The situation was extremely tense, and Senju Rinmu's face was ashen. His complexion hadn't been normal for quite some time now.
Standing behind Captain Huang Quan, Night Light waited for orders.
Danzo said in front of Huang Quan:
"The Senju Clan must hand over the Vortex Sealing Secret Technique, and the Nine-Tailed's sealing must be conducted by Anbu.
Senju Rinmu, the Senju Clan's strength is far from what it once was, much weaker than when Teacher Tobirama was the clan leader.
If there's any mishap with the Nine-Tailed's sealing, half the Village will be buried with your ambition!"
Senju Rinmu suddenly looked pained, exhaling deeply before continuing to speak:
"Isn't the weakening of my Senju Clan precisely because we sacrificed too much for the Village?
My father died, my uncle died, my younger brother died, and now my son has also died.
Which one of them didn't die for the Village?
The Nine-Tailed's sealing is the foundation of the Senju Clan; only our Senju Clan possesses powerful sealing techniques, and only my niece, Kushina, can withstand the Nine-Tailed's Chakra.
The Nine-Tailed's sealing must be completed by our Senju Clan! On this matter, I will absolutely not compromise."
Night Light listened with great interest; it seemed neither side would compromise.
As long as they had the Nine-Tailed, the Senju Clan was still the largest Ninja Clan in Konoha Village.
Even if the Senju Clan suffered countless casualties and was severely weakened, they were still the most important Ninja Clan in the Village.
If they retreated this time and handed the Nine-Tailed's sealing over to Anbu, Anbu could use the pretext of Nine-Tailed's sealing maintenance to seize guardianship of the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke up: "Don't argue here; this is not the place for arguments."
Danzo was expressionless, while Senju Rinmu gritted his teeth.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Senju Rinmu's stubborn, even somewhat ferocious expression, his gaze shifting several times before he finally said:
"Constantly arguing like this is not a solution, and Teacher Mito's mind is becoming increasingly unclear.
However, the Nine-Tailed's transfer sealing must absolutely not be performed within the Village; if there's an accident, half the Village will be buried with it.
Clan Leader Rinmu, you should first formulate a plan and begin preparations for the Nine-Tailed's transfer sealing."
Senju Rinmu's eyes lit up; had the Village finally compromised and yielded?
Danzo turned to glance at Hiruzen, puzzled as to why Hiruzen wasn't following the previous plan and continuing to pressure Senju Rinmu.
"Good! Hokage-sama, I will formulate a perfect sealing plan!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, his expression filled with worry:
"Clan Leader Rinmu, I understand your position.
Does the Senju Clan truly have the ability to complete the Nine-Tailed's sealing? How much strength are you willing to commit?
Danzo said the Senju Clan's strength has declined, and that is an undeniable fact.
I hope you present a feasible plan to ensure the Nine-Tailed's sealing goes smoothly, rather than just emphasizing your position with empty words."
Senju Rinmu declared confidently:
"Hokage-sama, the Senju Clan has always been researching how to unite the strength of more people.
Indeed, the number of Kage-level Ninja and elite Ninja in the Senju Clan has decreased significantly, but we never blindly believe in individuals; we prefer to rely on unity.
The Senju Clan has a set of Joint Sealing Techniques that can gather the strength of every Senju Clan member.
At that time, I will arrange for all Ninja of the Senju Clan, regardless of gender, age, or youth, to complete the sealing together!"
Night Light, hearing only fragments from afar, was filled with shock.
Was Senju Rinmu going to stake the entire Senju Clan for the Nine-Tailed's sealing?
Could it be that the Nine-Tailed's transfer sealing was the Senju Clan's night of extermination?
Night Light's mind trembled; no, he absolutely could not let the Senju Clan be exterminated like in the original story.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo walked towards the Hokage Building.
There was no one in front or behind them; Anbu had cleared everyone out.
Danzo asked: "Have you made up your mind?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said:
"The Second Ninja World War only lasted a little over two years, and Konoha lost too many people.
In two years, a quarter of Konoha's Ninja died.
Due to the deaths of relatives, more and more people in the Village are dissatisfied with me.
I cannot take risks, there can be no accidents, I must firmly control the Nine-Tailed.
Danzo, execute your plan, go to the front lines and find Orochimaru."
Danzo nodded and disappeared with a Body Flicker.
After the shift change the next morning, Night Light followed Captain Huang Quan back to the Anbu base.
Captain Huang Quan issued an order, requiring all Squad Leaders and Squad Leaders to research Joint Sealing Techniques, investigate incidents involving Joint Sealing Techniques, and gather intelligence.
At this time, Anbu was not proficient in sealing techniques, and Root Ninja did not have the Self-Inflicted Curse Sealing.
Night Light, however, did master several sealing techniques: Self-Inflicted Curse Sealing and Contract Sealing.
Self-Inflicted Curse Sealing came from the system, and Contract Sealing came from the scroll Vortex Yuka gave him.
He pretended to discuss Joint Sealing Techniques with the Squad Leader; he wouldn't contribute the sealing techniques he knew.
Days passed, and the Nine-Tailed's Chakra became increasingly violent.
The time came to the 12th of the second month, and the Senju Clan was finally about to begin the Nine-Tailed's sealing.
Under the night sky, within the Senju Clan Grounds, lights went out one by one.
Doors opened one by one, and Senju Ninja stepped out of their homes.
Husbands and wives, fathers and sons, brothers, sisters.
As long as they were Ninja, as long as they had graduated from the Ninja School, each one put on robes with the Senju Clan crest.
Unlike Ninja vests, the Senju Clan's robes were like those of nobles, with wide sleeves and flowing garments.
This was a Ninja Clan filled with a sense of honor, with a legacy spanning over a thousand years.
Pride was etched on the face of every Senju Clan member.
As long as the Nine-Tailed's transfer sealing was completed, the Senju Clan, centered around Vortex Kushina, would continue to prosper for decades.
When Clan Leader Hashirama left the Nine-Tailed to Konoha Village, to the Senju Clan, it was because Clan Leader Hashirama believed that only the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan had the ability to control the Nine-Tailed.
Unexpectedly, the Senju Clan was now in decline, and could only slowly regain strength by relying on the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki.
Now, it was the Senju Clan's worst moment, with the hope of the entire clan, Senju Rope Tree, having sacrificed himself on the front lines; it was also time for the Senju Clan to hit rock bottom and bounce back.
Vortex Kushina would become the Senju Clan's next Kage-level Ninja.
Night Light stood on the rooftop outside the Senju Clan Grounds, taking one last look at the empty Senju Clan Grounds.
Within the Clan Grounds, only children who hadn't yet graduated from the Ninja School remained.
These children carried infants in their swaddling clothes, who were even younger than them.
At the entrance of the Clan Grounds, there were also some disabled elders looking on with anticipation.
As far as Night Light knew, all remaining Senju Ninja from the front lines had returned, except for a few key Senju Clan members like Tsunade.
Deep within the Clan Grounds, Uzumaki Mito moved slowly, resting for a few seconds after each step, and was slowly helped onto a carriage.
Vortex Kushina also boarded the carriage.
This time, it wasn't a disguise like the Mt. Niuhe battle last time; it was a genuine transfer sealing.
The wheels slowly rolled, carrying the two Vortex Ninja, one old and one young, outwards.
Around the carriage, there were also eight elite Senju Clan members.
Tonight might be the tragedy of the Senju Clan, their final swan song.