The news about Senju Zhenyang spread quickly throughout the Senju Clan Compound. Everyone thought his chances of survival were slim. According to the survivors, there was no way a wounded elite Jōnin could survive against such a terrifying summoning beast.
Several days later, Senju Zhenyang still hadn't returned to the compound. Butusama personally declared him dead in battle, held his funeral, and posthumously bestowed upon him the title of honorary elder.
Several days later, the Senju called for Onmyo Seimei to be punished, declaring that they would avenge themselves on the Onmyo Clan.
When the Onmyo Clan received the news, they immediately explained that their clan leader hadn't returned to the compound in a long time, and that they only wished to maintain the status quo. They had absolutely no intention of opposing the Senju.
The Onmyo Clan took a very conciliatory stance, but Butsuma didn't want to listen. He went straight to war.
Everyone knew that in the Warring States period, the best way to obtain resources wasn't to produce them yourself, but to wage war. Beat others into submission, then openly take their things—that was the way to survive in the Warring States period.
Avenging Senju Zhenyang was merely a convenient justification. In the end, it was all about the benefits.
Not long after the Senju issued their declaration, the Fuma and Hatake clans seized the opportunity to join forces and steal a shipment of Chakra Metal that the Uchiha Clan was transporting to the Land of Iron.
When Uchiha Tajima heard the news, he flew into a rage and swore to make them pay.
The Uchiha knew the Senju had secretly helped, but the two clans were bitter enemies and difficult to deal with. For now, they could only vent their anger on other clans.
The Senju and Uchiha fronts opened one after another. However, the Onmyo Clan had already declined, and its clan leader had disappeared, so the Senju swept through them with overwhelming force.
But at the last moment, somehow, the Onmyo Clan managed to bring the Inuzuka and Aburame clans over to help, though no one knew what price they had paid.
These two clans were separated from the Senju by the Uchiha. Even though the Senju were powerful, the Uchiha stood between them, so they had little to fear.
Although the combined strength of their clans still fell short of the Senju's, no one could commit all their forces to a war at once. Other clans might make a move, too.
The Uchiha to the north, the Kaguya to the east, and the Hyuga to the west all had to be watched. To the south, the Uzumaki Clan generally posed no threat.
It was the balance of power among the great clans that allowed the smaller clans room to exist.
Inside the Senju Clan Compound,
Tobirama pointed at the map and asked:
"What do you think of the situation?"
Hiugo replied helplessly:
"What do you think? I'm looking at it from the front. Where's Big Pillar?"
"He went to the battlefield with Father."
Hiugo paused, slightly taken aback.
"Isn't Big Pillar only eight?"
Tobirama closed his eyes briefly and said helplessly:
"Big Brother awakened Wood Style a while ago. Father wants him to grow quickly."
This was downright insane! Senju Butsuma, did you really not see your own son as a person? Or did my father have a bit of humanity after all?
"Lord Hiugo, Lord Genma has a mission for you."
A Dark Ninja suddenly appeared and tossed a scroll to Hiugo.
...I take it back.
Hiugo glanced at the Dark Ninja. There was clearly something off about him. It was painfully obvious.
An ordinary Dark Ninja would have addressed Lord Tobirama first and handed him the scroll, since Tobirama outranked him.
Still, it was possible Butsuma wanted to test whether Hiugo had any ulterior motives, and thereby figure out what his father was thinking.
Hiugo unrolled the scroll. After reading it, he found that it wasn't sending him to the battlefield. Instead, he was to intercept a small team.
Unlike the Uchiha squad from last time, this one was a scouting team led by an enemy Jōnin. Their goal was to assess the forces guarding the Senju Clan Compound and use that information to plan their next move.
"Is this for me to farm experience?"
Hiugo muttered as he handed the scroll to Tobirama, then picked up his armor from beside him.
The Senju had already discovered them. They could easily deal with a team led by a single Jōnin. The Dark Ninja beside him alone was more than capable of handling it.
Clearly, they wanted to see what he was made of. He had only recently broken through, and for the Senju, it wouldn't be difficult for a Special Jōnin to defeat a Jōnin from another clan.
