Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

That night, both Konoha and Iwa's losses were tallied. Konoha had lost 500 shinobi, a tragic loss indeed, but Iwa had lost more than 3,000. The statistics confirmed what the Konoha shinobi already knew - they had had an overwhelming victory. But the shinobi did not celebrate, as they had earlier. The morbid experience of seeing their fallen comrades bodies line the ground didn't let them, and many had shed tears over the loss of friends and family. Instead, most went to rest, with grim determination to settle this war as soon as possible for the sake of their village and comrades - alive and fallen. 

Concurrently, there was a meeting of the clan leaders and experienced shinobi, and the assembled ninja discussed the battle that had just ensued.

"I think it's safe to say that this battle was a great success," Orochimaru began, and his words were met with approval. 

"We managed to greatly cripple the Iwa forces, and it seems that now we're roughly matched in the quantity of shinobi… With our superior quality, we will have the advantage in any front on clash. Not to mention, thanks to you, Katsuro, we've successfully captured the 4 Tails and it's Jinchuriki. We also managed to take care of their commanders apart from the Jinchuriki, Roshi, thanks to Jiraiya and shinobi from the Senju and Uchiha clans. "

More approval followed, and many compliments and congratulations were said to Katsuro, who merely smiled and thanked them. Despite their previous doubts, they now understood the caliber of Shinobi that Katsuro was. He was the strongest there, and the feat of not only defeating but also capturing a Jinchuriki was not to be underestimated. If Kaito was here, the older shinobi would have complained, wanting him to say something statesman-like. Alas, Kaito was with the rest of the Senju, assessing the casualties, so Katsuro had come to the meeting by himself.

Orochimaru continued, "We should discuss next steps - the Jinchuriki will be immensely helpful to end this war, but knowing Iwa, it will not stop them until they have lost completely."

Uchiha Tajima concurred, "I agree, we need to make sure they are well and truly done. We should lead with the front foot, force them to react when they're already in a bad situation."

The meeting continued, but a bit more relaxed than a couple days before. The situation had been completely reversed and Konoha was by far the stronger of the 2 forces. Knowing the gap in shinobi - especially those of high combat power and the presence of Katsuro - Iwa wisely avoided head on confrontation. The next few days consisted of smaller scale skirmishes between teams, with Konoha aiming for their supply lines, camps and bases. Katsuro allowed for the Senju to be dispersed within the army to form squads, now trusting the integrity of the army that only wished for victory - there was no space for politics here. He himself led an elite group of shinobi including those from the Uchiha clan including Fugaku, allowing the 2 to grow closer and catch up. Konoha was winning far more than it was losing, and was gaining a lot of ground, pushing Iwa back. 

—

The news of Konoha's overwhelming victory soon spread across the Shinobi world. The Hokage received the news shortly after the battle was over. Orochimaru's report was thorough and accurate, without any sort of political bias. The elders and Hirzuen Sarutobi were initially elated hearing the news. The Hokage was particularly happy, hoping peace could arrive sooner. 

But Danzo put a damper on the good mood inside the Hokage's office. "Hiruzen, I told you, that Senju brat was trouble. Look at how much he's grown. If you had listened to me, you wouldn't be in this position now. Not only do you have to be wary of his master Sakumo, you have to be wary of the brat himself too, with his Senju lineage. Your position as Hokage is under risk, there will be calls for them to replace you."

Hiruzen visibly grimaced and Koharu spoke, "Danzo, Sakumo is a man of duty, he is loyal to Konoha. And that Senju Katsuro is far too young and only just became a Genin."

"Koharu, weren't you listening to the report just now? The boy took care of the 4 Tails by himself. Even if he was helped by his Fuinjutsu, he is undoubtedly at the very least on the threshold of a Kage class ninja. And if everything is accurate then he definitely is, he's reported to have fired multiple S class rank Jutsu we have never even seen before, and his kill count in that battle alone was more than 400. It's almost like he has the genius of our teacher with the talent and chakra of the first Hokage!" The scale of Katsuro's power dawned on Koharu as she realised he was easily stronger than her. She looked to the Hokage, whose mood had now been spoiled, as she inwardly questioned if he was stronger than the Hokage.

"And Hatake Sakumo is a highly accomplished Jonin who has connections and the respect of many shinobi and clans, and that was before the war. Now he is leading the Suna front and winning it, killing many of their shinobi."

Seeing Hiruzen not saying anything and his words working, Danzo continued.

"Hiruzen, you need to hand the Root more power. You need to allow me to recruit more shinobi from the clans. See, if you allowed me to recruit Katsuro to the Root when he was young, we could have had this power under our control. Don't make that mistake again. I can use the Root against Hanzo's Amegakure, and I can also deal with Hatake Sakumo quite effectively using the Root to make sure he can't shake your position as Hokage."

Hiruzen saw Danzo's point and was wary of the growing power and reputation of Sakumo and now Katsuro. 

Homura spoke, "Hiruzen, perhaps you should go to the battlefronts and support them." Homura's suggestion was a nice way of saying he should go and steal the reputation for ending the war. Suggesting such a thing when it seemed almost over was shameless.

Danzo's mental alarm went off hearing this proposal.

"No, it is far too late - the Shinobi won't appreciate it if you go now. And we don't know if the Kage of the villages will make a move. What if you go to the wrong front and we lose because of it? Konoha will be doomed. It is better if you wait here for them to make a move first, so you can save them from their crisis." As Danzo was manipulating Hiruzen, his thoughts were not the same as his words. Let your reputation worsen Hiruzen - I will remove the other competitors and become the Hokage!

The Hokage finally replied, "Danzo you make a valid point. I will wait here, just in case the Kazekage or Tsuchikage make a move. I also need to defend the village! But Danzo, don't use any tactics with the Root yet - just focus on the war. Nothing has happened so far, no one is calling for Sakumo to become the next Hokage. If they do, we will discuss it then."

"Sarutobi! You can't let this problem fester, don't make such a mistake again, hand me the power to de-"

"Danzo! I am the Hokage, what I say is final!"

Their conversation ended like they almost always did.

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