Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

"Understood, Lord Third, I hope everything goes to plan. But this is your responsibility, if anything happens it will be on you."

With that very specific and pointed jab, Katsuro marked the territory in black and white - he did not agree with the Hokage's decision. The tensions rose but the meeting continued nonetheless. They mainly discussed the logistics of the Ame battalion's departure and briefly plans for Iwa. After it, Katsuro met with Tsunade privately. 

"Suro," she began, "you think I'm not strong enough to deal with Hanzo with Orochimaru and Jiraiya?" While she asked the question with slight irritation and even arrogance, Katsuro was glad to see the change. The fact she waited to ask it privately told him enough, and he was happy to see it. 

"Tsunade, I'm not calling you weak. I know first hand how strong you are - I'm the one that taught you, after all."

She interrupted him, "Who taught who? I taught you Iryo Ninjutsus and even my punching technique with chakra enhanced strength, which you gave the the fancy-ass name of Nintaijutsu-"

This time it was Katsuro's turn to interrupt, "Yeah, maybe because that is what it is?! it's just like my Thunderclap Impulse, and even the Raikage's technique would also count, I think."

"Yeah, yeah. Who cares? Anyway, I taught you way more stuff, so get it straight!"

"Oh yeah? Maybe if you could actually be bothered to learn more than a few Jutsu, before getting bored, you would have more versatility."

"Who cares about all that? I'll just punch through everything."

Katsuro sighed, hearing the same thick headed brutishness of her words, "Anyway, it's not about you, it's more about Hanzo. He is someone who's called Demigod and considered one of the strongest Shinobi, even from the Warring States period, for a reason. And guess who was the God of Shinobi then? The name alone should tell you how strong he is - his poison alone will probably make Chiyo's look like a joke!"

Tsunade got what he was trying to say, and took Hanzo more seriously, especially with the comparison to her grandfather. 

"Tsunade, I'm worried. But I am also needed here. This war in Iwa has been going on for far too long. Be careful, Tsuna, don't get overconfident and cocky, and be wary of Danzo. He shouldn't have any schemes during the war, but it doesn't hurt to be careful."

Tsunade was touched - as much as she put on a front of being reliable, strong and even a bit brutish, she loved it when Katsuro showed care for her. She understood his concerns came from a place of love, even for Jiraiya and Orochimaru, who at this point he might even be able to call friends. 

"Take this," he said, handing her what looked like a customised Kunai that looked like a mini sword and a talisman. 

"What is this?" 

"Tsunade, make sure you always keep that Kunai on you - no matter what. And if something bad happens, if you find yourself in a deadly situation, send chakra to that talisman. Promise me." 

Seeing the seriousness in his face, she promised, asking, "But what does it do, and what's the Kunai for?"

"If everything goes well, you won't need to know for a while. And I hope you don't, it is still very risky for me - after all, I've only just barely got it down somewhat, and luckily I made those beforehand in preparation."

"Fine!" she harrumphed, turning away in mock anger. "If you won't tell me, I guess I'll just leave then," and she proceeded to turn around back to the battalion's camp. Before she could take her first step, however, Katsuro grabbed her by the hand and spun her back. Tsunade, in shock and unbalanced, had to place a hand on Katsuro's chest. As she looked up into his green eyes, Katsuro bent down and kissed her on the lips, long and with passion, and she returned it with equal fervour. By the time they parted, Tsunade was slightly out of breath and red faced, but Katsuro just continued to stare down into her eyes.

"I love you, Tsuna. Stay safe," he said softly. Even though she'd heard them countless times before, Tsunade's heart swelled at his words. 

"I love you too, Suro. And don't worry - I'll be fine," she said, trying to sound confident, but her cheeks were still rosy.

As she turned to leave, she turned back around as if forgetting something. She reached into her pocket for something, grabbing the necklace, the only remaining memoir of Nawaki. Katsuro's expression became serious upon seeing it and he remembered the boy it belonged to. Tsunade reached up to his neck as she tied it and whispered quietly, "Nawaki would have wanted you to have it…"

Katsuro pursed his lips, not saying anything for a while as he looked at her, "I will cherish it."

Seeing his sincere words and expression she nodded with a soft smile before slowly leaving his embrace and planting soft kiss on his cheek. 

She turned around once again and started to walk towards the camp. 

"Tsunade!"

"Yeah?" she said, turning around.

"Remember the kunai and talisman." he said seriously. She rolled her eyes at her boyfriend's overprotectiveness. 

Still, I don't want to worry him.

"Okay!"

She waved for the final time, before continuing on to the camp, where Jiraiya and Orochimaru were waiting for her.

"Had some fun?" said Jiraiya suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. 

"Shut up!" she replied, her cheeks turning red again at the memory of their last kiss.

Before Jiraiya could continue his antics, she turned to Orochimaru.

"You have a plan?"

"Of course," Orochimaru responded wryly, before turning to the rest of the battalion. 2000 Shinobi. More than enough.

"Listen up, everyone."

