Nawaki muttered, "I really don't get it."
Even Rukia paid slight attention to Tsunade.
Did this woman know Nawaki before he died?
Tsunade speaking up inadvertently rescued Sarutobi Hiruzen from the situation.
At least no one was paying attention to him anymore.
"Is that really Senju Nawaki?"
Some Shinobi who had seen the Senju Clan heir slightly opened their mouths, wearing expressions of disbelief.
The others followed suit and looked over, their eyes slightly dazed.
"How is that possible!"
"Didn't Senju Nawaki already...?"
As they spoke, their voices gradually trailed off, afraid Tsunade would hear them and give them a punch.
Even Danzo Shimura, who was secretly observing the battle, was startled when he saw Senju Nawaki's face!
"Quick! Go to the laboratory and confirm whether Senju Nawaki's heart is still there!"
Soon, members of Root returned to report: "Lord Danzō, there is nothing unusual about Senju Nawaki's heart!"
Hearing this news, Danzo Shimura's eyes widened.
Could it be that he had seen a ghost?
Thinking of this, Danzo Shimura suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
Damn, he wasn't here to claim his life, was he?
Konoha East Street.
Rustling discussion sounds arose, causing Sarutobi Hiruzen, Utatane Koharu, and Homura Mitokado to look sideways.
When they saw that familiar face, their pupils trembled uncontrollably as if struck by an earthquake.
"It's actually, truly Senju Nawaki!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer maintain his false composure and cried out in surprise.
His expression was as if he had seen a ghost.
And maybe he really had seen a ghost!
Senju Nawaki was clearly dead!
Moreover, the autopsy was conducted by Konoha, and after confirming Senju Nawaki's body, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally canceled his Shinobi registration number.
But what was going on now?
Resurrection?
Or had Senju Nawaki never died at all?
Did Konoha's autopsy make a mistake?
But if Senju Nawaki wasn't dead, how could he be mixed up with people from the Uzushigakure?
Furthermore, it looked like he had successfully infiltrated the Uzushigakure and become a Shinigami!
He had even used the Uzushigakure' Space-Time Ninjutsu to come to Konoha, taking the posture of an enemy?
What kind of stunt was this?
It was bad enough that Tsunade was full of rebellion, but why did Senju Nawaki look rebellious too?!
Don't forget!
This is the Konoha your grandfather founded!
Sarutobi Hiruzen desperately wanted to shout this!
But upon careful consideration, he was genuinely afraid that the Senju Clan might use this reason to make him hand over the position of Hokage.
So he let it go. After all, he had only been securely in this position for a few years and hadn't had enough yet.
Moreover, perhaps Senju Nawaki's infiltration of the Uzushigakure was actually a good thing for Konoha?
Just as he had said, Senju Nawaki was a Konoha person, and Konoha was the Village his grandfather founded.
This was his root!
No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't possibly do anything detrimental to Konoha, right?
Furthermore, with Senju Nawaki acting as Konoha's chess piece inserted into the Uzushigakure, he could constantly relay intelligence about the Uzushigakure to Konoha!
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally and matter-of-factly categorized Senju Nawaki as Konoha's spy inserted into the Uzushigakure.
Little did he know, this was merely his wishful thinking.
Sarutobi Hiruzen recalled Orochimaru's previous intelligence and carefully looked at the sword hanging from Senju Nawaki's waist.
Was that the asauchi freely distributed by the Soul Reaper Academy?
Well done, Nawaki!
Once you get your hands on the Uzushigakure' Unmarked Ninjutsu and the technique for forging Zanpakuto, that will be the time for Konoha to regain its glory!
But soon, a single sentence from Senju Nawaki shattered his beautiful dream.
"Who... are you people? Why do you seem to know me?"
Senju Nawaki scratched his head, blinked, and looked utterly confused.
As soon as these words came out, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face stiffened, and his heart sank.
What was going on?
Senju Nawaki didn't recognize them?
Oh, he understood. This must all be Nawaki's disguise!
Alas, it was their fault for being so careless and letting Nawaki be exposed.
With so many people in Konoha acting like they knew him, it definitely couldn't be hidden from the Uzushigakure now.
If that was the case, he might as well stop pretending and quickly return to Konoha's embrace.
Otherwise, this hard-won asauchi might be taken back by the Uzushigakure.
Thinking this, Sarutobi Hiruzen grew anxious and said solemnly: "Alright, Nawaki, Grandpa knows your painstaking efforts. Since you've been exposed, hurry and come back!"
The others instantly realized the truth upon hearing the Third Hokage's words.
So that's it... Senju Nawaki's death was actually a scheme to infiltrate the Uzushigakure!
Didn't that mean they had exposed Senju Nawaki's identity?
They truly deserved death!
Even Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado looked sideways at Sarutobi Hiruzen, their eyes seeming to say: We didn't expect this, Sarutobi. You actually had a move like that?
Even Tsunade hesitated slightly.
Could it be that Nawaki's death back then was truly faked?
But she had confirmed the autopsy herself; it was definitely Nawaki's body.
However, the Nawaki standing before her was truly inexplicable.
Only Orochimaru had a strange look in his eyes.
His respected Teacher Sarutobi was probably about to become a clown... Sarutobi Hiruzen looked benevolent, waving toward Senju Nawaki: "Quick! Come here to Grandpa! You have made a huge contribution to Konoha, and Grandpa will protect you!"
Rukia pressed her lips together tightly, ensuring she wouldn't suddenly burst out laughing.
Was this so-called Konoha Hokage a monkey hired from a circus?
Don't say it, seriously, don't say it, but he really did look the part.
Senju Nawaki became annoyed and embarrassed, "Hey! What's wrong with you, old monkey? Who even knows you!"
An old... old monkey?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face froze again.
It was then that Tsunade finally realized something was wrong. She frowned and said, "Nawaki, do you really not remember me?"
Senju Nawaki said impatiently, "And who are you?"
Tsunade's face darkened.
This stinky little brother dared to forget his one and only older sister! She had been worried about him all this time!
And this stinky little brother was living perfectly fine in the Uzushigakure, yet he didn't send her a single message!
Making her sad and anxious all day long!
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got! Tsunade's fists clenched, grinding audibly.
It seemed she absolutely had to give her stinky little brother a 'Fist of Iron Love' to help him recall his older sister's deep affection for him!
Tsunade stomped her foot, the ground immediately cracked, and she instantly appeared above Senju Nawaki, slamming a fist down from above.
"Since that's the case, then Older Sister will help you remember properly!"
Senju Nawaki calmly tilted his head, dodging Tsunade's fist.
During this time, he hadn't been learning in vain under Captain Ichimaru's instruction.
After dodging the attack, Senju Nawaki quickly utilized Hakuda martial arts, returning the favor with a whip kick.
Tsunade subconsciously attacked with her usual habit of disciplining Nawaki, completely unprepared, and took the full force of the whip kick.
Tsunade retreated a few steps, her expression surprised as she said, "Your skills have improved?"
But quickly, this turned into the shame and anger of being resisted by the younger brother she had always bullied.
She threw out a heavy, powerful strike of Super Strength.
Senju Nawaki calmly raised his index finger and said, "Hadō No. 4: Byakurai!"
Tsunade's pupils suddenly contracted.
This kid, he's actually serious!
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