In the capital of the Land of Fire, inside a restaurant sat a group of diners as they partook their food, at first glance it seemed like another regular afternoon but something was different today.
Unlike a regular day when people focused on their food and went about their discussions, today most of them were focused on the man who sat on the stool facing the dining area, listening intently.
The man, an elderly storyteller, a vaganond, a travelling bard or whaterver else you may refer him to as sat on his seat as he spoke
"The time nearing the end of warring states was a time of great ninja families, a time when legendary shinobis were born, strong ninjas like the God of Shinobi or The fearsome Ninja Shura rose one after another, the time when families with strong bloodlines stood out in great numbers, like the Uchiha of Sharingan, Hyuga of Byakugan, The monstrous Kaguya, The Sealing clan Uzumaki or the Senju of the Forest.
But two stood above the rest, The patriach of the Senju and The Uchiha clan. Time passed and the alliance between the Senju and Uchiha brought about an end to the long period of turmoil, in their quest for peace the built 'Konoha' the first shinobi village and so the one country one village system was formed.
But nothing remains the same forever and with time disputes arose and values differed, the conflict that arose between the Ninha god and the Ninja Shura reached it's climax at the place now called the 'Valley of The End' formed due to the aftermath of the battle between the two legendary shinobis. A battle so titanic that it reshaped landscapes and it tremors were felt thtrough all nations.
Though the 'Ninja god' the First hokage Senju Hashirama emerged victorious he succumbed to death a few years after the battle and with the fall of the Shinobi God, who brought peace with love, and the Ninja Shura, who stopped wars with terror, the conflicts rose once more, this time much more fearsome as now it wasn't clans that fought, but whole nations.
After two great Ninja wars many of the clans, once known for their great battle prowess, withered and disappeared in the conflict, with only a few survivors remaining in this world.
But as the war this time calmed down, something strange happened, a surprising news appeared: on sites belonging to these clans that died out, monuments were found."
"So what about it, all those old clans have monuments?" spoke an eager person from the crowd as he dismissed the claims of the storyteller with a wave ofhis hand.
The old man looked around as he built up the tension and spoke as he gestured with his hands continuing the story
"The monuments were not surprising part the surprising thing was the content of the monuments was similar; all the monuments found mentioned the sage." as the old man continued his stoey the crowd broke into murmurs whispering with each other about this revelation.
"The Sage of Six Paths? The one Fire Temple preaches about?" asked a young man as he leaned forward.
The old man shook his head and waved his hands
"No, No, no, if it was Sage of Six paths, it would not be shocking, but all the monuments mentioned the 'Sage of Senju'."
"Who is that? Someone fron the Senju Clan?" The young man questioned his brows furrowed.
"I don't know; in fact, nobody knows. All the great shinobi villages are looking for information and yet it seems like a myth more than a person because it seems someone like that never existed." said the old man animatedly as he kept the crowd engaged.
"But if he isn't a real person then why is everyone looking for him?" asked a lady.
"Because while the words may be different, every monument contains words of gratitude to the Sage for his guidance and protection." said the old man.
"So why all the fuss, maybe the Sage helped their ancestors?" Spoke a man as he waved his hand nonchalantly.
"You see, that is the problem; all these monuments came into existence after these clans were known to have gone extinct." said the old man.
"What!? How is that possible!?" asked the patrons shocked at the revelation.
"Just like you, the whole ninja world is shocked, and everyone is questioning who the Sage of Senju is and where those monuments came from. What is his relationship with these clans and the disappeared Senju? Is he their protector? If he is then why are they all dead? Or if they are dead, does he protect the dead, too?" said the old man as he built a somber atmosphere.
The audience looked at the old man eager for answers ,seeing everone hooked he cleared his throat as he gestured to his donation box and after hearing the clinking of coins he continued
"Seeing everone so enthusiastic I will tell you something sepcial, I know more about this matter as I was friends with a Senju clan member in the Konoha village, before the Senju clan withered there existed a legend among them, according to the rumors there existed a prophecy told by the 'God of Shinobi' himself, that when the Senju clan faces extinction, the Sage of the clan will come to lead them."
"And there exists a monument in the Senju clan compound that says 'Senju follows the Sage'.".
"So the Sage is real?" asked a child in excitement.
"I don't know, but there are rumours that the Senju compound is a sealed fortress, a masterpiece of sealing arts of 'Lady First Hokage' and the Sage rests in its depths." said the old man.
"Did nobody go in to check?" Questioned someone down the crowd.
"Many tried, some were unable to get in, some got in but lost their way and walked out, and some said there was nobody inside, yet a few say they saw a silhouette in the manor, yet nobody knows if the Sage truly exists or not." said the storytelles as he continued to entertain his patrons.