Kakashi stood there, speechless for a long time.
He had just finished his mission and hadn't even had time to brush off the dust.
But Fang Xu's display of Wood Release, and the phrase " Senju descendant," had an impact on him far exceeding that of the mission itself.
"Didn't the Senju disappear a long time ago?"
Kakashi raised his head, his single eye landing on Fang Xu.
"Only Lady Tsunade in the village still retains the Senju surname."
Hatake Sakumo picked up his teacup and gently blew on the steam.
He knows more about Konoha's early history Kakashi.
The Senju did not truly disappear.
Hatake Sakumo spoke slowly.
"After the First Hokage established Konoha, the Senju reached its zenith. Upon First death, the Second Hokage succeeded him and began promoting the integration of the Senju into the village."
Kakashi frowned slightly.
He had learned about Konoha's history at the Ninja Academy, but had never heard of these topics before.
Hatake Sakumo put down his teacup, his tone much calmer.
The Second Hokage believed that if a ninja village is dominated by a single clan for an extended period, new power struggles will inevitably arise sooner or later.
"Therefore, he took the initiative to encourage the Senju clan members to abandon their surnames and intermarry with villagers and other ninja clans."
"Many collateral branches of the Senju thus completely assimilated into the common people. Generations later, many people no longer even know that they still have Senju Bloodline in their veins."
Fang Xu sat to the side without saying a word.
Tobirama Senju's thoughts are not difficult to understand.
The Senju and Uchiha have just ended a long war.
Konoha was newly established, and its internal foundation was still unstable.
If the Senju continues to exist as the most powerful clan in the Shinobi World, other ninja clans will never truly feel at ease.
Kakashi remained silent for a moment.
"So, the Senju Bloodline in Fang Xu's body comes from those collateral branches that have integrated into the common people?"
Hatake Sakumo nodded.
"That's very likely."
"If the Second Hokage continues to lead Konoha, perhaps he can gradually eliminate the rift between clans."
"It's a pity he died so young."
Hatake Sakumo's voice lowered slightly.
Tobirama Senju died in the First Shinobi World War.
Many plans were forced to be interrupted just as they were beginning to be implemented.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi became Hokage, Konoha's path gradually changed.
"After Hiruzen Sarutobi over, he did not continue to promote the policies of the Second Hokage."
Hatake Sakumo looked out the window.
The streets of Konoha remained bustling.
After the frontline troops returned, the villagers looked more relaxed.
But behind the glamour lies a great deal of undisclosed truth.
He will not proactively weaken the Ninja Clans.
"They even go so far as to win over the ninja clans and distribute profits in order to maintain their position."
" The Sarutobi Clan, the Shimura Clan, and the families of the two advisors have suffered the least losses and gained the most resources over the past few decades."
Kakashi's fingers slowly tightened.
The Hatake Clan was once an important ninja clan in Konoha.
But the father was driven to suicide by public opinion.
When I was in the Anbu, I witnessed firsthand the darkness within Root.
Hatake Sakumo continued, "In every Shinobi World War, those who truly charged to the front lines were often from other shinobi clans and Civilian Ninja."
"Dangerous missions result in the most deaths."
"When resources were being redistributed after the war, those in power were the first to reach for them."
"The village has accumulated many internal conflicts that cannot be openly discussed."
Fang Xu picked up his teacup and took a sip.
" Tobirama Senju wanted to break up the Senju and free Konoha from the shackles of clan control."
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not continue.
He chose balance.
"But the so-called balance often ends up with whoever has the most power taking more."
Kakashi's expression grew increasingly cold.
Previously, he still held some respect for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Regardless, the other party was the Third Hokage, and someone my father had once served.
But after experiencing what happened at the Root matter and hearing these words, even the last bit of respect he had began to waver.
Hiruzen Sarutobi may not have been as extreme as Danzo.
Despite holding supreme power in Konoha, he allowed Danzo and his Advisory Council to continuously erode the village.
This also cannot be considered innocent.
"On my way back, I heard many people discussing this."
Kakashi raised his hand to straighten his forehead Forehead Protector.
"The villagers are all saying that the Third Hokage should step down."
They also said that the fighting on the front lines could have ended much sooner.
He looked at Fang Xu.
Will Hiruzen Sarutobi really be forced to abdicate this time?
