1 Familial Ties

["Are you sure that this is the wish you want?"]

("Yes! More than anything! I know that maybe those that died and had the chance to reincarnate would wish for Sharingan or what not but… I'm different. I want to be a Senju! Hehe… with that, I'll be unstoppable! Haha!")

["Okay… but like, last chance, are you 100% certain that is your wish?"]

("Ugh… yes. Now please! Send me on my way to Naruto's world with me being a full-blooded Senju!")

["Haaah… whatever, I told you the rules and this wish is permanent even after reincarnation. Okay kid. Good luck!"]

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~

Waking up and looking at the sky, I moved my hand to block the beaming sun rays that shone down onto my body. Sitting up, I got dizzy and regained my bearings. Looking down, I blinked with a confused expression in my face. 

"Eh?" I was looking down at my clothes which were a green coat and a brown shirt and pants. "Wait, What are these mounds? Am I fat-Ahh~"

Am erotic moan escaped from my lips as I covered my mouth and blushed uncontrollably. I was confused and frightened as the realization was setting in. Standing up, I let my black sandals touch the ground and further observed my unfamiliar body. It was then, that I felt my heart beat loudly as I came to the truth, I had become… a girl.

It took a few minutes until I got used to the fact that my whole identity as a man was lost. But, even then, I did not regret a thing as I was finally in Naruto. As a Senju no less and… although it was weird, I find myself cherishing my new body as I never cared for the old one in my old life. In fact, the things that killed me were cigarettes and bad health in the end. 

I did not have that annoying 'tick' anymore and I was blessed with the fact that I could control my urges. Never again would I smoke, drink or even try hardened drugs. I had enough for one lifetime already and it was by the grace of the heavens that I was able to meet with that beautiful Goddess woman. She gave me a second chance because she had truly pitied my fortune and I was sure as heck not going to waste it.

"Thank you, Goddess. "I touched at my chest and felt a silver rosary appear. "Goddess!"

I beamed a bright smile and clutched the rosary in my hands as I felt tears of joy dream down my face. I thanked her over and over countless times when it finally set in that I was here. I decided to pray for her each night for the gifts she had given a lowlife man like me were unfathomable. Cherishing our meeting, I was happy with knowing she was out there, watching over me from the heavens.  

My rosary glowed in white light for a brief moment and I felt her warmth. Sighing in relief, I felt more courage to live this life to the fullest. Turning to the sky and wiping my tears away, I met my surroundings as I found myself in a forest. My green coat fluttered in the wind and as I turned, I got a better look at the black insignia of the Senju clan which was like a pair of eyes with a dash going between them and a smaller line right down at the center of the horizontal dash. 

"Okay… I can go to Konoha or the village hidden in the leaves as it is referred to in the Naruto-verse. But, I can't just yet. I must find Lady Tsunade first as there was still Danzo and his ROOT who will try to deal with me or worse. Hm. I'll be safest near Lady Tsunade. Yes! I have a goal now. "I raised my hand into the air but stopped when I realized I may have looked ridiculous. With a faint blush on my face, I reluctantly turned and took a step while stopping again as I didn't know where I was or how to find Lady Tsu'. "Hehe… I forgot to ask for a map with directions… oops."

*Shine*

Turning back, I spotted a perfectly rolled up scroll on top of a rock. I looked around and felt it was definitely something that was out of place in the green clearing. However, my rosary was pulsing slowly with warmth and I felt Goddess trying to send me a message. Nodding, I went to pick up the scroll and opened it with full faith in my Goddess. 

"Huh? Woah! This… this is a map! "I looked at the small chibi Kunai which represented my location and direction as I moved around and found the chibi Kunai moved as well to match where I was facing in real time. "This is like a GPS! Goddess-sama! I love you! Thank you, thank you!"

I felt my rosary glimmer brightly and faint again as I then nodded and began my search as I thought of Lady Tsunade and her location appeared as well as glowed green on the large map of the Elemental Nations. Facing in a particular direction, I nodded and began my trek across the wild forest as Konoha was facing my back. 

~

Night came quickly and I still had a lot of ground to cover. Stopping only when my rosary glowed faintly, I obeyed and began setting up a nice place atop a tree. I remembered my old world training from when I was in the army and it was always best to be off the ground so nothing could come and try to make a mid-night snap out of my flesh and bones.

I only slept for a few hours as the ambience of the forest at night took a lot out of me trying to keep one eye peeled for anything suspicious. 

