Storms Rise Again

In the Uchiha Assembly Hall.

All ninjas of Jonin rank and above in the clan had gathered here.

The number of people was significantly less than during the last selection for clan leader.

After all, last time, almost all the Jonin had been summoned.

Currently, Uchiha Gakugyo, Sora Uchiha, and others had been dispatched to guard the border defenses.

"What's going on? A sudden meeting."

"I don't know, but the messenger's face was grim."

"It's only been three months since the truce with the Senju, and something's happened again?"

"Shut up, we're lucky to have had three months of rest."

The Jonin below whispered amongst themselves.

Dong~~

The doors of the assembly hall opened, and Madara and Izuna strode in.

"Clan Leader, Vice Clan Leader!"

The clan members said in unison.

Madara gestured for everyone to sit, then took his seat as Clan Leader and nodded at Uchiha Soshu.

Uchiha Soshu, standing to the side, nodded, unrolled a map, pointed to the northwest of the Uchiha territory with his finger, and drew several circles with a pen.

"We just received a message from Lord Sora at the northwest defense post. Led by the Hagoromo Clan, along with the Fuma, Watanabe, Saito, and Onigawa ninja clans, they are advancing and setting up camp towards our Uchiha's northwest defense post."

"What?!"

"The Hagoromo... and the Fuma clan..."

"That old bastard Masashige Hagoromo, daring to kick us while we're down. Didn't he learn his lesson ten years ago?"

The clan members below were all indignant.

If the Uchiha and Senju were the top two clans of the Sengoku period, then the Hagoromo could be considered "first-rate."

However, after a major battle ten years ago where they were defeated by the Uchiha led by Tajima Uchiha, they could only be at the bottom of the first-rate ninja clans.

Unexpectedly, ten years later, shortly after Madara Uchiha took over as Clan Leader, they had returned.

"Although we haven't investigated why they're doing this, I don't think it's necessary to investigate."

Second Elder Tajima Uchiha said, puffing out his beard.

Everyone secretly nodded in agreement.

It was obvious, in four words: taking advantage of the situation.

The battle at Mount Kumogakure, though forcibly halted, had resulted in news of the Uchiha's near-defeat and disadvantage, which had gradually spread throughout the Sengoku period.

The Hagoromo Clan, already holding a grudge against the Uchiha, naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.

As for the other four clans, they weren't any better.

Or rather, no ninja clan in the entire Sengoku period was easy to deal with.

The Uchiha and Senju occupied very rich lands and resources.

If the Senju were at a disadvantage, they would attack the Senju just the same.

In other words—picking on the weak.

Izuna rubbed his temples. This situation reminded him of the history he had studied.

The scene of multiple nations forming an alliance to attack Qin during the Warring States Period.

"Vice Clan Leader, what should we do now?"

Uchiha Soshu asked Izuna.

After three months of fermentation, Izuna had become like a Zhuge Liang within the Uchiha clan.

From the elders to the ordinary clan members, everyone wanted to hear his thoughts.

"Avoid battle."

Izuna uttered two words indifferently, then added, "Defend the city and avoid battle."

If it were Madara, he would probably have said, "Let's charge out and annihilate them completely."

"Yes, avoid battle and recuperate."

A clan member immediately agreed from below, but then immediately worried, "But what about the Senju to our east..."

Mentioning the Senju, all the clan members fell silent.

News of the five clans encircling and pressing in on the Uchiha would soon reach the ears of the Senju.

Will they stand by and do nothing then?

Impossible!

If I put myself in their shoes, if the Senju were in dire straits now, I wouldn't pass up the opportunity either. I'd draw my sword and charge right over.

A Truce Agreement?

Isn't that just a piece of paper?

"I'll personally lead the reinforcement team to the northwestern defense line," Izuna said. "Of course, we also have to guard against Mount Kumogakure, but before the Senju make a move, don't be rash. Let's wait for Yueye's news."

This was all they could do for now.

As the clan head, Madara could no longer charge to the front lines recklessly.

Moreover, he needed to stay in the clan territory and prepare to deal with the Senju Clan to the east, who could make a move at any moment.

Returning to his mansion, he changed out of the long robes he had worn for the past few months and back into his black shirt and red armor.

As Izuna finished getting ready and prepared to depart that very night, he encountered Madara waiting at the entrance.

"Izuna, you didn't finish speaking at the meeting."

Izuna shrugged and smiled. "The Senju won't attack."

Madara's brows furrowed. After a moment's hesitation, he replied, "Impossible?"

It was a golden opportunity!

Standing in their shoes, there was no reason not to take advantage of their misfortune.

"At least openly, the Vice Clan Head Hashirama Senju would never agree to send troops."

Izuna was betting everything on Hashirama Senju. With him around, the Senju wouldn't dare to openly send troops for the time being, at least.

"You trust that guy Hashirama that much?"

Upon hearing this, Izuna couldn't help but get goosebumps. How did that sound so gay?

"It's not trust, it's conjecture."

"Do you have a plan for Hagoromo already?" Madara asked again.

"To be honest, no."

Izuna was telling the truth this time. All he could do now was to react accordingly to their strategy once he arrived.

Madara gritted his teeth fiercely, then finally managed to utter a few difficult words, "Be careful."

"Of course."

The Uchiha's northwestern border defense camp.

Sora Uchiha, who was of the same generation as Tajima Uchiha, served as the supreme commander.

It took Izuna and his troops two days and one night to arrive.

Although it was called a camp, it was actually built from a dilapidated stone city.

There were also some merchants and civilians here.

In the Sengoku period, prosperous places were generally limited to two:

One was the main territory of a great ninja clan.

The other was the capital city ruled by a lord and protected by ninjas.

As soon as Izuna led his small team into the city, they had just stepped through the city gate when two Uchiha ninja appeared before Izuna using the Body Flicker Technique.

"Vice Clan Head, Lord Sora has been waiting for a long time," the two said, kneeling on one knee.

After traveling for two days and one night, they were bound to feel a bit tired, but at this moment, no one dared, or even thought about resting.

In a repaired stone temple near the mountain within the city.

Sora Uchiha, whom Izuna hadn't seen in over three months, cupped his hands upon seeing him. "Izuna... No, you're the Vice Clan Head now."

"Minister Sora, what's the situation now?" Izuna raised his hand to stop Sora Uchiha's official pleasantries.

"Ah, it's very urgent! That bastard Masashige Hagoromo really wants revenge for what happened ten years ago!"

After cursing a few times, Sora Uchiha opened a map and began to explain the current situation to Izuna and the others.