan.
The new Senju Nawaki was no longer prey for them to slaughter at will. Now he was the hunter.
Terror filled Sarutobi Shinnosuke's eyes. His life was gone, yet his expression remained full of disbelief.
According to his father, he was destined to become Hokage.
He had thought Senju Nawaki was a useless nobody he could manipulate and squeeze dry at will. And now he had died at Senju Nawaki's hands.
Regret and fear filled his eyes.
"Regret? Fear?
"No! You're just about to die!
"Go in peace. I'll slowly reclaim what the Sarutobi Clan owes me. Consider your body the interest."
Senju Nawaki understood the emotions in Sarutobi Shinnosuke's eyes. He shook his head and spoke softly.
People like him were only afraid of death. They didn't realize they had done anything wrong.
He placed a hand on Sarutobi Shinnosuke's head and, before his soul could depart for the Pure Land, pulled it into his Soul Space.
The Bloodline Completion System within his soul began analyzing Sarutobi Shinnosuke's bloodline and combining it with his own to run various simulations.
But Senju Nawaki's attention wasn't focused on the Soul Space.
The commotion had been slight, but it was enough to alert the elite jonin keeping close watch on the hospital room.
Their plan could begin.
Outside the hospital room, Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo were nearly unable to hold them back.
Senju Tojian glanced at Senju Nawaki and formed Hand Seals.
The ground began to churn, and every trace disappeared.
"Nawaki, you didn't have to go this far."
Senju Tojian stared at Senju Nawaki and tried to dissuade him.
"Grandpa Six, if we're putting on a show, we have to do it properly. I don't want to become as poor a speaker as the Third. The Senju Clan's resentment needs a catalyst to erupt completely, and the best choice is me, their once unworthy clan leader.
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke tried to assassinate the Senju Clan's heir. That's a good enough reason to silence a lot of people and help us carry out our plans in the future."
Senju Nawaki shook his head.
"All right!"
The reluctance in Senju Tojian's eyes faded, replaced by a sense of satisfaction.
"Earth Release: Thousand Blades!"
He spoke softly, his fingers flying through Hand Seals.
Spikes of earth rose from the ground, piercing Senju Nawaki's body.
Blood flowed from his chest.
The worst injury was to his right arm, which had been severed at the root.
A shinobi's hands were essential. Most shinobi relied on Hand Seals to use ninjutsu. This kind of injury was shocking enough to make a real impact.
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