Tsubasa quickly reached out to help him up, saying, "Please get up quickly. From now on, the Senju Clan will not observe kneeling. You are all elders of the clan. If Tsubasa has any questions in the future, please guide me. If Tsubasa makes any decisions in the future, please support me."
Tobirama Senju frowned, stepped forward, crossed his arms, and said, " Tsubasa, you're still young. Speak your mind and let us think about it; we'll help you make informed decisions. Don't act impulsively!"
The heads of various clans nodded in agreement and began whispering among themselves. Some muttered, "This child is talented, but being a clan leader isn't easy." Others shook their heads and sighed, "He's still too young. Let him grow up before exercising the power of clan leader! He's still too young now."
Seeing the perfunctory attitude of the many branch clan leaders, Tsubasa's heart sank. He thought to himself, "It seems that even having the clan leader's token is of little use. The power is still in the hands of Tobirama Senju." But he maintained a smile on his face, revealing no hint of his inner thoughts.
Hashirama Senju coughed a few times, covered his mouth with his hand, and after catching his breath, continued, "The second thing is to help me take care of Konoha. This is Madara's and my dream, and I hope it prospers."
Seeing Tsubasa remain silent, Hashirama Senju smiled and patted Tsubasa's hand, "I know you dislike political intrigue. I saw it when I sent you to study under Tobirama. You don't like being that kind of politician, even though you're intelligent, studious, and handle government affairs very well. But I know you're like Madara and me—you prefer to crush your enemies with absolute strength. You dislike scheming and plotting. Don't be fooled by the arrogance and extraordinary wisdom of your Martial Uncle Tobirama and the elders standing behind him. They can't protect Konoha. Only if you agree can I feel at ease." "These people have long forgotten that the Shinobi World is ruled by strength. They've all fallen into Uzumaki of intrigue and scheming, neglecting to develop their own bloodline talents and instead mimicking the power struggles of clans without such talents. In the end, they'll only lower their own standing, and even if they win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory. You're excellent. You've stayed true to your original aspirations, consistently training diligently without ever slacking off. Moreover, your business ventures have all been overwhelming victories. You never play by the rules of your opponents. It's through your actions that I've finally seen a true hope for the rise of the Senju."
Tsubasa scratched his head, smiling somewhat sheepishly, "Master, you seem so carefree. I never expected you to be so wise! No wonder you've never made a mistake in any of the Senju Clan's major affairs. I admire you. I promise to keep an eye on Konoha for you."
Hashirama Senju, though his laughter carried a hint of weariness. "Alright, alright, if these people get caught up in something impulsive and get tricked in the future, try to help them if you can! They don't mean any harm, they're just a bit arrogant."
Hearing this, Tobirama Senju felt utterly helpless. He thought to himself, "These two who only know how to cultivate are judging us, who dedicate ourselves so diligently to the clan, like this? It's unbelievable!" So he stepped forward, frowning slightly, and said, "Brother, say less! Let's get to the third request!"
Hashirama Senju waved his hand, still smiling, and said, "You're getting impatient. Well, then I won't say anything more. You chose your own path, so I won't interfere. Tsubasa is a loyal and righteous person. I'm sure he won't refuse to help you when he can. So, I'll just say one last thing."
Tsubasa quickly leaned closer and said, "Master, just say it! I will definitely do it."
Hashirama Senju paused for a moment, then said, " Biwako is determined to the Sarutobi Clan kid, and there's nothing I can do. My son has been married for ten years and only has one daughter, Little Tsunade. I'd like you to marry her, is that alright?"
Tobirama Senju and a middle-aged man behind him ( Akira Senju ) cried out in unison, "Brother (Father), no!"
Tobirama Senju frowned deeply, saying anxiously, "Brother, Tsunade still young, this isn't appropriate." Akira Senju, equally anxious, stamped his foot and said, "Father, how can you just give Tsunade away to someone else like that?"
Tsubasa ignored them, smiled, and said, "Master, I will agree to whatever you say. However, you know I am destined to marry seven wives, and I've already married five. Moreover, I'm a cultivation fanatic, so I don't spend much time with my wives. That's why my senior sister didn't want to be with me back then. Aren't you and your wife the same? You must still have concerns now, but you love your disciple, so that's why you're saying this today. I promise here that I will take good care of Little Tsunade. As for her marriage, let her decide for herself when she comes of age!"