—------------------------------------------------------------

The war on the Iwa front was going exceptionally well for Konoha, even by Katsuro's expectations. I'm not that surprised though. With me, the Hokage, Sakumo, Lord Tajima and all the major clans and their leaders here, it's to be expected. And the Fence-Sitter seems to be content with doing his thing even now, when they're on the brink of losing. Konoha was gaining both land and resources rapidly, with minimal losses too, and at the same time managed to inflict heavy damage on the Iwa forces. Katsuro was glad - that meant less Konoha Shinobi, and less Senju, would have to die fighting this drawn out war.

Upon reuniting with his clan, Kaito, whom he had left in charge, told him that there had been minimal Senju losses - only 15 since he went to the Suna front. That's good, Katsuro thought. He was still sad over the lost lives, and that would never change - he was responsible for them, after all. But they had died honourable deaths, protecting their families, clan and village, and no one had forced them to fight. They chose to risk their lives for Konoha and the Senju - they chose to die for Konoha and the Senju. The bittersweet beauty of sacrifice, Katsuro mused sorrowfully. Regardless, the Senju had welcomed both him and Tsunade back with open, enthusiastic arms, especially having heard of their feats at the Suna front - according to Kaito, some of them had even taken to calling him the 'Bane of Bijuus'. Personally, Katsuro thought the nickname was cool, but Tsunade had slapped any ego boost from it out of him. More than that though, the Senju were happy to see their Patriarch and their Princess alive. They all believed in Katsuro, and trusted him to lead them, and that he did - the Senju clan were the clan that had suffered both the least losses and casualties overall, and also per day of war. To them, Katsuro had kept his word - he had protected them as best as he could - he had taught them, and also given them the Shadow Clone Jutsu which was a key reason for their lower death tolls as it would make for a scout that could trigger traps without sacrificing anything or being at risk. And that was enough for them.

Katsuro had also campaigned for the Senju to undertake missions together during the war, and it was successful - even the Hokage couldn't argue against the fact that the Senju had arguably the most diverse group of Shinobi out of any clan, ranging from scouts to medics to combatants to assassins to strategists, and were sort of like a mini army all by themselves, especially when led by a Kage-level Shinobi like the Patriarch, or experienced elite Jonin like Kaito. It was also easier this way, the Senju had not participated in the war at the start and had also not taken missions for a while before that meaning that teams had already been formed. Generally, they were not opposed to teaming up with other clans and had good relationships with them. They were known to be easy to work with, with approachable personalities. Even the Uchiha and Senju had managed to work together; the clans with the deepest legacies joining forces was a fearsome vision for the Hokage and their opposition. 

Soon enough, the Senju had organised themselves into multiple teams, each led by at least one experienced Jonin. Katsuro's team consisted of no other Jonin, mainly Chunin, with some Genin. He wanted to make the teams teams as balanced as possible, and that they were. The Senju's missions had a 100% success rate, compared to the Uchiha's 95%, and the rest of Konoha's 80% success rate and and word of their formidability on the battlefield only grew, much to Fugaku's annoyance and Hiruzen's displeasure. 

The Hokage was already under indirect pressure from the skill, experience and leadership of the White Fang threatening his position as Hokage, and now the Senju had more or less made themselves into a mini village, and that same mini village was led by a child that hated him, and was almost as, if not as, powerful as him, and also happened to being the White Fang's student and biggest supporter? 

And my biggest supporter is probably Danzo? Give me a break!

The Uchiha similarly tended to stick together, also having similar qualities in being able to fill most necessary roles. However, their reason, other than being familiar with only each other due to being part of the police force, was mainly one of distrust. However, under Katsuro's insistence and Fugaku's leadership which was slowly being transferred and earned from Tajima, the clans with the longest histories and joining forces was a dreaded sight for their enemies, and even Hiruzen…

—

Katsuro was sitting around after a mission with his squad and a couple of others, resting after a long day. The mission was successful and no Senju lives had been lost, but that didn't mean it was easy, evidenced by the tiredness on the faces of many of the Shinobi. Katsuro was proud of his squad though - at least 2 of the Chunin could definitely now be promoted to Jonin under his tutelage, and some of the Genin probably had enough experience and growth to become Chunin - if they survive, that is, Katsuro thought darkly. He quickly dismissed those thoughts - pessimism is useful to no one, after all.

Suddenly, Katsuro felt the chakra of a talisman in his pouch and he took it out, seeing the signal he had given to Tsunade had been activated. 

Tsunade! She's using the Kunai! Panic almost started to rise in the Senju Patriarch - if Tsunade is using it, the situation there must be really bad - I need to get there now. But that Jutsu - it might not even work! I still haven't perfected it, especially over such a large distance. If I mess up, I could die so easily. Katsuro grimaced, getting ready to risk it. 

"Naya!" he said, while standing up to the most senior Chunin there. 

"Tell Kaito he's in charge - Tsunade's called for my help."

"Yes, Patriarch," Naya responded seriously. "But how will you get there?"

Instead of responding, Katsuro took a deep breath.

Now or never.

He stretched his senses, trying to find the mark he had left on the Kunai he gave to Tsunade. He looked further into Amegakure, eventually finding it, his mind expanding his vision and awareness.

Instead of responding, Katsuro took a deep breath.

Now or never.

"Flying Raijin!"