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The Third Hokage and Hashirama Senju always worried that the influence of the ninja clans would become too great, hindering the village's development.
Their intentions were good, but ultimately unrealistic.
Because in Konoha, civilian ninja only held an advantage over the various clans in terms of numbers.
And within this numerical advantage, the vast majority were still Genin. Those with poor aptitude whose strength struggled to improve further.
To put it bluntly, they were cannon fodder.
Under such circumstances, trying to suppress the ninja clans was very difficult.
Admittedly, civilian ninja should receive support, but one cannot apply a one-size-fits-all approach, recklessly cultivating civilian ninja while relentlessly suppressing the ninja clans.
To be honest, the power of discourse in Konoha has always been held by the ninja clans.
In the past, it was the Senju. After the Senju became civilianized, it shifted to clans like the Sarutobi and Shimura.
Now, it's changing hands again.
The idea of infinitely weakening the influence of the ninja clans is utterly unreliable. The only thing that can be done is balance.
The ninja clans cannot overextend their reach. Civilian ninja can be supported, and can even be given some council seats.
After all, the significance of these seats is largely just symbolic.
There are very few council members who truly hold real power.
As for the ninja clans, as long as no single clan becomes overwhelmingly dominant, Konoha's situation cannot be fundamentally altered.
Tobirama Senju was determined to civilianize the Senju clan precisely because the number of people within the clan with great ambitions was gradually increasing.
Many even believed that the position of Hokage should belong exclusively to the Senju clan.
Unfortunately for them, they had over them a man like Tobirama Senju, who, when push came to shove, wouldn't even spare himself.
"Kazuki, do you know about the past of the Senju clan?"
Tsunade, who was already somewhat drunk, signaled to Shizune and Izumi that they could head back first. She had some things she wanted to discuss with Kazuki.
"I've heard some things. There are also records in some of the clan's documents."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow. He knew what Tsunade was getting at—nothing more than fearing that the balance would be broken, leading to the emergence of a second Senju clan.
Shizune and Izumi obediently left. They knew that the matters Tsunade and Kazuki were about to discuss were not for their ears. It was better to leave early. They had eaten and drunk their fill; time to go home, sleep soundly, and work again tomorrow.
"Gulpgulpgulp!!!"
Tsunade took several large gulps of alcohol. The way she drank it as if it were plain water made Kazuki's eyelids twitch. This woman is recalling the past, he thought. Seems she's not in a great mood.
"People's ambitions expand, and the Senju clan was no exception. If the voices within the clan hadn't grown too loud, the Senju wouldn't have had to walk the path of civilianization."
Tsunade began narrating, somewhat disjointedly, some past events concerning the Senju clan.
She had experienced most of these events herself, even though she was very young at the time. Later, Mito Uzumaki had also impressed many of these memories upon her.
It aligned pretty well with what Kazuki had surmised and pieced together himself: a number of people within the Senju clan had grown ambitious, no longer satisfied with the Hokage being chosen from among candidates. They wanted the Hokage position to be hereditary within the clan. Coupled with the Senju clan holding various positions throughout the village—similar to the Sarutobi clan a few years back, but even more extreme—this had begun to undermine Konoha's development. After all, in those days, the village's departments weren't as well-established as they are now.
If the Senju clan took over more than half, what about the other clans and civilian ninja?
So, rather than saying Tobirama Senju, with his dark-hearted resolve, struck out against his own clan, it would be more accurate to say he was forced to raise the knife against them.
Tsunade's account was somewhat blurred, even a bit incoherent at times. She was drunk, after all, her tongue a bit heavy, her mind not entirely clear. But Kazuki could still extract the information he needed from her words.
"Do you think something like that could happen again?"
"No."
Kazuki replied flatly, picking up a piece of beef with his chopsticks and putting it in his mouth, chewing slowly.
"As long as no one breaks this balance, Konoha's development can continue stably."
The current Konoha no longer has the environment for any single clan to grow as powerful as the Senju once were.
Even though Kazuki now holds a high position, even as the Hokage's Advisor, it wouldn't be enough. Even if he were to kick Tsunade down and sit in the Hokage's seat himself, the Uchiha wouldn't grow to that extent.
Moreover, Kazuki himself wouldn't allow the Uchiha to grow so rampantly.
The Uchiha and the Hyuga just need to develop steadily and maintain their status as major clans in the village. That is sufficient.
In other areas, he won't allow them to extend their reach.
Furthermore, neither Uchiha nor Hyuga members are suitable for stepping into the central circle.
Tsunade was right; people's ambitions are limitless. Once they get a taste of something sweet, their ambitions keep expanding.
That's also why, over the past few years, Kazuki hasn't let the Uchiha or Hyuga place people in important positions.
Aside from them being unsuitable, it's to prevent anyone from getting inflated ideas.
In another year or two, perhaps Itachi can be brought up. Itachi hasn't strayed from the path, and he's different from other Uchiha. He has the potential to become a second Tobirama Senju. The two share many common traits: both geniuses, both aloof and steady from a young age. Most importantly, when critical moment arrive, they can also harden their hearts.
"So, just focus on being the Hokage. Don't spend your time thinking about all this messy/disorderly stuff."
"Can it really remain stable?"
"Anyway, no matter how you look at it, you won't be the worst Hokage. So, you can put those worries back in your stomach. Just quitely eat your meat and drink your wine."
Her grandfather and granduncle were both Hokage, both famous throughout the ninja world. They had both strength and methods. When it came to Tsunade, her pressure was immense.
Tsunade wasn't afraid of others comparing her to the Third Hokage—after all, she hadn't been Hokage for many years. What she truly feared was being compared to the Senju brothers. She was also afraid others would say she was the worst Hokage in Konoha's history.
Actually, Tsunade was overthinking it. As long as Konoha remains stable like this, the 'worst' evaluation definitely won't fall on her head. After all, there's the pitiful Minato holding down the bottom, and the Third Hokage who was removed from power.
Speaking of which, Minato really was quite pitiful. He died before he could even solidify his position as Hokage. Most crucially, during his tenure, he couldn't even fully grasp power. That was just awkward.
With the Third Hokage, Danzō, and the two council elders, he was stuck tight.
Unlike Tsunade, who had everything firmly in hand even before becoming Hokage. Comparing the two, Minato really had it rough.
Never mind just Konoha; if you lined up all the Kage from the Five Great Shinobi Countries, Minato would probably be at the bottom. Some Kage from other villages met tragic ends, but at least they held their positions for a long time and had power in their hands. Not like Minato, who could only stare helplessly, having to seek advice from the Third Hokage and negotiate with the two council elders for everything.