Konohagakure had been founded more than a decade ago. Through the efforts of the First and Second Hokage, it had gradually established a complete and well-functioning system. Under this system existed a wide array of institutions—intelligence, administration, combat forces, logistics, and internal support—each fulfilling its role.
Konoha's Welfare Orphanage was one such institution.
After all, being a ninja was an inherently high-risk profession. Death was an ever-present possibility, and during the era of the Shinobi World War, that danger was amplified many times over. It was precisely to care for the orphaned children of fallen ninja, as well as some civilian war orphans, that the Welfare Orphanage had come into being.
Strictly speaking, Yuusuke Ame was not of an age that truly suited life in an orphanage. He was already capable of taking care of himself. By all logic, this should have been the age at which one left such a place—not entered it.
And yet, for reasons unknown to him, he had ended up under the care of the orphanage's director all the same.
"This will be your room from now on," Sanshō said as she settled Yuusuke into a private room within the orphanage. "You've been through quite a lot these past few days. For today, just rest properly. We'll talk about specifics tomorrow. Oh—and meals will be delivered to you regularly."
"I understand," Yuusuke replied.
He had not the slightest complaint about these arrangements. The room was small, but clean; the furniture simple, yet complete. For someone who had spent years wandering without a home, this environment was something he would never have dared to imagine before.
As for what kind of arrangements awaited him next, Yuusuke had no idea. But this small room alone could already be called a promising beginning.
The orphanage itself was quite large, housing well over a hundred children. Yet the room Yuusuke was temporarily assigned to had no other children living nearby. It was obvious that, as an outsider, he was being treated differently.
Thus, although the village had not restricted his freedom, Yuusuke had no intention of wandering around freely or interacting with others without explicit permission. He consciously limited his activities to this one room.
This was what he considered self-awareness.
Choosing voluntary seclusion was far better than being confined due to inappropriate behavior. In Yuusuke's understanding, ninja were not only fond of killing their enemies—sometimes, they were equally fond of killing their own.
Leaving aside Yuusuke's tangled thoughts, once Sanshō had finished arranging matters on his end, she quickly departed the orphanage.
Konoha was currently in the midst of a sudden and delicate transfer of power. Because the transition had come so abruptly, people like Sanshō were extraordinarily busy. She simply did not have the luxury of spending much time on Yuusuke.
There was something far more important awaiting her—something she needed to explain to, justify before, and secure the understanding of one of Konoha's highest authorities.
That person was Uzumaki Mito, the wife of the First Hokage.
In terms of status alone, Uzumaki Mito was now the most revered individual in Konoha. Even the succession of the Hokage required her approval. Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi needed her support to assume the position, Sanshō likewise needed her consent for what she intended to do.
Uzumaki Mito appeared to be in her fifties. The vivid crimson hair that had once been her hallmark had long since lost its luster. When Sanshō arrived before her and had yet to state her purpose, Mito spoke first, her voice calm yet penetrating.
"Sanshō… have you truly decided to do this?"
Clearly, the Hokage's wife had already learned of Sanshō's intentions through some means.
"Yes. It's already been decided," Sanshō replied softly. "At this point, the Senju clan has reached the time to withdraw from the current."
She deliberately paused. Seeing no visible change in Mito's expression, she continued.
"Since the Shinobi World War began, the pride of being the 'Senju of the Forest' and the sense of duty that came with being the Hokage's clan have driven our people to take the lead in battle far too often. Those who charge into death battles inevitably die. Over these years, the casualty rate among Senju ninja has even surpassed that of the chaotic era before Konoha was founded."
"On the other hand, it is precisely because of these losses that so many outstanding clan members died before they could truly mature. After the First and Second Hokage, the Senju have never again produced someone with the same level of brilliance, strength, and authority to unify the clan. For that reason… I believe the time has come."
"To conceal the name of the Senju of the Forest is the right decision—both for the clan and for Konoha. The logic is simple. The Senju cannot be Hokage forever. If that were the case, we might as well have remained the Senju alone—what meaning would there have been in founding Konoha at all? And since the Senju cannot always be Hokage, there is no reason for us to shoulder responsibilities greater than those of ordinary ninja."
"This does not mean forbidding clan members from becoming ninja. It means freeing them from the crushing weight of the name 'Senju.'"
