Memorial Monument

Izuna's kunai pierced through another jonin from the Uchiha [Zetsu] Division.

The people of the [Zetsu] Division had not heard from Madara that this powerful masked man was Izuna.

After all, Izuna himself had yet to tell Madara about this identity.

But under these circumstances, they could figure it out.

"P-Please... reclaim victory, Vice... Vice Clan Leader..."

After leaving those final words in Izuna's ear before his death, he closed his eyes in contentment.

Perhaps he believed that once he closed his eyes, he would see his deceased beloved on the other side.

Izuna turned to look behind him. The Shimura side had nearly finished as well.

A Shimura jonin reported to Satoshi Ri, "Lord Ri, all twenty members of the Uchiha Clan have been dealt with. Seven dead and twenty-six wounded on our side."

Satoshi Ri nodded and shouted, "Burn all this food!"

So much food would be difficult for any ninja clan to resist.

But transporting it back was impossible.

During the Warring States Period, intelligence and communication technology had not yet become as advanced as it would be in the era of the Five Great Ninja Villages.

But that did not mean intelligence was not valued during the Warring States Period.

For something as important as transporting food, the person in charge would send word back to the clan through a Summoning Beast or messenger every day, or even every half-day.

To confirm that the transport was proceeding safely.

Once communication was cut off, it meant an accident had occurred. The clan would immediately send people to investigate.

By then, not only would they be unable to transport the food away, they would also run into Uchiha reinforcements.

Sizzle, sizzle—

The flames crackled as all ten carts of food were burned to ashes.

At that moment, Satoshi Ri walked over to Izuna. His tone was much more polite than before. "Mr. Kite, what do you plan to do next?"

"I naturally need to return to the camp first. Our Four Clans are also desperately short on food. I hope everyone from the Shimura and Sarutobi clans can send another batch of supplies—"

Before Izuna could finish, Satoshi Ri immediately pulled a map from his robes.

A route leading from the Sarutobi and Shimura clan territories to the camp where the Four Clans were stationed had been marked in red.

"Please rest assured. Lord Keizo has already made the arrangements. Once I return to the clan territory and report in, the food can be transported immediately, and we can formally meet with the members of the Four Clans."

Izuna accepted the map and reminded him, "Do not forget that our cooperation is being carried out under the condition that it remains hidden from the Hagoromo Clan. We will therefore meet up with you midway."

"The envoy sent by the Nobles should also carry sufficient weight. That will better demonstrate the sincerity of both sides in this cooperation."

Satoshi Ri nodded in understanding. "Please rest assured on that point. Then we shall take our leave first."

After retrieving the bodies of the fallen Shimura Clan ninja, Satoshi Ri and his group quickly withdrew.

Izuna removed his mask and cast off his black robe. Not long after he had returned to his usual appearance, a squad led by Uchiha Soshu arrived.

"Vice Clan Leader!"

Uchiha Soshu and the others nodded in a simple salute. Seeing the food reduced to ashes and the bodies of Uchiha ninja lying on the ground, their bodies trembled slightly.

Izuna swept his gaze over them and said flatly, "They completed their mission admirably. Retrieve their bodies and give them proper burials."

"Yes!"

Just as Izuna was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and added, "By the way, there should still be some Blue Obsidian left in the clan stores, correct?"

Blue Obsidian was a specialty ore usually fused into ninja tools during forging to enhance their sharpness and durability.

When used for carving, it could even remain undamaged for centuries.

"Uh... I believe there is indeed some left."

Uchiha Soshu replied.

"Pass down my order. Build a Memorial Monument and carve the names of these fallen clansmen upon it, so that future generations may pay their respects."

Izuna's approach was modeled after the future Konoha.

When Kakashi had led the Konoha 11 through their genin examination, he had spoken of that Memorial Monument.

The names of Obito Uchiha, Gekko Hayate, Asuma Sarutobi, and others had all been engraved upon it.

"Yes, Vice Clan Leader."

Blue Obsidian was a precious ore for forging weapons. If it had been used for anything else, Uchiha Soshu and the others might have objected, but for this, they had no complaints whatsoever.

Soon, the squad departed with the bodies of their fallen clansmen.

Their grief was only temporary. In the end, even the dead would gradually be forgotten by the living.

After Uchiha Soshu's squad left, Izuna put his mask back on and hurried toward the territory of the Five Allied Clans Army.

"This war is about to end!"

The Uchiha had fallen into a food shortage, and their opponents—the five clans led by the Hagoromo—were not faring much better.

Masashige Hagoromo decided to suspend the attacks on the Uchiha for the time being. He would first join forces with the Four Clans and transport each clan's food supplies over, then choose another day to resume the battle.

Over the past half year, Masashige Hagoromo and the others had remained wary of the Four Clans, but fortunately, nothing major had happened.

The Sarutobi, Shimura, and Senju Clan had also refrained from making a move, allowing Masashige Hagoromo's constantly taut nerves to relax slightly.

"Hagoromo Clan Leader."

Hearing the voice, Masashige Hagoromo's expression hardened. Naoyasu Hagoromo, hidden in the shadows, quietly gripped the tachi in his hand.

"Kite..."

Masashige Hagoromo remained on guard as ever and asked, "What intelligence have you brought this time? Could it be that Sarutobi Shimura has finally agreed to act?"

Izuna did not come often. In half a year, he had only appeared five or six times in total; sometimes, he would not show up even once in an entire month.

Yet every time he came, he brought extremely critical and reliable intelligence, leaving Masashige Hagoromo no choice but to take him seriously.

"You got it right. Shimura Sarutobi has decided to officially enter the war!"

"What?!"

Both Masashige Hagoromo and Naoyasu Hagoromo in the shadows were utterly shocked.

They had remained inactive for half a year. Masashige Hagoromo's side had practically begun to doubt whether Kite's information was true.

Yet today, the other party suddenly revealed that the two clans were finally making their move.

"Sarutobi Shimura has learned that you're short on food here, so they've decided to send over a batch of provisions first as a gesture of goodwill. Of course, this gift is only for the Four Clans. It has nothing to do with the Hagoromo."

Izuna gave a mocking laugh and continued, "At the same time, they'll dispatch high-ranking members of their clans as envoys for the meeting to discuss cooperation."

"How am I supposed to trust you?"

Masashige Hagoromo demanded impatiently.

Izuna took out the map Satoshi Ri had given him and tossed it to Masashige Hagoromo. "This is the route Sarutobi Shimura will take to transport the food this time. The circle marks the place where they agreed to meet."

Masashige Hagoromo hurriedly unfolded it. The route did indeed begin in Sarutobi Shimura territory and lead toward their side.

The circled location was a small town called Liang Town.