Seeking Aid

For an entire day, the Uzumaki Clan Compound was shrouded in grief.

Muto had been well-liked within the clan. A talented young man, handsome and not at all arrogant or overbearing. If he had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, he would have been a Warring States-era Minato Namikaze.

What a pity he was born in the Warring States era, Masahiko thought.

Masahiko was not overly saddened. Over the past forty-eight years, he had already witnessed too many partings through life and death.

He knew there would be many more such incidents in the future. After all, barring unforeseen circumstances, he would live a long life.

Stay alive. At the very least, I have to survive until the end of the story... Masahiko thought.

The next morning, Masahiko rose early, ate a simple breakfast, and hurried toward the Main Hall.

The funeral site from yesterday had not yet been fully cleaned up. Muto's body had already been sent to the clan cemetery the previous night.

"Second Uncle, you're here." The Clan Head sat in the seat of honor in the Main Hall and raised his head with a weary expression.

Masahiko knew that the Clan Head must have been under tremendous pressure. The Kaguya Clan was even stronger than the Uzumaki Clan, yet they had to take the initiative and go to war against them. But Muto could not have died in vain. This war had to be fought.

"Second Uncle, you'll need to make another trip to the Senju Clan to request aid," the Clan Head said.

"But... if Senju joins the war, Uchiha will definitely join as well," Masahiko replied.

"There's no other way. In terms of military strength, we are far inferior to Kaguya. Only by drawing Senju and Uchiha into the battlefield will we stand a chance of winning. Second Elder has already set off for the Hyuga Clan."

"Hyuga? Understood. I'll depart immediately for the Senju Clan." Masahiko nodded, understanding the Clan Head's arrangements. If they could turn the battlefield into a conflict among the Five Clans, their side would hold the advantage.

Masahiko had no choice but to take the path to the Senju Clan once more. This was already his third trip in the past half month.

"Ah, what a tiring life..." Masahiko sighed.

Even with our in-law relationship, persuading Senju to send troops won't be so easy. I'll have to think of something and play it by ear.

The journey was peaceful, and he arrived near the Senju Clan without incident.

"What's going on? So many Chakra fluctuations gathered together. It seems Hashirama's and Tobirama's are among them too." Masahiko sensed many Senju clansmen in the distance.

"The man leading them seems to be their Eastern Battlefield Elder." Masahiko moved closer and looked toward them from afar.

"Who goes there?" Hashirama shouted, having discovered Masahiko watching them. In an instant, everyone turned to look in his direction.

Masahiko emerged with an awkward expression. He had actually been discovered. Was this the perception one would expect from the future God of Shinobi?

"Second Grandfather? Didn't you go back?" Tobirama was immediately surprised upon seeing Masahiko. After all, Masahiko had said farewell to him before leaving yesterday.

"Ah, I left something behind in the Senju Clan Compound." After some thought, Masahiko decided not to reveal his true purpose.

"The guest room should have been cleaned up already, shouldn't it?" Tobirama muttered.

Seeing this, Masahiko immediately cut him off. "What, am I not welcome?"

"Of course not. If you want to stay, you can stay as long as you like." Hashirama smiled and chimed in, while Tobirama's face instantly darkened.

Sure enough, Masahiko promptly continued, "Then later, use Wood Style to build me a wooden house. Warm in winter and cool in summer. It isn't convenient to keep staying in the guest room."

Hashirama looked utterly confused. "Did I say something wrong, Tobirama?" he quietly asked.

Tobirama rolled his eyes at his older brother...

"Just kidding, don't take it seriously." Masahiko smiled. "By the way, where are you all headed?"

Hashirama was about to answer when their elder coughed. "Oh, we're going... hunting."

Tobirama shut his eyes in agony, while Masahiko nearly burst out laughing. "All right, then. Have a safe trip."

Masahiko shook his head and turned toward the Senju Clan Compound.

That lie was even worse than anything I could come up with.

Do they think I won't know just because they don't tell me? Eastern Elder is personally leading the team, and Hashirama and Tobirama are both among them, along with a large number of elite shinobi. With such a lineup, on the eastern side of the Senju Clan, only Kaguya could receive this kind of treatment...

Looks like I don't need to request aid after all. There's a world of difference between asking for help and offering it proactively.

With that, Masahiko made up his mind.

"Since I came all this way, I can't leave without doing anything..." Masahiko muttered. He went to the guest room, filled his bundle with stones, and made it look like he had indeed left something behind.

Without even going to see Butsuma, Masahiko prepared to head back.

Just as he was about to leave the Senju Clan Compound, a Jonin stopped him. "Lord Masahiko, the Clan Head requests your presence!"

"All right, I understand," Masahiko replied.

Calling for me at a time like this... Could they be asking Uzumaki for aid? Masahiko thought as he made his way to the Clan Head's Main Hall.

"Masahiko, you came back to retrieve something? Did you bring everything this time?" The moment Masahiko entered the Main Hall, Butsuma began exchanging pleasantries with him.

"Yes, I brought everything this time," Masahiko replied, not taking the initiative to speak further.

Butsuma paused. Seeing that Masahiko had no intention of bringing it up, he could only speak helplessly. "Our two clans have become in-laws, so we should advance and retreat together. Now, the Kaguya Clan is constantly harassing us from the east, while various Small Clans are causing trouble from the west. We hope the Uzumaki Clan can help us attack Kaguya together."

"Oh, that matter? I can't make the decision either. Once I return, I'll inform the Clan Head and the others. The final decision still rests with the Clan Head and elders."

Masahiko deflected verbally, but inwardly he was delighted.

"Good. I hope you can bring me good news!" Butsuma said.

"Don't worry, Clan Head Butsuma. I'll do my best to persuade our Clan Head. After all, with Mito's relationship, I don't think there'll be much of a problem." Masahiko decisively played the good guy. Even Butsuma was slightly moved, feeling that Masahiko's image had suddenly become far more imposing.

Masahiko bid farewell to the Senju Clan and returned to the Uzumaki Clan with a bag of stones on his back. Naturally, he threw the stones away halfway there. There were specialized weights for weight training—who would carry a bag of stones around?

Upon returning to the Uzumaki Clan Compound, the Clan Head personally came out to greet him.

"Second Uncle, you're back so soon? Did Senju agree to aid us?" the Uzumaki Clan Head asked.

"Yes. Senju asked us for aid," Masahiko replied.

"What?"

Afterward, Masahiko told the Clan Head everything that had happened during this trip.

"Such a thing happened? Good, this is even better. That way, Senju can serve as the main attacking force, and our clansmen will suffer fewer casualties." The Clan Head smiled. "Then I won't need to go personally. Let Second Elder and Third Elder lead the team."

"I'll go too." After hesitating for a moment, Masahiko still took the initiative to speak.

The Clan Head was puzzled. His Second Uncle had always joined battles only when absolutely necessary. Why was this time different...

"All right, then. Please be careful." Still, he did not refuse.

"Then I'll go back and prepare." With that, Masahiko turned and headed home.

"Ah, these Witness Points mean I have to get involved in everything. Otherwise, where am I supposed to get them from..." Masahiko sighed.

I hope this battle brings some gains...