Tsunade couldn't understand why Sarutobi Hiruzen's actions were becoming increasingly extreme.
Senju Hanaki wanted Tsunade to fight resolutely for the Senju clan and not be hindered by sentimental teacher-student bonds. She said:
"Tsunade, this is your first time being exposed to Konoha's political struggles, so there's much you don't understand.
The fundamental reason why the Third Hokage, who was so gentle and valued comrades as Uncle Tobirama's student, has become increasingly hypocritical as Hokage is his lack of sufficient strength.
Both Father or Uncle could suppress the entire Konoha. No one dared to pay lip service to orders from the Hokage Building.
Forget Konoha; back then, which hidden village in the entire ninja world dared to confront Konoha alone?
At the first Five Kage Summit, Father wrote a few letters, and the other four Kage had no choice but to attend.
Although the Third holds the title of Professor, his strength is far inferior to Father's and Uncle's.
The Senju clan, the Uchiha clan, the Hyūga clan, and top-tier geniuses like Hatake Sakumo all have their own thoughts and demands.
The Third Hokage has no choice but to rely on Shimura Danzō, using sinister, underhanded methods to achieve his goals.
Since the outbreak of the Second Great Ninja War, countless village members have died or been injured, Konoha's strength has greatly declined, and his authority has been further damaged.
You, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru forcing a stalemate with Hanzo and earning the title of Sannin has, to some extent, salvaged some face for the Third Hokage.
Tsunade, the Senju clan can use the medical system to lie low for a while.
But we know ourselves that this hibernation is only a temporary expedient. We will ultimately return to the forefront.
The foundation of struggle is strength, is combat power.
You should accelerate the research progress on those forbidden jutsu concepts of yours.
Having only Elite Jōnin strength and the title of Sannin is not enough for the Senju clan's revival.
Look at Hatake Sakumo. He was the Anbu Battalion Commander during Uncle Tobirama's era.
After the Third became Hokage, he had Hatake Sakumo retire from the Anbu, yet still has to rely on him in war.
In Konoha, strength is always paramount."
Tsunade nodded repeatedly. Her aunt's analysis was very accurate.
She should focus on mastering the Yin Seal and must break through to the threshold of Kage-level as soon as possible.
Just then, Tsunade suddenly turned her head, looking towards the bathroom next door.
She slammed her elbow through the bathroom wall, but the room inside was empty.
She then swiftly rushed out into the corridor outside the office.
The corridor was also empty.
At the end of the corridor was the gap where the window and wall had been removed for the expansion.
Tsunade looked down. Water had somehow flowed out of the bathroom, covering the floor.
The water flowed to the end of the corridor and dripped down through the opening.
There were no footprints on the ground, and no one else's chakra nearby.
But she had clearly sensed someone there just a moment ago.
Who had such fast escape means, vanishing as if teleporting?
Senju Hanaki followed her out. "What happened?"
Tsunade said, "I sensed someone in the bathroom next door. Their speed was incredible; they vanished with a Body Flicker."
Senju Hanaki's expression turned serious.
Being inside Konoha Village yet feeling danger everywhere...
In the woods behind the hospital, Yōkō, seeing that no one was pursuing him, breathed a sigh of relief.
He had taken advantage of Senju Hanaki's busy schedule to hide in the bathroom next to the Director's office beforehand.
He slightly opened the bathroom faucet, letting water trickle onto the floor until it flowed to the end of the corridor and down the wall.
After being discovered by Tsunade, Yōkō promptly escaped using Water Body Flicker.
Wherever there was water, he could use the Water Body Flicker.
Reaching the courtyard, a hose used for wetting bricks was continuously running. Under cover of darkness, Yōkō used a second Water Body Flicker and quickly left the Konoha Hospital area.
The risk was worth it; he had overheard significant information.
First, the Senju clan's stance.
The Senju clan had abandoned illusions, recognized the situation clearly, and stood firmly opposed to the Konoha leadership.
Senju Hanaki was a clear-sighted individual who had begun guarding against the village. She was more rational and calm than Tsunade and held the crucial position of Konoha Hospital Director.
After earning the Sannin title, Tsunade's status within the village had risen significantly; she was no longer just a decorative princess.
Tsunade was researching forbidden jutsu suitable for herself, and her strength would soon increase further.
Second, intelligence about Hatake Sakumo.
Judging by his age, Hatake Sakumo was a genius Anbu Battalion Commander in his teens, but later retired from the Anbu after Sarutobi Hiruzen took office.
Thus, a potential alliance between Hatake Sakumo and the Senju clan had some foundation.
No wonder the higher-ups suspected collusion between the Senju clan and Hatake Sakumo; there was this underlying connection.
Hatake Sakumo plus the Senju clan – if this force continued to develop, it would be enough to rival the Konoha leadership.
Yōkō suddenly felt his allegiances shifting somewhat, even considering betraying the Anbu... what to do...
Returning to the Anbu, Yōkō reported to Yellow Dog:
"Battalion Commander, Senju Hanaki and Princess Tsunade have been busy at Konoha Hospital the entire time. No evidence of collusion with Hatake Sakumo was found."
Yellow Dog nodded and said, "The Anbu monitoring Hatake Sakumo also reported that he spent the whole night studying maps and didn't meet with any Senju clansmen."
Yōkō asked tentatively, "Is the Senju clan truly transitioning into the medical system? How will the village respond?"
Yellow Dog said:
"Senju Hanaki has been actively shaping public opinion in the village, stating that the Senju clan sacrificed Lady Mito, Clan Head Senju Rinoki, and nearly seven hundred clansmen for the village's Nine-Tails.
She even publicized that Uzumaki Kushina is the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, showing no sense of secrecy.
The village had no choice but to increase the security level for Uzumaki Kushina.
These maneuvers by Senju Hanaki have garnered significant sympathy for them among many in Konoha.
Coupled with the heavy casualties among Konoha ninja and the severe shortage of medical ninja, the Senju clan's entry into the medical system faces little resistance. At least, most of the village's Jōnin support it.
As for the Chūnin and Genin, they welcome skilled Senju medical ninja even more.
Senju Hanaki is more troublesome to deal with than Senju Rinoki.
Senju Rinoki would never abandon the Senju clan's glory, but that woman Senju Hanaki is extremely pragmatic.
Princess Tsunade, having lost her brother and lover, acts like she's swallowed explosive tags; no one dares to provoke her.
Tsunade has saved many people on the battlefield and holds the highest prestige among the Sannin.
With Orochimaru and Jiraiya supporting her, there's not much that can be done against Tsunade right now.
The older one gets, the more one fears their 'children'. For some reason, the Hokage-sama seems somewhat afraid of his three students now."
Yōkō thought, It seems Senju Hanaki becoming clan head turned out to be an unexpectedly clever move.
Under Senju Hanaki's leadership, the Senju clan was cautious and pragmatic, no longer shouting about dedicating everything to the village or becoming Hokage. They were avoiding risks and seeking to lie low.
Yellow Dog handed Yōkō a scroll containing a new mission:
"Fox, you previously submitted a list of Hatake Sakumo's followers. The Anbu will investigate their attitudes and motivations one by one.
One of these followers, named Shinna, only has Chūnin-level strength yet holds a relatively high position within that group. It's strange.
He is about to be dispatched to the Land of Wind for preliminary intelligence gathering.
Follow him. Investigate him and see if there's anything unusual about him."
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