The Great Deceiver Kite

"My name is... Kite."

When I was thinking about this plan and designing this outfit, Izuna used Uchiha Obito as a basis.

Since that's the case, I might as well make it convenient and use all the aliases he used before.

Over twenty ninjas from the Shimura and Sarutobi Clans stood ready.

Only after the smoke and dust cleared could they truly see the opponent's true face.

But it wasn't really a true face.

He wore a black robe that covered his hair, and his face was hidden by a strange, spiral, single-eyed mask.

Even his voice was clearly altered, concentrating Chakra in his throat to irregularly change its sound.

"Kite..."

Furukawa Sarutobi muttered the name in a low voice and exchanged a look with Keizou Shimura.

Then, both of them shook their heads, indicating they had never heard of such a person.

But to be able to break through their proud clan grounds alone and reach this point was no ordinary feat!

"Ninjas aren't supposed to reveal their surnames, are they?"

Izuna said with a half-joking smile.

"Hmph!"

Keizou Shimura snorted and waved his hand. Eight ninjas from the Shimura Clan drew their swords and formed a circle, surrounding Izuna.

"Don't rush, Clan Head Shimura. I've come with sincerity to discuss cooperation with your esteemed alliance. My method of entering your residence was a bit crude, but it was truly the only way."

Keizou Shimura's wariness did not lessen at all. Instead, Furukawa Sarutobi stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, "Kite... is it? What is your purpose?"

"Clan Head Furukawa Sarutobi of the Sarutobi Clan, it's wonderful to meet someone reasonable."

Izuna spread his hands, feigning excitement. "I am a member of the four clans in the northwest, who have recently joined forces with the Hagoromo Clan. I am here on a secret visit, representing the four clans to request an alliance with the Sarutobi and Shimura Clans."

The four clans of the northwest?

In the desolate regions of the northwest, there were many small and medium-sized ninja clans, but the only ones who had allied with the Hagoromo Clan were those four.

Fuma, Saito, Watanabe, Onigawa.

This person was from one of those four clans?

It was said that their strongest clan heads were only at the peak of Jonin. Where did such a master come from?

"Didn't you ally with Hagoromo? Now you're saying you represent the four clans to ask for our cooperation."

Keizou Shimura didn't believe Izuna's words at all.

"When I say I represent the four clans, it's because this matter is being conducted while concealing it from Masashige Hagoromo,"

Izuna's voice, altered by Chakra, carried a hint of resentment. "Masashige Hagoromo and our four clans agreed that after conquering Uchiha's northwestern territory, his Hagoromo Clan would take fifty percent, and the remaining would be divided equally among our four clans."

"We cannot accept such terms, thus this proposal."

Izuna suddenly raised his voice. "Please, Sarutobi and Shimura Clans, join us in dealing with the Hagoromo Clan and dividing the resources of the Hagoromo and Uchiha Clans."

Furukawa Sarutobi's eyes widened in surprise. Keizou Shimura's suspicion continued. "Even if... no, even if I concede a million points and believe you, you could just find the Senju. They'd be overjoyed to start a war with the Uchiha immediately."

As soon as Keizou Shimura said this, the surrounding ninjas also reacted, warily watching "Kite."

"Clan Head Shimura guessed correctly, but unfortunately, I already visited the Senju clan's territory before. Although Clan Head Takeuma Senju was very interested, Vice Clan Head Hashirama Senju vehemently opposed it and almost tried to capture me. I had no other choice, so I came to you."

Izuna waved his hand, looking dejected.

"The Senju refused? How is that possible?!"

Everyone in the main hall was shocked.

Before this, they had always believed that the Senju were just waiting for the right moment and would not participate in this war.

This masked man must be lying.

"It's hard to believe, isn't it? But the new Vice Clan Head, Hashirama Senju, is just that kind of person."

Izuna continued, "Now, the Uchiha's end is near, and Hagoromo is not guarding against us four clans. The chance of success is extremely high. I hope both clan heads will join us in creating this great enterprise."

"I cannot stay away for too long, or Masashige Hagoromo will become suspicious. Next time I have the opportunity, I will personally pay my respects to both clan heads."

As Izuna spoke, he prepared to leave.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!!"

A wind pressure bomb, visible to the naked eye and the size of a hot air balloon, attacked.

As the ninja clan most skilled in Wind Release during the Sengoku period, Keizou Shimura's A-rank Wind Release was almost as powerful as Izuna's ultimate move, Wind Release: Rasengan.

However, the masked man instantly disappeared from his spot.

After the Vacuum Sphere shattered half the main hall, he reappeared out of nowhere.

Keizou Shimura was greatly shocked, muttering, "Body Flicker Technique? No, he didn't even form hand seals, nor did I sense any Chakra fluctuations. What on earth is this..."

Furukawa Sarutobi narrowed his eyes from the side. "Is this... spatial movement?"

"You're really hot-tempered, Clan Head Shimura. I already said, even though you're a great clan, treating an envoy like this is going too far, isn't it?"

As the voice faded, the masked man's dark shadow vanished again, leaving only one last sentence, "If you don't believe me, just wait. The Senju definitely won't make a move."

After everything returned to peace, Keizou Shimura asked in a deep voice, "Furukawa, what do you think?"

"At least the last sentence he spoke is correct. To prove whether what he said is true, it's enough to see if the Senju make a move."

All the ninja clans in the Sengoku period believed the Senju would never let this opportunity pass and would definitely tear up the Truce Agreement and declare war on the Uchiha.

But if, as that "Kite" said, the Senju didn't start a war, then his seeking cooperation with the Senju Clan should be credible.

Keizou Shimura pondered for a moment before asking, "If what he said isn't false, Furukawa, do you think we can act?"

Furukawa Sarutobi pursed his dry lips. He knew his comrade was starting to be tempted.

About five ri away from the Sarutobi Shimura clan grounds.

A kunai was stuck into one of the locust trees.

Afterimages flashed, and Izuna retrieved the kunai and took off his mask.

"The personality of the Asura lineage is truly an excellent thing to exploit."

He wouldn't actually go to the Senju clan grounds as "Kite."

Not to mention that there were experts like clouds there, just the Flying Thunder God Technique alone would make it impossible to come and go as freely as this time.

This Ninjutsu alone absolutely could not be exposed to the eyes of the Senju.

That's right. Izuna didn't plan to use this move on the main battlefield, but only as "Kite."

And at this moment, even Izuna himself didn't expect that his actions would stir up a huge storm that he himself would find difficult to stop.