Kazama Valley

At dusk, in Kazama Valley, fierce winds howled, sending the surrounding grass swaying. Under the powerful gusts, Masahiko's broad robe flapped loudly...

Several thousand Senju clansmen had gathered on the vast plains, staring intently ahead. Their clothes were likewise pressed tightly against their bodies by the wind. However, they all wore close-fitting Senju armor and tight garments better suited for fighting desperately on the battlefield, completely different from Masahiko's wide, hooded robe.

Tobirama helplessly covered his forehead. "Second Grandfather, what are you doing? Can those clothes even be used in battle?"

Masahiko glanced at him. "You don't understand. Your big brother told me to hide among the main Senju force. How inconspicuous are these clothes?"

Tobirama turned around and saw three small figures wearing the same clothes among the ranks. The corner of his mouth twitched. "Only an idiot wouldn't notice that the four of you have a problem..." But there was truly nothing he could do about this Second Grandfather. He could only glare at Hashirama, feeling that his big brother had come up with a terrible idea.

Hashirama ignored him, his gaze sweeping across the area. The wild grass had grown extremely tall, concealing the dark brown earth beneath it.

More than a decade ago, Kazama Valley had witnessed a brutal war. Not a blade of grass had grown across the land, and blood had soaked into the ground, turning the soil crimson. Yet now, wild grass had flourished once more, covering the earth. Perhaps nourished by the blood underground, these weeds were especially sharp. A hand brushing across them could easily be cut.

A nostalgic look appeared on Hashirama's face. "It was that war... Father and Uchiha Tajima died together."

Seeing Hashirama's reminiscing expression, Masahiko also recalled the war he had heard about more than a decade ago. It had been the most influential war of recent years in the Warring States, formally marking the departure of the older generation from the stage of history, while the younger generation led by Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara officially began taking control of their clans.

Masahiko pondered this, looking thoughtful. Should I count as part of the older generation or the younger one now? I'm even ten years younger than Hashirama, who calls me Second Grandfather...

Nearby, the Senju Clan's newly appointed Second Elder saw the three of them lapse into an odd silence and could not help interrupting. "Clan Head, Uchiha said the war would begin in three days. We arrived two days early. Should we let the clansmen rest first?"

Only then did Hashirama come back to himself and shout, "Everyone, set up camp and rest where you are!"

In past wars, shinobi generally rested in open areas, at most bringing one or two tents for meetings or important figures to stay in.

But now, the Senju Clan had mass-produced the Sealing Scrolls Masahiko had developed, so...

Half an hour later, Masahiko looked at the tents covering the hills and plains, the corner of his mouth twitching. The Senju Clan had to be here on vacation...

However, when the Senju clansmen pulled out all kinds of meat and barbecue grills from their Sealing Scrolls, Masahiko could not help muttering, "The me who developed Sealing Scrolls is truly a great man... Now we can even eat fresh meat on the battlefield!"

Tobirama's expression changed slightly as he glared at Hashirama. "Big Brother, I didn't tell them to bring these things!"

Hashirama gave a guilty smile. "Ah, the clansmen were quite considerate..." Then he shouted, "Since everyone brought so many barbecue ingredients, let's hold a feast before Uchiha arrives!"

"Oh! Long live the Clan Head!" came a wave of enthusiastic responses.

Thus, a grand feast suddenly took place in Kazama Valley, which was about to become a battlefield. Fortunately, Uchiha was very punctual. They had said three days, and they meant three days, not interrupting the feast.

The next day, Tobirama dragged Masahiko along to use simple Water Release and Earth Release to clean up the debris left behind by the feast, looking as though he feared anyone finding out that Senju had held a banquet on the battlefield.

After everything was cleaned up, they gathered again to prepare defensive fortifications.

That was right. They had arrived at the battlefield so early not for a feast, but to seize the initiative.

"Damn Kazama Valley. It's completely flat plains, and it still dares call itself a valley?" Masahiko cursed under his breath after following Hashirama around.

He had originally wanted to draw upon Romance of the Three Kingdoms and those anti-Japanese war dramas from his past life to show off before Hashirama and Tobirama, setting a few traps and preferably ambushing Uchiha. Yet the so-called Kazama Valley was actually a plain?

"Second Grandfather," Tobirama explained from the side, "this place truly used to be a valley, but the battle more than a decade ago changed the terrain."

Masahiko nodded. "Then it should be renamed. From now on, this place will be called Kazama and Hara..."

Speechless, Tobirama followed his big brother to arrange the defensive works.

There were not really any defensive works to speak of. They simply had the Genin and Chunin dig some basic hiding places and distributed Explosive Tags, allowing those lower-ranked shinobi to play a greater role. Wars in the Warring States had always been like this.

Seeing that there was nothing for him to do, Masahiko called over his three disciples and gave them a few simple pre-battle instructions.

In Masahiko's eyes, Iko, the youngest of the three, was actually the strongest. She had already barely reached the level of a Standard Jonin. But in actual combat, Iko's timid personality meant that she had never once defeated Hitomi. She was the one Masahiko worried about most in this war. After some consideration, he decided to have her enter the crude defensive position and simply throw some ninjutsu and Kunai from inside, without needing to fight the enemy face-to-face.

"As for you two, once the battle begins, stay close behind me. I'll arrange suitable enemies for you to practice against."

Hitomi eagerly agreed in a loud voice. Nanako, however, looked miserable. "Teacher, I'll go protect Iko..."

Masahiko glared at her. "Who knows who'll be protecting whom! I've taught you how to use Sealing Jutsu in real combat. This battle will be a good chance to test how well you've mastered it!"

After arranging matters for his three disciples, Masahiko became idle once more. Bored, he watched Hashirama and the others direct the construction of the defensive works, watched the Senju Clan's Jonin make their pre-battle preparations...

Before he knew it, noon had arrived. The Senju clansmen had completed all their preparations and were resting in their respective tents, awaiting Uchiha's arrival.

At that moment, Masahiko suddenly sensed a somewhat familiar Chakra fluctuation.

"This Chakra isn't from the Uchiha Clan... It seems to be Senju Tenyu!"

Sure enough, a figure gradually came running from the distance. It was Senju Tenyu, the Senju Clan's First Elder, who should have been remaining behind at the clan grounds.

Hashirama hurriedly went to meet him, but before he could speak, Senju Tenyu shouted, "Clan Head, this is bad! Someone discovered traces of Uchiha Madara's movements behind the clan grounds!"

Tobirama's expression changed drastically. "Big Brother, I was worried that..."

Hashirama waved a hand. "Is Madara alone?"

Senju Tenyu caught his breath before replying, "Only he was discovered."

Hashirama nodded. "Madara, do you want a one-on-one duel with me? Tobirama! Lead the men here and prepare to face Uchiha. I'll go back and stop Madara!"

As he spoke, Hashirama hesitated slightly. "Tenyu, come with me!"

The two did not spare another thought for anything else and quickly returned to the Senju Clan.