Sunlight streamed into the grand hall of the newly renovated Senju Old House.
On the weathered, ancient beams and pillars, the majestic emblem of the Senju of the Forest is carved.
Senju Kenya, shirtless, wearing loose floral shorts and flip-flops, sat high on the rosewood armchair in the center.
He had a white jade pipe between his teeth, squinting as he exhaled smoke.
Behind him, Shiro, wearing an apron, obediently carried fruit, while Zabuza Momochi, carrying a black iron heavy sword, stood like a demon guarding the steps.
Below the lobby.
Three figures of considerable influence in Konoha stood in a neat row.
They are the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans, the oldest and most unbreakable allied families in Konoha!
Shikaku Nara stands in the center, with Akimichi Chōza, who is as large as a small hill, on his left, and Inoichi Yamanaka, who has a refined and slender face, on his right.
" Nara Clan head, Shikaku Nara."
"Chief of the Akimichi Clan, Akimichi Chōza."
"The chieftain of the Yamanaka Clan, Inoichi Yamanaka."
The three of them simultaneously abandoned all their usual arrogance and laziness, and with synchronized movements, bowed deeply to Kenya, who was in the main seat.
His respectful demeanor even surpassed that of his previous meetings with the Third Hokage!
Shikaku night completely opened the door for the three clans to turn against him.
Smart people know that in this cruel world that values lineage and strength, you're the one who gets the most benefits.
The Third Hokage only offered empty rhetoric; Danzo only engaged in terrorism and assassinations.
The Senju Kenya before us not only has fists hard enough to smash gods, but also controls the largest building materials conglomerate in the entire Shinobi World!
Who is the wise ruler? The difference in their abilities is immediately apparent!
"Alright, alright, straighten up."
Kenya casually waved his hand and exhaled a puff of green smoke:
"We don't do that kneeling and kneeling stuff here, it's a headache."
Upon hearing Kenya's friendly greeting, Akimichi Chōza, who was standing on the left, was the first to breathe a sigh of relief.
Chōza's round, chubby face was beaming with a warm smile.
He turned around and, incredibly, single-handedly lifted a massive, two-meter-tall, sealed black wooden barrel from the hands of his attendant behind him!
Thump!
The heavy wooden barrel was carefully placed in the center of the hall by Chōza.
" Lord Kenya, it's my first formal visit. I've heard from Shikaku that you're also a magnanimous person with a great appreciation for food!"
Chōza patted the huge wooden barrel, his face beaming with pride as if showing off a treasure:
"This is our Akimichi Clan's secret barbecue sauce, passed down through generations and sealed away for a full hundred years!"
"It not only incorporates dozens of nourishing medicinal herbs harvested from deep in the mountains, but it's also been nurtured for a hundred years with the oils of top-grade ferocious beasts!"
"When you coat it on grilled meat, even the driest cuts will smell heavenly!"
Upon hearing "century-old secret barbecue sauce," Kenya's eyes, which had been half-open, suddenly lit up!
He jumped off the armchair and strode quickly to the large wooden tub in his flip-flops.
He yanked the lid off.
"Buzz--!"
An indescribable, rich aroma of soy sauce and meat instantly wafted over, making Kenya's stomach rumble wildly.
Without any hesitation, Kenya stretched out a thick index finger, dipped it into the glossy black sauce, and smacked his lips.
In an instant, a rich and complex flavor of fresh, fragrant, spicy, and numbing sensation explodes on the tip of the tongue!
"Holy shit!"
Kenya's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but swear, slapping Choza hard on Chōza broad shoulder:
"Absolutely amazing! This flavor is absolutely incredible!"
"It tastes a million times better than Orochimaru, that lousy mudfish!"
Chōza was swayed by Kenya's slap, but he was secretly overjoyed, scratching the back of his head and laughing heartily.
In the supreme art of "eating meat," the two instantly found a resonance of souls, as if they had known each other for a long time.
Kenya immediately made the decision, waving his hand with great gusto:
"Brother Chōza, for this bucket of sauce you brought back, from now on, the Iron Fist Chamber of Commerce will have exclusive purchasing privileges for the top-grade sea monster meat that the Akimichi Clan imports from overseas, and your Akimichi Clan will get 30% of it!"
Upon hearing this, Chōza was so excited that his fat trembled all over, and he bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
The delicious food broke the ice, and the atmosphere in the lobby instantly transformed from solemn and dignified to incredibly harmonious.
At this moment, Inoichi Yamanaka, who had been standing on the right, solemnly stepped forward with a serious expression.
He presented a golden token engraved with intricate runes and a thick codebook, bowing deeply.
" Lord Kenya, this is the highest level of control over Konoha Intelligence Division, Cryptanalysis Team, and Torture Center."
Inoichi Yamanaka with a resounding clang, his eyes revealing an unwavering resolve:
"The spiritual defense line that the Yamanaka Clan their village."
"From this day forward, the intelligence department will sever all ties with Root and the old elders!"
"All intelligence networks and coded channels, both inside and outside the village, are to be unconditionally opened to the Senju Clan!"
"I, Inoichi Yamanaka, hereby swear that the intelligence unit will henceforth obey only the will of Lord Kenya!"
Give up your ears, give up your eyes!
For a ninja clan, this is complete and unconditional loyalty!
At the same time, Shikaku Nara in the center timely unfurled a long scroll of a united alliance covered with bright red bloodstains and held it high:
The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans are of one mind and share the same fate, advancing and retreating together.
"Today, here and now, the three clans formally and jointly issue this pledge to the entire village—"
"We swear to support the new policies of the Senju and are willing to serve as pawns in the establishment of this new order!"
Thus, the most core and largest core ninja clan force in Konoha was formed.
He was completely brought under his control by Senju Kenya's intimidation, his binding with interests, and a bucket of barbecue sauce!
The tide has turned; the old nobles of Konoha have no chance of turning the tide!
Just as the emperor and his ministers were in high spirits and enjoying harmonious relations in the main hall...
"Tap tap tap tap tap!"
A series of extremely hurried, even somewhat comical, footsteps suddenly approached rapidly from the bluestone street outside the Senju Old House.
Accompanying the chaotic footsteps was a boy's guttural scream.
Naruto was running through the streets, shouting and yelling, heading straight for the Senju compound.