"The Land of Whirlpools was wiped out, and fewer than ten clan members survived?!"
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama froze on the spot, confusion filling their hearts.
Hashirama said in a deep voice, "The Land of Whirlpools and Konoha were always the closest of allies. The Uzumaki clan was powerful—how could they possibly have fallen to the point of national annihilation?"
Uchiha Yuzuru said calmly, "Because when the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, Konoha chose to stand by and do nothing, allowing other villages to attack it at will."
Tobirama immediately turned to look at Sarutobi Hiruzen. Hiruzen shrank back, speaking in a flustered tone. "Back then, we could barely take care of ourselves. We simply didn't have the strength to support the Land of Whirlpools."
Hearing this, Yuzuru laughed softly. "Didn't have the strength? Or did you deliberately want to see the Land of Whirlpools destroyed, so you could conveniently take over its legacy afterward?"
Hiruzen's expression changed drastically. "Don't spout nonsense here!"
"Hmph." Yuzuru snorted. "The Land of Whirlpools stood alone overseas, far from other nations, yet it was only a few days' journey from Konoha."
"Even if other countries sent troops, the long march and supply issues would have made it extremely difficult to wipe out the Land of Whirlpools in one go."
"Even if you had merely escorted the Uzumaki clan members to Konoha, things would never have reached this point."
"In my view, you were blinded by greed, coveting the Uzumaki clan's powerful sealing techniques. That's why you sat back and watched their country fall."
Seeing Hashirama and Tobirama deep in thought, Hiruzen shouted in rebuttal, "What proof do you have?!"
"Proof?" Yuzuru sneered. "The proof is this—after the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed, the Uzumaki clan scattered across the ninja world, yet not a single one came to seek refuge in Konoha!"
His words rang out with force, leaving everyone present shaken.
Thinking about it carefully, it did make sense.
Whether it was the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools or the fact that not one Uzumaki clan member defected to Konoha, both reeked of conspiracy.
Hiruzen opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Seeing his silence, Yuzuru reached out and pulled Tsunade to his side. "First Hokage, Second Hokage—do you still recognize your granddaughter?"
Hashirama and Tobirama looked at her, a glimmer lighting up their eyes. "Tsunade?"
Tsunade was visibly moved as well, joy appearing on her face.
She stepped forward, pulled the black rod from Tobirama's body, and helped him to his feet.
"Great-Grandfather, Great-Uncle… I never thought I'd see you again."
Hashirama and Tobirama studied her closely, tenderness showing in their eyes.
Seeing this scene, Hiruzen and the others were both anxious and furious.
They finally understood why Yuzuru hadn't acted directly.
He wanted to ruin them completely.
With that realization, Hiruzen barked an order. "Don't listen to the nonsense of the Uchiha clan's traitor! Kill them and avenge our fallen comrades!"
The Konoha ninja exchanged glances, all of them hesitant.
Although Yuzuru had dispelled his Susanoo, three other Susanoo stood nearby, watching them silently.
On top of that were the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails, massive summoning beasts, and tens of thousands of Cloud ninja…
Charging in now would be suicide.
And no one here was a fool. After hearing what Yuzuru had said earlier, doubts about Hiruzen and the others had already taken root in their hearts.
Seeing that no one followed his command, Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo grew increasingly panicked.
On the outermost layer were Susanoo, summoning beasts, and tailed beasts. The second layer consisted of tens of thousands of Cloud ninja. The third layer was over ten thousand Konoha ninja.
They stood at the very center, trapped in a formation like an iron barrel, with no way to escape.
Tobirama calmed himself and asked in confusion, "Tsunade, how did you end up mixed in with the Uchiha clan?"
"And why did you also turn against Konoha?"
Hashirama looked equally puzzled. "Tsunade, surely the Senju clan hasn't defected from Konoha as well?"
Seeing their expressions, Tsunade clenched her teeth. "There's only me left of the Senju clan now."
"What?!" Hashirama exclaimed, his aura erupting uncontrollably. Cracks instantly spread across the ground.
The overwhelming pressure made the surrounding ninja struggle to breathe.
The Third Raikage and the others were utterly shocked.
So this is the God of Shinobi… so strong!
"Brother, don't release your chakra so carelessly," Tobirama frowned, reminding him before continuing. "After I became Hokage, I had the clan abandon the Senju surname."
Hashirama let out a sigh of relief and scratched his head with a laugh. "So that's how it was."
But Tsunade shook her head, her voice heavy. "That's not it. Every last Senju clan member is already dead."
Hearing this, Tobirama froze. "Tsunade… what happened?"
Tsunade glanced at Hiruzen, hatred filling her voice. "Great-Uncle, the Senju gave up their surname, but their records were still kept in the village."
"I secretly investigated. In the first two great ninja wars, nearly all Senju ninja were sent to the very front lines. They all died on the battlefield."
"Even Nawaki died there, for no clear reason."
"The Senju clan's assets were swallowed up, and everyone connected to me died under mysterious circumstances…"
She pointed at Hiruzen. "I couldn't find concrete proof, but I don't believe all of this was just coincidence."
Tobirama was himself an extremely calculating politician. Back when he served as Hokage, he hadn't hesitated to do shady things for the sake of power.
So the moment Tsunade finished speaking, countless possibilities surfaced in his mind.
As she said, even if the Senju abandoned their surname, it was impossible for a prestigious ninja clan to vanish without a trace in just a few decades.
For the first time, Tobirama looked at Hiruzen with killing intent in his eyes.
Back then, he really should have made this disciple of his stay behind!
Feeling Tobirama's gaze, Hiruzen immediately shrank into himself, lowering his head and avoiding eye contact.
Yuzuru clapped his hands and spoke slowly. "The Uchiha clan, the Senju clan, the Hyuga clan, and the Uzumaki clan… all stand with me."
"Now, who the real traitors are should be perfectly clear, shouldn't it?"
As soon as those words fell, the Konoha ninja all turned pale.
Anything else could be debated, but the clans that founded Konoha—the Senju and the Uchiha—had joined forces once again. That alone made their stance unquestionably legitimate.
Add to that what Tsunade had revealed about the Senju clan. If the First and Second Hokage turned around and supported Yuzuru…
Then their situation would become unbearably awkward.
Would it come down to them fighting to the end, only to become Konoha's traitors instead?