Although more and more "big figures" gathered around, facing Senju Mori, who was covered in blood, and the corpse of Senju Tobirama he carried on his back, no one dared to speak first and ask him anything.
In the end, it was an elder of the Senju Clan who spoke first, sighing, "Alas—tell us, Mori-boy, what exactly happened?"
Senju Mori seemed to have forgotten the fierce disagreement he had with the elder at the clan meeting in the shrine a few days ago, and adopted an excited demeanor, as if he had finally met an elder of his clan.
Now was the time he needed the 'Senju Clan' as a golden signboard.
His eyes were red, and his voice was hoarse and low: "Hokage-sama was outnumbered and besieged by the Gold and Silver Brothers of Kumogakure and their subordinates. Although he single-handedly killed Ginkaku and several Kumogakure Jonin, by the time I arrived, he was already too gravely injured to be saved, beyond any hope!"
"In his dying moments, Hokage-sama still fought valiantly, and together with me, he killed the equally gravely wounded Kinkaku. Fearing that Kumogakure might have reinforcements, I had no choice but to bring Tobirama-sama's remains back to Konoha."
Senju Mori's voice was choked with sobs, clearly showing extreme genuine emotion, which moved the onlookers.
Except for... the few Hokage disciples present.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a very astute person. Although Senju Mori's performance was truly sincere, he still keenly detected a deep malice within it.
It was "outnumbered," "besieged," "almost perishing with the enemy," and even a subtle hint at the end that "Kumogakure did not have subsequent reinforcements."
It was already obvious who Senju Mori was targeting.
But since Senju Mori didn't openly turn hostile, he naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to jump out and draw fire, and even Danzo, who wanted to argue, was pulled back by him.
However, even without speaking, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt many meaningful gazes directed at him.
Not all of them were benevolent.
After hearing Senju Mori's reply, the Senju Clan elder who had just spoken also felt a sudden difficulty, but after a moment of silence, he still bit the bullet and said, "Mori-boy, I see your injuries are not light, do you want the medical Ninja to..."
'That old scoundrel is truly hateful!'
Although Senju Mori did not say these words aloud, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Such old fellows, who disregard the clan's interests for stability and for the so-called "greater good," should all be executed one by one according to the clan rules passed down from the Sengoku period.
However, how could Senju Mori allow the other party to change the subject? He directly ignored the elder's words and spoke loudly to everyone present:
"Everyone! In the past, Hashirama-sama died fighting to protect Konoha, and today, Tobirama-sama also sacrificed himself heroically to protect the younger generation and thoroughly uphold the Will of Fire."
"Although we are still under the shadow of war, and although we have just lost our most beloved Hokage-sama."
"But please do not waver, and do not be disheartened! As the saying goes, 'Where the leaves dance, the fire burns bright.'"
"I will inherit the Will of Fire of both adults, and I will protect our Village, our comrades, and our younger generation with my life and blood! I will protect every person of Konoha."
After Senju Mori finished speaking, the scene immediately erupted in thunderous applause.
And his iron-blooded posture at this moment, holding the basho fan and a giant scroll, with the previous Hokage Senju Tobirama on his back, was deeply etched into everyone's hearts.
After finishing his speech, Senju Mori did not linger. Surrounded by a group of young clan members, he parted the crowd and left.
Preparing Senju Tobirama's funeral, planning to compete with Hiruzen Sarutobi for Hokage, and working to win over the various Ninja Clans in the Village... he still had many things to do... Calculating the time, there were still three and a half days left until the "Hokage Election Day" agreed upon by the Konoha Jonin.
After entrusting Senju Tobirama's remains to the clan members for temporary resettlement, Senju Mori did not rush back to the Senju Clan's territory, but instead went to the Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant to feast.
There was no opportunity or time to cook in the wild. For the past few days, he had only eaten military rations, so he had to properly treat his stomach.
It's worth mentioning that all the barbecue restaurants in Konoha were opened by the Akimichi family, just as all the flower shops in Konoha were opened by the Yamanaka Clan. Each barbecue restaurant was simply named "Yakiniku Q."
If one had to differentiate, it would probably only be possible to internally name them something like "Yakiniku Q (Hokage's Office Building West Branch)".
Senju Mori twisted his neck, dispelling the unfounded malicious humor in his mind, and began to eat barbecue while paying attention to the conversations of other diners around him.
While condensing Chakra to the ears could not be as exaggerated as the secret techniques of the Inuzuka Clan, slightly improving one's hearing was not a difficult task.
After listening for a few minutes, a satisfied smile appeared on Senju Mori's face.
It seemed that that guy Yuhi had done a good job; Hiruzen Sarutobi and his four companions had already become the "most talked about figures" within Konoha Village.
Of course, it wasn't all negative.
Thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi's good reputation and powerful strength in the past, a considerable number of Ninja did not believe that Hiruzen Sarutobi and his companions would abandon the Hokage and flee.
On the other hand, among the ordinary civilian population, this outrageous claim somehow had a market, and many Konoha villagers now looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with disdain whenever he was mentioned.
After eating and drinking his fill, Senju Mori walked directly out the door.
It wasn't that he wanted to bully people and eat without paying, but because his family was also half-owner of this Yakiniku Q.
One must know that when Konoha was first founded, at least half of the key positions were held by members of the Senju Clan.
"God of Shinobi" Senju Hashirama, a clan member of the great First Hokage of Konoha, merely wanted to cooperate with you to open a barbecue restaurant, and they weren't not paying. Would you really try to make excuses?
Of course, that was an investment from Senju Mori's father's generation; strictly speaking, he was just a second generation.
"Alas~"
Thinking of this, Senju Mori couldn't help but sigh again. Under the operations of Second Hokage Senju Tobirama, the glory of the Senju Clan during the First Hokage's era was long gone.
One must know that compared to Senju Hashirama, that kind old man who was agreeable on non-principle issues, Second Hokage Senju Tobirama would not show much favoritism even to his own clan members.
For example, regarding the matter of taking on disciples alone, several old conservatives in the clan had brought it up at least five times, yet Senju Tobirama hadn't given an inch.
This evil white-haired old ghost!
Fortunately, he finally died!
Humming an unknown tune, Senju Mori walked into the territory of the Senju Clan.
The Senju Clan's territory was located very close to the center of Konoha; one could even clearly see the upper half of the Hokage's Office Building from the rooftops.
Therefore, after leaving Yakiniku Q (Hokage's Office Building West Branch), Senju Mori quickly arrived.
This was land allocated during the Village's founding. No matter how unfeeling Senju Tobirama was, he couldn't force clan members to move without reason.
Almost forgot.
Senju Mori suddenly slapped his head, remembering.
Senju Tobirama was about to disband the Senju Clan; once the Senju Clan no longer lived together, there would naturally be no need for this territory to occupy such a large plot of land.
This evil white-haired old ghost.
Fortunately, he finally died~
...