Are You a Sissy?
Orochimaru suggested that Senyu take on a Genin student and explained the strategic value behind the decision.
After listening, Senyu's expression grew solemn.
Orochimaru was right.
Even if he managed to locate Karin's mother, what reason would Konoha have to abandon Kushina Uzumaki—who had already been groomed as the future Jinchūriki—for someone untested?
Senyu had been naïve, thinking that simply finding Karin's mother would change everything.
He nodded. "I understand, Orochimaru-sensei. I will accept a Genin."
Orochimaru replied, "I anticipated you would agree. I've already informed Lord Hiruzen. You won't be assigned a full three-man squad—just a single student. But that Genin will be your personal disciple."
"...Disciple," Senyu murmured.
Having a disciple meant personal instruction, sharing real techniques—not just missions and drills.
However, the techniques Orochimaru had taught him—especially those not rooted in forbidden arts—were more than sufficient.
"I understand, sensei. I'll select one Genin as my disciple."
Orochimaru nodded. "Good. A full team might weigh you down, but one disciple—trained well—can become your blade. Choose wisely. When are you heading back?"
"I'll leave for Konoha immediately."
"Here." Orochimaru tossed him a scroll. "A current briefing on the situation in Kusagakure. Deliver it directly to the Hokage."
Senyu caught the scroll and bowed slightly. "Understood, sensei. I'll report to the Hokage."
"Go."
Senyu returned to his quarters, strapped on his pack, and left camp.
He hadn't gone far when he heard a familiar voice.
"Senyu."
He turned.
Of course, it was Minato Namikaze.
Senyu immediately felt a headache coming on.
Minato appeared beside him in a flash.
"You again?" Senyu muttered. "You're not seriously here to see me off, are you?"
Minato smiled brightly. "Not at all. Like I told you, I'm heading back to Konoha too. Since we're leaving the same day, we might as well travel together. Better than walking alone, right?"
Senyu clicked his tongue and eyed him. "Let me ask you something, Minato Namikaze. Are you a sissy? Can't walk back to the village by yourself?"
Minato's smile stiffened. "You really don't know how to say anything nice, do you?"
Senyu ignored him and kept walking.
Minato, undeterred, followed.
They traveled in silence.
Four days passed.
Senyu's pace was fast; only one more day of travel remained. Wanting to see Kushina as soon as possible, he decided to push on through the night.
Just as he prepared to move, Minato suddenly asked, "Senyu… if I'd helped Kushina back then, would we have ended up as comrades?"
Senyu looked at him, confused.
Minato's gaze was distant. "That was our only real conflict, wasn't it? I didn't know Kushina meant that much to you. I've regretted it ever since. If I had stepped in when she was being bullied… maybe we could've become friends."
Senyu gave a soft chuckle. "No. Even without that incident, we'd never be friends. You and I—we're just fundamentally different. Honestly, I wish you hadn't helped her."
Minato frowned. "Why not? Even Jiraiya-sensei and Orochimaru-sensei are complete opposites, but they trust each other on the battlefield. Why can't we?"
"You're idealistic," Senyu replied. "They may be opposites, but they respect each other. I hate you—from the bottom of my heart."
Minato looked stunned. "Why? There must be a reason."
Senyu turned, eyes cold. "What good would it do to explain? Stop trying to force something that won't happen. We're from the same village, nothing more."
He adjusted his pack and walked off.
Minato remained behind, staring at Senyu's retreating figure. He sighed.
"Jiraiya-sensei… I guess I really can't be friends with that guy."
---
Thanks to traveling through the night, Senyu reached Konoha by noon the next day.
He didn't go see Kushina right away. First, he had to deliver Orochimaru's report to Lord Hiruzen and receive his reassignment.
At the Hokage's office, he knocked.
"Enter," came Hiruzen's voice.
Senyu stepped inside, surprised to find not only Hiruzen but also another older man—someone nearly his age.
Brown hair, short sideburns, narrow eyes with a piercing stare, a fork-shaped scar on his chin, and a cold, scheming expression.
Even though it was their first meeting, Senyu knew immediately:
Shimura Danzo. Hokage's advisor. Head of Root.
Senyu bowed respectfully. "Lord Hokage. Lord Danzo."
