CHAPTER 24
---
In the Senju compound, inside Lady Mito's house, a cheerful voice echoed through the halls, loud enough to be heard throughout the entire building.
"Grandma, I'm back from the academy!" a little girl with blonde hair, tied into two pigtails, shouted while running toward a red-haired woman.
The red-haired woman was none other than Mito-sama, and the little girl soon leaped into her arms.
"Hahaha… Tsuna, how was the academy today?" Lady Mito asked, smiling warmly as she lovingly caressed the little girl's head.
"It was boring, Grandma. No one was my match in the taijutsu battle today," the little girl, Tsunade, replied proudly, her face showing pure confidence.
"Yes, yes. Who could defeat my little Tsuna?" Lady Mito chuckled, her eyes filled with affection as she looked at Tsunade.
"But," Tsunade began, her expression turning slightly sour, "there were two boys who stood out. They're civilians, though. One of them is really smart, but the other is super annoying—and a pervert." Tsunade pouted, crossing her arms as if she were reliving her irritation.
"Oh? And who are these two that caught your attention?" Lady Mito asked, her eyebrows raising with interest.
"The smart one is Orochimaru, and the pervert is Jiraiya," Tsunade replied bluntly, her face showing clear displeasure when mentioning Jiraiya's name.
"I see. Two civilian geniuses. You should try to befriend them, Tsuna," Lady Mito advised, her voice soft yet firm as she held Tsunade's hands, looking into her granddaughter's eyes with sincerity.
"Why should I, Grandma? They're not stronger than me. Why should I befriend them?" Tsunade asked, doubt crossing her features as she tried to understand the logic.
"Because they might become important figures in the future—pillars of the village. Making friends with them now will do no harm," Lady Mito explained in a kind but knowing tone, giving her granddaughter a reassuring smile.
"Alright, Grandma, but if that pervert Jiraiya tries anything funny, I'll knock him out and destroy his face," Tsunade declared, her little fists clenched, eyes blazing with determination.
"Hahaha… Yes, yes, you can do that if he crosses the line. Now, let's eat dinner," Lady Mito said, laughing at Tsunade's fiery attitude.
A maid soon appeared and began preparing dinner for them. The smell of freshly cooked food quickly filled the room, and the two settled in for a quiet evening.
---
Meanwhile, at the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, reviewing a stack of reports about the current ninja academy students.
"It looks like some promising talents have emerged from this generation," Hiruzen commented, his tone thoughtful as he skimmed through the papers.
"What do you think, Kagami?" he asked, addressing Kagami Uchiha, who sat across from him in a dark robe, also reviewing the reports.
"You're right, Hiruzen. This year's students do show great potential," Kagami replied, his eyes scanning the names of the rising young talents.
"If we nurture them properly, Konoha could gain more than forty new jonin, countless chunin, and genin. Some of these names—Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sakumo—could even rise to become elites," Hiruzen said, excitement building in his voice as he contemplated the future of the village.
"Indeed," Kagami agreed, nodding with a smile.
"How is your Uchiha clan doing?" Hiruzen asked, setting the scroll aside and meeting Kagami's gaze directly.
"They're doing well. After your recent concessions, the elders have spoken highly of you," Kagami responded with a calm smile.
"I see. We're all part of the village, after all. Speaking of which, I'd like to meet with the Uchiha elders and your clan leader, Setsuna, to discuss the Konoha Police's structure. I'll come tomorrow," Hiruzen said, his tone turning serious again.
"I'll inform them of your visit," Kagami replied before returning to his paperwork.
Hiruzen stood up, flickering away in a blur of movement.
---
Arriving at the Hokage Rock, Hiruzen stood gazing down upon the village, deep in thought.
"I should secure the elder position for Mito-sama, if possible. The Uchiha must not grow too arrogant with their current influence. I'll visit the Hyuga next, but first, let's head to the Senju compound," he decided before vanishing from sight.
At the Senju compound, Hiruzen appeared shortly after. As soon as the clan guards spotted him, they bowed respectfully.