The rest of the night passed somewhat smoothly as the sunrise came and the area began lighting up in a brilliant hue of blue until golden rays began peeking over the horizon. Dropping down and stretching, I heard and felt my stomach grumble from the lack of eating anything. Sighing, I began looking around for anything of value to eat and found some healthy mushrooms and a nearby fresh water stream in the distance. 

Although I could only drink in handfuls, I was satisfied with my light breakfast and continued on my way to finding Lady Tsu'. 

Minutes soon turned into hours and then into days. I spent a total of 5 days traveling on foot. I grumbled as I now knew why ninjas always prefered to jump from tree to tree with their ninja skills. 

However, I stopped as I heard voices in the distance. Sneaking up to a branch, I looked and found a small bandit settlement. They had two people captive in a wooden cage onboard a wagon. An elderly woman was holding a small girl that appeared to be younger than 3 years old in her arms. I could tell she was abused as her torn clothing or lack-there-of suggested the most pitiful of sights. 

In total, there were 5 bandits and the oldest seemed to be a middle-aged man and the youngest was probably in his late twenties. Seeing the woman and child before my eyes, I could feel my heart pumping blood as I was outraged by the way she was treated. I could even see her bare bones and haggard. 

There was a lit-up campfire in place as it seemed the bandits only stopped from wherever they were headed to and redt their horses. 

I waited for the cover of darkness to come and my chance soon came when one of the bandits took out the woman and dragged her to one of the three tents as the sun had already set in the distance. 

Taking my chance, I moved along quietly and picked up a dull blade sticking out of a bag and found it was an old tanto but still worked for its intended purpose. Heading into the tent behind the two, I then watched as the man's wool pants fell to the floor and in that exact moment, the sword slid through his throat, keeping him from screaming as I then crushed his balls with a devastating kick to the groin from behind. I grabbed him and gently set him down as I moved to check on the woman and found her already neardrath as she met my gaze and smiled as she was freed in the end. 

I cursed inwardly as I was too late and she was already gone. My body shook uncontrollably as it took all my years in the service to keep my cool. Closing the nameless woman's eyes, I got up and patted down the bandit I killed and recovered a standard and sharp Kunai. 

Holding both Kunai and sword in either hands, I moved outside the tent with a dark, crimson glare and blended with the cover of night. With unpracticed movements due to the off balance of my new body, I still managed to slash at the next bandit's throat and at the same as I did the first, I moved in a steady line to the next and oirecer his chest, more specifically his heart. 

Having taken down 3 thus far, the last 2 immediately took notice and readied their stances as they had experienced many shinobi from villages who were also just kike kids and kill many of their comrades.

However, as I stared at them with unrivaled indifference and rage, they spoke but their voices could not reach my ears as it was muffled. All I did was have them in my unflinching eyes field of view. My muscles buckled and moved on their own as if I was suddenly taught to let go control and follow my instincts. It was a primal feeling, a sensation deep within me as even when I received a scratch on my skin, I felt my wound heal itself faster than normal. 

Without thinking too much about it, I made a mockery of ninja with my sloppy movements but I got through the 4th one and finally, before me was the last bandit that did not deserve to get any mercy from me. With one final push, our clash lasted 2 minutes until I caught the man by surprise by pretending to be wounded and slashed at his throat. With another strike, I dug my Kunai into his right eyeball and directly stabbed his brain. 

My cold eyes never left his as I fell onto him as he fell backwards despite the height difference. Standing up, I stood there frozen in place for several moments. It took until my rosary was glowing red hot on my skin but it did not burn that I woke up from my trance. Collapsing and clutching my chest while praying for forgiveness in taking life, I felt my Goddess warmth soothe me until I became calm. 

Shifting, I got up and cleared my tears as I moved over to the cage where the small child was still present. There were few bruises but after a thorough check, I sighed in relief that the child was still fine. She was a girl no older than maybe 3-5 years old. She was shorter than me as I was 8. Her dark brown hair and eyes made me remember a certain girl that used to be in Kakashi's old three-man-team.

Turning to meet her eyes, I then spoke and asked for her name. She did not speak and I could feel her reluctance to trust me. Nodding, I moved closer and embraced her in a warm hug while apologizing for not arriving sooner. I felt her small hands tug my arm and I did not look down as I could feel her shivering body in my chest. 

We remained like that for a while until we got off and I began going over the settlement looking for things of value. All in All, I found 4 sets of Kunai, 2 Tantos, and several pouches of coin which I assumed was this world's currency. I never knew the world of Naruto had a dark side to it. I mean, I should have known what I was getting into but still, it's just so… sad. 

Feeling a tug at my sleeve, I looked down to the girl's eyes and sighed as I crouched down and patted her little head with a smile on my face. 

