Chapter 6

In the past, the Senju family had very strict rules.

The two passed through the dilapidated torii gate and arrived at a Buddhist shrine, where the pale blue ancestral spirits were hidden in the shadows of the surrounding trees.

"It's been so long since I've been here. Has it gotten this run-down?"

Rope Tree looked around. This was also the secret base for the children of the family. He hadn't been here for a while since he started school.

It seems somewhat unfamiliar compared to what I remember.

"Everything needs constant maintenance; things that are forgotten will deteriorate quickly."

Yang Xiang casually tossed a flower growing between the stone paths onto the roadside, he replied.

The clan's territory is the most important gathering place for a family, and since the Senju clan has lost its surname, it obviously no longer needs to hold gatherings.

Apart from one elder who remained in the Buddhist hall, the other clansmen avoided him when walking around to avoid suspicion.

If it weren't for the frequent visits of children to play here, Yang Xiang would worry that if something happened to the old man, no one would know.

"Ah, this doesn't feel quite right. Let us help tidy up in a bit."

Rope Tree scratched his head and extended an invitation to Yang Xiang to collaborate.

Yang Xiang couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

This guy has been too well protected by Tsunade; he has absolutely no political sensitivity.

But it doesn't matter, he brought Rope Tree here today for this very reason.

"In principle, the maintenance of the Buddhist shrine should be the responsibility of the head of the family."

If the Senju clan has not yet abandoned its surname after the death of the second head, then according to the order of succession, Nawaki, as the eldest grandson of the eldest son, should become the head of the Senju clan.

As for the succession to the clan chief, Yang Xiang is also one of the candidates in line according to the ranking.

So today, on this special day when they became ninjas, the two of them came to the clan's territory to pay homage to their ancestors.

If these words were seen by someone with ulterior motives, they would inevitably be interpreted in other ways.

Such dedicated individuals are not only found in the Hokage Building, but also among the scattered descendants of the Senju clan.

The first step to uniting people is to rediscover the shared mission that has been deliberately forgotten.

This is one of the reasons why Yang Xiang brought the rope tree here today.

The elderly man lay dozing in his rocking chair. As he grew older, his energy had been declining in recent years, and he spent most of his day in the chair.

Hearing footsteps, he slightly opened his eyes, saw it was Yang Xiang, and then closed them again and fell asleep.

As the two passed by the recliner, Yang Xiang placed the tea he had brought from home on the Sanbao (a traditional Chinese tea set), while Sheng Shu scratched his head again, patted his pocket, and placed the red bean curd he had just bought that day on the same chair.

Yang Xiang picked up a rag and handed it to Sheng Shu. The two of them began to work in the Buddhist hall until the sun set, when they finally swept away all the dust.

We respectfully offer incense to our ancestors.

I don't know when it started, but a few little devils began to grow in the grass under the torii gate.

"It's Boss Rope Tree! And Brother Yang Xiang too!"

"It's been a long time since the boss has come!"

"What are they doing?"

"They look so serious, are they choosing a leader?"

"I support Boss Rope Tree!"

"Me too!"

"Should we go over there?"

"Why did you go there! I saw Nawaki put the red bean curd on Masakazu's table!"

"Walk!"

The group of kids huddled together and whispered amongst themselves before sneaking towards the old man.

"Yang Xiang, congratulations on becoming a ninja!"

After the worship ceremony, Sheng Shu spoke before Yang Xiang and handed over the headband he was holding.

He begged for a long time today before he finally got this old headband from the third generation.

As the headband of the Hokage, it has sufficient commemorative significance to be worthy of his general Yang Xiang.

Actually, he had been itching to surprise Yang Xiang for a long time, but he was dragged here to clean up and ended up spending the whole afternoon doing so.

Fortunately, he didn't mind doing these things; in his heart, he felt it was something he should naturally do.

Yang Xiang accepted the headband without understanding why, but he was still somewhat moved.

This guy actually prepared a gift for him.

You should know that he often avoided Rope Tree when he was little. They only had more interaction when he went to school, but they weren't exactly close.

Even under such circumstances, Rope Tree would still prepare gifts for him; he is truly a kind person.

But I didn't think of preparing a gift for him, I'm so sorry.

Yang Xiang tucked the headband into his arms and faced the rope tree, forming a seal of opposition.

Rope Tree: ?

Is that correct?

I just gave you a gift, and you're going to beat me up?

Although Yang Xiang rarely showed his strength at school, Nawaki watched a lot of Uchiha Hikaru being beaten up.

Based on the calculation that his and Huoguang's combat strength were evenly matched.

It was just a matter of him slapping Yang Xiang.

"What do you mean?" Rope Tree asked, his eyes wide.

"This is my congratulatory gift, special training for becoming a ninja!"

Yang Xiang beckoned to the rope tree.

This is his biggest goal today.

Give Rope Tree extra training!

Once on the battlefield, he couldn't guarantee he could stay by Rope Tree's side forever.

Even if they stay by each other's side, no one can guarantee the safety of Rope Tree on the ever-changing battlefield.

Didn't you see Orochimaru was confused? Was he really that far from Nawaki?

Therefore, the safest approach is to improve the strength of the rope tree.

Only then can his survival probability be improved from the root.

Rope Tree reluctantly formed the hand seals, while mentally encouraging himself.

Go for it! You're going to be the Hokage!

Don't give up in such a small place, Rope Tree!

E-person can always easily get themselves excited.

Yang Xiang observed that Rope Tree, who had just been frowning, was now visibly excited.

Huh?

Why is he so cheerful?

Did they forget to slap Uchiha when he was slapping him too?

Or does he think he will go easy on them?

For a moment, Yang Xiang even began to suspect that Rope Tree might have some trump card.

"They're coming!" Yang Xiang reminded him.

"What are they doing?!"

"It's a competition! It's a contest between ninjas!"

"Boss Rope Tree will win!"

"Whoever wins is the boss!"

A little boy was dancing around excitedly when red beans flew and landed on Masakazu's face.

"These energetic brats!" Masakazu thought to himself, his gaze also falling on the two young men in the distance.

"They're boys from the Hashirama and Momoka families."

If the enemy doesn't move, I won't move either!

Rope Tree arranged its strategy in this way.

He had seen Yang Xiang's speed; Yang Xiang was much faster than him.

A sneak attack is pointless, and dodging is completely unnecessary.

So he chose to tough it out.

coming!

That's Yang Xiang's signature move!

A thousand-handed, big-mouthed monster!

Yang Xiang originally wanted to see Rope Tree's tactics, but he was helpless when he saw that the guy was just standing there staring at him without moving.

When you encounter a strong enemy, why not run away?

So it seems you're very brave!

Yang Xiang showed no mercy, took a step forward, and the wind whistled past him as he headed towards the rope tree.

They all have one nose and two eyes.

We were all born of parents.

We all have the Thousand Hands bloodline, but I have an extra Whirlpool!

What's the difference?

Rope Tree roared inwardly!

I'm definitely stronger than the Uchiha!

I'll block it!

He quickly raised his left hand to protect his ear, lowered his body, shifted his weight onto his thighs, and even clenched his right fist at his waist, leaving room for a counterattack.