Hatake Sakumo did not speak immediately.
He also wanted to hear Fang Xu's opinion.
Hiruzen Sarutobi ruled Konoha for many years.
The enemy has control over almost everything, including the Anbu, the Advisory Council, ninja clan relations, and the Administrative system.
Getting such a person to step down cannot be accomplished simply by expressing public opinion.
Fang Xu put down his teacup.
"Meeting."
His answer came without the slightest hesitation.
"And it's too late for anyone to salvage the situation."
Kakashi's breath hitched slightly.
Fang Xu raised his finger and tapped it lightly twice on the table.
" The Third Shinobi World War lasted too long."
" Konoha didn't need to get entangled with Sunagakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure for so long."
"If I had entered the battlefield sooner, the war could have ended at least a year earlier."
Hatake Sakumo looked at Fang Xu.
He did not deny it.
The results of the three battlefields— Sunagakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure —have proven everything.
After Fang Xu arrived at the Sand Village Battlefield, he directly defeated Rasa and sealed the One-Tail.
The main force of the Kirigakure Sect also suffered a swift defeat.
Even the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, a large number of high-ranking officials, and two Jinchuriki couldn't hold out for long.
The Three Great Shinobi Villages paid a heavy price.
Konoha achieved an unprecedented victory.
But this victory could have come much sooner.
" Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo are worried that my reputation is too high."
Fang Xu's tone was flat.
"They're worried that they won't be able to control me after the war ends."
That's why they've kept me hidden away in the village.
As a result, the war dragged on for another year.
Kakashi lowered his head.
During that year and a half, countless ninjas died on the front lines.
It's unknown how many families will never even receive a complete body.
Fang Xu's voice remained unchanged.
"The ninjas on the front lines aren't fools."
"They didn't know before why Konoha had been unable to achieve a decisive victory for so long."
"Now that you see me pacify three battlefields in succession, you'll naturally understand where the problem lies."
"Their loved ones could have returned alive, but they died in a pointless battle because of a power struggle among the higher-ups."
Hatake Sakumo slowly exhaled.
What frontline ninjas find most unacceptable is never dying in battle.
Ninjas are prepared to sacrifice themselves when carrying out missions.
What is truly Rage is that sacrifices that could have been avoided keep happening because of the selfishness of those in power.
"The pent-up resentment at the front lines has finally exploded."
Fang Xu looked at Kakashi.
" Hiruzen Sarutobi has lost his humanity."
"The ninja clan will no longer support someone who is a burden to Konoha."
" Civilian Ninja are even less likely to accept this."
"It's only a matter of time before he steps down."
Kakashi nodded slowly.
He finally understood why the rumors in the village had spread throughout the streets and alleys in such a short time.
It wasn't someone deliberately instigating it.
Rather, it was because too many people had been holding their breath for a long time.
Now that someone has revealed the truth, it's natural that people can't hold back their anger.
"Since the Third Hokage will inevitably step down..."
Kakashi raised his head again.
"The selection of the Fourth Hokage should also be finalized by now."
Hatake Sakumo's expression turned serious.
The Hokage Position is crucial to the future of Konoha.
After Hiruzen Sarutobi down, who can take over his position is no small matter.
" Jiraiya and Orochimaru should be very popular."
Hatake Sakumo was the first to speak.
"The name of the Three Ninja has spread throughout the Shinobi World."
" Jiraiya the front lines, and Orochimaru's strength and battle achievements are also sufficient."
Kakashi nodded as well.
Lady Tsunade has been away from Konoha for many years.
" Minato-sensei is very strong, but he is too young and hasn't accumulated many achievements."
"If we were to choose the Fourth Hokage, would Teacher Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru a better chance?"
Fang Xu shook his head.
"In the end, it will only be between Tsunade and Minato."
Kakashi was stunned.
Hatake Sakumo also looked puzzled.
"Why?"
Kakashi immediately pressed for more information.
" Minato-sensei's strength is beyond question."
"But he hasn't been Jonin for very long, and he's much younger than the Three Ninja."
"He has neither an advantage in terms of seniority nor military achievements."
Fang Xu looked at Hatake Sakumo.
"Does the Teacher think Orochimaru would be willing to sit in the Hokage Office and review official documents every day?"