"My name is Kanae Senju. I'm off to find my long lost big sis! Say, wanna become my little sister and be a part of my family!?" I beamed as I was trying to cheer up the girl. In my past life, I was never really good with kids as I had a tough and scary look due to all the scars and what not. "Hm?"

I felt her rush to hug me with tears in her eyes as she only nodded repeatedly while tightly hugging me. My heart clenched a bit but I felt happy she could show some expression as well. I then asked for her name again but she didn't respond or shook her head saying she didn't know it. Thinking for a bit, I then came up with an idea and asked her if she wanted me to give her a new name instead. 

She nodded with a determined expression as she remained silent. Even from my name, it was one that belonged to a nun who saved my life in the past when I was a fresh recruit fighting in the war in Graliah Restra after the first wave of otherworld invaders arrived on Gaia.

"Hmm… how about, Nana?" The little girl beamed a smile with wide eyes and she immediately agreed. "Hehe… that's good. Well, it's nice to meet you Nana-chan." 

~

By next sunrise, we packed what we could and I left the bodies to rot aside from the woman whom I gave a proper burial. With two large bags on my back filled with dried food and water pouches as well as money pouches, I held Nana's small hand as we walked as the horses had run away while I was on my killing spree. I held the half open scroll open enough to see the Kunai following in the right direction. 

It would take a day or two at most and we would reach her. As we had emerged from the trendline and forest, we continued as I had to take a few stops as Nana was still stretching her legs and body. 

But nothing worth of note happened as we camped out for the night and continued our journey. Then, I finally saw the outline of a town as we walked towards it with the Kunai and green target flickering in delight. 

~

Hours later, we arrived at the town as many openly stared at my back as my insignia gave away that I was a Senju. 

However, despite my good nurturing looks, the dried blood on my clothes was visible as it made many wary and lost interest in me straight away. It must be because ninja have chakra where most normal people don't. Even an inexperienced genin can kill a dozen normal grown men with a good mastery with their chakra and technique.

Walking past many buildings, I looked at the Kunai flickering crazy as my target was inside the main gambling den. 

~

*Lady Tsunade POV*

I was still recovering from the massive headache from last night and couldn't remember what I did or who I beat up as my palms were still bruised. Shizune told me they were a few troublemakers and I had got rid of them from bothering one of the waitresses when I threw a table at them. I scrunched my brows as I had been here all day since last night and I seriously needed another drink as it was till too early for me to deal with a hangover. 

{"Excuse me…"} I heard a soft, high pitched voice, the kind that belonged to a kid in the distance talking to someone. "Shizue… get me another drink would ya'? Shizue?"

Turning to Shizue, her eyes were peeled wide when I saw her mouth agape as if in shock. Pushing against the table, I hiccuped and was about to shake her when all of a sudden, I heard the sweetest and gentle voice ring behind me. 

"I-Is that you… L-Lady Tsunade?" Turning around, I let my eyes adjust as I met a pair of bright green eyes and blonde hair. A fair skinned young girl stood holding hands with a smaller version of herself but with brownish-red hair instead of blonde. "H-Hi… My name is Kanae Senju. M-My caretaker told me to come find you after she passed away in the mountains about a week ago. I came to find you as she said and gave me a scroll that could find you. Y-You are Tsunade Senju are you not? "

My eyes were still stuck on the young girl's face as she looked like a ghost. The reminder of losing my clan and everyone I loved, it broke me even tk this day, and now I am here hallucinating. 

"L-Lady Tsunade?" I heard her call my name again and I was really trying to break free from this genjutsu but nothing worked. Turning to Shizue, she was also shocked but remained impassive as usual as we all turned to her and saw her stare at the little girl with a serious gaze. I felt myself sober up and it felt as if a bucket of ice cold water was thrown onto me. "I-Is she alright-Whoa!"

My body moved faster than I could register any thoughts. The unfamiliar young girl before me had the same feel in her chakra that my clansmen had. That my brother had. My eyes shut tighter but I was shivering as I thought it to be a dream. I moved but I couldn't register what I was holding, had my clan insignia identifying her heritable.

She was a Senju! 

It was there, a connection and she had all the soft features the same as me. It was impossible, another Senju, a young one at that. 

At the same time, it felt as if I was released from my prison of self-despair. I thought if I let her go, she would disappear, just like everyone else I had failed to protect. 

NO! I won't let that happen… 

Not again! I lost so much and was already spiralling… 

Not again…

I found this new hope and I don't want to go through that darkness again. I just wanted to indulge that dark bottomless pit in my stomach that I could never seem to fill no matter how much I drank or the amount of money I spent. 