"Let's go,"
Tobirama said, already clad in his armor.
"No rush. I'll go get two rabbits first. I have to say, those two really know how to breed."
Hiugo hurried off to grab two unconscious rabbits. Through the light, he could just make out the Chakra Threads in their mouths.
"These threads?"
"They control which way the rabbits move."
"But aren't these two unconscious?"
"It's fine. I didn't use much. They'll wake up from the stink soon."
"..."
In the woods, seven people and three dogs moved slowly forward. Their expressions varied: some looked contemptuous, others serious, and a few worried.
Three different clan crests were gathered among them, a rare sight in the Warring States period.
Inuzuka Kurenai, on the left side of the group, chuckled.
"Are the Senju really this lax with their defenses? We've already slipped in. I say we pick up the pace so we can get back sooner."
"Don't let your guard down. The Senju aren't that stupid,"
Aburame Torifu said gravely.
"I think the Aburame have just been scared stiff by the Senju."
"Inuzuka Kurenai, I'm the leader of this mission! If you don't like it, take it up with your clan leader."
Inuzuka Kurenai gave a soft snort, then twitched her nose. "Two are coming. They stink terribly. Do they really think a little stink can threaten my nose?"
The seven people and three dogs stopped at once and silently stared ahead. Two yellow-brown rabbits came running toward them, trailing a foul stench.
"What a clumsy plan," Inuzuka Kurenai said disdainfully. In the sunlight, she could just make out thin threads in the rabbits' mouths.
Chakra Threads?
The two rabbits exploded with a bang, instantly throwing the group of seven and three dogs into disarray.
They'd hidden Explosive Tags in the rabbits' stomachs! Where was the Senju love for animals?
"Water Release: Triple Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Lightning Release: Induction Wave!"
"Ninja Art: Triple Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"
Three water dragons wrapped in crackling electricity roared toward them.
"Secret Technique: Insect Shield!"
"Ninja Art: Two-Headed Wolf: Fang Passing Fang!"
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"
The stench became even worse after the explosion, making all seven people and three dogs feel somewhat sick. Once they recovered, they hurriedly used ninjutsu to defend themselves or merged with the Ninja Dogs beside them, becoming beasts.
The three Aburame supported one another, as did the three Inuzuka. Together, they managed to withstand the Lightning Water Dragon Bullet.
The lone Onmyo ninja, however, was in trouble. He hadn't had time to use a forbidden technique, so he could only throw up an Earth Wall. It was breached in no time, and he died on the spot.
Tobirama and Hiugo looked at the remaining ninjas. The Aburame had one Jōnin and two Special Jōnin, while the Inuzuka had three Special Jōnin.
Tobirama went after the three Inuzuka. Even though he was a rank below them and would have to face all three, he still had a chance, as long as he seized the right opportunity.
Hiugo approached the three Aburame, formed Hand Seals, and asked, "Do you have any bugs called Chunqiu?"
Chunqiu... What a strange name.
The three Aburame didn't say a word. Each released a swarm of bugs that flew toward Hiugo.
"Lightning Release: Explosive Lightning Spear!"
Lightning flashed. The bugs inside Aburame Torifu seemed to sense the danger, turning into a shield to reduce the damage.
"Quite sensitive. How about this move?"
Hiugo raised both hands and aimed at the other two. Two black branches shot rapidly from his palms.
After breaking through to Special Jōnin, he had finished absorbing the power left in his body. He could now shoot black branches from both hands.
Hiugo had gained a little of Wood Style's power. It hadn't shown any other effects besides letting him shoot branches, but he was satisfied. After all, he could use the wood as a weapon in battle.
The black branches pierced straight toward the two Aburame ninjas' chests. The Insect Shields guarding their chests were punched through.
As Hiugo formed the "Ram" seal, the black branches instantly split in every direction. The two bodies fell to the ground.
"What kind of ninjutsu is that?"
Aburame Torifu warily watched Hiugo's hands. He had never met Hashirama, so he had never seen Wood Style.
"Guess."
A branch slid from Hiugo's palm. He caught it in his hand. It was hard enough to serve as an ordinary weapon.
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