Hyuga Reemerges

Masahiko had thought that by returning to the clan with Hashirama this time, he would soon be able to fight the Uchiha, earn some Witness Points, and reach the pinnacle of life.

Instead, reality dealt him a crushing blow.

Over the past few months, the Senju and Uchiha had remained at peace, falling into a strange honeymoon period. Perhaps years of warfare had depleted both clans too severely, and they had tacitly agreed to a truce. They probably would not be fighting again anytime soon.

After staying in the Senju Clan Compound for three days, Masahiko had nothing to do but tease Tobirama, delighting in the miserable look on his face whenever he unwillingly had to call him Second Grandfather. Of course, Masahiko also went to see Mito from time to time. She could no longer maintain the appearance of a young girl, after all, her belly was growing larger by the day.

As for Hashirama, he had only just finished the official duties Tobirama had left for him and eagerly went back to keep Mito company.

After two more idle days, Masahiko was already planning to return to the Uzumaki Clan and lie low there, then come back to join the fun once war broke out here.

However, Hashirama received news of unusual movements from the Uchiha Clan.

Before Masahiko could celebrate for long, reality dealt him a second crushing blow.

The Senju learned that the Hyuga had reemerged, and the Uchiha's movements were entirely aimed at them.

Speaking of the Hyuga Clan, it had been twelve or thirteen years since they had been forced by the Uchiha to seal off their clan and recuperate.

With the Hyuga reemerging this time, aside from Hyuga Tenin still being the Clan Head, the clan's elite had likely been completely replaced. More than a decade was enough for an entire generation to change.

Speaking of Hyuga Tenin, he was the only one left among the four great powerhouses of the old era. Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma had perished together on the battlefield of Kazama Valley, while Masahiko had personally witnessed Kaguya Jyorai's death five years ago.

Now that the Hyuga Clan has reemerged, does Hyuga Tenin think he's the strongest in the Warring States and has come looking for trouble? Madara is hard to judge now, but Hashirama, who has learned Sage Mode, could crush him in minutes. Masahiko thought. Still, I am rather looking forward to seeing that...

Yet reality dealt Masahiko a heavy third blow. Someone came to report that Hyuga Tenin, the Hyuga Clan Head, had arrived with members of his clan to request an audience with the Senju Clan Head. They were waiting at the entrance to the clan compound.

Damn, they're this polite? Masahiko thought. Looks like I won't get to see an old-timer look down on a junior, only to get crushed by that junior.

In truth, Masahiko had overthought things. Age brought wisdom. Since the Hyuga Family was returning from seclusion, how could Hyuga Tenin possibly fail to investigate the current state of the Warring States?

Of course, since Hyuga Tenin was observing proper etiquette, Hashirama could not neglect them. After the Kaguya fled to the Land of Water, the only clans in the Land of Fire that could still be called major clans were the Senju, Uchiha, and Hyuga.

Hashirama personally went beyond the clan grounds to welcome Hyuga Tenin. A group of Branch Family guards accompanied him.

After inviting the Hyuga group into the Main Hall, Hashirama impatiently asked the question many people wanted answered. "Hyuga Clan Head, why did you... attack the Uchiha by surprise more than a decade ago? Though you and the Uchiha were enemies, there should not have been a feud between you that could only end in death."

Hyuga Tenin revealed a bitter expression. "So it was indeed like this!"

"Thirteen years ago, we received a secret letter from the Senju Clan, asking us to launch a surprise attack on the Uchiha Clan's Fourth Training Ground. We were to attack from within and without, dealing the Uchiha a severe blow."

"You Senju were at war with the Uchiha at the time, so I did not think too much of it. I sent a squad to the Uchiha... to scout."

"As it turned out, the Uchiha Clan's defenses were unusually lax that day. Our squad went deep into their clan grounds without being discovered, so we simply attacked their Fourth Training Ground directly."

"Later, the Uchiha retaliated against us desperately, yet you did not stop the Uchiha as promised."

"At the time, I very much wanted to demand an explanation from Senju Butsuma. But after thinking it over all these years, there were many suspicious aspects to this matter. From your question, it seems you knew nothing about that secret letter..."

Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged a glance. Tobirama immediately flashed away to find the First Elder, Senju Suijian, who had already half-retired.

After a while, Tobirama returned and shook his head slightly at Hashirama.

Seeing this, Hyuga Tenin closed his eyes. "It seems someone truly set up our Hyuga!"

By this point, the Hyuga Clan Head was gritting his teeth. "Don't let me find out who it was..."

At the side, Masahiko shook his head slightly. Even if you find out who it was, you probably won't be able to do anything. Black Zetsu has hidden in the ninja world for centuries. Even the Byakugan likely can't detect him...

Hyuga Tenin finished recalling the past and began explaining the purpose of this visit.

There was not much to explain, really. The Hyuga had come because the Uchiha's anger had yet to fade, seeking the Senju's help in "mediating."

This was not particularly difficult, either. The Uchiha had personally sent their ally, the Kaguya, to their grave. The Uchiha could no longer face both the Senju and Hyuga at once.

Thus, the Uchiha's current actions were more likely because Uchiha Madara could not swallow his resentment and wanted revenge for his younger brothers. If the Senju were willing to mediate, the Uchiha elders might be eagerly hoping for it.

However, even if the Senju and Hyuga became allies, the Senju could not help them for nothing.

Hyuga Tenin naturally understood this as well and said, "To thank you for your help this time, we have brought you a great gift—an important piece of intelligence."

"Intelligence?" Hashirama looked doubtful, while Masahiko's interest was piqued as well.

"Senju Clan Head, have you not noticed that several Medium-sized Clans in the west have been fighting one another far more fiercely lately?" Hyuga Tenin asked slowly.

"That has indeed happened, but what is the issue?" Hashirama glanced at Tobirama, who nodded.

"A Small Clan in the west has excavated Chakra Conducting Metal from its Iron Ore mine," Hyuga Tenin replied.

"Chakra Conducting Metal?" Hashirama said in surprise. "So that's how it is..." He fell into thought.

Masahiko concentrated as well. Chakra Conducting Metal was a rare material, whether in this Warring States era or in future Konoha. Pitifully enough, despite living in the Warring States for fifty-three years, Masahiko had never seen a single Chakra Conducting weapon. The Uzumaki Clan did possess some Chakra Conducting Metal, but there was too little of it. It could probably only make a few Senbon.

I wonder whether Shuriken mixed with this metal would make it easier for me to use the Shuriken Substitution Technique? Masahiko thought.

"Thank you for the intelligence, Hyuga Clan Head." Hashirama emerged from his thoughts and said to Hyuga Tenin, "I will mediate with the Uchiha."

"Thank you, Senju Clan Head. Then we shall take our leave."

After seeing the Hyuga group beyond the clan grounds, Hashirama suddenly remembered something. "Hyuga Clan Head, may I ask which Small Clan excavated the Chakra Conducting Metal?"

"It is a Small Clan called Sarutobi," Hyuga Tenin replied.

Wait? Sarutobi?

Masahiko's expression froze. The Senju were not going to seize the Sarutobi's mineral resources during the Warring States era, were they...?