This is my ninja journey

The atmosphere in the tent became oppressive. No one knew why, but the Third Hokage, who had shown respect for his students before the battle, suddenly changed his tune. Could it be that it was just a normal interaction between teacher and student? Was there no hint of anything else in it?

"Sarutobi!!" Danzo roared in a low voice. He felt that he had been played. In this way, didn't he look stupid for going to Orochimaru to deepen cooperation before?

But after thinking about it carefully, he found that this old fox really didn't say a word to let Orochimaru take over. As for words like "Konoha depends on you", they could be interpreted in any way.

Sarutobi Hiruzen did not answer. He kept reviewing the commendation documents, and as time passed, his angry old friend gradually calmed down.

There was no way, the Hokage had absolute say. He, a consultant, could not force Orochimaru to the top. He could only blame the Kazekage for being too weak. If they had fought to the death today, Orochimaru would already be the Fourth Hokage.

So Danzo's face gradually turned cold, and he asked indifferently, "Let's put aside the matter of retirement for now. How should we deal with the Land of Wind? Now the morale of the whole army is very high, and we can reach Suna Hidden Village within seven days."

"There is no need to advance. Except for the prisoners who are temporarily detained, I have decided to make unconditional peace with Suna."

"Are you senile? You just let Suna go after the battle of Mount Kikyo, which cost nearly a thousand casualties?"

"So what? Suna's high-end combat power is not damaged. It will not benefit Konoha at all to attack. The Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning are watching. Every bit of combat power consumed will make the future more difficult." The Hokage's face also sank. This was the most prudent approach.

But Danzo was obviously much tougher, and a few traces of ferocity appeared on his face: "Then we should advance even more. While the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning have not yet decided the outcome and before they declare war on Konoha, use thunderous means to deter them!"

"How to deter them?"

"Of course, by uprooting Suna Hidden Village! Use Suna's blood to show other countries what the consequences of being an enemy of Konoha are!"

The pen tip paused. The Hokage was silent for a moment, but he soon started writing again.

"No, there are too many variables. It would be troublesome if the Land of Earth cut off our retreat."

"You've become less courageous, Sarutobi."

"It's Konoha that has lost the overwhelming strength of the First Hokage's time. I can't risk being besieged by all countries." The Hokage lit his pipe, and a few wisps of white smoke rose, blurring the face that was gradually showing age spots.

The two old friends who had been together for decades had disagreements more than once. Aggressive and prudent, iron-blooded and gentle, the reason why Hiruzen had not stepped down was also to suppress these elders.

After a few minutes of silence, the Hokage lowered his head to look at the documents again, and couldn't help but let out a light "Huh?": "Huh? Someone actually wants to exchange merit for the Eight Gates Released Formation?"

"Eight Gates Released Formation?" Danzo leaned over. He wasn't really interested, but the two had a tacit understanding. No matter how much they quarreled, they wouldn't tear their faces apart. He would go down the slope when given a step.

A commendation document and the attached identification were pulled out. Danzo glanced at the white-haired boy in the photo and read softly:

"Hanyu Otonashi, twelve years old, ninja number 009820, D-rank missions 37 times, C-rank 18 times, B-rank 5 times, A-rank 2 times? He's just a newly promoted Chunin. Does he think he can exchange for a forbidden technique?"

He didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. But Danzo saw Sarutobi Hiruzen raise his eyebrows slightly.

"Does he have a background?"

"Yes, in terms of seniority, he is considered the great-grandson of the teacher. I saw him when he was born." The Hokage took a puff of his pipe, his face showing a look of reminiscence, and sighed: "I didn't expect that the Senju clan would finally have a genius after so many years."

Senju? Can he be used to complete that plan?

Danzo, who was looking at Otonashi's chakra attribute map, narrowed his eyes slightly, raised his head and reminded, "Sarutobi, there is no Senju clan now."

As the founder of Konoha, the Senju family undoubtedly had a miserable end. The direct heirs died in the two Shinobi World Wars. The rest of the people simply gave up the name 'Senju', which was both glorious and dangerous, and took the initiative to disband the family and integrate into Konoha. It had been decades since then.

This was in stark contrast to the Uchiha clan, which was singing a different tune but was thriving. While the Uchiha were quietly accumulating strength, the Senju were constantly being sent to the battlefield because of family glory and certain policies. Many men died before they grew up, appearing fearless and noble.

The entire Konoha was essentially a family hybrid, consisting of two super families and many middle-class families. Anyway, after the Senju clan went from victory to decline and finally disbanded, except for the Uchiha family, the other clans became much more obedient.

Danzo and Sarutobi looked at each other, a strange color flashed in their eyes, but in the end they didn't say a word.

