Uchiha Ren easily convinced the noblewoman known as Mito Uzumaki to act as his insider within the Senju Clan.
To launch a surprise strike and seize the laboratory where Senju Toma was conducting his experiments—without drawing attention—was nearly impossible without internal assistance. Even if Uchiha Ren personally led the operation, success would not be guaranteed.
The Senju were still the Senju.
A clan powerful enough to stand on equal footing with the Uchiha.
Night fell.
Under a moonless sky and howling winds, Uchiha Ren personally led an ANBU squad to the outskirts of the Senju compound. After a brief observation, he confirmed that the guards who should have been stationed there had all been quietly reassigned by Mito Uzumaki.
Having an insider really was convenient.
With synchronized movements, they vaulted over the high walls and entered the compound. The path toward the laboratory was completely unobstructed.
"Hands up!"
"ANBU inspection!"
Uchiha Ren burst into the laboratory. The ANBU operatives behind him immediately spread out, taking control of every corner of the facility.
The remaining guards froze the moment they saw him.
They were Konoha shinobi.
Raising a hand against the Hokage meant being branded a traitor and executed.
This was bad.
Everything had been exposed.
The Senju members present turned pale. No one had expected the Hokage himself to raid the heart of the Senju compound.
This was their inner territory.
Even the Hokage shouldn't have been able to enter without permission.
So how had he slipped in without a sound?
Were all the guards dead?
Uchiha Ren calmly surveyed the laboratory.
Expensive.
Very expensive.
Just how much money had Senju Toma siphoned off through falsified accounts to fund this place?
He really did have the same style as Senju Tobirama.
When Tobirama took a cut, it was in the billions. For the first twenty years of Konoha, he had controlled the entire financial system.
Who knew how much he had embezzled?
Tonight's operation had been a complete success.
Mito Uzumaki had contributed greatly.
"Send someone to bring Mito Uzumaki and Senju Toma here."
Uchiha Ren issued the order calmly.
The laboratory was already fully under his control. Aside from those present, no one else would learn of this incident.
His promise to Mito Uzumaki had been partially fulfilled.
It didn't take long.
Mito Uzumaki and Senju Toma arrived in haste.
Compared to Toma's panic, Mito remained composed.
After all, she was one of the masterminds behind tonight's events. Without her, none of this would have gone so smoothly.
"Hokage-sama… you've won."
"But let me tell you this—without those Mangekyō Sharingan eyes, you would never have become Hokage!"
"Hahaha… I don't care!"
Senju Toma suddenly burst into laughter. Moments later, he collapsed to his knees, breaking down completely.
He still couldn't accept Uchiha Ren becoming Hokage.
The expectations of the Senju.
His own ambition.
The crushing gap between dreams and reality.
And finally, his desperate gamble with Hashirama's cells.
He lost.
And now, he didn't have long left to live.
His mind had completely broken.
…Pathetic.
Wait.
Why did it feel like he was the villain here?
Uchiha Ren watched him with a trace of sympathy.
By now, everyone else had already left the room.
Only the three of them remained.
Mito Uzumaki stepped forward and slapped Senju Toma several times across the face.
Hard.
Left and right.
Again and again.
Finally, he snapped out of his hysteria.
"Mother… I was wrong…"
"Waaah…"
He clung to her and cried.
Mito couldn't hold back either.
She cried with him.
She had already lost her husband in her earlier years.
Now, in her old age, she might lose her son as well.
According to Uchiha Ren, if nothing was done to suppress the erosion of Hashirama's cells, Senju Toma wouldn't survive more than six months.
What a tragic scene.
Uchiha Ren suddenly recalled watching melodramatic dramas with his mother in his previous life.
Go ahead.
Cry.
Let's see how long you can keep it up.
He didn't interrupt.
Instead, he pulled over a stool and quietly watched.
After a few minutes, the tears dried up.
Their voices turned hoarse.
Both of them had seen enough of the world to regain composure quickly once their emotions were vented.
Only then did they realize—
Uchiha Ren was still standing there.
"Hmph. I'll take full responsibility."
"This has nothing to do with the Senju Clan. I will step down as clan head."
Senju Toma wiped his face, his expression resolute.
Strangely, all his previous anxieties had disappeared.
No more worrying about how to face his mother.
His wife.
Tsunade.
No more thinking about succession.
Everything had been exposed.
Now, all that remained was to spend his remaining time with his family… and choose a successor.
He was ready to die.
…Impressive.
Despite everything, he still chose to bear all responsibility alone.
Just like Hashirama's son.
But this wasn't the time for admiration.
"You alone?"
Uchiha Ren smiled faintly.
"I don't think you can bear it."
"Unauthorized human experimentation."
"Illegal detention."
