Chapter 226 226: Ren Senju, Framed for a Crime He Definitely Committed

{Did you guys think there would be a break or what? The PS were way short of the goal, anyway, the goal's always open, it's upto you guys to complete it and get the bonus} {Well, enjoy the chapter, next few chapters would be corny humor and pegging so, keep reading, keep supporting.} ~~~ A new morning in Konoha began as the sun rose at its usual time. However, this morning... this morning was not like the others. At first, everything looked the same. The streets, the buildings, the usual bustle, it was all there. But then people started noticing something strange. And then strange became shocking. The Hokage Mountain, Konoha's proudest landmark, had been defaced. No, decorated. No... claimed? Just below the carved Hokage faces, a massive Senju clan symbol had been painted, bold and impossible to miss. And under it, in huge writing a big thing was written. "This mountain belongs to the Senju clan." It didn't stop there, no, this was just the start. Every single shop in the village, every tea stall, every smithy, every little stand selling fried dumplings now had the Senju clan symbol painted right on its front wall. Below each symbol, the same line in neat but bold writing. "This shop belongs to the Senju clan." And it wasn't just the shops. The walls outside every clan compound, the Hyuga, the Nara, the Yamanaka, the Aburame none were spared. They all had the same symbol, the same statement claiming them as Senju property. Even the roads weren't safe. Words had been painted right on the street stones. "This road belongs to the Senju clan." And, as if to hammer the message in further, right outside the main village gates were massive drawings of the Senju clan symbol with the message. "The land of the Village Hidden in the Leaves belongs to the Senju clan." The sight was... unbelievable, outrageous and it sparked confusion because most ordinary villagers had no idea that the land Konoha was built on actually did belong to the Senju clan in the beginning. That was something only a handful of high-ranking people in the village knew. And then there was the scene near the village center. Ren stood there in full view of the public, shouting indignantly at the top of his lungs. Around him stood Yugao, Hitoshi and Utakata. Ren's voice carried far. "OUTRAGEOUS! Who in their right mind would do something this ridiculous? The Senju clan and the village are one! Whoever's doing this is clearly trying to create enmity between the Senju and everyone else in Konoha! Once I find the culprit, I'll make sure they receive appropriate punishment!" Passersby stopped to watch. Some tilted their heads. Many immediately suspected that Ren was behind this whole thing, after all, who else in the Senju clan had the nerve, the creativity, and the sheer gall to pull something like this? But here he was, acting all outraged, calling it a frame-up. "Hmph," Ren went on, scowling, "it hasn't even been a full week since the Senju clan became active again, and already people are trying to undermine our name with such petty tricks." Hearing this, a lot of the villagers actually began to doubt their suspicions. It was true if you thought about it, this kind of stunt was bound to cause dissatisfaction from the other clans. Why would the Senju, who had just stepped back into the spotlight after years of lying low, want to do something so provocative? Ren glanced around at the reactions, subtly noting the shift in mood. He gave the tiniest nod to Yugao, who was clearly trying to keep herself from bursting into laughter. Yugao stepped forward, putting on a serious face. "You're right," she said firmly. "This reeks of someone trying to frame the Senju. And I think we all know who's capable of pulling a stunt like this. Elder Danzo. You helped get him arrested a few days ago, didn't you? He's the only one who has the means and the motive to stir up this kind of trouble." The crowd murmured. They remembered vividly how Ren had beaten Danzo into the dirt and then helped drag him in for arrest. The idea of Danzo, bitter and spiteful, trying to get back at Ren and the Senju clan, it fit. So, like villagers everywhere, they began shifting their suspicions. Whispers about Danzo's underhanded tactics spread fast, replacing the earlier doubts about Ren. Still, one question lingered among the crowd, popping up here and there. "Wait... is the Senju clan really the original owner of all the land Konoha is built on?" ~~~ The people of the Hidden Leaf were still buzzing about the day's events, scattered in small groups around the marketplace and street corners, throwing around half-formed theories like they were trading cards. Some whispered in low tones; others gestured wildly, convinced they'd cracked the mystery wide open. Right in the middle of that noise, an ANBU appeared in front of Ren, Yugao, Utakata, and Hitoshi in a sudden flicker of movement. The masked shinobi spoke quickly, "Senju-san. Utakata-san. You are being called for a council meeting." With that, the ANBU