But… 

This girl, this Senju! She is real! She… 

She is real and somehow survived. She somehow lived. She, what was her name again… 

Kanae! Yes! It was Kanae Senju! Haha! KANAE SENJU!!

"Haa~ L-L-Lady Tsunade! I need to breathe!" I then froze and looked at her cherry flushed face as she was drowning in my large bust. I found it comical, relieving, so much joy in this one moment apart from all my time drifting, that this one instance and I felt tears threatening to fall but I restrained them as I did jot want to be seen as frail as I knew I had become. 

I have wallowed in self-pity long enough and now, I have a clansman that needs me! As the last head of the Senju clan, there is still hope for my grandfather's clan revival! 

I hugged her again and she struggled to breathe until Shizue woke me up from my stupor and I released the girl while glanced all around upon seeing everyone looking at our small reunion. 

'I'll protect you little one. I won't let anyone harm you! Be it Kage, Missing-non, or the entirety of the Elemental Nations… I refuse to let my last hope be snuffed out by those old scheming Villains. 

But I can't do this alone. No, I'll need help. Konoha. Yes. The old monkey is still Hokage ever since what happened with Minato. Haaah, I always pitied him for the weight he had to carry. I left and he was alone to pick up the pieces. Would he even let me back? Regardless, those old relics in the council will certainly want to take Kanae and use her as a breeder for the betterment of the village. 

Like I would ever let that happen! 

But, I need protection. The Senju clan had and still has many enemies. If word got out that I was no longer the last member of my clan, how would the other villages respond? 

I can't do this with half a heart, I have decided to care for her. Yes. Like a good clan leader should. But how-Argh! 

Whatever, I'll just find out when we get to Konoha. I'll need to send for Jariyah as well. He and Teacher can handle those old relics on this matter. Surely, there won't be anyone crazy enough to go after Kanae while we are in Konoha. 

And even if there was, I'll go after then with the full might of what a pissed off and sober Senju woman can do… hehe...

"Lady Tsunade!" I woke up from my thoughts as Shizue had shouted at me. Looking around, I could see Kanae scratching her cheek meekly with a wry smile as she held the hand of the little girl beside her with the other. "We should continue this talk in a more private location don't you think?"

"Oink! Oink!" I saw Shizue shivering in excitement as she noticed my change. She tried her best to restrain her joy but what she said was like a bolt of thunder. We were in the open and exposed and although I was am one of the Sannin, there were hidden unknowns in the Shinobi world that would better be played out safe than not. 

~

*Kanae POV*

I finally met Lady Tsu'!! She was and is more beautiful than the show gives her credit for. But besides the obvious, she was hiding her true appearance under a Jutsu. I remembered the part when she burned the years of her life saving her teammates. She was admirable and out of many in the show, I looked up to and respected Lady Tsu' as we had many similarities in our lives that would count as just plain scary. 

In any case, I was happy I fulfilled my mission and I didn't even have to try to do a lot of convincing. Well, not yet as I am sure they will ask me more in detail of where I came from. So I'll just go with the whole 'live in closed seclusion for all my life' routine. I did like reading Wuxia and the like with nobles but the most I liked were the Eastern Chinese comics that were masterfully done. Though, there were many repeats as in it was the same story but in different artwork, though, it was also nice seeing it in a different representation. 

Moving into a more secluded place in the town, we could now speak privately and they asked me the usual questions of where I was from and who I was with. I told them what I came up with and that a nice lady brought me up. It was not entirely a lie but it was not from this world that it was the truth. They didn't press any further but it was true that I did seem a little suspicious. I did come clean and told them the truth about my killing five bandits to explain Nana and the blood stains. 

This was then that Lady Tsunade freaked because she had disregarded the blood until I mentioned it. Shizue took quick action and calmed Lady Tsunade as I was told to change and was up. 

Afterward, we met up again and I saw how a drop of blood did to Lady Tsu'.

They almost seemed saddened but also impressed as I told them in more detail about what I did a day ago.

We stayed at the inn for a few more days until finally, Lady Tsu' decided to head back to Konoha. I knew it was a strategic move as I alone knew it was secretly Danzo who wiped out the Senju clan members. In this lifetime, I would change some events to reduce the amount of deaths such as the Uchida massacre for starters. 

Although I didn't know how, I would most likely find out once we get to Konoha. I look young and there is currently no war. I'll find out more in due time. 

~

We set out after the fourth day as we began making our way to Konoha. Taking into account neither me nor Hana could jump like ninja, I got on Lady Tsu's arms as Hana on Shizue and it the entire trip took less than a few days compared to the whole week it took me to reach Lady Tsunade's location. 

