Uchiha's Scheme

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

As Masahiko walked down the road, Senju Clan members and Uzumaki Clan members would occasionally look at him with respect.

This is really the first time I've felt so trusted... Masahiko thought.

Over the past month, they had fought the Kaguya Clan seven or eight times in succession.

Because the Kaguya Clan Head had been wary of barrier techniques, the Senju and Uzumaki allied forces had remained at a disadvantage. After all, the Kaguya Clan Head alone required two Uzumaki elders, along with numerous Elite Jonin and Peak Jonin, to hold him back. Thus, they had always been outmatched in terms of top-tier combat power.

However, Masahiko had managed to firmly tie down the Second Elder of the Kaguya every time over the past month, allowing the allied forces to stand a chance in battle.

The remaining forces of the Senju Clan and Kaguya Clan had been keeping watch on the Uchiha Clan, so they could not send reinforcements.

The allied forces were not anxious despite their disadvantage. First, the Senju Clan's Eastern Elder would recover fully in another half month. Second, Hashirama had continued to grow through the fighting of the past month and was already close to breaking through to become a Clan Head-level powerhouse.

"Whichever one happens, the situation will turn around instantly!" Quite a few allied members had considerable confidence in this.

But while the allied forces could see this situation, the Kaguya Clan, who had been unable to make progress after repeated attacks, naturally noticed it as well.

Inside the Kaguya Camp, Kaguya Jyorai was discussing matters with the two elders and several Peak Jonin.

"Damn it! We've already sent Uchiha three letters asking for aid. Still no reply?" The speaker was the Second Elder of the Kaguya. Having been held back by Masahiko, a mere Jonin, and unable to advance these past days, he had long been filled with pent-up fury.

"Reporting to the Second Elder, they have been stalling all along. They may want us to wear down the enemy's living strength." A Peak Jonin answered.

"Damn it! The Uchiha Clan, one day..." Kaguya Jyorai said through gritted teeth.

"Send another letter." At that moment, the Kaguya First Elder interrupted the Clan Head's harsh words and spoke helplessly.

"Hmph!" Kaguya Jyorai snorted coldly but did not object.

The next day, the Kaguya Clan's fourth letter asking for aid was delivered to Uchiha Tajima, the current Clan Head of the Uchiha.

Uchiha Tajima summoned all clan members at Peak Jonin rank and above. Madara and Izuna were among them.

Seated in the main seat of the main hall, Uchiha Tajima waved the letter in his hand. "This is the Kaguya Clan's fourth letter asking for aid. Madara, what do you think?"

"Father, Kaguya has sent four letters asking for aid. That means their situation is truly critical. And now is also a good opportunity to strike the Senju Clan hard. I suggest we move out immediately!" Madara replied.

"Oh... Does anyone else have a different opinion?" Uchiha Tajima shook his head slightly and continued asking.

Uchiha Shinji, the First Elder, slowly rose to his feet. "Clan Head, when we attacked the Hyuga Clan before, we gave Kaguya a mine in exchange for having them stop Senju. Since they are asking us for help this time, how can we not demand some benefits?"

Uchiha Tajima still shook his head slightly. "How much can we gain by asking for benefits? At best, we can demand the mine back. But don't forget, the Kaguya Clan's territory is now guarded only by the Kaguya Third Elder and a small number of guards!"

"Clan Head, you mean..." The main hall immediately erupted into noise upon hearing this.

"That's right. We won't attack Senju. We'll attack Kaguya!" Uchiha Tajima revealed his true objective.

"Father, wouldn't that be dishonorable? Kaguya is our ally, after all." Uchiha Madara spoke up. At this time, Madara was still someone who cherished his younger brother and held justice in his heart.

"Hmph, honor! Madara, remember this: in the Warring States era, there are only interests, not honor!" Uchiha Tajima said. "And ever since the Hyuga ambushed us last time, we have lost nearly half of our reserve forces. It may not be apparent now, but in another ten years, Senju will suppress us completely! To prevent that from happening, we need more resources. This time is an excellent opportunity."

At the mention of the Hyuga ambush, Madara recalled several of his dead younger brothers. He closed his eyes in pain and no longer objected.

In truth, even if he had objected, it would have been useless. After the Clan Head finished speaking, nearly everyone in the main hall had fallen into excitement.

"Since no one objects, go gather the troops. We depart tomorrow and attack Kaguya!" Seeing that no one opposed him, Uchiha Tajima smiled in satisfaction and gave the order.

The Kaguya Clan's messenger returned to the Kaguya camp and immediately sought out the Clan Head in excitement. "Clan Head, good news! When I delivered the letter, the Uchiha Clan Head immediately summoned Uchiha's upper ranks for discussion. About half an hour later, I saw from afar that many Uchiha Clan members were packing their gear."

"Those damned Uchiha finally agreed to fight?" Kaguya Jyorai's face lit up with delight. "Pass down the order. Tell the clansmen to rest well. When the Uchiha Clan arrives tomorrow, I will break through the Senju and Uzumaki camp!"

At that moment, Kaguya Jyorai could never have dreamed that, at this critical juncture, the Uchiha reinforcements he had been hoping for would stab him in the back.

"Strange. The last battle was already three days ago, yet the Kaguya Clan has not attacked today. Have they given up?" Masahiko asked doubtfully within the Allied Camp.

The others in the main hall also wore puzzled expressions. They looked at one another, unable to determine the reason.

However, their doubts were answered shortly afterward.

"Reporting to you all, the Uchiha Clan has made unusual movements today!" A Senju Clan scout ninja gave them their answer.

After the ninja left, the main hall fell silent once more.

Ten minutes later, the Eastern Elder broke the silence. "Although we were prepared for it, the Uchiha Clan truly joining the battlefield still puts us under even greater pressure... This will become another prolonged melee. I wonder how many loved ones we will lose."

My strength is still not enough... Masahiko thought. I clearly promised my clan head nephew that I would protect the clansmen, yet these days, I have only been able to keep myself safe against the Second Elder of the Kaguya... If I could defeat him, this war would probably have ended long ago.

At the same time, the same thought flashed through Hashirama's mind, though his feelings were even more complicated than Masahiko's.

Madara, are we still going to meet on the battlefield? Have you forgotten the dream we shared? he thought.

"Big Brother, pull yourself together!" Tobirama saw Hashirama's confusion and tried to persuade him.

"There is no need for everyone to worry. The news should have reached our Senju Clan by now, and reinforcements will arrive tomorrow. Go back and rest. There may be a fierce battle tomorrow!" Seeing that everyone was in low spirits, the Eastern Elder hurriedly reassured them.

"Farewell." Masahiko responded and walked out. The others left one after another as well.

At that moment, no one knew just how spectacular tomorrow's script would be...