vanished just as suddenly as they'd arrived, leaving no room for questions. Ren and Yugao exchanged a quick grin and slapped palms in a sharp high-five. Yugao tilted her head slightly, smirking. "As you said, they really called for a council meeting. Think your plan's going to work?" Ren's eyes narrowed a fraction as he thought about it, gaze momentarily drifting away from the street. "I just need one of them to threaten me at one exact moment. If that happens... I'd end up the landlord of the entire village." Utakata chimed in, "Technically, it'd be the Senju clan that becomes the landlord. But either way... let's go. By now, the meeting hall's probably in full chaos." The two of them disappeared in synchronized flickers, leaving only Yugao and Hitoshi behind. Neither of them moved for a while. Instead, they stayed where they were, pretending to loiter but really just soaking up the village chatter, piecing together scraps of gossip from passersby. A few minutes slid by like that, the noise of the crowd shifting and bending around them. Then, without warning, a figure materialized right in front of them. They reached out and gripped Yugao's shoulder firmly. "Where's Ren?" Yugao winced under the strength of that hand but didn't hesitate and she lifted her free arm and pointed straight toward the Hokage building. The figure gave a short nod before vanishing so fast that the space where they stood felt oddly empty afterward. Yugao exhaled slowly, muttering under her breath. "So this was why Ren wanted the timing to be exact..." She absently rubbed her shoulder, half-expecting to feel a bruise or at least a tender spot. Instead, there was nothing. She blinked in mild surprise. "Huh. I'm fine? Thought I'd have at least cracked a bone or two." Hitoshi spoke with a shrug. "As expected of a healer like Tsunade-sama." And with that, the two of them wandered off down the street together, weaving through the crowd, hands loosely linked as the village carried on around them. ~~~ In the council meeting hall, before Ren and Utakata had even arrived, the debate had already started to spiral into something ugly. The tension was thick enough to cut through, and the main voice pushing things forward was none other than the Hyuga clan leader himself. Hiashi's tone was sharp, laced with visible anger as he slammed his words across the hall. "We all know that the one who did this is the Senju heir, so why is he not being called here to accept his punishment?" From his seat, Hiruzen raised a hand slightly, trying to keep the atmosphere under control. "He has been called," the Hokage said in a calm, tired voice. "He should be here any time now." From the other side, Shikaku spoke up, voice carrying that lazy drawl of his as though none of this was worth rushing for. "By the way... it's not exactly confirmed that this is Ren's work. There's word going around that it was Elder Danzo's doing, meant to stir up tensions between the Senju clan and the village. And, well... as you can see, it's working." Hiashi turned sharply toward him. "Elder Danzo is supposed to be in custody." Shikaku gave him a long, flat look before replying. "It's honestly surprising that you believe a 'mere custody' could stop that man from doing things." The words hit hard, and the council chamber fell silent for a moment. Everyone here knew Danzo's nature. They knew exactly what kind of man he was, and what he was capable of pulling off, even from the shadows. Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly, but inwardly, his heart sank. Over the last few days, one report after another had landed on his desk, each detailing more of Danzo's crimes. There was no dismissing them either, not when the reports passed through both the ANBU Commander and the Jonin Commander before reaching him. Everything was documented. Everything was backed with evidence. And with the trial date closing in, there was no way to hide any of it. And yet... what happened in the village today was definitely Ren's doing. He was sure of this one matter, after all just yesterday Ren had come in his office asking for the land deed. But, there was no proof. Somehow, not a single ANBU patrol had seen anything. Not the regular shinobi patrols either. Even the Uchiha Police had no evidence. Not a footprint, not a trace. Hiruzen's gaze flicked sideways, almost unconsciously, toward Shikaku who was still casually dismantling every point Hiashi threw into the discussion. Then he looked toward Fugaku, seated with the same calm detachment. Finally, his mind drifted to Yoru. It didn't take long to put it together. If these three were on the same page, if they were actively covering for Ren, then Hiruzen was in trouble. Because that meant he was losing his grip over the village's military backbone and losing control over that... only led to one thing. Rebellion. Before that thought could sink too deep, the sound of knuckles rapping against the chamber door broke through. It opened, and Ren stepped in with Utakata just behind him and took their seats. The moment Ren sat