Fang Xu did not answer directly. He looked at Hatake Sakumo.
"The stronger you are, Teacher, and the more support you have, the more threatened certain people will feel."
"Especially Lord Third Hokage and Danzo."
Kakashi's expression shifted slightly. Hearing about the Third Hokage was one thing.
But the name Danzo was unfamiliar to him.
"Who's Danzo?"
Fang Xu did not look at him.
His gaze remained on Hatake Sakumo.
"Someone like Danzo would never allow a powerful ninja he can't control, whose reputation surpasses his own, to emerge in the village."
"Lord Third Hokage may value your old ties and trust you."
"But as long as more and more people support you becoming the Fourth Hokage, there's no way he won't feel any pressure."
"When it comes to power, simply saying you trust someone isn't enough."
"If people with an agenda keep pushing you toward the Hokage position, you'll be thrust into the storm."
"When that happens, even if you haven't done anything, Teacher, some people will still see you as an eyesore."
Hatake Sakumo's expression grew thoroughly grave.
It was not anger, but seriousness.
Fang Xu's words were far too blunt, so blunt that he did not sound like a six-year-old child.
Kakashi stood beside them, his mind in a tangle.
Why would the Third Hokage feel pressured because Father was strong?
And why would Danzo target Father?
Father had always carried out missions for the village.
He only felt that these words were complicated, so complicated that they were harder to understand than the Hatake Sword Technique.
Hatake Sakumo spoke. "Fang Xu."
"Yes?"
"Who taught you these ideas?"
Fang Xu did not answer immediately.
Hatake Sakumo looked at him and continued, "And where did you hear the name Danzo?"
"The Ninja Academy doesn't teach these things."
"Ordinary children wouldn't think about the Third Hokage, Danzo, and the Hokage position together, either."
His voice was not forceful, but every word was clear.
"You're too mature."
"You don't seem like a child your age."
Kakashi also looked at Fang Xu.
This time, he finally grasped the point.
Yes, Fang Xu really was unlike ordinary children.
Hiding his strength before was still understandable, but what he was saying now was no longer simply a matter of strength.
Fang Xu had already thought of what to say, and he did not panic.
"Tsunade told me."
Hatake Sakumo paused in surprise.
"Tsunade?"
Fang Xu nodded.
"Yes."
"She came to see me."
"I heard some of these things from her, too."
Far away at Konoha Hospital, Tsunade had just picked up her teacup when her nose suddenly tickled.
"Achoo!"
She frowned and was just about to drink.
"Achoo!"
"Achoo!"
Three consecutive sneezes sloshed a little tea out of the cup in her hand.
Tsunade rubbed her nose, looking thoroughly annoyed.
"That bastard Jiraiya must be talking about me again."
She set her teacup down hard and cursed under her breath.
"Just wait until I catch you."
In the backyard of the Hatake Residence.
Hatake Sakumo still had not entirely put his doubts to rest.
"When did you become so close to Lady Tsunade?"
"A few days ago," Fang Xu said.
"Because my family has a book of swordsmanship insights."
Hatake Sakumo's gaze shifted.
"Swordsmanship insights?"
"Yes."
Fang Xu did not hide it.
"Swordsmanship insights left behind by the Senju."
Hatake Sakumo's expression changed at once.
He had only heard Fang Xu mention that his family had some swordsmanship insights, never imagining they were connected to the Senju.
How had something belonging to the Senju ended up in Fang Xu's home?
Hatake Sakumo looked at Fang Xu, his tone turning noticeably serious.
"Did your ancestors do the Senju a great favor?"
That was the most reasonable guess.
If Fang Xu's family was not a major ninja clan yet possessed the Thousand Hands Swordsmanship Insights, his ancestors most likely had old ties to the Senju.
Perhaps they had saved a member of the Senju.
Perhaps they had earned great merit in a war.
And so the Senju had given them a copy of their swordsmanship insights in repayment.
Kakashi was stunned as he listened, too.
The Senju?
Of course he had heard that surname.
The First Hokage and Second Hokage were both members of the Senju.
Fang Xu actually had ties to the Senju?
Fang Xu shook his head helplessly.
"They didn't do them a favor."
"My family was part of the Senju to begin with."
Hatake Sakumo watched him without interrupting.
Fang Xu continued, "The truth Tsunade told me was that my grandfather was a member of the Senju."
"During the Second Hokage's time, many members of the Senju voluntarily gave up the Senju surname and integrated into the ordinary villagers to set an example for the village."
"My family was one of those branches."
"I never showed much talent before, and no one specifically dug through the old records, so no one mentioned that part of my identity."
"But recently, I showed my Lightning Nintaijutsu and my talent for swordsmanship, and Lord Third Hokage contacted Tsunade."
"So my identity as a Senju descendant came to light as well."
Fang Xu looked at Hatake Sakumo and said earnestly, "You would have found out sooner or later, Teacher. There's nothing wrong with telling you in advance."
Hatake Sakumo fell silent for a few seconds.
He looked at Fang Xu without concealing the surprise on his face.
"A Senju descendant?"
Yet Fang Xu usually seemed like an ordinary Ninja Academy student, and his parents were merely ninja from the village. Who could have imagined that his family had such deep ties to the Senju?
Fang Xu nodded.
"That's what Tsunade said."
Hatake Sakumo quickly caught on.
"No wonder Lady Tsunade went to see you in person."
As he spoke, a hint of teasing entered his tone.
"Knowing her, she might not have been willing to make the trip just because the old man asked."
"It looks like she didn't just meet you. She gave you something, too, didn't she?"
Fang Xu did not hide it.
"She gave me two scrolls."
Kakashi looked over.
"What scrolls?" Hatake Sakumo asked.
"The Shadow Clone Technique."
"And Water Release: Water Wave Technique."
Fang Xu added something else.
"She also said that if I ever run into trouble I can't resolve, I can find her at the Senju Residence or the Ninja Hospital."
Hatake Sakumo nodded.
"That goes beyond an ordinary first-meeting gift."
Kakashi frowned.
"The Shadow Clone Technique isn't a ninjutsu ordinary students can access."
"Which makes it even clearer that Lady Tsunade has acknowledged him."
Hatake Sakumo looked at Fang Xu, his tone growing a little more serious.
"Fang Xu, Lady Tsunade doesn't have the best temper, and she doesn't like beating around the bush."
"But she's someone you can trust."
"You have Senju bloodline, and she's willing to give you ninjutsu and let you come to her when you're in trouble. That means she already sees you as one of her own."
Fang Xu nodded.
"I understand."
Hatake Sakumo continued, "When you have the chance, you should spend more time with her."
"She's one of the Three Ninja, and she's also the First Hokage's granddaughter."
"Leaving everything else aside, when it comes to medical ninjutsu and Monster Strength taijutsu alone, no one in all of Konoha is stronger than her."
"Staying in touch with her can only benefit you."
Fang Xu agreed earnestly.
"I will, Teacher."