Trouble Stirring Again

A month had passed since the turmoil surrounding the founding of the village. Masahiko had thought he would return to his routine of training, eating, and sleeping, but the peaceful days were suddenly shattered.

Tobirama Senju came to visit the Uzumaki Clan. Five years later, Masahiko saw Tobirama again.

"Tobirama, you want me to help research and develop ninjutsu? Do you think your Second Grandfather has gone senile...?"

Faced with Tobirama's spiel, Masahiko refused to believe him.

"Second Grandfather, I've recently had many ideas. For example, a genjutsu that can deprive others of their sight, a technique that uses one Explosive Tag to summon other Explosive Tags, a Body Flicker Technique that can be used in water, one that lets you instantly appear anywhere within a body of water..."

With every technique Tobirama named, Masahiko's expression darkened. "Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, Mutual Explosion Tag, Water Flicker... You've developed them all already."

Masahiko looked up and glared at Tobirama, only to find that Tobirama's expression was even darker than his.

"My big brother is the spy Second Grandfather planted beside me, isn't he...? I only developed these techniques recently, yet you even know their names!"

Masahiko's expression froze. He had unconsciously spoken his thoughts aloud again. Gritting his teeth, he simply nodded and admitted it. "That's right, your big brother has long been one of my people..."

Hashirama, I'll have to trouble you with taking the blame...

Within the Senju Clan, Hashirama was fantasizing about his grand plans for founding a village when he suddenly sneezed. After a brief silence, he smiled in satisfaction. "Madara, do you think so too?"

Over at the Uzumaki Clan, Tobirama was still doing his best to "trick" Masahiko into going to the Senju Clan.

"Second Grandfather, besides those techniques, I have other ninjutsu I want to develop."

Masahiko curled his lip, thinking, Stop trying to fool me. Those are the only techniques in the Scroll of Seals, and they've all been developed... The only one left is Impure World Reincarnation. You never fully completed it while you were alive, so you probably won't develop it until around Konoha's tenth year...

At that thought, Masahiko suddenly remembered a forbidden technique of Tobirama's that few people had noticed. While being pursued by Kinkaku and Ginkaku's unit, Tobirama had merely pressed his fingertips to the ground to sense their numbers and strength. Though Masahiko did not know the technique's specific name, it was clearly a sensory ninjutsu.

"Tobirama, have you developed any sensory ninjutsu?" Masahiko promptly asked.

"Sensory-type? I really haven't." Tobirama answered slowly. "I really should develop a sensory ninjutsu. Aren't you a sensory ninja? You can come to the Senju Clan and help me develop it!"

Masahiko shook his head. "You're still trying to trick me into going to the Senju Clan. I can develop ninjutsu in the Uzumaki Clan too, so why do I have to go to the Senju Clan? Tell me, what's really going on?"

Tobirama smiled bitterly. "I really can't hide it from you... It's the Uchiha. They've begun preparing for war again."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go... I'll head back and pack my luggage." Masahiko turned and left, leaving Tobirama standing there in confusion.

Masahiko hurried home, excitement rising within him. Is war finally breaking out again? Konoha should be coming soon, right...

After some thought, Masahiko decided to bring his three disciples. The other members of the Uzumaki Clan would not participate, and sending his three disciples to the battlefield would give them more tempering.

"Hashirama can deal with Madara anyway. As for the rest of the Uchiha Clan, I'm strong enough now to protect all three of them."

Thus, an hour later, Tobirama saw the master and his three disciples standing before him, each carrying large bags.

After a brief explanation, Tobirama accepted Masahiko's reasoning that he was taking his disciples along for experience. The group bid farewell to the Uzumaki Clan Head and set off for the Senju Clan Compound.

Along the way, Tobirama explained the purpose of this visit to Masahiko in detail.

Ever since Madara had been thoroughly beaten by Hashirama nine years ago, the Senju and Uchiha Clans had not gone to war again. The Uchiha Clan had invaded quite a few Small Clans, but they had avoided the Senju Clan every time.

"This time, the Uchiha don't seem to be targeting any particular Small Clan. It feels like they intend to mobilize their entire clan. Planning for the worst, Uchiha Madara may have found a way to deal with my big brother." Tobirama looked worried.

After hearing the explanation, Masahiko was not overly concerned. That's probably not it. Madara's eyes are likely about to go blind... So this is the Uchiha Clan's final gamble...

"But..." Masahiko pondered, Madara isn't some reckless fool. If there were no hope at all, he wouldn't mobilize the entire clan... Whatever. If the sky falls, Hashirama can hold it up!

"Teacher, Uncle Tobirama is talking to you!" At the side, Nanako saw that Masahiko had once again sunk into his own thoughts and spoke up to interrupt him.

Masahiko came back to his senses, paused, then grinned mischievously. "Why call him Uncle Tobirama? By my seniority, you should call him Second Nephew Tobirama... And that goes for you two as well!"

The three disciples reacted differently. Nanako looked helpless, Iko was a little embarrassed but genuinely wanted to do it, while Hitomi looked excited and shouted, "Oh! I got it!"

Masahiko's face darkened. Having such a single-minded disciple was rather embarrassing.

Tobirama paid no attention to the interaction between Masahiko and his disciples. He was still thinking about what the Uchiha Clan might be planning this time.

After arriving at the Senju Clan, Masahiko briefly settled his three disciples down before Tobirama pulled him over to Hashirama.

When Hashirama saw them, his face lit up. "Tobirama, you're finally back. Not long ago, the Uchiha Clan sent us a declaration of war."

"A declaration of war?" Masahiko looked utterly bewildered. During the Warring States era, he had never heard of clans sending declarations of war before fighting.

"Hashirama, let me see it..."

"Ah, Second Grandfather," Hashirama finally realized, "you're here!"

Ignoring the absentminded Hashirama, Masahiko directly picked up the declaration of war from the table in front of him.

"Three days from now, a decisive battle at Kazama Valley?"

Masahiko curled his lip. What the hell was this? Why not a decisive battle atop the Forbidden Peak?

Tobirama looked at the contents of the declaration and was equally puzzled.

"Big Brother, could this be a trap? If we go to Kazama Valley, what if Uchiha Madara attacks our clan compound?"

Hashirama shook his head. "Madara isn't that kind of person! Tobirama, send word out. Have the clan members pack their things. We'll depart for Kazama Valley early tomorrow morning!"

"Big Brother..." Tobirama was clearly still uneasy, but upon seeing the long-absent seriousness on Hashirama's face, he could only nod in agreement.

"Then who will remain behind to guard the clan compound?"

Hashirama thought for a moment before speaking. "Have Tenyu stay behind..."

Senju Tenyu had successfully broken through to Clan Head level shortly after the war over the mines nine years ago. He was now the Senju Clan's new First Elder.

"The First Elder..." Tobirama considered it for a moment. "Understood." He turned and went out to notify the clan members.

After Tobirama had gone far away, Hashirama looked at Masahiko. "Second Grandfather, please hide among the clan members during this war. If nothing unexpected happens, there will be no need for you to act personally..."

Masahiko nodded. "I only came to this war to protect my three disciples. Don't even think about making me take the initiative..."

Hashirama: "..."