Descendants of the Senju

Fang Xu did not answer directly. He looked at Hatake Sakumo.

"The stronger you become, Teacher, and the more support you gain, the more threatened certain people will feel."

"Especially Lord Third Hokage and Danzo."

Kakashi's expression changed slightly. He understood when he heard the Third Hokage's name.

But Danzo was unfamiliar to him.

"Who is Danzo?"

Fang Xu did not look at him.

His gaze remained fixed on Hatake Sakumo.

"Someone like Danzo would never allow a powerful person he could not control, whose reputation surpassed his own, to appear in the village."

"Lord Third Hokage may value old ties and trust you."

"But as the voices supporting you as the Fourth Hokage grow louder, he cannot possibly feel no pressure at all."

"Power is not something that can be settled with a single sentence of trust."

"As long as someone keeps pushing you toward the Hokage's seat, you will be shoved into the spotlight."

"When that happens, even if you have done nothing, Teacher, someone will still find you an eyesore."

Hatake Sakumo's expression darkened completely.

He was not angry. He was taking this seriously.

Fang Xu had spoken too bluntly, far too bluntly for a six-year-old child.

Kakashi stood beside them, his thoughts a mess.

Why would the Third Hokage feel pressured just because his father was strong?

And why would Danzo target his father?

His father had clearly always carried out missions for the village.

He only felt that these words were complicated, more difficult to understand than the Hatake Sword Technique.

Hatake Sakumo spoke. "Fang Xu."

"Mm."

"Who taught you to think like this?"

Fang Xu did not answer immediately.

Hatake Sakumo watched him and continued, "And where did you hear the name Danzo?"

"The Ninja Academy would not teach such things."

"Nor would an ordinary child connect the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the Hokage's position in their thoughts."

His voice was not loud, but every word was clear.

"You are far too mature."

"Unlike a child your age."

Kakashi also looked at Fang Xu.

This time, he finally grasped the key point.

Right. Fang Xu truly was not like an ordinary child.

Hiding his strength before could still be explained away, but what he had said now was no longer merely a matter of strength.

Fang Xu had already prepared an explanation, so he did not panic.

"Big Sister Tsunade told me."

Hatake Sakumo froze.

"Tsunade?"

Fang Xu nodded.

"Mm."

"She came to see me."

"I heard some things from her as well."

Far away in Konoha Hospital, Tsunade had just picked up her teacup when her nose suddenly itched.

"Ah-choo!"

She frowned and was just about to take a drink.

"Ah-choo!"

"Ah-choo!"

Three sneezes in a row made some of the tea in her cup slosh out.

Tsunade rubbed her nose, looking thoroughly displeased.

"It must be that bastard Jiraiya muttering about me again."

She set down her teacup heavily and cursed under her breath.

"Don't let me catch you."

The backyard of the Hatake Residence.

Hatake Sakumo had still not completely set aside his doubts.

"When did you become so close with Lady Tsunade?"

Fang Xu replied, "A few days ago."

"Because my family has a set of swordsmanship insights."

Hatake Sakumo's gaze shifted.

"Swordsmanship insights?"

"Mm."

Fang Xu did not hide it.

"They are swordsmanship insights left behind by the Senju clan."

Hatake Sakumo's expression changed at once.

He had only heard Fang Xu mention that his family possessed swordsmanship insights before, but he had never imagined that they would be connected to the Senju clan.

How could something from the Senju clan have appeared in Fang Xu's home?

Hatake Sakumo looked at Fang Xu, his tone becoming noticeably more serious.

"Did your ancestors do the Senju clan a favor?"

That was the most reasonable guess.

If Fang Xu's family was not a major ninja clan but had still preserved Thousand Hands Swordsmanship Insights, then his ancestors had most likely shared some connection with the Senju clan.

Perhaps they had saved a member of the Senju clan.

Perhaps they had rendered great service during a war.

That was why the Senju clan had gifted them swordsmanship insights in return.

Kakashi was stunned as well.

Senju?

Of course he had heard that surname.

The First and Second Hokage had both belonged to the Senju clan.

Fang Xu was actually connected to the Senju?

Fang Xu shook his head helplessly.

"It was not a favor."

"My family was originally connected to the Senju."

Hatake Sakumo watched him without interrupting.

Fang Xu continued, "The truth Big Sister Tsunade told me was that my grandfather was a member of the Senju clan."

"During the Second Hokage's time, many members of the Senju clan voluntarily gave up the Senju surname and assimilated among ordinary villagers in order to set an example for the village."

"My family was one such branch."

"Before, I had not displayed any particular talent, so no one deliberately dug through the old records, and no one mentioned this identity."

"But during this time, I revealed my Lightning Nintaijutsu and swordsmanship talent. Lord Third Hokage contacted Big Sister Tsunade."

"So my identity as a Senju descendant was exposed as well."

Fang Xu looked at Hatake Sakumo and said seriously, "You would learn of this sooner or later, Teacher. There is nothing wrong with telling you in advance."

Hatake Sakumo fell silent for several seconds.

He looked at Fang Xu, the surprise on his face undisguised.

"A Senju descendant?"

But Fang Xu usually looked like an ordinary Ninja Academy student, and his parents were merely ninjas of the village. Who could have imagined that his family was connected so deeply to the Senju?

Fang Xu nodded.

"That is what Big Sister Tsunade said."

Hatake Sakumo quickly reacted.

"No wonder Lady Tsunade personally went to see you."

As he spoke, his tone carried a hint of teasing.

"With her personality, if it were merely an old man's request, she might not have been willing to make the trip."

"It seems she did not merely meet you. She gave you some benefits too, didn't she?"

Fang Xu did not hide it.

"She gave me two scrolls."

Kakashi looked over.

Hatake Sakumo asked, "What scrolls?"

"The Shadow Clone Technique."

"And the Water Release: Water Wave Technique."

Fang Xu added another sentence.

"She also said that if I ran into trouble I could not resolve in the future, I could go to the Senju Residence or the Ninja Hospital to find her."

Hatake Sakumo nodded.

"This is no ordinary meeting gift."

Kakashi frowned.

"The Shadow Clone Technique is not a ninjutsu ordinary students can access."

"Which only proves even more that Lady Tsunade acknowledges him."

Hatake Sakumo looked at Fang Xu, his tone growing more serious.

"Fang Xu, Lady Tsunade does not have the best temper, and she does not like beating around the bush."

"But she is someone worth trusting."

"You have Senju blood, and she is willing to give you ninjutsu and let you seek her out when you are in trouble. That means she already considers you one of her own."

Fang Xu nodded.

"I understand."

Hatake Sakumo continued, "When you have the chance, you can spend more time with her."

"She is one of the Three Ninja, and the First Hokage's granddaughter."

"Setting everything else aside, when it comes to medical ninjutsu and monstrous-strength taijutsu, no one in all of Konoha is stronger than her."

"Staying in contact with her will only benefit you."

Fang Xu agreed solemnly.

"I will, Teacher."