~

*Izumo Kamizuki POV*

It was the usual kind of day as always. I slept for most of the evening and waited… and waited… and waited. 

Few rarely left the village and the only ones to come and pass by here were the merchants that would hire a few genin to escort them to wherever they needed to go. Like always, I was widening to call asleep when all of a sudden, I felt a pair of chakra signatures approach. They were coming fast and one was incredibly strong as well. I may not be a great sensor, but I was on guard and snapped from my sleep as I at least learned the basics and could tell from within a certain distance if there were people approaching or nearby. 

Looking at my partner and fellow gate guard act the same, we took our battle stance as I am sure the ANBU would have detected their presence as well and are reporting to the Village Chief as I speak.  

Suddenly from the treeline, two blurs appear before us and one had massive-

"L-L-Lady T-Tsunade!" My partner snapped me from my thoughts as I then got a better took at the face of the woman. It was indeed the ever so beautiful Lady Tsunade Senju. The last remaining Senju from the rumors. Hm? Who are those pip-squeaks? Wait… isn't that the Senju-"

"Well! You gonna stand there all day or you gonna call the old monkey over here!?" I never knew that Lady Tsunade spoke that way to the Hokage. But, considering her history with the God Of Shinobi, it would seem they have that kind of familial relationship where only she dares call him that. 

My partner soon left as he was only subbing in for Kotestu as he had a stomach bug since yesterday and was shaking it off at home despite the medicine given by the Akimichi clan. In any case, it took a few minutes until the Hokage arrived and with him, two ANBU stood directly behind. 

"Tsunade? What is this about-" The Hokage took a look at the mystery girl next to Lady Tsunade and his eyes flickered in shock before returning to normal. "I see. Come to my office. If this is who I think she is, then none of this ever happened. Is that understood?" 

Everyone nodded in accordance to his orders and soon enough, the small group of four followed behind the Hokage as I kept my thoughts to myself. But I couldn't help but ponder and in shock over seeing a possible Senju still remaining aside from Lady Tsunade. If she is the real deal, then this could mean big news in the Shinobi world as the Sneju clan may not be dying out after all.

Which will also paint a big target on that little girl's back as well. 

"Haaah… I wonder if this will be a good thing for Konoha." The breeze strolled by as I closed my eyes and let the calm atmosphere draw me into serenity. Something I dearly missed back when the villages were at war and every day the dry breeze smelled like iron and smoke. "I hope we never have another war again anytime soon. "

~

*Hiruzen POV*

"Leave us. "After we arrived at my office, I turned to look back at the four individuals standing before me. Not counting the pig of course, Tsunade had left with Shizue following behind as they had left the village not long after the end of the war. It took everything from my dear student and left her broken. But, now that I see her today, she is sober. I would occasionally get reports of how she was doing from time to time and it was not all that great. This Tsunade and the old one could be mirror reflections as this one had that very familiar look in her eyes I had only ever seen in her youth… 

Hope. 

Turning my gaze to the lone girl who made the miracle of bringing back Tsunade, she looked very familiar and resembled those of the Senju clan I had met years ago. She had a bit of Mito but I could be hallucinating as that would be impossible… right? 

Indeed, she was a Senju and her chakra has similarities with Tsunade and even those from the Clan I knew as well. I wonder what her story is and how she survived this long?

Before I could directly speak to the young girl, Tsunade stepped forward and was very vocal. Almost downright protective of the young girl who seemed as if she didn't know anything about the world. It warmed my heart. Tsunade was taking on responsibility for the young one. We spoke about the little girl whose name was Kanae Senju and how she lived with a monk or some stranger with some connection with the Senju clan for 8 years. 

The girl was a Senju and according to my student, Kanae was a pureblood which was more strange considering there were no other heirs or heiresses born after Tsunade and even then, those had died of illnesses or disappeared with attacks from bandits and the war. It was a mystery but the girl was a full fledged Senju and since she has lived a sheltered life, I don't see why she cannot stay under the protection of the village. This is also a good thing for Konoha as it is for Tsunade. She has also resolved to move back to the Village and raise and train the young Senju. 

The village will surely prosper and maybe in the near future harbor a new line of Senju clan members and revive the prestigious clan Harashima-Sama had brought up to its reputation and former fame. 

Had it not been for the taxing and powerful healing Jutsu Tsunade had used, she wouldn't have been the last Senju alive. But now with the kid, a future where Konoha may prosper may be soon at hand in a few decades or so. I am glad. The will of fire will surely find a way to live on as it did with the young Kanae. Hm. I am happy you found your reason to live again as well, Tsunade. 

_______

To Be Continued.

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