Konoha is No Longer the Same

"What's the situation out there?" The daimyo walked anxiously around, as a huge booming sound caused the entire Land of Whirlpools island to shake, making his heart race with worry.

"That brat better not get hurt!" A beautiful woman with long red hair yanked the daimyo's ear and shouted, "If you were worried, why did you let him go on such a mission? He's just a child!"

"Ow ow, stop, my dear, people are watching!" The daimyo quickly calmed her down when he saw his angry wife. "I didn't want this either, it was that brat Ryuto's plan."

"He's grown up and become headstrong, even daring to make arrangements behind his father's back." The daimyo gritted his teeth. "When I see him, I'll discipline him for you."

"You dare?!" The woman became furious, her red hair flaring as she prepared to roll up her sleeves and fight.

"I'll listen to you, I'll listen!" Seeing his wife about to attack, the daimyo quickly yielded. "I'll listen to you."

"It's all your fault. If you hadn't made the wrong orders, the Land of Whirlpools wouldn't have fallen into such a state." The woman sighed and said tearfully, "Ryuto wouldn't have to take such a huge risk."

"Ah!" The daimyo didn't say anything after hearing his wife's words. This time, it really was their mistake. If they had listened to Ryuto and played dumb with Konoha, refusing to support them, perhaps the Land of Whirlpools wouldn't be in such trouble now.

"You really don't want to go to the shelter?" The daimyo asked. "Although it's very safe here, it's still a military base."

The woman shook her head firmly. "I used to be a chunin, I can help out."

"My lord, there are shinobi from outside coming in," a Whirlpool ninja suddenly reported.

"Enemies or our own Whirlpool ninja?" The daimyo exclaimed in alarm. Had this place been discovered? If so, they were in trouble - didn't this mean the frontlines weren't doing well? They had to evacuate quickly.

"Whirlpool chunin, Uzumaki Chikuba," the ninja reported.

An Uzumaki clan member! Although he didn't know who Uzumaki Chikuba was, as long as they were from the Uzumaki clan it would be fine.

"Let's go," the daimyo called out. He was about to ask about Ryuto's condition.

"Yes!"

...

"Ninja-san," Uzumaki Kyoko said worriedly as Uzumaki Chikuba casually tossed an unconscious Uzumaki to the ground. "What happened to him?"

Was this how shinobi treated their comrades who were injured? Just carelessly dropping them to the ground like that, wouldn't he get hurt?

"This brat's shaming the Uzumaki clan," Uzumaki Chikuba grumbled angrily. "Getting knocked out by just a couple of explosive tags. For an Uzumaki with our massive chakra and vitality, it's disgraceful." He could see the mocking looks the other squads were giving them. 

How humiliating! Did this mean their squad's reputation was ruined?

"Ah?" Uzumaki Kyoko looked at Uzumaki Chikuba in confusion. He knocked himself out? Was this some new ninja who fainted at the sight of blood? She frowned worriedly and dragged the unconscious ninja to a bed.

"Don't bother with him," Uzumaki Chikuba said irritably. "Just leave him on the ground."

"But, but..." Uzumaki Kyoko hesitated, unable to leave the unconscious ninja lying there.

Just as Uzumaki Chikuba was about to wave her off impatiently, the daimyo's anxious voice came over.

"What's the situation? Is that brat Ryuto alright?"

"My lord!" Uzumaki Chikuba respectfully bowed.

"Skip that, quickly tell me the situation outside," the daimyo waved him off impatiently. "Hurry up!"

Uzumaki Chikuba described the current circumstances. "Thanks to Lord Ryuto's strategies..."

As the daimyo listened, he laughed heartily. "Haha, as expected of my son! This kid has been clever since young." He beamed proudly at his wife.

"Hmm?" Uzumaki Mirei gave him a sideways glance. 

The daimyo quickly waved his hands with an awkward laugh. "Yes, yes, just as beautiful and clever as you."

"What about Uzumaki Ryuto? Was he hurt? Was he bullied?" Uzumaki Mirei urgently asked Uzumaki Chikuba.

"Lord Ryuto is fine," Uzumaki Chikuba said respectfully at the mention of Ryuto's name. "I heard he and the clan head destroyed the entire Hidden Mist naval fleet."

"That's a relief, that's a relief," the daimyo said, the worry leaving him as he said proudly, "As expected of my..."

"Hmm?" Uzumaki Mirei gave him another sideways look.

"Your son, your son," the daimyo quickly corrected himself. This wife of his was formidable!

"Ahem," the daimyo coughed and pointed to the unconscious Uzumaki ninja on the ground. "What about him? Injured? If so, why just leave him there?" 

Uzumaki Chikuba explained with an awkward look, muttering "Truly shaming our clan."

"Hmph!" The daimyo snorted. "Regardless, he paid his dues for the Land of Whirlpools. As his comrade, you shouldn't treat him that way." 

"Get him inside right away."

"Yes!" Hearing the daimyo's displeasure, Uzumaki Chikuba quickly complied, carrying the unconscious ninja inside.

Relieved by the frontline report, the daimyo and Uzumaki Mirei finally relaxed.

"That's good, that's good."

... 

"Report, Hokage-sama. The Senju clan has taken unauthorized action to aid the Land of Whirlpools."

Hearing the incoming ninja's words, Hiruzen Sarutobi waved him off and turned to the current Senju clan head - Senju Hiroki.

Senju Hiroki shouted angrily, "That fool, daring to act without the Hokage's orders! Unforgivable." He respectfully bowed to Hiruzen. "My apologies, I will remove him from the clan registry immediately and dispatch Senju to apprehend him." 

"Enough," Hiruzen waved it off wearily. "Let it go this time, just make sure to restrain your clansmen from disobeying orders again." He didn't need them sending people to capture the rogue Senju in the Land of Whirlpools and escalating things.

There weren't many who had defected to aid Whirlpool so far, so their impact on the war was minimal, merely causing some trouble for the Hidden Mist. And besides...

Who dared say Konoha hadn't sent reinforcements? Konoha was renowned for promoting peace and protecting its allies' interests. Just look, they had deployed the Senju, their greatest clan!

"You're dismissed," Hiruzen said with a wave.

"Yes, Hokage-sama." Senju Hiroki respectfully withdrew. 

Watching Senju Hiroki's retreating back, Hiruzen shook his head and sighed softly, "The Senju clan, ah..."

Outside the Hokage Residence, a Senju clansman shouted when he saw the clan head exit, "Clan Head, does this mean we're sending reinforcements to the Land of Whirlpools?"

"Silence," Senju Hiroki barked. "We'll discuss it back at the clan compound." 

"Yes sir!"

Senju Hiroki gazed at the Hokage Residence, thinking to himself, "Hashirama-sama, Tobirama-sama, were your decisions right or wrong?"

"Konoha has changed..."

...

(end of chapter)