The Bridge Sustaining the Uchiha

"The former affiliated Ninja Clans are willing to return under the Uchiha's banner."

Upon hearing Setsuna Uchiha's good news, Uchiha Takeyasu curiously asked, "Which Ninja Clans are they? And how many Jonin do they have?"

"Some died on the battlefield. Clans like the Shiranui Family, Nohara Family, and Kurama Clan... each has about two to four Jonin."

"No wonder Elder Setsuna didn't care before."

With such strength, Uchiha Takeyasu could easily arrange a small squad from the Security Department to carry out a clan extermination mission.

"Do your best, and don't leave yourself with regrets."

Setsuna Uchiha didn't feel much emotion thinking about those minor clans. The nature of the Ninja World is survival of the fittest. It wasn't hard to understand why they kept their distance from the Uchiha in front of the Senju Clan.

Although there were distinctions between strong and weak within Konoha, they couldn't treat traitors as cruelly as before.

On one hand, the Senju Clan kept a tight watch. On the other hand, those minor clans didn't pledge allegiance to the Senju, making it difficult for the Uchiha to accept them.

"However, if those minor clans dare to go back on their word again, their entire families will be wiped out."

Setsuna Uchiha lightly brushed the matter aside and turned his gaze to Kaku Uchiha.

"Elder Kaku, your work is the most important among us. How is the situation?"

"The situation isn't entirely smooth. Mito Uzumaki agreed to let us examine the Scroll of Seals containing Senju Tobirama's forbidden jutsu, but she insists on designating which forbidden jutsu we can choose."

Kaku Uchiha apologized, "I've disappointed everyone."

"Elder Kaku, there's no need for that."

Uchiha Takeyasu consoled him, "Even if we successfully obtain the Flying Thunder God Technique, I might not be able to develop a Space-Time Teleportation Array in a short period."

"As Elder Setsuna said, do your best and leave the rest to fate."

"Thank you for your understanding, Young Lord. I will visit the Hokage Building again tomorrow."

After stating his position, Kaku Uchiha brought up what happened at the Hokage Building today and said, "Young Lord, perhaps we can bypass Mito Uzumaki from another angle to obtain the Scroll of Seals."

"As I was leaving the Hokage Building, I ran into Senju Moriki. He invited you to a gathering, clearly with ill intentions. We might have an opportunity to use him."

Meeting the probing gazes of the three, Kaku Uchiha explained concisely, "Senju Moriki is ambitious but incompetent, narrow-minded, and his attitude towards our clan has always mirrored Senju Tobirama's, yet he's learned little of his skill."

"Elder Kaku means to control Senju Moriki to obtain the Scroll of Seals?"

Uchiha Takeyasu looked at the nodding Kaku Uchiha and said thoughtfully, "If he has malicious intent, there are two ways I can handle him after capturing him."

"The first is to force Mito Uzumaki to hand over the Scroll of Seals using Senju Moriki as leverage."

"The second is to use the disgraced Senju Moriki to steal the Scroll of Seals."

Shikata Uchiha stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming, "The Hokage Building is guarded by Anbu 24 hours a day, with all-weather barriers surrounding it. The security where the Scroll of Seals is stored is even more heavily fortified. Besides outright theft, these two methods are probably our best options for getting in."

"Since this useless Senju Moriki is coming to us, we should use him."

Kaku Uchiha sneered, "I've been fed up with this second-generation brat for a long time. Without Hashirama Senju and Senju Tobirama, how much face does he have left?"

"Elder Kaku, did Senju Moriki mention the location of the gathering?"

"Anywhere except our clan compound."

Uchiha Takeyasu pondered for a moment and decided to take a risk, "Then let's set the location at the Senju clan compound."

"Young Lord!"

The three exclaimed in disbelief. Just as Senju Moriki wouldn't dare enter the Uchiha compound, they also wouldn't dare let Uchiha Takeyasu venture deep into the Senju compound.

Both sides were dangerous territories, and anything could happen.

"Seniors, please let me explain..."

"No, absolutely not!"

Setsuna Uchiha rudely interrupted Uchiha Takeyasu, his expression filled with anger, "You are the Young Lord of our clan, representing the future of the Uchiha. How can you act so recklessly!"