"That's right, there is no Senju family now. But since he has a relationship with the teacher, let's make an exception. I will also summon this rising star later."

Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe. He was ashamed that the teacher's family had become like this.

"This is a small matter, you can decide for yourself." Danzo left. He still had to go and work on Orochimaru.

Hiruzen looked at that back, and his gaze gradually became solemn.

......

Through the mouth of the Anbu, Otonashi soon received an audience order. Knowing that his identity had been exposed, he was not panicked when he walked into the heavily guarded camp, because he had already heard about the family's secrets from his mother.

The Senju clan was politically correct in Konoha. If all the families were as sensible as the Senju, the internal contradictions would have been resolved long ago. But this was impossible, because the Sarutobi clan happened to be the third largest clan in Konoha, and the other families were not as stupid as the Senju.

'It's not stupid, but the name is too big and they have to be forced.'

Konoha was built by the Senju, so it was only natural to throw their heads and shed blood. However, except for the First Hokage and the Second Hokage, they were not worthy of the name. No one inherited the Wood Style, and the innate chakra volume was not overwhelming. Of course, they had to die in the two Shinobi World Wars.

He even maliciously speculated that if the Senju hadn't seen the situation and simply disbanded themselves, it was estimated that even the women wouldn't have survived. Otonashi still wanted to make a fortune in silence? It would be strange if his spine wasn't broken.

Pushing open the curtain, Otonashi saw a fifty-year-old man sitting behind a square table reviewing documents. The Third Hokage had a sharp face, an onion head, and dark skin, like a kind old farmer.

He looked at it for a moment, knelt on one knee and said, "Chunin Hanyu Otonashi greets Lord Hokage."

"Sit down, there's no need to be so nervous. I'm just curious." Sarutobi Hiruzen held his pipe and smiled. He didn't mention Otonashi's identity at all, but asked a lot of questions.

From the situation on the battlefield to logistical support, the Hokage was listening to the actual feelings of the front-line ninjas, nodding gently or giving a little reminder from time to time. It could be seen that he was very serious.

It was already late at night. Otonashi had slept for a while, but the Hokage, who had fought fiercely for a day, ignored his fatigue and listened carefully. Anyone would be moved. Even Otonashi was the same. Regardless of his position, this old man was indeed doing his best for Konoha. If he was a fatuous person, he would probably have to go and fight Suna's version of Stalingrad.

After talking about official business, the Hokage asked Anbu to bring some snacks and asked in the tone of an elder: "Otonashi, do they even teach swordsmanship in the ninja academy now?"

"No, this was passed down by my father." Otonashi answered honestly.

"Oh, I see." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. He remembered Otonashi's father who died a few years ago. He was a samurai from the Land of Iron who participated in the Second Shinobi World War, and then married into Konoha.

In his impression, the man named Shin was just a patient who kept coughing, but from the Anbu report, he also had a glorious past.

The Third Hokage, who had been recalling for a moment, put down his pipe and said with a far-reaching gaze: "He was not simple to be able to teach you. That's right, after all, he also fought with that Hanzo."

"But he lost."

"Do you want revenge?" The old man's gaze swept over, with a hint of worry.

"If I have the chance, I will." Otonashi smiled lightly. Hanzo of the Salamander was known as the demigod of the ninja world. He was not a fool, rushing to reincarnate.

"Assess the situation and don't be blinded by hatred. You did a good job." The Hokage nodded in relief. Such a stable temperament was always better than listening to the wind and rain, and being a chuunibyou.

He seemed to dispel his last doubts and took a heavy scroll from behind the table, holding his finger vertically in front of his nose.

"Release!"

The scroll floated in the air and moved without wind. It was unknown how many ninjutsu it skipped before it stopped at the end. Sarutobi Hiruzen hooked his finger at Otonashi and asked him to come over.

"The Eight Gates Released Formation was collected and sealed by the First Hokage, but this technique is not perfect. It still needs you to invest a lot of energy. Different people have different views on the same ninjutsu."

Otonashi had long expected that the scroll contained the original version. Might Guy's should have been carefully perfected by his father over many years. However, he never intended to use the Eight Gates Released Formation as the foundation of his life.

"I will find a way to improve it."

"I believe you." Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. It was not pure encouragement. As a member of the Second Hokage's lineage, developing ninjutsu and forbidden techniques was simply a traditional skill.

"Rest after you memorize it. After this battle, you will return to Konoha to rest for a while."

The Hokage's special favor surprised and delighted Otonashi. He quickly concentrated on reading the contents of the scroll, and Sarutobi Hiruzen also returned to his chair to continue reviewing documents.

In the silent night, the two, who were forty years apart in age, were both working hard...