Senju Chen became Genin at the age of five, and under the spotlight, the news of the miracle of First Hokage and "Wood Release" was reproduced. Like a hurricane that swept through the entire village, it spread to every corner of Konoha within just a few hours after the test ended.
"Have you heard that someone used Wood Release Ninjutsu in public?"
"It's fake. Wood Release is Ninjutsu, the signature of First Hokage Lord Hashirama. No one has used it since Lord Hashirama passed away."
"It's true. It's spread around. He's the child Princess Tsunade brought back at that time."
"That young master Senju Clan? That's possible. They both have the surname Senju. It's a blood inheritance."
"That is Wood Release. When our young master grows up, he will be the next "God of Shinobi". From now on, that short-sighted person will dare to take advantage of our Konoha."
"Let me tell you, I was at the scene at that time. When the young master waved his hand, the big tree covered the sky and the sun. It was so spectacular..."
In the tavern, the drunken ninjas were spitting and bragging about how close they were at that time; on the street, the housewives buying vegetables were also whispering to each other, marveling at how this legendary surname added to the myth; and those who were truly at the center of the power Uzumaki smelled a different flavor in this storm.
Uchiha Clan Compound, Uchiha Fugaku sat in the main seat, their faces as sinking as water, watching the elders below arguing endlessly.
"Senju...Wood Release... Huh, the ghost is really lingering!" An elder with gray hair and deep nasolabial folds said in a hoarse voice with undisguised hostility, "Hokage Faction is always wary of us Uchiha, but now there is another Senju kid who is pregnant with Wood Release. In time, he will become a serious problem for our clan!"
"Elder Yashiro said something serious. No one thought that the previous rumors were actually true, that the alien son of the "Senju" family could actually use Wood Release." On the other side, an elder who looked more shrewd and philistine stroked his mustache and retorted slowly,
"However, misfortune comes with blessings. A five-year-old child, no matter how talented he is, is just a child. Instead of treating him as a future enemy, why can't we turn him into our friend, or even... our person?"
His words made many people present brighten their eyes.
"That's right! That child is just a Genin now. If we Uchiha can help him grow up, or even become his mentor, so that he can feel the goodwill of our clan, in the future..."
"Stupid! How can the gap between Senju and Uchiha be bridged by small favors? Don't forget, Lord Madara has learned from the past!"
The quarrel between "threat theory" and "co-optation theory" echoed in the shrine, and the two completely different voices collided fiercely.
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent and just listened quietly. His eyes passed over the quarreling people and landed on a quiet young man in the corner. The young man had slightly curly black hair and always had a gentle smile on his face, as if this depressing meeting had nothing to do with him.
"Shisui." Fugaku finally spoke. His voice was not loud, but it instantly suppressed all the noise.
"Yes, Lord Patriarch." Shisui Uchiha stood up and bowed in response.
"You and that Senju Chen are students of the same class. I asked you to observe him carefully before. What do you think of this Senju Chen." There was no emotion or anger in Fugaku's tone.
"Senju Chen is a genius. I have sparred with him for a while. He has grown very quickly and has sympathy for Hatake Sakumo. I think he is essentially a kind person."
"Are you kind..." Fugaku whispered and thought for a while.
"In the future, have more contact with him and deepen your 'friendship'. I need to know this child's caliber, temperament, and what kind of attitude he has towards us Uchiha."
"Yes." Shisui accepted the order without any hesitation.
At the same time, Konoha is deep underground, the base of the "roots" that never sees the light of day.
The air was cold and humid, filled with the strange smell of disinfectant and soil. Shimura Danzō sat alone on the cold stone seat, relying on the faint light, recalling the sudden appearance of "Wood Release" in the school playground.
The scene at that moment still makes him unable to calm down.
In the exposed one eye, the concealment and restraint during the day have long been gone, replaced by greed and passion that is almost crazy.
Wood Release... the real Wood Release Ninjutsu!
And it's not the kind of out-of-control bloodline rampage, it's the mature Ninjutsu that can be precisely controlled!
"The glory of First Hokage... will be reappeared in my hands!" He murmured in a low voice, his voice trembling slightly due to the extreme excitement. His bandaged right arm spasmed uncontrollably under the wide sleeves, as if the things on that arm were also longing for that huge life energy.
Sarutobi... You are too weak! You will only support him as the mascot of the village, and you dare not use this power!
Only I, only I, Shimura Danzō, know how to maximize the value of this power! For Konoha, even the darkest means are necessary!
"Here comes someone."
A masked figure appeared behind him like a ghost, kneeling on one knee.
"To start the 'New Sprout' plan, I want all the information about Senju Chen, including what he eats every day, who he meets, and what he talks about. In addition, I want to find a suitable time, and I want... to meet him in person."
"Yes!"
Far away Land of Hot Water, an open-air hot spring hotel.
"Quack!"
A small scroll Toad appeared out of thin air and spat out an encrypted message. Jiraiya, who was "collecting information" while soaking in the hot spring, lazily stretched out his hand to take it.
When he unrolled the scroll and glanced at the contents, the cynical smile on his face solidified little by little.
"Senju orphan... five years old...Wood Release reappears... one move to subdue Elite Jonin Sarutobi Ryōnosuke..."
Jiraiya stood up from the hot spring with excitement, water drops rolling down his strong chest. He remembered Mount Myōboku Great Toad Sage's vague prophecy.
[... A 'Child of Prophecy' who leads change, who will bring peace to the entire Shinobi World...]
Before meeting Senju Chen, he had always thought that the prophecy referred to Nagato, whom he had taught, or the disciple Minato, whom he had high hopes for. But a child with the blood and power of First appeared out of the blue, making this prophecy instantly confusing.
Even if Senju Chen is not Child of Prophecy, this talent, this power... must not fall into the wrong path!
"Looks like it's time to go back." Jiraiya murmured to himself, his eyes becoming more serious than ever before. He recalled every moment he and Tsunade picked up this child, and then came into contact with this child at Tsunade's house.
"I can't give up such a disciple to anyone else."