"Clan Leader, if it really comes to it, just hand me over!" Senju Shukuma knelt before the deeply troubled clan leader, pressing his forehead to the ground with determination. "Say this was our own reckless decision, unrelated to the clan!"
Recently, some of the younger generation in the clan had been taken away without reason, only to be returned just as inexplicably.
He knew this was…
Someone was targeting the Senju!!
"If sacrificing myself can protect the clan, I won't hesitate!" Senju Shukuma raised his head, resolute.
"Ah…" The Senju Clan Leader sighed, gazing toward the Hokage Rock with a bitter expression. "This time, it's just an excuse."
"Whether you acted on your own or not, the Hokage-sama will make his move regardless."
Lord Hashirama, Lord Tobirama…
How ironic this is!!
"The power of the clans in the village is too great," the Senju Clan Leader said, looking at the kneeling Shukuma. "The Hokage-sama wants to control the village. That's why he established the Council of Elders. To manage the clans, he had Danzo form Root!"
"It's just that this time, our Senju Clan happened to give the village an excuse. The Hokage-sama wants to intimidate the other clans, and our Senju Clan—"
"One of the two founding clans of the village."
The Senju Clan Leader stared blankly at the faces carved into the Hokage Rock, murmuring, "Happens to be the perfect target to send a message to the others."
Hearing the clan leader's words, Senju Shukuma froze. Only now did he understand that the village's aggressive stance wasn't just punishment for them disobeying the Hokage's orders as shinobi.
The real reason was…
"Then, our Senju Clan…" Senju Shukuma hesitated before saying, "Should still hand us over! That should be enough to intimidate the other clans!"
After all, if even the Senju Clan was punished for their mistakes, what more could the other clans expect?
"Silence!!" The Senju Clan Leader's voice turned sharp. "Our Senju Clan has endured for a thousand years, surviving the Warring States Era. What kind of disaster haven't we faced? And yet, we've always persevered!"
"Especially now, in the village founded by Lord Hashirama."
"The Senju Clan does not betray its own to buy peace," the clan leader said coldly, his piercing gaze fixed on Shukuma. "Not now, not ever!"
"I…" Tears welled in Senju Shukuma's eyes as he bowed his head in shame. "I deeply apologize for disgracing the clan."
"No, you haven't," the Senju Clan Leader shook his head. "None of you have. On the contrary, you upheld Lord Hashirama's honor and honored the agreement between the Senju and Uzumaki Clans."
"Stand," the clan leader said with another sigh. "Restrain the clan members for now. No more incidents."
He knew the Hokage-sama and Danzo were waiting, waiting for the Senju Clan to willingly hand over its own people…
"Yes!" Senju Shukuma stood and bowed before stepping back.
Just then…
"Clan Leader, Shukuma-sama!" A Senju clansman rushed in anxiously.
"What is it?" The clan leader frowned.
"The ANBU have arrived. They're demanding we hand over the clansmen who violated orders," the clansman reported. "Also… Lady Tsunade has returned."
"..."
The clan leader's brow furrowed further. Finally…
"Ignore the ANBU. As for Tsunade…" The Senju Clan Leader sighed helplessly. "This matter…"
"Don't tell her."
"Yosh-san," a refugee carrying a log asked the small old man in front of him, "I heard more people are arriving this afternoon. Is that true?"
Yasunaka Yosh directed the log carriers without turning his head. "Yes, more are coming this afternoon. I might not be here then, so don't slack off! And also…"
"Call me Captain!"
"Haha, of course," the refugee chuckled. "Don't worry, we'll work hard. We won't embarrass you. This time, we should be able to win the 'Advanced Work Team' award, right?"
"You brat." Yasunaka Yosh placed the log in its designated spot before kicking the middle-aged man lightly. "Always so full of yourself."
"Exactly, Old Man Yosh, don't listen to Taira here," another man chimed in. "Just tell us—do we have a chance this time?"
"You lot…" Yasunaka Yosh looked around at the curious faces, from teenagers to men in their thirties, and sighed. "The supervisor told me… this time…"
"We made it!"
"YEAH!!"
Cheers erupted instantly.
"Alright, alright!" Yasunaka Yosh quickly calmed them. "Don't get complacent. There's still tomorrow. Keep working hard!"
"Right, right! Work hard! This time, we'll crush that team next to us," Taira said fiercely. "Last time they won and rubbed it in our faces. Now it's our turn!"
"Exactly, let's get back to work!"
"Yeah, then we'll shove it in their faces!"
"..."
The whole team buzzed with excitement.
"These brats." Watching them, Yasunaka Yosh shook his head with a smile. He remembered how lost, numb, and terrified they'd been when they first arrived. But as they adjusted and started working, they became cheerful and optimistic. "This… isn't bad. Always smiling feels good."
Yasunaka Yosh clasped his hands behind his back, smiling as he watched the team resume work. "Taira, come here."
"What is it, Old Man Yosh?" Taira walked over, confused. He still had work to do!
"You were part of the first group, right?"
"Yeah!" Taira nodded, puzzled. "Been here about ten days now."
Back then, they'd been scared, lost, and uncertain about the future. But now…
Life in Uzushiogakure was good.
Taira's eyes hardened with resolve. "I'll work even harder. Maybe I can apply for Uzushio citizenship soon."
"The higher-ups said there's been an influx of refugees lately," Yasunaka Yosh said. "We're short on team leaders. They're hoping…"
Before he could finish, Taira gasped. "You mean… I could…?"
Yasunaka Yosh smiled and nodded. "I've been watching you. You work hard every day, get along with everyone, and…"
"The other day, you asked how to turn a temporary pass into a residence permit… to become a citizen of Uzushio?"
"Yes, yes!" Taira nodded eagerly.
"Then keep working hard. See if you can apply for citizenship first. Only with an ID can you get a residence permit," Yasunaka Yosh said warmly. "And this time…"
"Is your chance!"