"So, Nawaki's been placed on Orochimaru's team — the direct disciple of the Third Hokage?"
Senju Tokuma set down his teacup, his expression turning solemn as his voice cut through the quiet room.
Across from him, Senju Kenji — head of intelligence — nodded immediately. "Yes, Lord Tokuma. It's a logical choice. Jiraiya already has a student, and Tsunade trusts no one more than Orochimaru."
"This puts us in a corner," Senju Ryosuke growled from Tokuma's right. His impatience was obvious, his tone sharp. "If a future daimyo with the First Hokage's bloodline grows into an elite jonin, our position—no, the young master we support—won't stand a chance."
"If Nawaki becomes Hokage, then the title of 'daimyo' will be meaningless. We ministers might as well all hang ourselves."
Tokuma took a deep breath, waving a hand to quiet him. "We all know what's at stake. There's no need to repeat it. What we need now is a plan."
His eyes swept over the other two. "Since he's under Orochimaru's team, we should start by studying the people around him."
Kenji responded instantly, "He has two teammates. One is an orphan from the Uzumaki clan — Uzumaki Kushina. The other is Hiroki Sawada, the boy who's been causing rumors in the village lately."
"Uzumaki Kushina…" Ryosuke sneered. "A foreigner from the Land of Whirlpools. Aside from that hair color, what does she have to offer? Always loud, always showing off — she's just a Genin, filler at best. Not worth our concern."
The Senju branch family weren't active shinobi, but they had long entrenched themselves in the Fire Country's political world. They judged people like politicians did — by power and background, not ideals.
To them, a ninja without strong lineage or overwhelming ability was just another pawn on the board — a disposable tool.
Kenji's tone grew cautious. "Still, Lord Tokuma, I've heard strange reports about Hiroki Sawada. They say he's the boy who was abducted by Kumogakure some time ago…"
"That's just rumor," Ryosuke interrupted with a scoff. "Kenji, when did you start believing bedtime stories made to glorify heroes? A kid fresh out of the Academy taking down a whole Kumogakure team — including jonin? That's the kind of tale you tell civilians."
"Think about it. Would a Kumo jonin squad really infiltrate Konoha's barriers just to kidnap two random children?"
"It's ridiculous."
Tokuma nodded slowly, clearly in agreement.
They weren't shinobi, but they weren't fools either. Konoha was one of the Five Great Villages — not some ramshackle outpost that let enemies stroll in and out. If Kumogakure could invade that easily, it would mean the village was full of holes.
In their eyes, such "heroic rumors" were nothing more than propaganda — no different from the stories nobles spread about their idiot sons being "born geniuses."
And even if the truth was thin — who cared?As long as the people believed it, that was enough.
"Ryosuke has a point," Tokuma said finally. "Even if this Sawada boy is clever, he's still just a child — a Genin. In front of true power, luck won't save him. Our focus remains the same: Nawaki."
He paused, a glint of ice in his eyes.
"Orochimaru may be their instructor, but he can't watch over them forever. Eventually, those three will take missions on their own. That's when we strike. And if necessary… we'll find a way to pull Orochimaru out of the picture."
Kenji frowned. "Still, Nawaki's the First Hokage's grandson. His talent shouldn't be underestimated. It won't be easy to create an 'accident' that leaves no trace."
Ryosuke gave a short, mocking laugh and tapped Kenji's chest. "Kenji, you've lived among shinobi too long. You're starting to think like them. We're not fighters — and we don't need to be. We have money."
"With money, you can buy anything — even killers." He leaned back smugly. "The world's been unstable lately. If someone dies on a mission, who's going to investigate?"
He raised three fingers.
"One jonin not enough? Hire two."
"If two can't finish the job — hire three! Add a few chunin to keep the other brats busy. Three elite jonin and a few hired hands, ambushing them along their route — tell me, how does an inexperienced kid like Nawaki survive that?"
Kenji nodded reluctantly. "True enough. Still, we shouldn't completely ignore the two teammates. Even if the rumors about Sawada are true, he's still a Genin. Strength like that only goes so far."
"Then it's settled," Tokuma said coldly. "Hire another one. Four jonin in total. That's enough to topple a small country. What chance do three green Genin have?"
In front of four jonin, Hiroki Sawada and Kushina Uzumaki might as well be insects underfoot.
Kenji's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "So you agree, Lord Tokuma?"
Tokuma nodded. "Good. Kenji — find out everything about their first C-rank mission: the location, route, schedule, and objective. I want every detail."
"Ryosuke," he turned to the other man, "go to the underground exchange. Use gold bars. Contact the top bounty hunters. Tell them the target is the future of the Senju clan — and let them name their price. Once it's done, erase every trace."
Ryosuke smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Lord Tokuma. In the face of absolute wealth and power, every genius is just another corpse. As for those teammates…" He chuckled darkly. "Maybe they'll be grateful they die quickly — before they have to watch their friend torn apart in despair."
The three men exchanged glances — and laughed.
After all, they were only Genin.How much trouble could three children really cause?