Inside the Senju Clan, Tobirama sat in the seat representing the head of the family, looking at the Senju Clan Members sitting one by one before him.
There were about fifty people—these were the Ninjas currently in the Senju Clan. Among them were some teenage Ninjas; they were the combatants currently in the Senju Clan, while the rest were young, ignorant children.
The population of the Senju Clan was second to none in the entire Konohagakure, but now that the Ninja World War had ended, it had been reduced to this point.
Although he already knew this fact, seeing all the Ninjas sitting in front of him, Tobirama still felt a pang of heartache, especially because of what he was about to announce.
Tobirama glanced gently at Mito, who was sitting to one side, and her two daughters.
Although Mito was Hashirama's wife and held a very high status within the Senju Clan, at this important moment, she still chose to just watch from the sidelines.
Sensing Tobirama's gaze, Mito nodded gently at him. The message conveyed in her eyes was clear—everything should be done according to your thoughts; after all, you are now the head of the Senju Clan.
Tobirama was never an indecisive person, but the decision he had to make was too heavy, making him hesitate for a moment.
After Mito's subtle hint, he took a deep breath and swept away all the hesitation in his heart.
"Everyone..." Tobirama began.
Others could not help but hold their breath and focus, as they all knew Tobirama must be about to announce something major; otherwise, he would not have gathered all the Ninjas in the clan.
"First of all, I want to thank those clansmen who fought for the Village and died on the battlefield. They were not only your blood relatives but also your friends and family," Tobirama said slowly.
"I think you must be grieving for their deaths, and in this, I am the same."
A look of sorrow appeared on everyone's face.
As Tobirama said, every single one of those who died had a close relationship with someone present.
They could acknowledge the glory of dying for the Village, but they also felt the pain in their hearts.
Some of the young ones were almost crying, but their training as Ninjas kept them from losing their composure in front of the head of the family.
"Since the establishment of Konoha, two consecutive Hokage have come from this clan. I believe this brings you glory, but it also brings pressure."
"If you do not want to smear the reputation of the clan, you must take the lead, so on the battlefield, you have always charged to the front."
"As Hokage, I will not deny this behavior, because it is as it should be! But as the head of the family, I also feel that the losses are heavy," Tobirama continued.
Tobirama's response from both identities made the clansmen present stir.
They suppressed the urge to ask questions and continued to listen.
"Therefore, I have made a compromise decision, a decision that I feel is suitable before the two identities of Hokage and head of the family," Tobirama looked at everyone.
"As long as you feel that the name of Senju brings you pressure rather than glory, you can all abandon the name of Senju and live as ordinary Konoha Ninja."
Everyone couldn't help but change color.
Although they knew Tobirama was going to say something big, they didn't expect it to be this.
In a Ninja Clan, the family name is absolutely something important.
No Ninja Clan would not take the family name to heart; clans like Hyuga and Uchiha are even prouder of it—
And now, Tobirama was allowing the clansmen to abandon the Senju name, leaving only the identity of a Ninja under the organization of the Ninja Village, no longer a representative of a family, but a representative of the Village.
Surprisingly, the clansmen were not disgusted in their hearts.
They had thought they would feel angry and incredulous; some even felt they would stand up to dissuade Tobirama and ask him to withdraw his order.
But when they prepared to act, they were surprised to find that their bodies violated their inner thoughts and did not make the slightest move.
No, it should be said that their true thoughts did not make their bodies move.
At this moment, they painfully realized that they truly felt that the name of Senju brought them not glory, but heavy pressure.
Two Hokage from one family, the founders of Konohagakure—what name could be louder than this?
If it were before the Ninja World War, the Senju Clan Members would have felt proud, but after the war, they found that they did not need this.
Fame can give people glory, but it also gives people great responsibility.
Obviously, this responsibility had exceeded the current endurance of the Senju Clan Members.
While others were hesitating, Hashirama's second daughter, Kana, who was sitting on the side, couldn't help it.
She grabbed her skirt tightly with her left hand, wanting to stand up and speak, but was pulled by her sister.
Kana turned her head and saw her sister shaking her head at her, signaling her not to stand out.
Then she looked at her mother.
Mito also said nothing, just closed her eyes, looking as if she had expected this all along.
Kana pursed her lips slightly, quite unwilling, but her mother and sister showed no reaction, and after calming down, she felt she had been a bit impulsive just now.
So, she looked at the others to see what kind of response the other Senju Clan Members would have.
"Do not hesitate, just say it. I will not blame you; on the contrary, I hope you can make such a decision," Tobirama said at this moment.
The others looked up, looking at Tobirama in confusion.
"Looking at you, I know that the influence of the Senju name brings you not positive, but negative things. As a Ninja, it only makes your actions sluggish," Tobirama said.
"Even for the sake of your better survival, I hope you can abandon the Senju name. Make your decision; I am serious."
This time, many people let go of the burden in their hearts.
Although they were still a bit unconfident and felt they were betraying the clan, looking dejected, they still raised their hands, deciding to abandon the Senju name.
Tobirama just nodded slightly, acknowledging their decision.
These people would all abandon the Senju name and live as ordinary Konoha residents.
He would arrange for them to leave the Senju Clan and blend into the civilians in the Village in a reasonable and unknown way.
However, some people still stayed.
Facing Tobirama's inquiring gaze, Senju Touka, an old retainer who had fought with Hashirama and Tobirama and was still alive, said: "Even so, as a member of the Senju Clan, I still hope to serve the clan and the Village."
Hearing this, Tobirama could only smile, and then talked about some precautions and countermeasures after abandoning the Senju name.
This clan meeting ended here.
—It really was too fast.
Tobirama watched the clansmen leave, thinking that his and his brother's ideal was that people in the Village would no longer distinguish by bloodline, but live as people of one Village.
But because of realistic factors, it could not be implemented immediately and could only be planned slowly.
Even so, the Senju Clan had always been at the forefront in this regard, and this time it went even faster.
Tobirama believed that although some Senju Clan Members remained, as time passed, except for Hashirama's direct descendants who would not forget, it was estimated that other Senju Clan Members would be forgotten.
At that time, the Senju Clan could be considered to have disappeared.
From the full name of Konohagakure being Konoha Hidden Village, having a clan with the name of Senju of the Forest hidden in the Village, could be considered a name that lives up to reality.
However, letting the Senju disappear like this, is it a foolish choice or a wise decision?
On this point, Tobirama did not yet know.
The decision of the Senju Clan soon spread out, causing a lot of discussion in the Village.
No one thought that this top clan of Konohagakure would make such a decision.
Because of the confidentiality of the Senju Clan, no one knew where those Senju Clan Members who abandoned their surnames went.
Now, because of the influx of civilians, the area of Konohagakure had expanded greatly.
If they entered the civilian area, unless they searched carefully, it was impossible to know where they went, and other Ninja Clans would not waste that energy to look for them.
Therefore, they could only discuss this matter verbally.
Although the influence of the Senju Clan had certainly declined, at least the influence would not be reduced, and no one would forget the achievements of the Senju Clan in establishing the Village.
After Fūmori Masaki learned the news, he had some expectations in his heart.
When he heard Hashirama say those words, he knew this would be the result.
Anyway, he could not say anything.
It was just that Fūmori Masaki did not expect someone to come to visit him.
At that time, when he saw Senju Touka, he thought she was here to see his wife.
However, he did not expect to see an unexpected figure behind Senju Touka.
"Sorry, she asked me to come to find you." Senju Touka smiled bitterly.
"It's okay." Fūmori Masaki was only slightly surprised.
"Please come in, Lady Momoka and Sister Kana."
the new third hokage of konoha.