As dusk settled, the village protected by towering wooden walls was far from quiet—instead, it buzzed with a warm, cheerful clamor.
Even during wartime, life in Konohagakure remained vibrant. Children returning from the Ninja Academy filled the streets with laughter, their playful voices echoing down the alleyways.
Seeing this scene, Nawaki paused, as if stirred by distant memories.
Tsunade, hands on her hips, grinned and shouted joyfully,
"I'm home! First things first—swing by the house and let someone notify Lord Hiruzen of our victory, then pick up some sake, soak in the hot springs, and hit the casino tonight! This is what I call the pinnacle of life!"
"Hey, Sis! Could you not blurt out all your selfish plans out loud like that? You're totally ruining your image."
Nawaki smiled wryly, only for his left cheek to be squished by something soft and warm.
Tsunade had leaned over, laughing, and draped her arm around his neck—her not-so-small assets practically brushing his face.
"Come on now, what image do I even have left? Enough chatter—let's go! If you can catch up to me, I'll let you have a sip of the good stuff! Just a sip though, you're still underage!"
So you do know it's illegal, huh!?
Nawaki grumbled inwardly, watching as Tsunade took off running, visibly in high spirits.
No matter how strong she was, at the end of the day, she was still a young woman. After enduring the horrors of war, returning to the peace and liveliness of the village washed over her like a cleansing balm for the soul.
Chasing after his sister, the two arrived at the Senju Clan compound.
Once a thriving and prestigious family, the Senju had dwindled to a mere handful of elders and distant relatives. Even the clan's residence had been gradually reduced to just over a dozen remaining buildings.
By contrast, the neighboring Uchiha Clan was still strong, boasting nearly a thousand members—an undeniable force in Konoha.
As they stepped into the compound, a sense of fading grandeur hung in the air—like the twilight of a once-mighty tree.
"How did the Senju Clan fall so far?" Nawaki frowned slightly. "One young life after another lost… This can't be explained by war alone. It feels more like an invisible curse."
It mattered deeply to him.
After all, he was now the Senju Clan's most direct descendant—the last male heir of their main bloodline.
If someone was plotting against the Senju, then Nawaki—having survived the battlefield and strayed off the script—might be their next target.
"Danzo?" Nawaki mused. "Sure, he's Konoha's resident scapegoat. You can blame almost anything on him. But I doubt he's behind the Senju's decline. He's Tobirama's student. He still puts Konoha first—just uses... distasteful methods."
"Black Zetsu? The ultimate manipulator pulling strings behind the scenes? But even he wouldn't destroy the Senju. After all, Indra and Asura's reincarnations usually emerge from the Uchiha and Senju bloodlines. Without them, his whole plan falls apart..."
One way or another, something wasn't right here.
As they entered the estate, several elderly clan members hurried over, surprised and delighted to see the pair.
"Tsunade, Nawaki—weren't you both on the battlefield? Why are you back so soon?"
"The battle at the Land of Rain front is pretty much over. We crushed Sunagakure and Amegakure—victory is ours!" Tsunade declared bluntly, not bothering to tiptoe around the news like her mischievous brother might.
"But the main reason we came back early…" she smiled, "is because Nawaki awakened the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai!"
The atmosphere froze.
The elders stood rooted in place like thunderstruck statues, taking several seconds before stumbling forward in disbelief, their voices trembling with joy.
"G-Girl, you're not pulling our leg, are you? Nawaki really… really awakened Wood Style?!"
"Mm-hmm!" Tsunade nodded proudly. She turned to Nawaki with a soft voice, "Come on, show the elders one of your Wood Style jutsu."
Knowing full well that Wood Style couldn't be kept secret, Nawaki didn't hesitate. He calmly pressed his hands together and formed the Ram seal.
As a unique kekkei genkai, most Wood Style techniques required only a single hand seal—saving precious casting time.
Wood Style: Wood Clone Technique!
As if shedding skin, streams of wood-colored fluid grew from Nawaki's hair and body, splitting off and transforming in an instant—creating an identical clone beside him.
The Wood Clone was known for its realism and endurance. It could even withstand minor attacks. Most Chunin and even many Jonin couldn't distinguish it from the original. It also consumed less chakra than Shadow Clones. In short: downright shamelessly efficient.
Seeing it with their own eyes, the elders were beyond convinced—they were overwhelmed with emotion, tears streaming down their weathered faces.
"After nearly twenty years… Our Senju Clan finally has another Wood Style genius!"
"That's it! That's the jutsu! These were the techniques Lord Hashirama used to end the Warring States period, bring peace to the ninja world, and found Konohagakure!"
"To think that in my twilight years, I would see this mysterious jutsu again with my own eyes…"
Nawaki didn't share the same memories or feelings as them—the pain of watching their once-glorious clan fall into decline after following their revered Lord Hashirama to greatness. That sorrow had carved itself into their hearts, haunting their dreams.
But to them, Nawaki's Wood Style wasn't just a jutsu.
It was hope.
A sign that the Senju Clan could rise again.
Now, even if they died, they could face their fallen comrades without shame—especially the man once called the God of Shinobi: Hashirama Senju.
Nawaki might not have felt their depth of grief, but he understood their thoughts.
Don't worry. Even if my soul doesn't belong to the Senju, I'll still conquer this world under the Senju name. I'll spread our bloodline and restore our glory. That's the least I can do to repay this body.
"Nawaki, you have to train hard," Tsunade whispered. "Don't waste the hopes the elders have placed in you."
He noticed her eyes turning slightly red.
"Sis, are you crying?"
"I'm not. Why would I cry?"
"Don't lie. Your eyes are totally red. You can use my shoulder if you want—cry your heart out."
"…What did you just say, brat? Sounds like you've grown a pair along with that Wood Style. Teasing your own sister? Taste my Monster Strength Drill Fist!"
"AAAH! If you're not crying, then I will! I'll cry right here if you keep this up!"
Their noisy antics quickly dispelled the heavy mood in the room. Seeing the close bond between the siblings, the elders finally broke into laughter, releasing all the pent-up grief in their hearts.
An old granny stepped forward, rescuing Nawaki from Tsunade's hold and lightly scolded her.
"Little Tsunade, stop bullying your brother. Don't forget—Nawaki is our clan's lifeline now!"
Lifeline?
Lifeline my ass!
Nawaki groaned inwardly, but quietly gave Tsunade a thumbs-up behind the old woman's back.
It was then that Tsunade realized—he had intentionally teased her to lighten the mood and ease the elders' burden.
Understanding this, she smiled gently.
"You've grown up, little brother."
~~~~~~~
If You Wish To Support Me And Read 25-30 Advance Chapters, Consider Joining Me On This Journey!
p(a)treon(.)com/HudaLin
Remove the parentheses btw