After a night of rest and careful treatment, Hatake Kaede's physical condition has improved significantly.
Moreover, as time went on, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit became increasingly compatible with his body, which further accelerated his recovery from injuries.
By the next day, Hatake Kaede felt that his body had basically recovered, so he and Minato went to the Hokage's office together.
In the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage sat at his desk, his expression serious as he awaited their arrival.Upon seeing Hatake Kaede and Minato, the Third Hokage immediately began to inquire about all the details of the "Kushina kidnapping incident."
From the cause and course of the incident to the successful rescue of Kushina, the Third Hokage meticulously questioned every single piece of crucial information.
And so, time slipped away quietly in the back-and-forth of questions and answers.More than an hour later, the Third Hokage finally had a comprehensive and clear understanding of the entire incident.He nodded in satisfaction before allowing Hatake Kaede and Minato to leave.
Just as the two were about to step out of the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage suddenly called them back.
He spoke earnestly to Hatake Kaede and Minato: "Kaede, Minato, you may not fully understand Kushina's significance to Konoha.But through this incident, I saw the true 'Will of Fire' in you.You know how to cherish your comrades and are willing to pay any price to protect the village.The future of Konoha still depends on young people like you!"
Hearing the Third Hokage's words, both Hatake Kaede and Minato were flattered.They quickly waved their hands modestly, and Minato said respectfully, "Third Hokage, Kushina is not only my comrade, but also someone I cherish and want to protect for the rest of my life.No matter when or where, I will protect her and Konoha without hesitation."
Hatake Kaede stood to the side, his mouth slightly open, his eyes wide open, his face full of disbelief.
He stared at Namikaze Minato, inwardly marveling: "Wow, is this the legendary declaration of love?He said it so directly, so unabashedly!"
At the same time, the Third Hokage was also somewhat surprised.He couldn't help but think to himself: [Are young people these days so precocious?What was I doing when I was his age?Oh right, back then, I think I was having a crush on the older girl next door.]
Thinking of this, the Third Hokage's old face suddenly flushed red.He coughed awkwardly, trying to cover up his embarrassment.
The Third Hokage cleared his throat and said to Namikaze Minato, "Ahem, well, Minato, I have fully appreciated your sincerity.I hope you can continue to maintain this passion and genuineness."
Upon hearing the Third Hokage's words, Namikaze Minato nodded as if he had found a treasure, and then, as if he had been injected with adrenaline, he left the Hokage's office with great enthusiasm.
Hatake Kaede, looking surprised, bowed slightly to the Third Hokage before leaving the Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage stood by the window, watching the two figures disappear into the distance, lost in thought for a long time.He was especially engrossed in thinking about Hatake Kaede's retreating figure.
After answering the Third Hokage's questions, Hatake Kaede arrived at the Senju family home as promised, bringing gifts with him.
This can be considered the first formal visit to the "foundation" of Konoha Village.
The various ninja clans of Konoha each have their own unique characteristics.The Hyuga clan's territory is incredibly oppressive, the Uchiha clan's territory is bustling and lively, while the Senju clan's territory is extremely desolate and bleak.
Walking through the desolate Senju clan's territory, Hatake Kaede admired Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, to the extreme.He was a man ruthless to his enemies, but even more ruthless to himself and his clan.
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, was wise and decisive.He governed the village using both civil and military methods.He was a wise general who inherited the Will of Fire from the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and developed Konoha Village with his outstanding talents.
After the establishment of Konoha Village, the two successive Hokage were from the Senju clan.This led to a growing sentiment within the Senju clan that "the Hokage can only belong to the Senju clan." [Note 1]
In order to completely eradicate this trend of thought, with the approval of Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju completed the task of "popularizing" the Senju clan.
Similarly, to prevent the possibility of the commoner clansmen gathering together, Tobirama Senju, this ruthless man, directly dispersed the commoner clansmen to various areas of Konoha Village, and designated the Senju ancestral home as one of the most heavily guarded areas in Konoha.
Only through these methods was the democratization of the Senju clan truly completed.[Note 2]
"As expected of the Second Hokage, he's truly a man of great courage!" Hatake Kaede exclaimed, looking at the desolate surroundings.
"Sigh, Second Grandfather also had his reasons." Tsunade sighed from behind Hatake Kaede: "Grandma once said that if the Senju clan is not made more common, then the succession of the Hokage will face issues of fairness."
"The position of Hokage should be held by someone who has earned the approval of the villagers, and it should not be something that is privately passed down among a few ninja clans."
In Tsunade's memory, her great-uncle Tobirama Senju was a seemingly rigid and serious person, but he loved her very much.Only she could freely enter and leave his study.
When I was little, I thought my great-uncle was very decisive about "becoming a commoner." Why did all my uncles and elders have to leave?Why couldn't we live together anymore?
As she grew older and gained more experience, Tsunade gradually understood her great-uncle's good intentions.The Senju clan had reached its peak, and if things didn't change soon, Konoha would become the Senju clan's Konoha.Other ninja clans and commoners would become vassals of the Senju clan.
Commoners might be one thing, but why would other ninja clans willingly become vassals of the Senju clan?Perhaps while the First and Second Hokage were still alive, the various ninja clans dared not speak out against them.Once the First and Second Senju ninjas pass away, the other ninja clans will undoubtedly rise up against them and wipe out the remaining Senju clan.
Needless to say, the arch-rival Uchiha clan would definitely be the first to launch an attack.
Therefore, the Senju clan faced a very urgent situation.They could either dismantle the clan, increasing the wealth of the common people in Konoha and allowing the Senju clan at its peak to settle down smoothly, or continue to grow powerful, allowing the clan to flourish and waiting for other ninja clans to rise up in rebellion.
With his foresight and wisdom, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, chose the path ahead.Of course, this path also carried certain risks.
When the main branch of the Senju clan no longer prospers, or when its members are no longer strong enough, the remaining legacy of the Senju clan becomes coveted property for other ninja clans, serving as nourishment for their growth and expansion.[Note 3]
PS: Note 1 and Note 2 are common secondary settings in various Naruto fanfiction.
This has been demonstrated in the books of the previous authors, and the author himself simply used this setting.
Note 3: A critique of the Sarutobi clan during the Fourth Shinobi World War.
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