Within the Senju Clan, the current Patriarch sat at the head of the gathering, looking at the fifty or so members seated before him. These were the remaining ninjas of the once great Senju Clan, a group that even included a few teenage shinobi. They were now the only combatants of the Senju clan, while the rest were young, innocent children.
Despite the Senju clan still boasting the largest population in Konoha, the war had reduced their numbers drastically. Seeing this diminished group in front of him brought a sharp pang of heartache to Tobirama, especially considering the news he was about to share.
Tobirama glanced at Mito and her two daughters, seated nearby. Though Mito was the wife of Hashirama, her influence within the Senju clan was substantial. Yet, even at this critical moment, she chose to remain silent, simply observing.
Feeling Tobirama's gaze, Mito gave a small nod. Her message was clear—everything should proceed as he saw fit. He was, after all, the current head of the Senju clan.
Tobirama was not one to waver in his decisions, but this particular one was heavy, even for him. After Mito's silent encouragement, he took a deep breath, pushing aside the last of his hesitation.
"Everyone..." Tobirama's voice broke the tense silence.
The group in front of him held their breath. They knew something important was coming, Tobirama would not have summoned all the ninjas of the clan otherwise.
"First, I want to acknowledge and thank those who died fighting for the village. They were not just your kin, but your friends and comrades," Tobirama began slowly. "I know you all mourn their loss, as do I."
A wave of sadness swept through the crowd. Each of them had lost someone close, someone who had died with honor in battle. The young ninjas, in particular, struggled to contain their grief, but their training as shinobi kept them composed in front of their leader.
"Since the founding of Konoha, two Hokages have come from our clan. While this has brought us glory, it has also brought immense pressure. As members of the Senju Clan, you have felt the need to lead by example, often placing yourselves at the frontlines. As Hokage, I cannot condemn this behavior—it is our duty. But as Patriarch, I also feel the weight of the losses we have suffered," Tobirama continued, his dual roles as both Hokage and Patriarch weighing on him.
The crowd listened intently, touched by his words, but still waiting for what was to come.
"Therefore," he said, his voice growing firmer, "I have made a difficult decision. If any of you feel that bearing the name Senju has become more of a burden than an honor, you may relinquish it. You are free to live as ordinary Konoha shinobi, no longer bound by the legacy of our clan."
Shock rippled through the group. Though they had expected major news, no one had anticipated this. In the shinobi world, a clan's name was everything—an emblem of pride and history, like that of the Hyuga or Uchiha clans. But now, Tobirama was offering them the chance to give up the name Senju and become ordinary villagers.
Despite the initial shock, there was no outrage. The Senju members did not rise to protest, as they might have thought they would. Deep down, they had already come to realize that the name Senju, once a symbol of pride, had become a weight too heavy to bear.
Before the Ninja World War, the name Senju might have filled them with pride. But now, after the devastation of war, they understood that reputation brought not only honor but also great responsibility, one that the clan could no longer carry.
Kana, the second daughter of Hashirama, clenched her fists tightly, struggling with her emotions. She wanted to stand and speak, but her sister pulled her back. Kana turned to see her sister shaking her head, signaling her to remain silent. Their mother, Mito, sat quietly with her eyes closed, as if she had already accepted this outcome.
Kana bit her lip, unwilling to comply, but with both her sister and mother showing no resistance, she suppressed her feelings. She looked around, watching to see how the other Senju would respond.
"Do not hesitate," Tobirama urged. "I will not hold it against you. In fact, I encourage you to make this decision."
The crowd exchanged uncertain glances.
"You know as well as I do that the name Senju has become more of a hindrance than a source of pride," Tobirama said. "As shinobi, you cannot afford to be weighed down. For your own survival, I urge you to let go of the name Senju."
After a moment, many began to raise their hands, signaling their decision to give up the name. They were still conflicted, torn between loyalty to their clan and the need to move forward. But the burden of the name was too great, and one by one, they chose to relinquish it.
Tobirama nodded, acknowledging their decision. These individuals would live on as ordinary citizens of Konoha, integrated quietly into civilian life.
However, some remained, including the elder member Senju Tōka, who had fought alongside both Hashirama and Tobirama. "Even so," Tōka said, her voice steady, "as long as I live, I will remain loyal to both the clan and the village."
Tobirama smiled faintly, then concluded the meeting with instructions on how the transition would proceed.
As the members of the Senju Clan left the room, Tobirama reflected on the speed with which this transformation had occurred. The dream he and his brother had shared was that one day, the villagers of Konoha would no longer be divided by clan, but would live together as one. Though it couldn't be fully realized right away, the Senju had always led the way. Now, they were taking the final step, faster than even Tobirama had expected.
Though some Senju remained, Tobirama knew that over time, most would fade into the background, with only the direct descendants of Hashirama holding onto the clan name. The rest would simply disappear into the village, fulfilling the vision of "Konoha Hidden Village"—with the Senju truly hidden within it.
But whether this was a wise decision or a foolish one, only time would tell.
The decision of the Senju Clan spread quickly through the village, sparking widespread discussion. No one could have predicted that the foremost clan of Konoha would choose such a path.
Due to the secrecy surrounding the clan's decision, no one knew where those who had relinquished their surnames had gone. With the influx of civilians into Konoha, it would be nearly impossible to find them unless someone specifically sought them out.
Although the power of the Senju Clan had undoubtedly diminished, their influence and contributions to the founding of the village would not be forgotten.
When Masaki heard the news, he was not surprised. He had anticipated this outcome ever since his conversation with Hashirama years ago. Regardless, he still felt a sense of unease.
What Masaki did not expect, however, was a visit from Senju Tōka. At first, he assumed she was there to see his wife, but behind her was an unexpected figure.
"Sorry, she insisted on coming with me," Tōka said with a wry smile.
"It's no trouble," Masaki replied, still surprised. "Please, come in, Tōka-sama, and Kana."