Hiruzen's serious face softened. "Senyu! It's been a while. I've followed your progress closely. You've done excellent work in Kusagakure—many difficult missions completed under your leadership."
Senyu offered his standard flattery. "It's all thanks to Orochimaru-sensei's guidance and your trust, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen smiled, clearly pleased.
Though Konoha's situation remained tense, promising shinobi like Senyu, Minato Namikaze, and the new generation of the Ino–Shika–Chō had begun to rise. They gave him hope.
Senyu stepped forward, producing the scroll. "Hokage-sama. This contains Orochimaru-sensei's latest report on Kusagakure."
Hiruzen accepted it and began reading.
Danzo, meanwhile, turned his attention to Senyu. "I heard you commanded four Uchiha on a mission in Kusagakure?"
Senyu nodded. "Yes, Lord Danzo. I led them under direct orders from Orochimaru-sensei."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Only because of Orochimaru's orders?"
"Yes," Senyu said plainly. "Only because of his orders."
Danzo was quiet for a moment, then asked bluntly, "What's your view of the Uchiha?"
Senyu didn't answer right away.
Danzo clarified, "I recall you had a longstanding conflict with the Uchiha. Has that changed, now that you've led them?"
Senyu replied calmly, "There's no resolution to speak of. We are all comrades of Konoha. Personal issues mean nothing when the village comes first."
Danzo's gaze sharpened.
He smiled thinly. "You're quite the loyal shinobi, Senyu. Ever considered joining Root?"
Senyu was startled—Danzo was recruiting him in front of the Hokage?
Before he could respond, Hiruzen set down the scroll and smiled. "Danzo, Senyu is a critical asset on the battlefield. We need him out there. He can't be tied down in Root right now."
He continued, "Kusagakure is stable, and the war elsewhere is progressing well. It's time to train the next generation—send more Genin to gain combat experience."
Danzo scoffed. "You're too optimistic. According to my agents, the Tsuchikage has made overtures to Kirigakure. They rejected our envoys but welcomed Iwagakure's. That's not a good sign."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke from his pipe. "I'm aware. Still, let me enjoy the small victories. As for Kiri, they're far from stable."
Danzo raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"The Bloody Mist Policy," Hiruzen said gravely. "The Third Mizukage's method for producing strong shinobi is also crippling them. Their casualty rates are too high. They may become desperate."
Danzo's eyes narrowed. "So you think they'll collapse?"
"No. I think they'll cooperate with Iwagakure—but their instability is a weakness we can exploit. Onoki and A aren't exactly generous allies. They'll use Kiri, then discard them."
Danzo nodded slowly. "We could push Kiri to turn."
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Exactly. We must be cautious, but we're not without options."
Turning back to Senyu, Hiruzen apologized, "Sorry for the delay, Senyu."
He reached into a drawer and handed Senyu another scroll. "Your new transfer order. You're to return to the Kusagakure front."
Senyu bowed. "Understood, Lord Hokage."
"One more thing," Hiruzen added. "Orochimaru mentioned you're not planning to take a standard team but a single disciple?"
"Yes. My fighting style is more suited to solo operations. A single disciple will be easier to guide."
"That's fine. The academy graduation is in two days. Choose wisely."
Senyu bowed again. "Thank you. Lord Hokage. Lord Danzo. I'll take my leave."
"Go," Hiruzen said.
Senyu exited the office and exhaled deeply.
Danzo had tried to recruit him? That was unsettling.
Even though this was their first meeting, Danzo's reputation was infamous.
Now that he'd caught Danzo's attention, Senyu knew he had to tread carefully.
Danzo didn't let go of what he wanted.
Still frowning, Senyu walked toward Mito Uzumaki's residence.
Back in the office, Danzo turned to Hiruzen.
"You think he's suitable?"
"For what?" Hiruzen asked, though he already had an idea.
Danzo's gaze darkened. "The Uchiha."
Hiruzen's face grew stern. "Konoha needs them right now. This isn't the time to provoke a conflict."
Danzo warned, "And after the war? They're pushing for power again. You know the risk they pose."
Hiruzen didn't answer immediately.
But both men knew that this conversation was far from over.
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