The night faded, and the first light of dawn appeared.
Sarutobi stayed awake all night.
He sat in the stone house until the noisy sound of the disciples' morning lessons came from outside the window. Only then did he slowly get up, wash away the fatigue on his face, and change into a clean set of Ninshu robes.
The person in the mirror no longer had last night's panic in his eyes. Only a calm and sharp composure remained.
"History needs division..."
He no longer hesitated.
———
That morning, the corridor outside the meeting hall.
Sarutobi deliberately slowed his steps and happened to "run into" several elders with hardline positions.
Among them were representatives of the Senju clan's war faction, as well as several border commanders who had long harbored grudges against the Uchiha.
Sarutobi exchanged a few polite words first, then lowered his voice and spoke with a grave expression. "I've thought about it for a long time since last night... Young Master Akira's proposal is well-intentioned, but too idealistic."
"After Indra's death, the Uchiha's war faction has gained the upper hand. They've repeatedly tested the waters along the borders over the years, and have even secretly recruited wandering shinobi to strengthen themselves. If we take the initiative to show goodwill now, they'll only see it as weakness."
"What's more, the Sharingan is dangerous to begin with. Back then, Indra alone was able to contend with Sect Master Ashura for so long. If we let them return to the Ninshu without truly placing them under control... the consequences would be unimaginable."
Several elders showed agreement in their eyes.
Someone said quietly, "Sarutobi, you've finally decided to say this. You kept silent all day, and we thought that brat had convinced you too."
Sarutobi gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "My background is humble, so it wasn't convenient for me to say much during the day. But the Ninshu is our shared home. I can't just stand by and watch it be dragged into a pit of fire."
Sarutobi paused, then added, "Young Master Akira is young, after all. His bloodline is noble, and his thoughts are pure. But pure things are often the easiest to hurt people."
That line was just right.
It didn't directly attack Senju Akira's character, yet cleverly turned "young" and "idealistic" into potential dangers.
Several elders nodded, their expressions growing increasingly grave.
———
Over the next few days, Sarutobi began to act according to plan.
He no longer openly opposed anything. Instead, in various settings, he would "inadvertently" bring up certain things from the past...
How Indra had acted recklessly in the past, how he had fallen out with his father, and how he had quickly gathered followers who believed in his power after leaving.
The names of disciples who had been killed or wounded in several minor clashes with the Uchiha along the borders in recent years.
As well as some exaggerated rumors that could not be completely disproven.
Some Uchiha were already secretly studying more dangerous ocular techniques. Some had even advocated "completely replacing the Ninshu."
These words were like fine needles, slowly piercing the hearts of those who had originally been wavering.
At the same time, Sarutobi began actively approaching disciples and mid-level shinobi who had lost family members in the border conflicts.
He didn't make grand speeches. He simply helped treat the wounded and comforted their families in silence.
Occasionally, after drinking, he would sigh and say, "If we hadn't split apart back then, perhaps we wouldn't have ended up like this... But now that we've already split, forcing ourselves back together will only deepen the hatred."
Little by little, people's hearts began leaning toward "caution" and "hardline measures."
———
[Half a Month Later]
When Senju Akira once again proposed "secretly contacting the moderate faction of the Uchiha," the atmosphere in the meeting hall was completely different from before.
Several elders who had originally remained silent clearly voiced their opposition.
Someone bluntly said, "It's not the right time to make contact."
Another was even sharper. "We understand Young Master Akira's intentions, but the Ninshu can't take any more risks."
Senju Akira sat below them, his expression calm, but he could feel an invisible resistance gathering.
His eyes swept slightly toward Sarutobi sitting in the corner.
Sarutobi kept his head lowered, his expression respectful, as if he were merely an insignificant junior elder.
Senju Akira vaguely sensed that this resistance seemed to be quietly spreading from that direction.
"Hmph! They're nothing but pests. Whatever. I have my own strength anyway. At worst, I'll just launch a coup and show these people who's boss!"
Senju Tsuruhane believed that these ancients didn't know how to carry out a coup.
After all, he came from another world.
A few more days passed.
The current leader of the Ninshu died mysteriously. Before his death, he actually appointed Sarutobi as the Grand Elder, and none of the other elders objected.
Sarutobi was shocked in his heart, but he seemed to understand something, so he accepted the position.
At the same time, Senju Akira felt that the death of the Ninshu's leader was a good opportunity. He wanted to use this chance to seize all authority over the Ninshu in one stroke.
But the experienced Sarutobi immediately realized this and simply decided to strike first.
———
[Half A Month Later]
[Ninshu Headquarters, Meeting Hall]
The night was deep. The meeting hall, which should have been quiet, was brightly lit instead. Dozens of elders and core disciples had been urgently summoned, and the atmosphere was so tense it was almost suffocating.
Sarutobi stood in the center of the hall, dressed in a neat, dark-colored shinobi outfit, his expression cold.
Several hardline elders stood beside him, along with more than twenty trusted disciples in full battle gear. Their chakra was faintly leaking out, their suppressed killing intent still clearly perceptible.
"Everyone."
"The reason I summoned you tonight is because this concerns the survival of the Ninshu."
He raised his hand, and a disciple immediately presented a scroll and unfolded it before everyone.
"Reliable intelligence indicates that Senju Akira has privately dispatched people to contact certain members of the Uchiha clan, with the intention of 'recruiting them again.'"
"More than that, he has secretly gathered his peers and young disciples, forming his own faction and preparing to promote 'reconciliation' with the Uchiha within the sect."
Low murmurs immediately broke out throughout the hall.
Sarutobi swept his gaze across everyone, his tone becoming heavier.
"The Indra bloodline's hostility toward the Ninshu has never disappeared. Taking the initiative to show goodwill now is no different from opening the door and inviting thieves inside."
"Once the Uchiha take advantage of this opportunity to infiltrate us, the danger of the Sharingan will directly threaten every disciple, every elder, and even the very foundation of the entire Ninshu."
"Young Master Akira may have good intentions, but when good intentions go to extremes, they become a disaster."
Sarutobi's voice suddenly rose, "To prevent an even greater disaster from occurring, we have decided... Senju Akira's movements will be restricted immediately. He will be placed under temporary supervision, and we will decide how to deal with him after the entire truth has been investigated!"
The fully armed disciples filed in and waited for the right moment.
Soon, Senju Akira arrived.
Senju Akira suddenly raised his head, only to see Sarutobi standing on the high platform and looking coldly at him.
"Move!"
Sarutobi shouted. The fully armed disciples instantly appeared.
Senju Akira's face went deathly pale.
He abruptly stood up, his pupils shrinking. Even his voice carried a barely noticeable tremor. "Wait! Elder Sarutobi, what are you trying to do?! I only proposed making contact. I've never done anything to betray the Ninshu!"
"Young Master Akira, please cooperate."
The leading disciple spoke coldly and had already stepped in front of him.
"No!"
Senju Akira took half a step back and suddenly formed hand seals.
"Wood Release: Wood Pillar!"
Thick wooden branches burst from the ground, attempting to sweep away the approaching disciples.
During these days, relying on his talent as a transmigrator, he had successfully awakened Wood Release. Although it was inferior to Senju Hashirama's, it was still stronger than Yamato's.
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