down, his hand came down hard against the table with a sharp bang. The faint but undeniable pressure of killing intent began to seep into the air around him. "I'll say this first," Ren's voice cut across the room. "The Senju clan has no intention of doing this. After all," his gaze moved slowly across the council members "it's because of the Senju and the Uchiha that this village was founded in the first place. A village like ours has no king. No matter what clan it is." He leaned forward slightly, letting the weight of his words settle. "So whoever did this is trying to create trouble for both the Senju and the village. And I think we all know exactly who fits that bill best." Fugaku's voice broke through the thick atmosphere. "Why hide the name? We all know the one responsible should be Danzo Shimura. He's the only man with both the means and the motivation to pull something like this off." Ren nodded slowly, leaning back in his chair as if that settled it. "Exactly. Otherwise, who would spread rumors like this?" Then, without warning, his tone shifted. He sat up, his expression softening, almost sheepishly. "By the way... I wanted to ask you all something." The council looked at him in surprise. The sudden change was jarring, Ren had gone from an angry bird ready to strike to something more like a shy bird fidgeting at the edge of the table. "Well," Ren began, "you all know I don't really have anyone left to keep me updated on clan matters. Even big sis Tsunade is out of the village, so... I don't actually know if the village's land deed is really under the Senju name. Could you tell me if it's true? And if possible, maybe I could even take a look at it?" He raised his hands quickly in mock innocence. "Not because I don't trust you guys! But, you know... a person has to be cautious." The moment his words dropped, a ripple of discomfort went through the council. Everyone here understood exactly what was happening. Ren wasn't just fishing for information. He was after the deed. And if he got it, the village's finances would shift overnight. They'd all be paying rent again, after years of enjoying wealth for free. Inoichi shifted in his seat, ready to speak, but stopped the moment Shikaku shot him a lazy but pointed glance. Inoichi leaned back, realizing instantly that this meeting had more layers than Ren's playful tone suggested. Hiashi's voice came, crisp and formal. "Only clan leaders are permitted to question and view something as important as the village's land deed. Even clan heirs are forbidden from making such requests." Ren frowned at him. "That's strange... I've read through all the village laws, and I never saw anything like that. Is the Hyuga clan so powerful now that they can add laws on their own?" Hiashi's eyes hardened. "It is a council-only rule." Fugaku raised a brow. "That's funny. I've never heard of such a rule either. Does this mean there's a secret council operating without me being part of it?" Hiashi's frown deepened. His gaze flicked to the other council members, many of whom were looking ready to side with his own so he opened his mouth to press back, but Ren's voice cut through, cold and sharp. "How dare the Hyuga clan leader lie to a fellow council member. Now I really want to see that land deed. And if I don't..." his tone dropped to a dangerous low, "then I'll just have to see how well the Hyuga compound's barrier holds up. For testing purposes, of course." Hiashi's chakra surged instantly, heavy and suffocating, the air in the room thickening as the two locked eyes. "Are you threatening me?" Hiashi asked, his voice ice-cold. Before Ren could answer, the chamber doors exploded inward with a deafening BANG! BOING. BOING. BOING. There she was, blond hair tied in twin ponytails, shoulder length bangs and a violet diamond shaped seal on her forehead, nobody needed to be told who this was as everyone here knew Tsunade Senju very well. She was filling the doorway with her presence, one hand still braced on the shattered frame. Her golden eyes swept the room before locking on Ren who, at some point during Hiashi's pressure, had been forced to one knee, sweat beading across his forehead. Then Tsunade's chakra flared, flooding the room like a tidal wave. Every council member felt it pressing down on their shoulders. She strode forward in long, powerful steps, and Ren suddenly leapt up as if rescued by divine intervention. He wrapped his legs around her waist in a ridiculous yet desperate grip, throwing his arms around her neck. "SAVE ME, BIG SIS!" Ren shouted dramatically, his voice echoing off the chamber walls. "THESE GUYS ARE BULLYING ME JUST BECAUSE I ASKED TO SEE THE LAND DEED OF THE VILLAGE!" ~~~~~ {Big sis to the rescue ladies and gentlemen.} {Also, there must have been a few doubts in this chapter but I'll clear them out in the next chapter or the one after that so enjoy the present right now.} {If you want, you can support me on pat-reon} { h t t p s : / / w w w . p a t r e o n . c o m / Z e e n o n } {You know what else} {280 Stones = Extra chapter} {STONES!!!!}