In the spacious yet oppressive room of the Hokage Building, the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed almost palpable. Tobirama Senju sat upright in the main seat, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the sixteen clan leaders standing below. These clan leaders were dressed in various styles, but all looked tense. Sasuke Sarutobi wore a dark robe embroidered with his clan crest, his hands unconsciously clasping and releasing in front of him; Dansuke Shimura clenched his teeth, his brows furrowed into a deep frown, his hands nervously clutching the hem of his robe.
"Everyone, I've summoned you here today because of the attack on Hokage disciple Tsubasa." Tobirama Senju broke the silence, his deep yet clear voice echoing in the empty room.
The chieftains of the sixteen tribes exchanged glances, each with a wary look in their eyes. The chieftain of the Sato Clan was pale, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his hands trembled slightly, as if he was trying his best to suppress his inner fear.
" Lord Hokage, we have absolutely no connection to that assassination attempt. We beg you to investigate!" It was Momiji Yamanaka who spoke. Her voice was urgent, and she clasped her hands together as if pleading.
A faint smile appeared on Tobirama Senju's lips, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Clan leaders, anyone would deny such a crime of exterminating their clan. I don't want to believe this is related to you, but my Senju Clan wouldn't suspect you without reason. The head of the Shinozuka Clan is still alive, only sealed away. I didn't wipe you all out because I didn't want Konoha to fall apart, not because my Senju Clan lacked the ability." He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a knife. "I called you here today hoping that we could live in harmony in Konoha and stop scheming against each other. Put yourselves in each other's shoes. If my Senju Clan assassinated your clan's geniuses Tenten, which of your clans could withstand it?"
Upon hearing this, the clan leaders' faces turned deathly pale. Shikaboshi Nara's back was already soaked with cold sweat. He subconsciously tugged at his collar, trying to catch his breath.
Sasuke Sarutobi stepped forward and bowed, saying, " Lord Hokage, please ask. We will answer to the best of our knowledge." His voice trembled slightly, and his body leaned forward slightly, revealing his nervousness.
Tobirama Senju slowly rose to his feet, pacing the room, each step seeming to pound on everyone's hearts. "My Senju Clan has had grudges with some of your clans, but we've been on good terms with the Branch Family in the past. The Mito Clan, Utatane Clan, and Sarutobi Clan, for example, received help from my Senju Clan during the Warring States period, didn't they? My Senju Clan has always been benevolent; I truly don't understand why you're targeting my Senju Clan?"
For a moment, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The heads of the various clans had different expressions. Yohei Mito lowered his head, not daring to meet Tobirama Senju's gaze; Chisato Utatane frowned, her face full of struggle, her fingers constantly rubbing against her sleeve.
Tobirama Senju stopped, his gaze coldly fixed on the crowd. "If you are unwilling to tell the truth, then please leave Konoha with your clans. My Senju Clan is currently at its peak, fearing no external enemy, but we fear being stabbed in the back by our own people. Konoha will only retain those who truly care for the Konoha."
Seeing that many clan leaders were looking at him, Shikaboshi Nara felt a pang of anxiety. He gritted his teeth and stood up. "It seems that the Lord Hokage has made up his mind today, so we have no choice but to be honest."
"Clan Head Shikaboshi, you mustn't!" Sasuke Sarutobi and Dansuke Shimura shouted almost simultaneously, their faces filled with anxiety. Sasuke Sarutobi even took a step forward and reached out to stop them.
Shikaboshi Nara shook his head with a wry smile, "At this point, what's there to hide? Do you intend to leave Konoha?"
Sasuke Sarutobi sighed helplessly, his face full of bitterness. "Then I'll explain!"
Tobirama Senju his arms and watched them coldly, his curiosity growing stronger.
Sasuke Sarutobi bowed to the crowd, then turned to Tobirama Senju: " Lord Hokage, this story begins seven years ago. At that time Lord Hashirama was inviting various clans to join Konoha. Our clans had connections since the Warring States period, so we agreed to meet at the Fire Temple to consult the highly respected Master Shoryu about the Mirai situation of the Land of Fire. Master Shoryu was over 130 years old and never spoke falsely." Sasuke Sarutobi swallowed, his expression becoming somewhat awe-inspiring. "He activated the Fire Temple's supreme secret technique, the Great Prophecy Technique, leaving behind a few prophetic words: 'One country, one village, the Senju clan Senju; Sarutobi and Tobirama's will changes, four clans prosper; a great calamity descends from the heavens; the prophesied child appears to save the world.' After that, the master passed away."
Tobirama Senju frowned slightly, listening intently.
"Later, after much thought, we deciphered the first two lines. 'One country, one village' refers to the current political system; ' Senju gone' meant the Senju Clan would disappear and decline; 'Sarutobi, Mito, Utatane, and Shimura' represent the prosperity of the Sarutobi, Mito, Utatane, and Shimura clans. This is why we are united." Sasuke Sarutobi, a hint of guilt on his face. "As for targeting the Senju Clan, we simply didn't want them to hold the Senju Clan Hokage Position forever. When Lord Hashirama invited everyone to build Konoha together, he promised that the Hokage position would be rotated, with the most capable taking it. That's all. The assassination of the Senju successor was something those two clans did on their own; we only found out afterward. We can confront Kazuo Shinozuka face to face."
The other clan leaders nodded in agreement. Chozan Akimichi nodded as he wiped the sweat from his brow, muttering, "That's right, that's right."
Tobirama Senju sneered, "Master, you do have some skill. However, ' the Senju is gone' should mean that my Senju Clan has gone into hiding and assimilated into Konoha. Nowadays, apart from the older generation, the younger generation no longer uses Senju as their surname. Yet you interpret this as the Senju Clan being completely wiped out? 'The four clans prosper' means that I will pass the Hokage Position to these four disciples. The Senju Clan will not produce another Hokage; the Hokage Position will be chosen from among my disciples. This is something my brother and I discussed long ago. As for Tsubasa, he is the successor to the Senju Clan chief and will not become Hokage. I am being frank with you today only hoping that you will do your best to serve Konoha from now on and stop doing those despicable things. If I find out that you are involved in any more assassinations, don't blame me for being ruthless."
The heads of the sixteen major clans bowed respectfully. Natsuki Gekko, head bowed, spoke with a hint of sincerity, "We will never do such a despicable thing, and from now on we will dedicate ourselves to the good of Konoha."
Tobirama Senju satisfaction. "In a moment, you will all sign and affix your fingerprints to this pledge, and I will no longer pursue the matter of the past. However, if anyone violates the contents of this pledge in the future, I will exterminate their entire family without mercy. Of course, if you find the conditions too harsh, you may take your family and leave Konoha, and I will not stop you."
The clan leaders exchanged glances, hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward to sign and affix their seals. After signing, each carrying a letter of commitment, they hurriedly left the Hokage's office. This turmoil seemed to have subsided temporarily, but where Mirai Konoha go under the shroud of that mysterious prophecy?