Hashirama Senju sighed and nodded, "Alright then, Tsunade is in your care!" Finally Hashirama Senju mouthed to Tsubasa in a secret voice. "If you encounter Madara, please apologize to him for me. I miss him, and Konoha. I'm the father, and I have to teach my disciples; I'll definitely win."
Tsubasa's eyes welled up with tears, and he nodded, saying, "I remember, I promise you."
Hashirama Senju gestured for everyone to leave, leaving only his wife, Mito Uzumaki. After everyone had left, Hashirama Senju took Mito's hand, his expression worried. "It seems the clansmen don't quite approve of Tsubasa's abilities, Tobirama and Akira each have their own thoughts. I hope that you will always fully support Tsubasa, no matter what."
Mito Uzumaki gently patted Hashirama's hand and nodded, saying, "I've always supported Tsubasa, didn't you know? I especially like that kid Tsubasa, otherwise I wouldn't have suggested that Little Tsunade marry him. It's just that I didn't expect Tobirama and Akira to be so strongly opposed. Given Tsubasa's personality, this plan won't work out."
Hashirama Senju shook his head helplessly. "From now on, you'll have to work hard to look after this family. Tobirama's arrogance and conceit will harm himself and the Senju Clan."
Mito Uzumaki smiled wryly, "I will do my best, but Tobirama is very opinionated and I cannot sway him."
Outside the door, Tsubasa had just come out when he saw a middle-aged man ( Akira Senju ) standing there. Akira Senju looked Tsubasa up and down, a hint of disdain on his face.
Tsubasa nodded to Akira Senju and said, "Hello, Senior Brother Akira. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take care of me."
Akira Senju snorted and sneered, "I don't know what kind of bewitching potion you've given my father, that he'd pass the clan chief position to a child like you instead of his own son. I admit you have talent, but the position of clan chief isn't something that can be held by talent alone."
Tsubasa maintained his smile and said, "Senior brother is right. So, what does senior brother mean by 'what should I do'?"
Akira Senju took a step forward, crossed his arms, and looked down at his father, saying, "I don't want to go against my father's wishes either, so you can be the clan leader! But don't give orders and interfere. Keep the clan leader's token. Hand over the family inheritance seal scroll; that's not something you can control."
Tsubasa frowned and said seriously, "Senior brother, isn't this inappropriate? Master is still alive!"
Akira Senju's face darkened, and he shouted, "So what? The treasures and Ninjutsu inside the family's inherited sealed scroll can only be kept by our Main Family. What right do you, a member of a branch family, have to covet them? For thousands of years, they've been in the hands of the Main Family. It can't be that they'll be handed over to your branch family in my generation! Are you taking advantage of my Main Family because we have no one left?"
Tobirama Senju also came over, his face stern, and said, " Tsubasa, it's indeed best to return it to the Main Family for safekeeping. My elder brother is a reckless and impulsive person; he even wanted to give the Hokage Position to Madara back then! If it weren't for me, my elder brother would have given up the Senju Clan."
Tsubasa sneered and straightened his back, " Lord Hokage, Senior Brother Akira. I am Lord Hashirama's personal disciple, and since that day, I have been the Main Family the Lord Hashirama. Understand? I am now the clan head, and these two items are the clan head's heirlooms. How can I hand them over to you? Of course, there is another way: you can contact the heads of the 36 branch clans to collectively remove me from my position as clan head. In that case, I will have no choice but to hand them over. Otherwise, I regret that I cannot comply."
Akira Senju wanted to say something, but Tobirama Senju grabbed him. The heads of the various branch families were all watching from the side, each with their own thoughts. Some were calculating their own interests, while others were observing how things would develop.
After some time, Mito Uzumaki, her eyes red with tears, called everyone inside. Hashirama Senju his deathbed; he struggled to sit up, placed a crystal necklace around Tsunade's neck, and said in a weak but firm voice, "We must unite... we must support Tsubasa, our new clan leader."
Looking at his master, who was experiencing a brief moment of lucidity before death, Tsubasa burst into tears, his mind filled with memories of his master. The days they spent cultivating together, his master's earnest teachings, all seemed like they happened just yesterday.
Tsunade blinked her adorable eyes, looked at her grandfather and the tearful older brother, and started crying too.
Then Biwako and Akira Senju also knelt down, covering their faces and weeping.
The legendary God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, slowly closed his eyes and departed for the Pure Land. The entire Hokage Palace was immersed in grief, and the Senju Clan was about to face new conflicts and challenges.