Izuna looked at the Skill Points total and thought, If we can take down the Five Clans this time, I figure I'll have more than 100 Skill Points afterward—enough to exchange for an S-Rank Ninjutsu.
But after experiencing the drawbacks of using the Mangekyo, Izuna decided he had no need to waste his Skill Points unless absolutely necessary.
His top priority was still the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Although the original story had shown no special advantages to the Eternal Mangekyo over the Mangekyo aside from never going blind and being able to use Complete Body Susanoo,
even those two advantages were more than enough. Having it was almost equivalent to breaking through to Kage Level and beginning to touch the threshold of Six Paths Level.
At the same time, it would let him roam freely through this Sengoku era—well, provided he ignored Hashirama Senju, that walking cheat, along with Black Zetsu, who wasn't a concern for now.
It might have looked earth-shattering.
But in the battle just now, Izuna had only used seventy to eighty percent of his strength.
He hadn't even brought out his trump card, Flying Thunder God.
That technique was specifically provided for "Kite," so he had to find other ways to increase his own strength.
Izuna hadn't given up on normal training just because he'd obtained the system.
Taking inspiration from Naruto in the future, he had already begun to gradually master techniques such as the Great Ball Rasengan and shape transformation of Chakra.
"Vice Clan Leader, would you like some more?"
Sora Uchiha came over with a bowl of thin porridge.
Izuna raised a hand to refuse, then turned his thoughts back to the battlefield.
He raised the index and middle fingers of both hands and formed the Hand Seals for Shadow Clone.
Poof~~
A cloud of white smoke rose, and one of Izuna's Shadow Clones appeared. Without a word, it headed west toward Stone City, which had just fallen.
Using Shadow Clones to gather intelligence was nothing unusual within the Uchiha Clan.
"Vice Clan Leader, what should we do now...?"
Sora Uchiha asked for instructions.
"Tell all the clan members to rest well and be ready for the counterattack in the best possible condition."
Sora Uchiha promptly answered aloud, but couldn't help turning the question over in his mind.
A counterattack?
Was there even a chance to counterattack?
Izuna's Shadow Clone quickly returned to Stone City. It wouldn't be difficult to slip past the guards at the rear gate, who were only Chunin.
As it made its way into the city, the civilians who had originally lived there were terrified, staying inside their homes and not daring to come out.
It was common practice among the human clans not to slaughter civilians during war.
Once a city fell, its people became part of the conquerors' workforce.
The idea was to put "people" first. If you captured a city only to kill everyone and leave behind a dead city, the victory would be worth far less.
As for the civilians, they didn't care who ruled them. They only wanted to survive in this age of raging war.
Izuna put on the Spiral Mask and changed into his black robe. Before long, he found No Watanabe, the Watanabe Clan Leader.
He was staying in Sora Uchiha's former residence.
"Congratulations, Watanabe Clan Leader. Even without our side joining in, you've managed to take the northwestern part of Uchiha territory."
Izuna spoke as he slipped into the room.
That was right. Over the past six months, besides making moves on the Hagoromo and Sarutobi Shimura side, Izuna had also worked hard to manipulate the Four Clans.
He told the Hagoromo Clan that the Four Clans were conspiring with Sarutobi Shimura, while telling the Four Clans that the Hagoromo Clan was conspiring with Sarutobi Shimura.
Masashige Hagoromo and the Four Clan leaders all believed Izuna was an opponent of the current Sarutobi Shimura Clan Leader, and that he had come to seek their cooperation to stage a coup within his clan.
"It's you..."
The Watanabe Clan Leader was startled, but forced himself to calm down before asking, "The war is over. What are you still doing here?"
Since they thought he was a high-ranking member of Sarutobi Shimura, Izuna decided to make good use of that identity and play along. "I've decided to stage a coup within my clan soon. Afterward, I'd also like to cooperate with your clan. I don't want to see you die."
"Us die?"
The Watanabe Clan Leader furrowed his brows.
"I heard the five clan leaders are holding a victory celebration tonight. Masashige Hagoromo plans to make his move against the four of you tonight."
"What?!"
The Watanabe Clan Leader's eyes contracted, and a chill ran down his spine.
They had only just dealt with the Uchiha, and Masashige Hagoromo already planned to strike on the very first night?
What a ruthless move!
"As for how you handle it, that's up to you. I'm only telling you because your survival will benefit me when I take power in the future."
With that, the Masked Man vanished from the room.
The Watanabe Clan Leader's expression darkened. After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "Someone, summon the Saitō, Fūma, and Onikawa Clan Leaders. Remember, do it secretly. Don't let anyone from the Hagoromo Clan find out!"
In the Japanese-style residence where Izuna had once lived,
the place was quiet, if not particularly luxurious, and its size befitted someone of the ruler's standing.
There wasn't much inside because it had long been used for handling wartime affairs. Neither Izuna nor anyone else had felt like bothering with decorating the room.
After capturing Stone City, Masashige Hagoromo naturally took it over as his temporary residence.
Just as he was considering his next move, the Masked Man, Kite, whom he thought he'd never see again, appeared before him once more.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm only reminding you because I hope to gain more people's support after I take control of the two clans."
As he spoke, Izuna repeated almost word for word what he had just told the Watanabe Clan Leader.
"How is that possible? They're moving so quickly?"
Masashige Hagoromo had long believed the Four Clans were traitors, but he hadn't imagined they would be so bold.
They had only just taken the city, and already planned to strike that very night.
"That's all I have to say. Just be careful not to get yourself killed."
Izuna said, preparing to leave.
Masashige Hagoromo hurried forward to stop him. "Please wait, Mr. Kite."
"Is there something else?"
"I never imagined they'd be so cunning. With the forces I have in the city, it would be difficult to take them all on at once. Please help me in secret, Mr. Kite. Give the Hagoromo Clan a hand tonight."
By then, Masashige Hagoromo's voice carried a note of pleading.
Izuna remained silent, giving Masashige Hagoromo the impression that he was hesitating.
"If Mr. Kite agrees, I'm willing to cede thirty percent of the land and resources gained from this to the two clans under your control, Sarutobi and Shimura."
Afraid the other man would refuse, Masashige Hagoromo immediately offered a huge reward.
"Hmm... all right. When you make your move tonight, have your men set off fireworks as a signal. I don't have many people under my command, but I should still be able to help."
Izuna nodded.
Masashige Hagoromo was overjoyed. "I'm deeply grateful. With our three clans united, we'll surely surpass the Hyuga Clan—and perhaps even catch up to the Uchiha. Even the Senju Clan won't be beyond our reach."
Before you continue