At the Front

Danzo's words echoed in Hiruzen's mind, persistent like a spell.

The Hokage remained silent. Power, like a subtle poison, had begun to corrupt his heart after so many years at the top.

The idea of being forced to abdicate in the future, of losing the position he valued so much, was unbearable.

After what seemed like an eternity, he finally spoke, his voice barely a whisper.

".....Alright."

Danzo, sensing the weakness in Hiruzen's resolve, decided to push further.

"And as for Tsunade, even though she's your disciple..."

Before he could finish, Hiruzen slammed his hand on the table, his voice regaining its authority:

"Enough! Tsunade is my disciple. I can tolerate what you propose for the Senju clan, even for Nawaki, but Tsunade is out of the question."

However, unfazed by Hiruzen's outburst, he calmly responded.

"Hiruzen, my hope is to see a Konoha that is just Konoha, not the Konoha of the Senju clan."

The determination in Hiruzen's eyes did not waver. "There's no discussion on this matter," he declared, his tone leaving no room for arguments.

The protection of his disciple was a line he was not willing to cross.

Recognizing the futility of pressing further about Tsunade, Danzo changed tactics.

"I've heard that Tsunade's three disciples are exceptionally powerful. Perhaps it's time they help Konoha."

This time, Hiruzen did not respond verbally.

His silence, however, was interpreted as approval.

Before leaving, Danzo launched one last recommendation.

"As for the Uchiha clan, don't send them to the battlefield until the critical moment arrives."

With these words, he turned and left the office, leaving Hiruzen alone with his thoughts and doubts.

After Danzo's departure, he remained alone in his office, lost in thought.

Danzo's suggestion about the Uchiha clan resonated, finding unexpected approval in him.

The decision to keep the Uchiha clan off the battlefield, except in cases of extreme necessity, was not simply a tactical precaution, but a long-term strategy with profound implications.

Hiruzen understood well the unique nature of the Uchiha clan. Unlike other clans that would inevitably weaken after a prolonged war, the Uchiha had the potential to emerge stronger.

The battlefield, with its constant dangers and tensions, provided the perfect environment for clan members to awaken and perfect their Sharingan.

This potential increase in the Uchiha clan's power was both an advantage and a concern for Konoha.

Hiruzen's decision reflected the policy of his predecessor, Tobirama Senju. During the First Ninja War, Tobirama had deliberately kept the Uchiha clan away from the front. This decision was not born from a desire to protect the clan, but from fear of the consequences that a significantly strengthened Uchiha clan could have for the village.

Tobirama, who had fought against the Uchiha since the era of clan wars, knew firsthand the potential of the Uchiha clan.

However, history would prove how unpredictable fate could be. Against all odds, the Uchiha clan would thrive, while the Senju clan, once considered equal in power, had been reduced to a handful of members.

The next day, Hiruzen set his plan in motion. He delegated the temporary administration of Konoha to his trusted advisors, Homura and Koharu, and began gathering the village's ninja forces.

In a significant decision, he summoned all clans except the Uchiha.

With no time for a gradual mobilization, Hiruzen personally led the troops to the border, where the most critical battle awaited them. Among those summoned were Chen and his group, newly settled in their new residence.

Although the order to depart for the battlefield so soon after their move was inconvenient, Chen did not object. In fact, Tsunade's presence on the battlefield was an additional motivation for him.

In a decision that surprised his women, Chen decided to bring Konan with him. This choice was not born of recklessness, but of concern for the child's safety.

He was aware of the dangers that might lurk even in the apparent safety of Konoha, preferring to keep Konan under his direct protection.

"It's strange that they suddenly send us to the battlefield... Although, on the other hand, I miss Tsunade. I can't help but worry about her. How is she doing?" Mikoto broke the silence.

Noticing the concern on Mikoto's face, Chen tried to reassure her, "There's no need to worry so much. Tsunade is not just a Kage-level ninja, her combat power surpasses that of many. Even an average Kage would have difficulties against her." As soon as he finished saying these words, he felt he was also consoling himself.

Kushina, sensing the tension in the atmosphere, intervened with a more optimistic tone: "Come on, why those long faces? Tsunade is strong. She'll be fine, you'll see. Besides, we'll be there soon and we can see her with our own eyes."

Konan, curled up in Chen's arms, nodded vigorously. "Mm-hmm!"

Chen couldn't help but smile at the little one's gesture.

After a long journey, the group finally paused to camp and rest. Although the urgency of the situation pressed them, they knew that arriving at the battlefield exhausted would be counterproductive.

During this respite, Chen unexpectedly encountered Nawaki. The surprise in his voice was palpable when he asked.

"Nawaki?!...What are you doing here?"

Nawaki, equally surprised, responded with confusion, "I should be asking you that! What are you doing here?... And with Konan, no less. Do you think the battlefield is an amusement park?"

Although he was already expecting this question, Chen remained calm.

"I couldn't leave her in Konoha. The worry would have consumed me. It's better to have her close, where I can protect her."

Then, his tone became more serious.

"But you haven't answered my question, Nawaki. With your current level, going to the battlefield is... risky, to say the least."

Although his words were harsh, they reflected the truth. Nawaki, with his Chūnin strength and little experience in real combat, barely surpassed a Genin in terms of usefulness on the battlefield.

"I came with the Senju clan." with reproach in his voice, Nawaki responded, pointing to a nearby group.

Following the indicated direction, what he saw left him speechless.

A group of forty or fifty ninja, most of them elderly, weak, or visibly ill.

His quick assessment with Chakra revealed that the strongest barely reached the level of Jōnin, and even then, it was an old man whose combat effectiveness would be questionable at best.

The sight of the once-powerful Senju clan reduced to this pitiful state left Chen stunned.

How was it possible that the clan that once rivaled and even surpassed the Uchiha had fallen so low?

Thinking about the possibilities, a disturbing thought crossed Chen's mind.

Was it possible that Konoha had sent the Senju clan to the battlefield with the express purpose of having it extinguished?

He remembered that at the beginning of the anime, the Senju clan was already history. Such a decline couldn't be mere coincidence.

The presence of the Senju clan here had to be the work of Danzō and Hiruzen.

Could it be that Danzo was already investigating Hashirama's cells and saw in the bodies of the Senju clan members an opportunity for his experiments? Otherwise, what sense would it make to send the elderly and sick to certain death?

"Look, Nawaki, it's not that I want to belittle you, but this isn't a game. The battlefield... it's hell. There will always be someone stronger, faster, more ruthless. You should return to the village while you can."

"...Why?" Nawaki, with eyes bright with determination, replied.

"And why can you go? Why can even Konan be here? I'm not a child, Chen. I need this. I need to forge myself on the battlefield if I want to become Hokage someday."

Chen let out an exasperated sigh. "Hokage, Hokage, always the same! Don't you think about anything else? What about your clan? About Tsunade? Have you thought about how your sister would feel if something happened to you?"

"You don't understand," Nawaki muttered with frustration. "This dream... it's all I have."

Feeling he was losing patience, Chen responded with a harsher tone.

"Sure, sure, I don't understand your grand dreams. But let me tell you something, kid: you can't fulfill any dream if you're dead. If you die here, you'll be just another name on a long list of 'fallen heroes'. Is that what you want?"

Seeing that his words didn't seem to have an effect, he added, his voice softening slightly.

"Look, if it weren't for Tsunade, I wouldn't even bother trying to convince you. But she... she doesn't deserve to go through that pain. Think about that, at least."

________

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