Five Clans United

To the average ninja clan, this already sounded like an extremely terrifying force, but from Sora Uchiha's tone, he didn't seem to care much.

The more important reason was that the Uchiha were currently very weak; otherwise, they would have already charged out and shown them the might of the Uchiha.

"With the Uchiha's current strength, this alliance of five clans is indeed not to be underestimated. Lord Sora, have there been any additional findings during our journey here?"

A Jonin brought by Izuna asked for instructions.

"Last night, we intercepted a message. Masashige Hagoromo seems unsatisfied with the five clans and wants to pull the Ino-Shika-Cho into the fray, forming an alliance of eight clans to devour our Uchiha's northwestern territory."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of all the clan members changed.

Ino-Shika-Cho naturally referred to the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans.

If calculated by individual combat power, they couldn't even be considered second-rate ninja clans, but what was baffling was that once they united, they could unleash the power of a first-rate ninja clan.

For decades, these three ninja clans had been united, existing in a state of mutual support.

Their territory was located in the westernmost region, and they rarely participated in battles, thus their presence among the Sengoku ninja clans was not strong.

"Then, did Ino-Shika-Cho agree?"

Izuna asked.

Sora Uchiha replied, "According to the intercepted intelligence, Ino-Shika-Cho is still very hesitant."

Izuna said without hesitation, "Prepare to attack!"

Everyone present was surprised, and someone immediately said, "Vice Clan Leader, didn't you say we would adopt a strategy of avoiding battle?"

"The situation is different now."

The alliance of five clans was already troublesome enough. If Ino-Shika-Cho got involved, things would become even more complicated.

The immediate priority was to prevent Ino-Shika-Cho from joining the five-clan alliance.

Ultimately, they were just afraid of participating in a battle they couldn't win.

Since that was the case, the Uchiha would take the initiative to attack and prove to them the principle that "a starved camel is still bigger than a horse."

They would scare Ino-Shika-Cho into not daring to meddle.

"This battle must establish the reputation of my Uchiha, scaring those bastards into not daring to move rashly."

Sora Uchiha also roared, finally able to vent the anger that had been building up inside him.

About thirty miles northwest of Uchiha's Stone City.

Within the encampment of the five-clan alliance.

The alliance's attack on the Uchiha was proposed by Masashige Hagoromo. Coupled with the Hagoromo Clan's strongest power, he naturally became the leader of the alliance.

In the main tent, Masashige Hagoromo sat in the main seat, with two rows below him. On one side were the clan leaders: Setsuna Fuma of the Fuma Clan, No Watanabe of the Watanabe Clan, Oki Saito of the Saito Clan, and Kōkawa Yokōichi of the Onigawa Clan.

They were gathered here drinking not for pleasure, but to entertain a distinguished guest—Enkaku Nara.

He was an envoy sent by Ino-Shika-Cho and naturally a target for Masashige Hagoromo and the others to win over.

Although with the strength of the Hagoromo Clan, Masashige Hagoromo usually didn't pay much attention to Ino-Shika-Cho.

But now, facing the Uchiha, he still hoped to gain more combat power.

"Clan Leader Hagoromo, I truly cannot hold my liquor. I'll just drink this much."

Like the future Shikamaru Nara, Enkaku Nara, who had a spiky ponytail, stopped Masashige Hagoromo from toasting him, responding with a wry smile.

Masashige Hagoromo put down his wine cup and smiled, "Alright, then I won't be impolite. But Mr. Enkaku, when you return, please tell the three clan leaders of Ino-Shika-Cho that this is the best opportunity to devour the Uchiha, a chance that comes once in a hundred years."

"Yes, yes, I will definitely deliver your message."

Enkaku Nara nodded repeatedly on the surface, but his thoughts were entirely different.

Although the situation seemed critical, the Uchiha, as a top clan of the Sengoku period, were not so easily destroyed.

Dong~ Dong~ Dong~

The heavy bell tolls sounded. The five clan leaders, whose faces were flushed from drinking, instantly sobered up.

All of them became solemn, understanding what the bell tolls meant.

Enemy attack!

As expected, a ninja from the Fuma Clan immediately entered the hall and knelt on one knee, saying, "Report! The Uchiha Clan has gathered approximately two hundred people and is attacking us!"

Enkaku Nara's pupils suddenly constricted, and he inwardly marveled, "Two hundred? That's already nearly half of the Uchiha's northwestern combat strength?"

Masashige Hagoromo's drunkenness also vanished instantly. He stood up and sneered, "The Uchiha are indeed a bunch of lunatics, actually initiating the attack."

Most ninja clans would choose to defend their cities and recuperate at this time, but the Uchiha couldn't be judged by common sense; they were a group of lunatics.

"Clan Leader Hagoromo, let our Onigawa Clan go out!"

Kōkawa Yokōichi, who possessed Jonin elite strength, declared.

Although his strength was the weakest among the five clan leaders, the immense combat power of the five-clan alliance gave him great confidence.

With such a reckless youth leading the charge, Masashige Hagoromo was naturally happy to oblige. He immediately said, "Very well, then let Clan Leader Onigawa launch our first battle to conquer the Uchiha, leading six hundred ninja troops to meet the enemy."

Sent out three times the number of Uchiha.

Masashige Hagoromo, like Izuna, wanted to win the first battle.

And to show Enkaku Nara, the envoy, the strength of the five allied clans.

The western region is not like the eastern battlefield where they previously fought the Senju, surrounded by mountains.

This is an open plain battlefield, meaning it's hard to use strategy; it's basically a clash of strength against strength.

The side with more people has the advantage.

Therefore, the situation is unfavorable for the Uchiha!

Unlike Masashige Hagoromo and the others watching from a rear observation deck.

On the plain battlefield, Izuna, clad in red armor, stood at the forefront of two hundred Uchiha clansmen.

"Hmm? The one leading isn't Sora Uchiha..."

Saito, the clan head, who was using sensory ninjutsu to scout the battlefield, frowned from the center of the ninja formation.

"Yes, that is the newly appointed vice clan head of the Uchiha, Izuna Uchiha."

A reconnaissance ninja from the Hagoromo Clan explained.

"Did Uchiha Gakugyo abdicate?"

Clan Head Saito opened his eyes, the corners of his lips curled up like a fox's. "Good, let's see his abilities. Our side has three times their fighting strength."

"Vice Clan Head, enemy numbers are estimated to be around six hundred."

A reconnaissance ninja from the Uchiha appeared beside Izuna's right shoulder using the Body Flicker Technique, reporting, "The one leading is the clan head of the Onigawa Clan, Kōkawa Yokōichi."

"Kōkawa Yokōichi..."

Izuna's eyelids twitched.

From Sora Uchiha's report just now, this guy is only an elite Jonin, yet he dares to lead the charge? Does he really think the Uchiha are easy to bully?

Thinking this, Izuna raised his right hand high.

In an instant, many clansmen behind him collectively activated their Sharingan.

On the observation deck opposite, Masashige Hagoromo and the others instantly felt as if they saw scarlet, evil stars shining on the enemy's battlefield.

Whoosh!

The next moment, Izuna abruptly lowered his right hand, creating a gust of wind that stirred up the first battle flames.