Senju Clan

The was considered, with the Uchiha Clan, the strongest clan in the world during the war-torn era before the founding of the hidden villages. Together with their rivals, the Uchiha clan, they were responsible for founding Konohagakure and making the village into what it is today.

History
The Senju clan gained their fame in the era before the founding of the hidden villages. Where other clans focused on mastering one particular skill, the Senju had masters in all skills, from Ninjutsu, to Taijutsu, to Genjutsu. Because of this, they were feared as, which gave them their name.

The most famous member of the clan was their leader, Hashirama Senju. His unique Wood Release ninjutsu even gave the clan the nickname the. This Wood Release and his ability to control the Tailed Beasts made him the greatest shinobi of his time.

Only one Clan could dispute the Senju's place at the top of the shinobi world, that one clan able to stand up to them was: the Uchiha clan. Whenever one country hired the Senju, their enemies would hire the Uchiha and vice versa. This led to a rivalry between the two clans and, more specifically, between the leaders of the clans, Hashirama and Madara Uchiha.

However, in a world of constant bloodshed, Hashirama had a dream of peace and a great love for his fellowmen. Known as the, this belief made the Senju clan propose a truce to the Uchiha clan. Fed up with fighting and persuaded by Hashirama's great charisma and negotiation abilities, the Uchiha accepted, ending their bloody rivalry. Only Madara was against this truce, believing the Senju would one day destroy the Uchiha clan. He was forced to accept, though, but his humiliation wouldn't end there.

Some time after the alliance between the Senju and the Uchiha was signed, the Land of Fire hired them to stabilize its borders and the clans created a permanent settlement within the country. Thus, Konohagakure was founded, and with it the system of one hidden village per country. As the system spread throughout the world, the constant violence stopped and Hashirama's dream began to become a reality. But it would soon start anew when Hashirama was elected as the First Hokage; a move that humiliated Madara even more and made him decide to leave the new village and eventually return to attack it.

Throughout the years, the Senju retained their supremacy over Konoha and made the village into what it is today. After the First Hokage's death, his younger brother, Tobirama Senju, stepped up to become the Second Hokage. Although likely not a Senju by blood, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who would become the Third Hokage after the Second's death, was trained by both the First and Second. His successor, Minato Namikaze, was the student of Jiraiya, a student of the Third. Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, was not only a student of the Third, but the granddaughter of the First and the grandniece of the Second. All of them strongly held to the Will of Fire philosophy.

It is unknown if the Senju clan currently still exists as an organization. There are no known people with the Senju name currently alive, although the Fifth Hokage, Tsunade, might be an official Senju. It is very well possible that the Senju clan disbanded into smaller clans and families, especially since they never had a specific skill or technique like the Uchiha or Hyuga clans. However, their legacy lives on strongly in the hearts of the people of Konoha.