Forced Trial

A few days later, Onmyo Seimei suddenly appeared at the Onmyo Clan Compound and announced that they had become a vassal clan of the Uchiha Clan. No one knew what had happened to him, only that he now harbored immense hatred toward the Senju.

During the battle between the Senju and the Uchiha, the Uchiha had sent men to receive the Onmyo Clan, but the Onmyo Clan fled midway, abandoning their compound.

Seeing them flee, the Senju, fearing an ambush, occupied the Onmyo Clan Compound first. However, they did not gain much from it, so they proceeded to defeat and imprison the Aburame Clan and Inuzuka Clan on the battlefield, demanding ransoms from both clans to compensate for their war losses.

Cultivating a Jonin or even an elite Jonin was no easy task, and Chunin and Genin were also valuable assets. Since they could trade wealth for lives, neither clan refused.

Once Senju Butsuma negotiated the prices, the transactions were carried out immediately.

This was a time for "rest." The Onmyo Clan had just arrived at the Uchiha and needed to be settled, so there was no time to worry about this side for the moment.

After finishing, the Senju returned to their clan compound, leaving only the necessary guards behind.

Consequently, they heard a series of wails. The group went straight to the source of the sound and saw a large vat bubbling with black mist, emitting a bizarre odor...

Abusing prisoners was not permitted within the Senju Clan Compound. Butsuma immediately sent men to analyze the unknown liquid while entering the dungeon to drag out Hiugo, who was in the middle of feeding the soup.

In truth, Senju Butsuma and many high-ranking members had roughly guessed who was responsible, as only Hiugo and Tobirama possessed the strength, energy, and intellect within the entire Senju Clan Compound to do this.

And given Tobirama's temperament, he would never do such a thing, so it could only be Hiugo.

The effects of the medicinal soup were quickly analyzed. Aside from its appearance and "unique" taste, it contained no toxins and even possessed some properties that nourished the body.

In other words, this vat of soup was merely difficult to ingest; its internal properties were actually beneficial.

Butsuma discussed this with the high-ranking members. It wasn't because he wanted to punish his "junior" for such a trivial matter, but because he felt it was a waste to keep such an "excellent" "talent" as Hiugo in the clan compound.

"Both Tobirama and Hiugo possess wisdom far beyond their peers. I suggest that both of them adapt to the battlefield early. The Hyuga to the west and the Kaguya to the east have been quiet in recent years, making them very suitable for training."

The First Elder, Senju Meima, expressed his opinion.

Butsuma's gaze turned cold: "The Senju Clan has no need to send children to the battlefield."

"What about Hashirama? He is only eight, yet you still brought him to the battlefield."

"Hashirama is different. He has awakened Wood Style. According to clan rules, he is the future clan head."

"But Hiugo has also awakened Wood Style."

There was no surprise in Butsuma's eyes; he said flatly: "Dark Seven is indeed your man."

Senju Meima narrowed his eyes:

"You knew Hiugo awakened Wood Style?"

"I did not, but Genma did."

Everyone turned their eyes toward Genma, who spoke calmly:

"When Shinyo took the two children for a trial, the corpses of those two dead Uchiha ninjas were missing parts of their blood. Even more miraculously, the eyes of that Uchiha ninja who had opened a single tomoe contained only black pupils."

When a Sharingan's body has not yet lost its temperature, it can be preserved using special nutrient solutions; this was an experience the Senju Clan had gained.

Excluding some unknown ability, a five-year-old child could not have done this.

"So the two of you used a child to draw me out?"

"If you had no issues, Hiugo would not have been the bait."

Senju Meima sneered: "You brothers are truly ruthless. I admit defeat. According to clan rules, an elder interfering with the clan head's authority must be demoted by one rank and must atone for his crimes through service."

"How about this: I will take Tobirama to the east to guard against the Kaguya Clan. Surely you don't worry that I would harm a junior, Clan Head?"

Butsuma shook his head: "Naturally not. However, since Hiugo has awakened Wood Style, the Kaguya side is more suitable for him."

"Genma, is that what you think too?"

