"Tap, tap, tap..."
The silence was broken by a series of steady, powerful footsteps.
In the distance, at the end of the street billowing with thick smoke, a large number of figures were rapidly surging towards the ruins.
Leading the group was none other than Tsunade, who was wearing a green gambler's coat!
Behind her, Shizune and Haku led the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce's professional medical team, along with the remaining medical-nin of Konoha, efficiently carrying stretchers and moving among them.
And further back from them.
These were tens of thousands of Konoha who had just emerged from the shelter, and Konoha Ninja who had survived with their wounds intact!
When these terrified civilians and ninjas saw the Hokage Building razed to the ground and the mangled remains of the Eight-Headed Serpent no Orochi, they were stunned.
A suppressed gasp and commotion erupted from the crowd!
"We won... we really won!"
Orochimaru has been driven away! The Tailed Beast of Sunagakure have also been subdued!
"It's Lady Tsunade! And that newly returned Senju!"
"If it weren't for the Senju Clan's heroic efforts, the entire Hidden Konoha would have been razed to the ground today!"
Countless civilians who had narrowly escaped death bowed in gratitude toward the center of the ruins, their eyes filled with tears.
The young ninjas stared with fervor at the tall, fierce figure standing on the edge of the pit.
Faced with a hopeless disaster.
Whoever can protect the village, whoever can crush the invaders with absolute power, is the true hero!
In that instant, the Senju Clan's prestige and power completely surpassed decades of painstaking efforts by the Konoha High Command, reaching an unprecedented peak!
Tsunade strode through the crowd and approached the ruins.
She glanced at the battlefield, now a scene of utter devastation, and then at the Third Hokage, who sat slumped amidst the rubble, utterly distraught.
Tsunade merely snorted coldly, offering not a single word of comfort.
She walked straight to Kenya's side, crossed her arms, and her attitude couldn't be clearer— the Senju Clan completely respects this man!
Kenya, with his pipe clenched between his Tsunade approach and a knowing smile crept across his face.
The die is cast.
This dilapidated Konoha, with the people's hearts turned to it, has completely fallen into the hands of the Senju!
Under the gaze of countless eyes filled with awe and gratitude.
Kenya, wearing flip-flops, slowly walked over to the Third Hokage, who was slumped in the pile of rubble.
The Third Hokage was hunched over, his eyes staring blankly at the ground, radiating an aura of impending death.
Kenya stretched out a large, calloused hand.
"Clap, clap."
He patted the Third Hokage's withered and trembling shoulder, his tone surprisingly relaxed, as if he were an old man chatting idly with his neighbor while playing chess at the entrance of an alley.
"Old man, I must say, you really have gotten old."
"My brain can't function anymore, my body is brittle, and I've almost lost my ability to see people."
The Third Hokage trembled, his parched lips moved, but no sound came out.
Kenya exhaled a puff of green smoke; the sound wasn't loud, but thanks to the Chakra it carried clearly throughout the entire ruined plaza.
"You've been talking about the Will of Fire for half your life."
"After burning for so many years, what's left besides killing Konoha's own brilliant talents, and fattening up the wolves outside and the termites underground?"
Compromise will not bring peace, and concessions will only lead to destruction.
Kenya looked down at him, his eyes sharp as blades, exuding an undeniable imperial Haki.
"You used to be the one who called the shots in this village, but from today onwards, times have changed."
" Konoha no longer needs your weak, incompetent, hypocritical self who only knows how to maintain a balance!"
" Konoha needs now is a true backbone of taijutsu ( Taijutsu) capable of crushing any invading enemy!"
Kenya's lips curled into a mocking smile that exuded a sense of oppressive power.
"Old man, it's time for you to retire."
"Hand over this mess."
"Pack your things, go back to your old house and take care of your grandson, and peacefully teach Konohamaru to jump rope and throw beanbags."
"As for the raging storm outside, and this arduous work of fighting and killing..."
Kenya suddenly straightened his back, his blood and energy surging like a dragon, his black cloak fluttering in the wind:
"From now on, our Senju Clan will officially take over!"
Official power grab!
There were no hypocritical excuses, no cumbersome procedures.
In the most forceful manner, in front of the entire village, completely strip the Third Hokage of his supreme command authority!
The entire area fell into a deathly silence. The Anbu Ninja exchanged glances, but none dared to draw their swords in protest.
Because the will of the people is in the Senju Senju, and so is the power!
The Third Hokage slumped on the pile of rubble, listening to these words and looking at the god-like young man before him.
He knew that his era had come to a complete end.
Continuing to persist will only make you a laughing stock in history.
The Third, trembling, reached out his aged hands and, amidst the dust, touched the tattered Hokage hat.
The Third silently removed his Hokage hat, while the Root Ninja surrounded him looked extremely hostile.