Chapter 1: The Eldest Son of the Senju Clan
As early autumn arrives, a cool breeze sweeps away the heat of summer.
Land of Fire, Konoha.
On the majestic Hokage Rock, beside the two faces weathered by wind and rain, a new face has appeared. The new statue hasn't been carved for long, and the marks of time are not yet evident. A new statue signifies a new Hokage! Konoha's Third Hokage... He is Hiruzen Sarutobi!
At this moment, under a tree on Hokage Rock, a clearly visible silver-haired boy, around ten years old, is lying there. With a blade of grass in his mouth, at first glance, he seems a bit carefree. Yet, from his bright eyes and occasional flashes of melancholy, there is a maturity and steadiness that doesn't quite match his age. More than anything, he bears a striking resemblance in both demeanor and appearance to the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
"Although saying that Sarutobi's rise was built on the Second's corpse might be a bit harsh, but... the truth might just be that."
A sigh.
The boy absentmindedly holds a fallen maple leaf from the ground beside him. Kaede leaf. That's also his name. Senju Kaede. Currently, he is one of the few direct descendants of the Senju clan.
"Kaede!"
A call comes from behind Hokage Rock. Turning his head, Kaede sees a familiar figure. Brown hair, a baby face, whether in appearance or in the way he runs over, he looks quite silly. His name is Nawaki. Also one of the few remaining members of the Senju clan.
However, in terms of the clan's hierarchy, he doesn't hold as prominent a position as Kaede. After all, whether it's Tsunade or Nawaki, they are grandchildren. But Kaede... He is the direct grandson of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju!
So no matter how you look at it, the eldest son of the Senju clan at this moment can only be Kaede. In fact, he is the only one among all the clan members who can openly declare, "I am the Senju heir, Senju Kaede." The rightful eldest son of the Senju family.
Unfortunately, the Senju surname has been sealed. To protect the clan by hiding their surname? To integrate the clan into Konoha? What a foolish and incomprehensible decision.
Before the Second left this world, he ultimately adhered to the wishes of the First, Hashirama Senju. This was not a good thing for the Senju clan. Is a broken Senju still a Senju? And haven't you noticed that even the Uchiha clan is more resilient than the Senju?
Crushing the leaf in his hand, Kaede turned to look at his cousin. With just a side profile, Nawaki suddenly felt a bit inferior. After all, inheriting the unparalleled handsome face of the Second, belonging to the group whose looks are sealed by the forehead protector, Nawaki couldn't compare to Kaede in terms of aura or presence.
But there's nothing wrong with that. In Nawaki's heart, there is no such thing as clan hierarchy or the distinctions of Senju heirs. He only knows that Kaede is his cousin, his only remaining cousin. Someone he respects and admires. And this respect is a habit formed from following Kaede since childhood.
"You came to find me, is school over?"
Sitting up from the ground, the boy shook his silver hair and casually spat the grass from his mouth onto the nearby face of Hiruzen Sarutobi's statue. The fluidity of his actions made Nawaki look on with admiration once again. His cousin is still so elegant. But... why does he occasionally show dissatisfaction with the Third Hokage? Though this dissatisfaction only surfaces in front of him. Kaede must have his reasons.
Shaking his head, Nawaki sighed, "I skipped class too. Without you, I couldn't focus on Yamazaki-sensei's lecture."
"And... Kaede, did you know..."
His tone suddenly grew heavy. Nawaki lowered his head. "Gen was killed."
Gen. One of the ordinary members of the Senju clan who had integrated into Konoha, long since hiding his Senju surname. A few days ago, citing insufficient war preparations, the village sent him to the battlefield. Like all the clan members sent to the front lines before him. He too died. And once again, only his body was returned.
People die in war, that's not unusual. But what's strange is that the number of Senju clan members who had hidden their surnames and went to the front lines is mysteriously increasing.
"Did he die?"
Kaede's face was expressionless, his eyes calmly watching Nawaki. "So, what do you want to express? Or what do you want to do?"
Express what? Nawaki's gaze was firm, "Kaede, we're about to graduate too! Naturally, we should go to the front lines and avenge our fallen clan members!"
"I see."
Nodding, Kaede silently raised his hand and placed it on Nawaki's head. After a long while, he suddenly showed a gentle smile. "Just make sure you don't choose the wrong target for revenge."
What are you saying? I'm not blind. Nawaki rolled his eyes. The ones who killed Gen must have been enemy village ninjas, so taking them down would be avenging Gen. How could he possibly choose wrong in such a situation?
Standing up. On Hokage Rock, two not-so-tall figures walked down the slope. What Nawaki didn't see was his cousin's other hand clenching into a fist, and the look of anger directed at the Hokage building. In the end. He still made his move. Against his mentor's clan, against the founders of this village, he revealed his sharp claws. But those claws weren't aimed at the enemy, they were aimed at themselves.
...
Night fell.
Within the former territory of the Senju clan. Now is a time of war, the Second Shinobi World War is raging in the Land of Rain, and the ordinary members of the Senju clan, aiming to integrate into Konoha, are scattered throughout the village. So the entire clan territory looks somewhat desolate, far from the grandeur it had during the reign of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
However, the small courtyard of the former clan leader is brightly lit. At the dining table. Kaede quietly ate his rice ball, while beside him, the surviving member of the Uzumaki clan, a girl named Kushina Uzumaki, occasionally glanced at him. Directly across from Kaede, Mito Uzumaki, whose hair had turned from vibrant red to deep brown, sat upright.
There was no Tsunade at the table. After all, as a key figure in the village and a prized student of Hiruzen Sarutobi, she was currently weathering the storm on the battlefield.
"Kaede, did you hear about White Fang?"
The atmosphere was a bit heavy. Kushina turned her jewel-like eyes and suddenly spoke. "He..."
"I heard, he has achieved great merit, even killing the son and daughter-in-law of the Sand Village elder, Chiyo."
Kaede nodded, but his gaze was locked onto Mito Uzumaki. "This news has spread throughout the village. But at the same time, the number of Senju clan corpses being returned has tripled. No one seems to be talking about that. I haven't seen anyone offer condolences. Not even the Hokage."
With a clatter, Mito Uzumaki set down her chopsticks and looked at Kaede. Clearly, discussing such heavy topics at the dinner table, whether in terms of atmosphere or location, was inappropriate.
"You're still so calm."
Observing Mito's actions, Kaede stuffed the last rice ball into his mouth and suddenly stood up. "Just like when you heard about the annihilation of the Uzumaki clan."
"Kaede!"
Nawaki swallowed, seemingly wanting to interrupt Kaede's train of thought.
"I'm full. Someone should offer a toast to the fallen clan members. I think it's only fitting that I go."
With those words, Kaede's presence vanished from the room. And Mito Uzumaki sighed with a complex look in her eyes. On the contrary, Kushina seemed to remember something and got up to chase after him.
New Novel drop some power stones guys :D