Senju Meima smiled without a word.

Senju Genma closed his eyes: "Yes. However, the people from the Uzumaki Clan have not left yet; we cannot be negligent."

"No problem. Once the Uzumaki Clan leaves, I will take him away."

"Meeting adjourned. Genma, stay behind."

Butsuma spoke, looking at his own younger brother.

Genma looked at his elder brother calmly: "Clan Head, what are your instructions?"

Butsuma said earnestly:

"Genma, I have no intention of sacrificing Hiugo, and besides, Tobirama is also my child."

Genma said flatly:

"The Hyuga and Kaguya have similar strength, but in terms of battlefield danger, you and I both know the two cannot be compared. He is only five years old."

Butsuma gritted his teeth:

"But he has awakened Wood Style! His potential is naturally higher than Tobirama's! Without tempering, how can he develop his own Kekkei Genkai?"

"Heh... Brother, his name does not grant him the qualifications to inherit the position of clan head."

"Genma, this was just Meima's strategy, intentionally bringing up the topic of the clan head. Can you not see that?"

"I know, and I can see it. But he is the only child I have left. If he dies, I don't know what I might do..."

"The authority of the Senju Clan has already fallen into our hands. From now on, you are the First Elder; who would dare to touch Shugo?"

"If a person is dead, everything is gone. What use is power, no matter how great?"

Genma said coldly:

"I will say this only once. If Shugo dies, no matter who makes the move, the debt will be settled on your head. I have made enough concessions over these years."

"Genma..."

Butsuma wanted to speak further, but the person before him had already departed.

Three shadows appeared behind Butsuma: "Clan Head, what shall we do now?"

"What else can we do... Cancel the mission. Dark Two, Dark Three, you two withdraw. Dark One, you go with Dark Seven to protect Shugo."

"But isn't Dark Seven..."

"He is still my Dark Ninja; I naturally have the authority to command him."

"Understood," Dark One said, bowing his head.

Butsuma sat down cross-legged, looking somewhat exhausted, and whispered:

"Senju Shugo, I hope you harbor no ulterior motives."

Shugo's status was not ordinary; even while being detained, he was kept in a spacious room.

To his surprise, the first person to visit him was the First Elder, his father's rival.

Senju Meima said gently: "Poor child, even with extraordinary talent, you are merely a sacrifice in the game of power."

"First Elder, what is the meaning of those words?"

"In about two months, you will accompany me to the Eastern Battlefield."

Shugo was stunned for a moment and pointed at himself:

"The battlefield? Me? A five-year-old child?"

"This is the Clan Head's order. I won't hide it from you: the Dark Ninjas who have been following you were trained by me."

"I let the Clan Head discover your Wood Style. He wants you to die so his own son can smoothly inherit his position, and your father has agreed to it."

"Must I die just for awakening a Bloodline Limit?"

"Clan rules state that awakening Wood Style automatically designates one as the next Clan Head. There are two of you in this generation, but only one position. The best method is to kill one—it could be you, or it could be Hashirama."

Senju Meima smiled somewhat grimly:

"Kid, you understand what I mean, right? At the end of the day, there is only one Butsuma. As long as I help your father, two against one, that position..."

Before he could finish, Senju Genma's voice rang out from the doorway.

"Former First Elder, are you teaching my child?"

"How could that be? Just chatting idly."

Senju Meima took a deep look at Shugo, then turned and left.

Once the irrelevant parties had vanished, Shugo looked at Genma and asked: "Is what he said true?"

"Yes."

"Am I really going to the battlefield?"

"Yes, and you will be going to the Eastern Battlefield with him."

"How could you..."

"I'm sorry."

Senju Genma's eyes were dim.

Those two words from Genma's lips caused Shugo to stop mid-sentence. In his memory, this father was always imposing and majestic; to see him like this over this matter, he was actually...

Shugo let out a long breath and said:

"It's fine. I won't really die, so why are you acting like I'm going to lose my life?"

"Isn't the battlefield just a cradle for geniuses? Who knows, maybe I'll be reborn by the time I return."