Seeing that the other two also disagreed, Uchiha Takeyasu didn't insist.

Regarding safety, with his ability for spatial teleportation and the third-stage Susanoo, Uchiha Takeyasu didn't believe he would encounter danger at the Senju compound.

However, since everyone disagreed, he abandoned the idea of investigating the Senju compound.

He also regretted not being able to utilize [Amenotokotachi]. If he had just followed Senju Moriki around, he could have uncovered the remaining assets of the Senju of the Forest.

He had accompanied Shikata Uchiha around this morning and was well aware that the Uchiha currently had over three hundred Chunin and nearly a hundred Jonin.

There were also some clan members with missing limbs who could no longer be Ninja. If these individuals could be utilized, the Uchiha's strength would be further enhanced.

"I understand. The location will be decided by the three seniors."

Fearing Uchiha Takeyasu's youthful impulsiveness, Kaku Uchiha abandoned the idea of using Senju Moriki and directly stated, "There's no need for the gathering with Senju Moriki. I will talk to Mito Uzumaki again tomorrow."

"Add me to that. One more person can put more pressure on Mito Uzumaki."

Shikata Uchiha chimed in, then turned his gaze to Setsuna Uchiha, "Tomorrow, Elder Setsuna will accompany the Young Lord to meet those affiliated Ninja Clans."

"No problem."

Setsuna Uchiha understood Shikata Uchiha's intention. He walked to Uchiha Takeyasu's side, patted his shoulder, and said gently, "Young Lord, you are the bridge that unites the Uchiha. You must not act on impulse."

"Please rest assured, Clan Head and Elders. Takeyasu will not act rashly."

Seeing that Uchiha Takeyasu had truly taken their words to heart, the three felt slightly relieved. Smiles appeared on their faces. Uchiha Shikata waved his hand and said with a chuckle, "Come, let's go try the meal my wife made. I guarantee you'll find it unforgettable."

The four enjoyed their dinner in a harmonious atmosphere. Meanwhile, at the Senju compound, Senju Moriki stood with his head bowed before Mito Uzumaki.

"Why did you invite Uchiha Takeyasu?"

A cold, authoritative female voice reached him. Senju Moriki stammered, "I just wanted to build a good relationship with Uchiha Takeyasu and ease the tension between our clans."

The obvious lie almost made Mito Uzumaki lose her temper. She coldly reprimanded him, "If it weren't for the fact that you're already a father and the Clan Head of the Senju, I would have slapped you right across the face."

Senju Moriki's gums were almost crushed by his own teeth. He lowered his head and remained silent.

"..."

Mito Uzumaki didn't understand why her son, who had grown up under her watchful eye, had turned out this way. She inexplicably felt like using Impure World Reincarnation to summon Hashirama Senju and have him give Senju Moriki a good beating.

The forbidden jutsu, Impure World Reincarnation, was developed by Senju Tobirama based on the Reaper Death Seal. Mito Uzumaki, with her formidable sealing jutsu, was naturally no stranger to Impure World Reincarnation.

To prepare for the upcoming challenges from the Uchiha, Mito Uzumaki cast aside her previous concerns. She read through the entire Scroll of Seals, which was filled with forbidden jutsu, and learned everything she could.

The public election in seven days was not just for the Uchiha, but also for herself.

Mito Uzumaki didn't ask for the Senju of the Forest to continue growing stronger; she only wished for the current situation to be maintained.

However, the successor for the next generation had truly disappointed Mito Uzumaki. With this generation already considered a write-off, she planned to focus on cultivating Tsunade.

"If you want to invite him, then invite him. With those three old guys around, Uchiha Takeyasu won't personally put himself in danger."

Mito Uzumaki, feeling listless, lost the interest to continue conversing with Senju Moriki. "Today, I received a letter from the Daimyo. Tomorrow, the Daimyo's heir and the Princess will arrive in Konoha."

"Tomorrow, I need to visit the Ninja Army returning from the front lines, who have been disabled and can no longer be ninja. You will entertain the Daimyo's envoy on my behalf. Do not do anything superfluous."

"You can go back and rest now."

(The Daimyo's heir and the Princess?!)

As Senju Moriki walked out of the room, his eyes were filled with a complicated expression, and a sinister smile appeared on his lips.