Naruto: Systematic Shinobi Chapter 319: Monkey On Hold - 7

If you wish to get a head start on my literary works, you're welcome to explore the advanced Chapters available on my Subscribestar. You can find me there under the same username: 0Jordinio0.

___________

"As the former Hokage you mentioned, such rules don't bind me," Hiruzen stated with a smug grin, prompting an annoyed huff from Danzo. "But nevertheless, that is precisely what I am discussing."

"And why are you bringing that up at this particular moment?" Danzo inquired. "It was a brilliant strategy conceived by Tobirama-sama, and it has greatly contributed to the village's prosperity over the years. The Senju deserve commendation for their sacrifice."

Indeed. Decades past, shortly after Hashirama-sama's departure, a strong sentiment arose among the other hidden villages. The objective was to eradicate the Senju clan, ensuring that no other shinobi of Hashirama's caliber would ever emerge from its lineage.

The situation escalated to such a point that even civilians bearing the Senju clan name had bounties placed upon their heads. However, the Second Hokage devised a cunning plan that would not only safeguard the Senju but also fortify the village.

All that was required was for them to relinquish any association with their clan name. Over subsequent generations, the Senju clan would intermarry with individuals outside the clan, a stark contrast to the practices of the Uchiha or even the Hyuuga.

Many have often pondered the reason behind the frequent emergence of prodigies within the Hidden Leaf Village. This phenomenon was a direct result of the Senju blood flowing robustly throughout the village's populace.

Upon examination, more than thirty percent of the village's inhabitants could claim a blood connection to the Senju.

Yet, no one would ever realize that the Senju clan persisted, alive and thriving. They remained concealed beneath the facade of various other family names.

"I had presumed Daiki-kun to be a descendant of Hashirama-sama," Hiruzen responded. Danzo's head snapped towards him, his gaze fixed with an irritating intensity. "His hair color, tan complexion, and physique. Even his bold demeanor and self-assurance were reminiscent of Hashirama-sama. I believed he was an offspring of one of his... less restrained moments."

Danzo remained silent for a moment, studying Hiruzen. "I presume your use of 'had presumed' implies your assumption was mistaken?"

"Precisely, though not entirely off the mark," Hiruzen replied. He summoned a folder containing documents, specifically medical records, from the seal on his palm.

"You've reproduced that as well, you thieving monkey," Danzo scoffed, retrieving the folder and opening it. His eyes rapidly scanned the first document, then the second, and back to the first in quick succession, his eyebrows ascending higher with each word he read. "...This is... Are you absolutely certain about this?" he asked his old friend, genuine astonishment etched on his face, his mouth slightly agape.

Such was the profound shock induced by the revelations within those documents.

"The blood does not deceive. I analyzed some of the blood Daiki-kun shed during our sparring sessions," Hiruzen confirmed with a nod. "The results were positive. I hadn't anticipated this; I had assumed he passed away without leaving any descendants behind."

This was because Daiki’s mother was none other than the granddaughter of Senju Tobirama.

Which made Daiki his Great-grandson.

Danzo shook his head. "Tobirama-sama was extremely discreet about such matters. Considering the remaining clan members were relinquishing their names under his decree, he would have undoubtedly ensured his own child adhered to it as well," he reasoned, a subtle, pleased smile touching his lips. "To think that Daiki-kun was Tobirama-sama’s descendant all along."

Indeed.

The Senju Clan was truly alive and flourishing. Perhaps even more potent now than during their zenith with both the First and Second Hokage leading them.

"The crucial question remains, however: why are you confiding this information to me?" Danzo inquired, returning the documents to Hiruzen. "And not to Daiki-kun himself?"

"I desired a second perspective," Hiruzen stated, taking a slow draw from his pipe before resealing the documents. "Daiki-kun is already considerably radicalized against the other villages, particularly the Cloud and Stone. He was quite vocal already during his address to the village regarding Tobirama-sama's demise. If he were to learn that Tobirama-sama is his great-grandfather, he would undoubtedly weaponize this knowledge against the Cloud, further validating his desire for war as the correct path."

"It *is* the correct path," Danzo interjected with a snort. "And he will exploit it to his fullest advantage. However, there's no point in holding back the truth. Regardless of whether he knows about his lineage or not, his intent to conquer the Cloud is firm, and he has already set his plans in motion."

Hiruzen stared at him, his expression unreadable. "Just what exactly was contained within that letter Daiki-kun dispatched to the Raikage?" he found himself compelled to ask.

"Polite requests in compensation for their transgressions," Danzo dismissed the question with a wave of his hand, as if it were trivial. "As I mentioned, Daiki-kun was exceedingly generous, affable, and courteous in his correspondence with the Raikage. His diplomatic acumen is truly remarkable, Hiruzen; I was genuinely in awe."

...Oh dear.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, both he and Danzo turned around. A familiar cat-masked ANBU materialized in a flurry of leaves. "Third Hokage-sama, Elder Shimura-sama," she announced, dropping to one knee and bowing her head. "Your presence is requested at the broadcast center. The Raikage is demanding a personal audience with the Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen’s head involuntarily swiveled towards Danzo, who offered a genial smile.

But geniality and Danzo were worlds apart.

"And what did the Fifth Hokage-sama say regarding this?" Hiruzen inquired, turning back to face Cat. "I presume he is the one summoning us?"

Cat paused briefly. "...In a manner of speaking," the purple-haired woman responded. "When the call came through, Hokage-sama disregarded the summons and instructed the broadcast team to inform the Raikage to wait, as he was occupied. He then proceeded to dismiss himself. It turned out to be merely a Shadow Clone... and the true Hokage-sama ordered for both of you to be summoned after an hour."

...An entire hour?

Daiki had placed the Raikage on hold, for a full hour?

"And where is Daiki-kun at this moment?" Hiruzen asked, his brow lifting. He was surprised by his own composure.

"...He is, in his own words, in seclusion for training with his concubine. The Uzumaki girl who formerly served the traitor Orochimaru," Cat reported.

"As expected of Hokage-sama," Danzo nodded, as if this explanation was perfectly logical. "He is not bound by the whims of that foolish, hot-headed Raikage. If the Raikage wishes to speak with Hokage-sama, he should simply wait until Hokage-sama is free."

No, no. One did not keep the Raikage, especially one as impulsive and prone to violent outbursts as 'A', waiting like an ordinary citizen.

Oh dear, he thought internally, this was all part of Daiki’s strategy, wasn't it? And the Raikage had fallen right into it.

What exactly was contained within that letter to provoke such fury in the Raikage that he was demanding a direct video conference?

It seemed Danzo was correct, however. There was genuinely no reason to withhold this crucial information about the Second Hokage from Daiki any longer.

And there was absolutely no way he was training with that girl. Unless 'training' was now a new colloquial term among the younger generation, a coded phrase for intimacy. He was engaging in relations with that girl, all while compelling the Raikage, of all people, to sit, fume, and await his attention as if he were a mere servant.

___________

"Your call is extremely important to us. Please remain on the line, and our representatives will assist you shortly." 'A's eye twitched with each repetition, marking it the 69th time he had heard this automated message.

"You have exceeded the maximum call attempts permitted. Kindly try again in 24 hours. Have a wonderful day!"

Daiki: Ah, Raikage, I would offer an apology for the delay, but truthfully, I do not care.

'A': REEEEEEEEE