Looking back at the first three Great Ninja Wars, Konoha was the village that won them all.
However...
After these three wars, Konoha was basically drained. Its Kage-level fighters either died under false accusations or left the village. The talented young generation was mostly sold out by the "Darkness of Shinobi." Unless you had the luck of the "Konoha 12," leaving the village was your only option.
Otherwise, it was pretty much a death sentence.
So, during Hiruzen Sarutobi's tenure, Konoha didn't improve at all. Instead, it was nearly ruined. Otherwise, how could a single Orochimaru almost bankrupt Konoha?
Later, if not for the rise of the Konoha 12, Konoha wouldn't have stood a chance.
So, rather than letting the legacy left by Hashirama be wasted by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo, it might as well be handed over to Uzumaki Jun. After all, Hashirama was the son-in-law of the Uzumaki Clan.
The Uzumaki Clan had always been Konoha's ally. Inheriting some scraps isn't wrong, right?
"What do you think of Konoha now?" Uzumaki Jun asked the members of the Senju Clan.
Senju Shukuma sighed and replied, "No matter what, this is the village founded by Lord Hashirama. The Senju Clan will never betray it."
He understood Uzumaki Jun's intention, but he couldn't bring himself to speak ill of Konoha.
The Senju Clan deeply revered Hashirama. Even after his and Tobirama's deaths, the clan continued to uphold his ideals, striving for peace in the shinobi world and Konoha, shedding blood and sacrificing lives until the last Senju perished.
Otherwise, how could the Senju Clan have been reduced to nothing? Tsunade only left the village after her brother and lover died, dissatisfied but without taking action.
Because she loved the village deeply.
And in the end, didn't she return to Konoha, continuing to dedicate herself to it?
So...
The Senju Clan's integrity is unshakable.
No matter how flawed Konoha might be, as long as it was Hashirama's creation, they would devote their lives to protecting it.
"Then what treatment do you think you'll receive if you return to the village?" Since this approach wasn't working, Uzumaki Jun changed tactics. Continuing to criticize Konoha might only make them resentful. He was here to recruit, not to alienate.
"I..." Senju Shukuma hesitated, then firmly said, "Since we violated the Hokage's orders, we should accept punishment."
"..."
Damn it!!!
Was there no room for negotiation?
Were the Senju Clan really this stubborn?
Uzumaki Jun couldn't understand why the two founding clans of Konoha were so inflexible. If Konoha didn't welcome them, why not just develop elsewhere?
Why cling to Konoha?
Did they have a death wish?
"Sigh." Uzumaki Jun sighed helplessly. This capable and loyal clan was exactly what Uzushiogakure needed. But now, he could only say, "It's not just you. Your entire Senju Clan might suffer as well."
Since that was the case, he had to lay everything out plainly.
Senju Shukuma's pupils contracted as he stared at Uzumaki Jun. "The Senju Clan would never betray Konoha, and Konoha would never betray the Senju Clan."
"Hah." Uzumaki Jun chuckled. Maybe the Senju Clan wouldn't betray Konoha, but Konoha...
That wasn't so certain.
After all, even the Fourth Hokage was sacrificed. What more a clan without Kage-level fighters, one that no longer obeyed orders? For all he knew, the "Professor" and the "Darkness of Shinobi" were already plotting to seize their lands and solve the land-annexation issue.
The Senju Clan owned vast fertile fields.
Senju Shukuma sighed. Hiruzen Sarutobi had always been dissatisfied with the clans in Konoha. Now that the Senju Clan had defied the Hokage's orders, they might really need to prepare for a reduction in numbers.
"So, don't put all your eggs in one basket. No, wait—spread the risk—no, wait!" Uzumaki Jun fumbled for words before finally saying, "The Senju Clan could split. Send a branch to Uzushiogakure. That way, even if disaster strikes, at least the clan won't be wiped—"
He didn't finish the last word, knowing the Senju Clan would understand. If even this proposal was rejected, Uzumaki Jun would give up on them.
Such blind loyalty was dangerous.
They might even betray national interests later.
So, when educating the younger generation, ideological and moral training would be essential.
"I..." Senju Shukuma opened his mouth but didn't know how to respond. Maybe Uzumaki Jun's idea wasn't bad, but...
This wasn't something a mere jōnin like him could decide.
"You don't have to answer now." Uzumaki Jun waved his hand. "I'll visit Konoha soon. You can give me your decision then."
Relieved that no immediate answer was needed, Senju Shukuma thought, Maybe I should consult the clan head?
Whatever the Senju Clan decided, they would make the choice seriously.
Because they were shinobi.
...
"What was the Uzumaki Clan's response?" Hōzuki Gengetsu asked with a frown. Damn it. As one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, having to surrender to a tiny country was utterly humiliating.
His tenure as Mizukage was over. Returning to the village, he'd likely be impeached and saddled with massive debts.
So, this negotiation couldn't cost Kirigakure too much.
"Damn Konoha!" Hōzuki Gengetsu snarled. If not for Konoha, would they be in this mess?
Now Konoha was the victor, while Kirigakure was the loser, defeated by a minor country. The daimyo might impose restrictions on Kirigakure.
If that happened, Hōzuki Gengetsu would truly become Kirigakure's greatest failure.
Now, he didn't dare hope to remain Mizukage. He just wanted to minimize Kirigakure's losses.
"Let's hope Uzushiogakure doesn't demand too much," Hōzuki Gengetsu muttered.
The Mizukage's aide wasn't as optimistic. As invaders and losers, why wouldn't Uzushiogakure demand heavily, especially with Konoha backing them?
Kirigakure was truly stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Originally, they were supposed to take Uzushiogakure's spoils and copy their sealing techniques. But now...
They had lost.
They faced not just Uzushiogakure but the other four great villages.
And all of this was Konoha's doing.
The aide sighed. "We shouldn't have trusted Konoha. They'd never let another village easily obtain a jinchūriki."
"Sigh." Hōzuki Gengetsu shook his head. "Prepare for negotiations."
"No matter what, Kirigakure is one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages. We can't let Uzushiogakure dictate terms."
"We must hold our ground. This matter..."
"I leave to you."