Author's note: Happy New Year to all readers!
"Tsunade."
Yoru stepped into the courtyard, looking at that graceful and captivating figure, a faint smile on his face.
"Y-You're here…"
Tsunade's cheeks flushed slightly.
Every time she saw Yoru now, she couldn't help but recall that day—
So vivid. So unforgettable.
"Ahem… the clan wants to invite you over."
She steadied herself and finally spoke her purpose.
Yoru smiled.
Just as he expected.
And exactly what he wanted.
"Of course. If Tsunade personally invites me, I'm afraid no one else in Konoha gets that kind of treatment."
Tsunade's face reddened further. She snorted, pretending to be fierce.
"Stop talking nonsense. Let's go."
Yoru laughed.
After informing
Kushina Uzumaki and
Konan,
he left together with Tsunade.
As for
Mikoto Uchiha—
She had been called back by the Uchiha clan for some matter.
Senju Clan – Entrance
"Lord Yoru! Lady Tsunade!"
The guards bowed respectfully.
Tsunade nodded slightly, her demeanor instantly shifting into that noble, composed "princess" aura.
"I've brought Yoru. Where are they?"
"Lord Senju Monra is already waiting in the reception hall."
"Let's go," Tsunade said, turning back with a soft smile.
That smile—
Beautiful enough to outshine everything.
And it was a smile she only showed to him.
Senju Clan – Grand Reception Hall
This was the highest-level reception hall of the Senju clan.
Only the most distinguished guests were allowed here.
Those who had entered before included:
Hiruzen SarutobiDanzo ShimuraHomura MitokadoKoharu Utatane
Even other clan heads?
Not qualified.
And now—
Yoru was the fifth outsider to step into this hall.
At the main seat—
Senju Monra stood up with a loud laugh.
"Yoru! Welcome to the Senju clan!"
Beside him, Senju Molo also rose, smiling and even giving a slight bow.
"Monra-dono, Molo-dono, you're too polite."
Yoru responded with equal warmth.
Tsunade glanced around.
No elders present.
She quickly understood—
The clan had investigated Yoru and knew he disliked dealing with old men.
So they arranged:
Monra (frontline commander, strong authority)
Molo (support, atmosphere)
Perfect choice.
After tea was served—
The atmosphere became… strange.
Monra and Molo began praising Yoru non-stop.
"Young yet unmatched!""Strength equal to the best of his generation!""A genius unseen in decades!"
They practically elevated him to the heavens.
Yoru: Speechless
He couldn't help but feel amused.
That calm, composed Senju Monra—
Could actually flatter people this smoothly?
Clearly—
This man didn't rise to power by strength alone.
After a while—
Monra stopped, sensing it was enough.
He coughed lightly and grew serious.
"Yoru… we invited you today because we have something to discuss."
Yoru nodded slightly.
The real conversation had begun.
"Monra-dono, just say it. With my relationship with Tsunade and Nawaki, the Senju clan is practically half my home."
Monra's eyes lit up.
That answer—
Very satisfying.
"I'll speak plainly."
He paused, then continued:
"Nawaki… does not have the ability to carry the future of the Senju clan."
"And Tsunade—she is outstanding, but…"
He smiled bitterly.
The problem was obvious.
She was a woman.
In this era—
No woman had ever stood at the very top of the ninja world.
Tsunade didn't react.
She simply smiled faintly.
In the past, she may have regretted it.
But now?
After meeting Yoru—
She felt no such thing.
Monra took a deep breath.
Then said directly:
"Yoru… are you willing to bear the future of the Senju clan?"
"We will support you with everything we have."
No tricks.
No hidden meaning.
Just straight to the point.
The Senju clan had made their decision.
As long as Yoru—
Would protect and uphold the Senju in the future—
Then:
The entire Senju clan would stand behind him.
A clan of true loyalty.
A clan that:
Sent their elites to die for KonohaSupported leadership without hesitation
They once supported
Hiruzen Sarutobi wholeheartedly.
Without Senju—
Hiruzen would never have stabilized power so easily.
But what did they receive?
Betrayal.
During the war—
Senju bled the most.
Sacrificed the most.
Carried the heaviest burden.
Yet after victory—
Their reward was barely higher than the
Hyuga clan—
Who hadn't even fought seriously.
How could that not chill their hearts?
Monra's expression darkened.
The resentment was clear.
"Hiruzen… has truly disappointed us."
At that moment—
The weight of the Senju clan's decision…
Fell completely onto Yoru.
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