Sanshō's voice was heavy with pain as she spoke.
"Senju of the Forest" had become a burden too heavy for their lives to bear.
Abandoning the Senju name was a decision that inspired profound sorrow. But when even one of the most powerful clans in the shinobi world was willing to relinquish its own name, one could only imagine the staggering losses they had endured in the war.
"Is this truly the opinion of the entire Senju clan?" Uzumaki Mito asked after a long silence.
"Yes. At the clan council, although everyone felt deep sorrow over the decision, the vast majority ultimately chose to accept it."
"So that's how it is… The Senju clan has finally reached the point where it must abandon its glorious name," Mito murmured. "I had expected significant opposition. But… perhaps this is for the best. At least now—even if Hashirama were to return—I could face my husband without regret. He would have nothing left to say."
Mito was born of the Uzumaki clan. Though she had married Senju Hashirama, she was not a Senju by blood. Some decisions could only be made by the purest Senju themselves.
The clan members who possessed the strongest sense of family pride—and who would have most fiercely opposed such a decision—had long since died on the battlefield.
Sanshō wanted to shout those words aloud. But in the end, she merely parted her lips and said nothing.
Because this truth was not known to her alone. The woman sitting across from her—who had spent a lifetime beside the First Hokage—understood it even more deeply.
Ultimately, the death of the Second Hokage had been the catalyst that pushed the Senju clan to make the decision to conceal their surname. The war had already reached its midpoint. Konoha had repelled Kumogakure's invasion, and peace and alliance were within reach—achievements bought with countless Senju lives.
And yet, all of it vanished with the sudden death of the Second Hokage.
Peace had been within grasp, only to disappear without a trace. The emotional whiplash shattered the Senju clan's morale. They could not help but question whether their sacrifices had truly been meaningful.
The answer was, of course, yes.
But the cost they had paid was wildly disproportionate to the value of the outcome achieved.
Thus, when Sanshō first proposed concealing the Senju name, the clan was shocked. Soon after, however, the majority accepted it.
And so, the proposal became a final decision.
The Senju clan's sacrifices were not known only to themselves—Konoha as a whole understood them as well. Having paid such a price, no one had the standing to demand further sacrifice from them. Once the Senju made this decision, the village would neither stop them nor be able to.
From this day forward, one of the founding clans of Konohagakure—the legendary Senju clan—would gradually fade into obscurity. Before long, the surname "Senju" would exist only in history.
"Even though there will no longer be 'Senju ninja,' it is only because all Senju have become Konoha ninja," Sanshō continued. "We have not abandoned our responsibilities, nor will we evade the duties of Konoha's shinobi. But for the long-term survival of the clan, this is the only choice. No matter how glorious a name may be, it is meaningless compared to living lives."
"From now on, Senju will be born as Konoha ninja, fight as Konoha ninja, and—even in death—remain Konoha ninja."
No other clan could rival the Senju in their sense of belonging to Konoha. Sanshō's words were worthy of trust.
"However," she added, "to prevent unnecessary speculation within the village, I will once again travel to the Land of Lightning and take on the mission of envoy to Kumogakure."
Words were one thing; actions were another. She needed to prove the Senju's stance through her own actions.
"Kumogakure?" Uzumaki Mito finally broke her silence. "You should know that, given your physical condition, you are not suited for high-intensity missions. You should—"
"But my identity is precisely what best represents Konoha's sincerity toward peace," Sanshō interrupted gently. "In terms of symbolism, there is no one more suitable for this task. The deaths of the Hokage and the Raikage were accidents—both sides' desire for peace has not changed."
"Personally, I do not lack hatred for Kumogakure. But hatred is the easiest thing in the world. What is difficult is completing what the Second Hokage left unfinished. This war was directed by him—ending it is therefore something the Senju must do."
"This will be the last thing the Senju do in the name of the Senju."
The resolve in Sanshō's voice allowed no room for opposition.
Uzumaki Mito fell silent once more. After a long period of reflection, she finally spoke.
"If that is what you truly believe, then go and do it. Whether it concerns the Senju or Kumogakure—do it all. Just remember this: once you have resolved to act, you must succeed."
The revered elder had given her approval.
"Of course," Sanshō replied calmly. "I will not fail."
She had absolute confidence.