Chapter 151 : I Hope You Can Reach The Strength Of First Hokage
Riku knew very well that the Senju clan still possessed many powerful ninjutsu techniques.
After all, during the Warring States Period, they stood shoulder to shoulder with the Uchiha as the two strongest clans in the shinobi world.
And that was before Senju Hashirama came into the picture. One could only imagine how deep the Senju clan’s heritage ran.
Tsunade walked over to Riku, gave him a couple of pats, and smiled. "Let’s go."
Of course, Riku didn’t refuse. He was genuinely curious to see just how powerful the Senju clan’s ninjutsu was.
And more importantly, he was very interested in the sealing chambers that once belonged to Mito Uzumaki.
That legacy came from the Uzumaki clan. Riku had a strong feeling that Mito must have left behind a trove of Uzumaki sealing techniques for the Senju clan.
Tsunade’s real intention was to allow Riku to learn more of the Senju clan’s ninjutsu and to spend more time with him.
She was fully aware that Riku was a genius, but no matter how talented someone was, they still needed enough resources to truly become powerful.
In the past, Riku had been born a commoner—lacking the backing or resources of a powerful clan. But now, Tsunade intended to give him everything he needed to grow.
She believed that if Riku were provided with sufficient support, he might one day become a ninja as strong as her grandfather.
That was the hope she held for him.
She wanted Riku to reach a level of power and influence comparable to the First Hokage—or at least get close.
Riku, of course, had no idea what was going through Tsunade’s mind. He simply thought she wanted to spend time with him.
He figured Tsunade was being a little childish.
In fact, under normal circumstances, even if Tsunade deeply admired Riku’s talents, it would have been impossible for her to develop feelings for him—not someone so much younger than her.
But ever since that genjutsu incident, followed by a few drunken nights where she ended up dragging him back to her place to discuss medical ninjutsu... something had changed.
The genjutsu had been so realistic—it had deeply impacted her emotions toward Riku.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the Senju clan compound.
Riku looked around at the desolate courtyard and sighed. "To think this was once the strongest clan in Konoha, and now... this."
"The Senju’s decline was inevitable," Tsunade replied after a moment of silence. "After Konoha was founded, most of the branch families fully integrated into the village. Only the main line remained. But without a strong leader at the helm... decline was only a matter of time."
"A clan’s decline isn’t unusual."
She was clearly somewhat melancholic, though she had long accepted this reality.
Riku noticed the look of disappointment on her face. If Shizune hadn’t been standing nearby, he would have offered her some comfort. But with Shizune present, he simply placed a hand on Tsunade’s shoulder and smiled.
"Regardless, the Senju clan gave everything for the founding of the village. I’m sure the village will never forget that."
"Besides, you’re still here, aren’t you? One of the Legendary Sannin, and now the Fifth Hokage—you’re a Senju too. The clan lives on through you."
Tsunade couldn’t help but chuckle. "You say that like the Hokage seat was created just for the Senju clan."
Riku smiled but said no more.
Tsunade knew exactly why she’d brought him here.
"I’ll take you to the Senju clan’s secret chamber."
Shizune’s eyes widened. "Lady Tsunade... is that really okay? The secret chamber holds the deepest secrets of the Senju clan."
Tsunade looked over at Shizune and smiled. "Riku is going to be my personal bodyguard from now on. There’s no need to hide anything from him. That’s enough, Shizune."
Shizune hesitated, wanting to say more, but Tsunade’s firm gaze stopped her.
Despite the Senju clan’s decline, dozens of people still lived within the clan compound.
Seeing Tsunade return brought them joy—not because she was about to become Hokage, but because she had finally overcome her trauma and fear of blood.
She was even willing to return to the village.
The Senju clan had once tried to persuade Tsunade to leave the village behind. But unfortunately, they held no sway over her—not even as much as the Third Hokage once did.
As for her decision to show Riku the clan’s secrets, none of them objected.
Most of the clan’s classified ninjutsu had already been copied and archived by the village’s higher-ups anyway.
Those techniques weren’t exactly secrets anymore.
They entered the underground chamber, a large basement filled with shelves of scrolls and books—far more than the restricted library where Riku had once stored the Forbidden Sealing Scroll.
Riku couldn’t help but sigh. "So this is what a great clan’s legacy looks like... even the village’s main library can’t compare."
Tsunade smiled. "Whatever you want to study in the future—if it’s here, it’s yours to read."
Riku was momentarily stunned. Despite their closeness, he hadn’t expected her to grant him access to the Senju clan’s most confidential techniques.
"Are you serious?"
Even Shizune was shocked.
Not even Kato Dan—Tsunade’s beloved—had been allowed into this place.
She’d never shared any of the Senju secrets with him. If she had, Dan’s strength would’ve far surpassed what it was. He had only ever learned one spiritual technique—strong as it was, being an S-rank ninjutsu.
If his spirit body remained undetected, he was more powerful than most Jonin.
But once the spirit was spotted or countered, he was vulnerable.
Had he been allowed to study more of the Senju’s techniques, he could have protected himself far better.
But Tsunade had kept the chamber sealed from him—due to its confidentiality.
And yet, for Riku, she had opened everything.
Even Shizune found it hard to believe.
Riku looked at her, bewildered. "Are you sure about this?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "What, you don’t want it? If that’s the case, then forget it."
Riku laughed. "Of course I want to! I just... can’t believe it."
Tsunade smiled. "As long as you need it, this place is open to you."
"Riku, with your talent, I truly hope you’ll one day reach—no, maybe even surpass—my grandfather’s strength. I know that’s an incredible goal, but I believe you have the potential."
Shizune’s eyes widened again.
The First Hokage... what kind of man was he?
He was the one who ended the Warring States era, founded Konoha, and single-handedly suppressed an entire generation of shinobi with his power.
If Tsunade hoped for Riku to reach such heights... no wonder she had placed such faith in him.
No wonder she brought him here.
She truly had the highest expectations for Riku.
Riku nodded. "I’ll do my best."
In truth, not only did he believe he could reach Senju Hashirama’s level—given enough time, he might even surpass it.
But for now, he still had a long way to go.
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