"Please inform Mito-sama and the Senju head of my arrival," Hiruzen instructed.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," the guard replied before disappearing to relay the message.
Not long after, an elder arrived to escort Hiruzen to the hall of the manor.
In the hall, many of the Senju clan elders were already assembled, standing before their chairs. Two seats were reserved at the head of the room, one for the clan leader and one for Mito-sama, who was already seated.
The clan head, Hanaku Senju, son of the First Hokage and Mito-sama, stood nearby.
He was a formidable ninja who had survived the brutal Warring States period. Younger than Hiruzen by only a few years, his sharp features were a blend of both his parents' likeness.
Hanaku wore a white kimono, and his black hair was neatly tied, with the Leaf Village headband proudly displayed on his forehead.
As Hiruzen entered the hall, taking in the room and its occupants, the elders greeted him.
"Greetings, Hokage-sama," they said in unison.
"Greetings, everyone," Hiruzen responded, bowing slightly to Mito-sama as a sign of respect.
"It's been a while, Hiruzen, since you last visited me," Lady Mito said, acknowledging his presence with a nod.
"Greetings, Hiruzen. It has been some time since the last village meeting," Hanaku added, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Yes, it has. I've been focused on training lately, so I left most of the work to my clones," Hiruzen answered with a straight face.
"So, what brings you here today?" Hanaku asked directly, his tone businesslike.
"I've come to offer the elder position on the village council to the Senju, specifically to Mito-sama," Hiruzen stated plainly, without preamble.
A wave of surprise passed through the room, with raised eyebrows and murmurs of astonishment.
Lady Mito, however, remained composed. "Why me, Hiruzen? Surely, you could ask someone else to take on this role. I have no interest in it," she said, her voice carrying a hint of disdain.
"I need to balance the power of the Uchiha clan with the Senju. I've already appointed Kagami as my advisor, but I need you to take the elder position to keep the Uchiha in check," Hiruzen explained, his expression unwavering.
"Even so, you could select another member of the Senju clan. I won't do it," Lady Mito rejected the offer, her face expressionless.
"You wouldn't have to do any real work, Mito-sama. You'd only need to attend village meetings, that's all. Within the Senju clan, only you and Hanaku have the standing to counter the Uchiha's influence. That's why I'm asking you," Hiruzen reasoned, a slight smile on his face as he tried to appeal to her sense of duty.
"As Hanaku is already the clan leader, you're the only other person suitable for the role," he added, his tone resolute.
Hanaku glanced at his mother with a serious expression. "Mother, you should consider this. It's not much work at all," he urged.
"Meetings are held only when necessary, so it's not something that will take up much of your time," Hiruzen added, supporting Hanaku's reasoning.
"Fine, fine. I'll think it over and give you my decision later," Lady Mito finally relented, though her tone was tinged with reluctance.
Satisfied, Hiruzen smiled and pulled out a scroll.
"This is an age-stopping transformation jutsu I've developed. It works continuously, maintaining your youth by sustaining chakra," Hiruzen explained, his tone casual.
"It's a small token of gratitude for the sealing techniques you've taught me," he added with a smile.
Afterward, the gathering dispersed, leaving only Hiruzen and Lady Mito. The two made their way to her courtyard.
Once there, Hiruzen retrieved another scroll and handed it to her.
"This contains a jutsu called Creation Rebirth. It uses natural energy, blended with chakra in the body, to forcefully regenerate damaged body parts, much like the First Hokage's healing abilities."
"There's a toned-down version as well, but it uses the ninja's life force to heal instead," Hiruzen explained carefully.
He continued, "It can only be used with a yin seal, and when combined with it, forms the Creation Rebirth: Hundred Seal Strength."
Lady Mito's expression shifted to one of astonishment as she realized the magnitude of the technique.
"You truly live up to your title as the Professor of Jutsu, Hiruzen. To think you could create something like this," she said, her voice full of admiration.
After chatting a bit longer, Hiruzen left the compound and made his way to the Hyuga clan.
---