Kill Sarutobi Shinnosuke

He was even more wary of Sarutobi Hiruzen's deviousness; it was no wonder that he would later be hailed as one of the "Two Jewels of the Land of Fire" and the "Strongest Hokage."

Once a person discards their shame and possesses formidable strength, they can rewrite history to suit themselves.

He was adept at using rumors and gossip to attack people's weaknesses and beliefs.

As long as one stands on the moral high ground, one holds an absolute advantage.

"Even I can't go in?!"

A clamor reached Senju Nawaki's ears, among which was the voice of his sister, Tsunade.

There was also the sound of the ground cracking; he could already imagine his sister in a rage, using her uncontrollable monstrous strength to leave a fissure in the floor below.

"Great-Granduncle, they can no longer wait."

A sharp, cold glint flashed in Senju Nawaki's eyes.

His sister had been brainwashed by the Third Hokage, immersed in a false lie.

If she were forced to choose between Konoha and Senju Nawaki right now, she would surely resort to her "Talk no Jutsu."

"To have been raised into this state by that brat Sarutobi Hiruzen—it is truly detestable."

Complex emotions flickered constantly in Senju Tojian's eyes.

He had once acknowledged Tsunade's talent and aptitude.

Yet, all of Tsunade's achievements had become tools used to attack Senju Nawaki, painting him as incompetent and unworthy of being the heir to the Senju Clan.

Therefore, he did not approve of Tsunade, for she had not upheld the name of the Senju.

Only Senju Nawaki was the future of the Senju Clan.

Now, Senju Nawaki had awakened the Wood Release and possessed the great power to help others awaken it as well; given enough time—given time for the Senju Clan—the clan would reach unimaginable heights.

Senju Nawaki's current temperament was no longer that of the foolish boy he once was; he was now capable of bearing the heavy burden of the Senju Clan.

"Great-Granduncle, let the plan begin! I will only see Sarutobi Shinnosuke."

Senju Nawaki nodded and said to Senju Tojian.

"Very well."

Senju Tojian nodded in agreement and walked out.

A commotion erupted outside; it was still his sister, questioning Senju Tojian as to why Senju Nawaki would not even see her.

She was suppressed by Senju Tojian, this elder of the Senju Clan who had once even gone toe-to-toe with Senju Tobirama.

A few minutes later.

A figure, who should have been following behind Senju Tojian, quickened his pace and bypassed him.

Senju Tojian did not stop him, though dissatisfaction surfaced in the depths of his eyes.

The fellows of the Sarutobi Clan truly had not a shred of respect for him; they didn't understand the slightest bit of decorum.

"How can one stop an idiot rushing to his death?"

He shook his head, watching Sarutobi Shinnosuke's back.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was no longer wearing the standard Anbu uniform.

The hair on his face was incredibly thick; he looked exactly like an unevolved monkey.

There was no real difference between him wearing the monkey mask and not wearing it.

Senju Nawaki recognized him at a glance as the Anbu squad leader who had questioned him back then, and the corners of his mouth curled up involuntarily.

Is it starting?

Konoha had already been brought to such a state by Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Senju Nawaki, I have come to read Konoha's judgment of you..."

As Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke, he pulled a scroll from behind his back, his eyes filled with arrogance and excitement.

He looked down at Senju Nawaki, who was sitting on the hospital bed, from a position of superiority.

It was as if he were looking at a delicious meal, eager to devour every last bit of it.

Senju Nawaki frowned; he did not like that gaze at all.

He exchanged a look with Senju Tojian, and the two of them reached an understanding.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who was in the middle of reading the Konoha resolution, sensed something strange in the air.

Swish...

Wooden spikes erupted from the ground, piercing him into a hedgehog.

"Ah... Wood Release?"

Before he could react, his body was impaled. Blood seeped from the corners of his mouth as he let out a shrill scream, his eyes filled with disbelief.

His life force began to fade away rapidly.

The scroll fell to the floor, and Senju Nawaki caught sight of the Konoha resolution that hadn't yet been announced.

[...Senju Nawaki, surrender all hidden powers of the Senju Clan... to be distributed by the Konoha Elder Council... Konoha guarantees his safety...]

A mocking curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

"Safety?"

Two words imprinted themselves in his mind as he turned his gaze toward Sarutobi Shinnosuke, who lay on the floor.

What a fool.

To come into his hospital room alone, despite lacking the strength?

It was only because of the impression Senju Nawaki had once left on them—that of someone who could be bullied at will.

That was why he had dared to oppress Senju Nawaki and the Senju Clan so brazenly.

The brand-new Senju Nawaki was no longer the prey they could slaughter at will, but the hunter.

His eyes were filled with terror, and as the breath of life left him entirely, his gaze held nothing but disbelief.

According to his father, he was the one destined to become Hokage.

He had thought Senju Nawaki was a piece of trash he could manipulate and squeeze dry, yet now, he was the one dying at Senju Nawaki's hands.

His eyes were filled with regret and fear.

"Regret? Fear?

No! You are simply about to die!

Rest in peace! I will slowly collect everything the Sarutobi Clan owes me, and your body shall serve as the interest."

Senju Nawaki read the emotions in Sarutobi Shinnosuke's eyes, shook his head, and said softly.

A person like this was merely afraid of death, not truly recognizing his own mistakes.

He placed a hand on top of Sarutobi Shinnosuke's head, and before his soul could depart for the Pure Land, he drew it into his own Soul Space.

The Bloodline Completion System within his soul began to analyze Sarutobi Shinnosuke's bloodline, combining it with his own to perform various deductions.

However, Senju Nawaki's attention was not focused on the Soul Space.

The commotion from just a moment ago, though small, was enough to attract the attention of the elite jonin who were keeping a close watch on the hospital room.

Their plan could now begin.

Outside the room, Tsunade and Hatake Sakumo were already struggling to hold them back.

Senju Tojian glanced at Senju Nawaki and formed hand seals.

The ground began to churn, and all traces of the struggle vanished.

"Nawaki, you really didn't have to do this."

Senju Tojian stared at Senju Nawaki, attempting to persuade him.

"Granduncle. If one is going to put on a show, one must do it thoroughly. I have no desire to become a clumsy orator like the Third Hokage. The resentment within the Senju Clan needs a catalyst to erupt completely, and who better than me—the once-incompetent clan head?

Sarutobi Shinnosuke attempting to assassinate the heir of the Senju Clan; that reason is justified enough to silence many people and will facilitate the implementation of our future plans."

Senju Nawaki shook his head and said.

"Very well!"

The reluctance in Senju Tojian's eyes dissipated, replaced by a sense of gratification.

"Earth Style: Thousand Blades!"

He breathed the words softly as his fingers danced.

From the ground, earthen spikes protruded and pierced into Senju Nawaki's body.

Blood flowed from his chest.

The most severe injury was his right arm, which had been severed at the root.

Hands are the foundation of a ninja, as most rely on hand seals to perform ninjutsu; only an injury of this magnitude would be sufficiently shocking.