"Members of the Senju Clan… what happened?"
Tsunade's words came slowly, her gaze fixed tightly on Genya.
Her mind, however, seemed flooded with countless images, memories of the Senju Clan flashing violently like a storm.
The Senju Clan?
In her memory, according to the arrangements made by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, the clan members had been integrated into the civilians of Konoha.
Back then, the idea had seemed perfect. As long as Konoha stood strong, the Senju Clan could continue in peace.
From her perspective, this arrangement not only prevented the Senju Clan from becoming too powerful and causing resentment or envy from other clans but also allowed the clan to live safely under Konoha's protection.
But now, this little brat named Uchiha Genya claimed that something had happened to the Senju Clan. How could that be possible?
"What happened? Auntie, it seems you've been away from Konoha for too long. You have no idea what's been going on. Life isn't easy for the Senju Clan anymore."
Genya spoke again. His voice wasn't loud, yet it struck Tsunade's heart like a heavy hammer.
Hashirama's intentions had indeed been for the long-term well-being of Konoha. He had wanted to build a peaceful, united ninja village where every clan could coexist harmoniously.
He believed that by blending the Senju Clan into the civilian population, he could ease other clans' concerns and reduce conflict.
But reality had dealt this beautiful plan a harsh slap in the face.
In the ninja world, society wasn't led by civilians. It was dominated by clan-centered powers.
The struggles of the world were essentially like a war between the two sons of the Sage of Six Paths and their grandmother, with everyone else mostly becoming casualties of this brutal conflict.
In Genya's view, integrating the Senju Clan into the civilians had been a mistake.
Take Hikari Senju and Hayashi himself—their fates were the clearest proof.
"No… impossible. In Konoha, the clan has Hiruzen-sensei looking after them. He would never let anything happen to the Senju Clan!"
Tsunade shook her head firmly at Genya, her eyes filled with stubborn denial.
She couldn't believe it—she simply couldn't accept the words coming from Genya.
In her heart, Hiruzen Sarutobi was her sensei. She knew he could be a bit worldly, but at his core, he was kind.
Out of respect for the First and Second Hokage, sensei would surely look after the Senju clan and would never let them fall into ruin.
"Heh… 'look after'—you mean lock them up in laboratories?" Genya sneered coldly, his words merciless.
"Do you know it's precisely because of your Sensei's so-called 'care' that many Senju have been driven from their homes, secretly taken into labs, and subjected to inhumane experiments?"
A trace of anger and helplessness threaded Genya's voice; he knew the truth all too well.
Ever since Konoha began studying Wood Release, members of the Senju clan had become targets—treated like tools to extract power.
When the Sarutobi clan took control of half of Konoha's security, that dark practice grew bolder.
Because most Senju lived in the areas under Sarutobi jurisdiction, Root acted with even less restraint.
Back then Genya had wanted to stop it, but he avoided a frontal clash with the Sarutobi clan and could only watch the tragedies unfold.
Fortunately, later many Senju relocated to areas overseen by the Uchiha guard, which barely preserved a foothold for the clan.
"No… impossible—Hiruzen-sensei isn't that kind of person!" Tsunade kept shaking her head, disbelief written all over her face. "It's you, you Uchiha, trying to drive a wedge between me and Konoha's leadership!"
Tsunade's weakness from her hemophobia had not completely faded, but when she looked into Genya's peculiar eyes she became more certain of her suspicion.
She remembered the brat's identity—those Dual Pupils—the Uchiha child who'd been labeled a waste.
To her, this kid had no real strength; he was all talk.
"You've miscalculated!" Tsunade raised her voice, full of confidence. "I won't believe you, and your Uchiha clan shouldn't even dream of sowing discord between me and Konoha's elders!"
The more she spoke, the more resolute she sounded; she felt she'd seen through Genya's scheme, and the idea felt absurd—how could she be fooled by this brat?
In her heart she refused to believe the Senju had suffered as Genya described, and she could not imagine her master doing such a thing.
"You're lying? Trying to stir up trouble?" Genya sized Tsunade up and down, contempt flickering across his face. "Do you really think it's worth provoking a hemophobic has‑been into picking a fight with Konoha?"
A note of mockery underscored Genya's cold laugh; if Tsunade called him the useless Uchiha brat, then what did that make her?
A crippled has‑been chained by hemophobia.
Even if she had once been powerful, the fear that plagued her now often reduced her to little more than a figurehead, how was she different from a waste?
"You…" Tsunade was enraged again, her face flushing bright red.
She was, after all, one of Sannin and the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju; no one had ever dared so blatantly call her useless. The outrage in her voice turned icy.
"I may suffer from hemophobia, but I can still kill you without spilling my own blood!"
This time, Tsunade was truly infuriated by Genya.
Originally, out of consideration that he was from Konoha, she had thought of sparing this brat, but he had become far too arrogant.
Did the Uchiha brat really think that her fear of blood meant she had no fighting ability? It was utterly absurd!
The moment Tsunade spoke these words, Hinata's usually clear blue eyes suddenly narrowed.
A resolute killing intent flashed across her face.
Though she was usually gentle by nature, if Tsunade dared to strike Genya, Hinata would not hesitate to intervene.
Shino quietly clenched his fists as well. Though his movements were subtle, his eyes revealed firm determination.
"Is that so? Then you can try!" Genya smiled, but it was an icy smile without warmth, one that did not reach his eyes.
So easily provoked into anger? When she had called herself useless earlier, he had not lost his composure like this. He had merely returned her words to her.
At this moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, tightly enveloping everyone.
Tsunade and Genya locked eyes, and the sparks in their gaze threatened to ignite into a fierce battle at any moment.
Hinata and Shino slowly rose to their feet, prepared for whatever might come next.
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