"Killing prisoners and enemy captives."
"The Senju Clan has already strayed far from the First Hokage's Will of Fire."
"This matter… implicates the entire clan."
"They will be condemned by all of Konoha."
His words struck like blades.
Senju Toma could accept his own downfall.
But not the ruin of the Senju Clan's reputation.
If this investigation went deeper…
It would drag Senju Tobirama into it as well.
What would the villagers think then?
What would the other clans think?
With Uchiha Ren's manipulation—
The Senju Clan would be socially destroyed.
Completely disgraced.
"Enough."
Mito Uzumaki cut him off sharply.
"You promised me."
"You would preserve Toma… and the reputation of the Senju Clan."
"And you said you would cure him."
Uchiha Ren clicked his tongue.
"I only said Konoha would fully research Hashirama's cells."
"I never guaranteed a cure."
"But don't worry."
"At the very least, I'll make sure he doesn't die in six months."
As he spoke, he took out a syringe and walked over.
Before Senju Toma could react—
The needle pierced his arm.
A green liquid was injected into his body.
"What the hell is this—…huh?"
"…It actually feels good."
The effect was immediate.
The constant pain in his arm began to fade.
For days, it had felt like hundreds of needles stabbing into his flesh without rest.
Even sleep had been impossible without medication.
Now—
Relief.
"For dealing with the First Hokage's Wood Release… and his body…"
"No one understood it better than Uchiha Madara."
"He left behind some… interesting methods."
"Just like Senju Tobirama left techniques to counter the Uchiha."
Uchiha Ren spoke calmly.
The serum had been produced overnight—with Tobirama's help.
Senju Toma didn't doubt him.
The logic was sound.
If Tobirama could develop counters for the Uchiha…
Madara could do the same for Hashirama.
After all, his entire life had been spent fighting Wood Release.
Mito Uzumaki's expression softened slightly.
Good.
He hadn't lied.
Her son could still be saved.
"What's the price?"
Senju Toma asked quietly.
"There's no such thing as a free meal."
"What did you agree to, Mother?"
Uchiha Ren tossed a document toward him.
"A contract."
"Binding the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan together—sharing honor and disgrace."
The agreement covered everything.
Industries.
Finances.
And most importantly—
Intermarriage.
Whichever side provided more wealth in marriage arrangements—
The children would take their surname.
Simple.
Brutal.
Power decides.
It forcibly tied the future of both clans together.
Whoever grew stronger would gradually absorb the other.
Fair.
In a way.
Except—
Right now, the Uchiha held all the advantages.
They controlled commerce.
They controlled wealth.
And Uchiha Ren was Hokage.
Senju Toma read through the document.
His hands trembled.
Then—
He tore it to pieces.
"What kind of garbage contract is this?!"
"A contest of wealth?!"
"Then what chance does the Senju Clan have?!"
He turned toward Mito.
"Mother, how could you sign this?!"
Mito met his gaze.
"Because I want you to live."
"I've already lost my husband."
"Do you want me to lose my son too?"
That was enough.
Senju Toma fell silent.
No one in the Senju Clan had the right to blame her.
Least of all him.
"Why oppose this so strongly?" Uchiha Ren said lightly.
"This agreement benefits both clans."
"Intermarriage. Unity."
"Ending a thousand years of conflict."
"Isn't that what the First Hokage wanted?"
"This doesn't weaken either side."
"It strengthens them."
"They will become the strongest force in the ninja world."
He smiled.
Painting a grand vision.
And it wasn't entirely false.
If this succeeded—
The bloodlines of Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga, and Uzumaki would merge.
Perhaps…
Something beyond even them would be born.
"Do you really think refusing changes anything?"
Uchiha Ren's tone turned cold.
"The fusion of bloodline clans is inevitable."
"Uchiha. Senju. Hyuga. Uzumaki."
"I will make it happen."
"Whether you agree or not… doesn't matter."
"Because I am Hokage."
"I will surpass the First Hokage."
"In thirty… forty years…"
"I will reshape this world."
He clenched his fist.
Driven.
Relentless.
The next generation—
Raised together.
Educated together.
Given enough time—
It would become reality.
Senju Toma stared at him.
Shocked.
Not just at the plan—
But at the scale of his ambition.
"Only the fusion of powerful bloodlines can produce stronger kekkei genkai."
Uchiha Ren continued.
"And this contract?"
"You don't lose."
"If you refuse—"
"You die."
"And the Senju Clan falls into disgrace."
"And even after your death…"
"Do you think your successor can stop me?"
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
Finally—
Uchiha Ren stepped out of the laboratory.
In his hand—
A signed agreement.
At the bottom—
Senju Toma's name had been added.
The first step had been taken.
And there was no turning back.
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