Forced Training

Several days later,

Onmyo Seimei suddenly appeared at the Onmyo Clan Compound and announced that the Onmyo Clan would become a subsidiary of the Uchiha Clan. No one knew what had happened to him. They only knew that he harbored a deep hatred for the Senju.

The Uchiha sent people to escort the Onmyo Clan away. During their renewed battle with the Senju, the Onmyo Clan fled halfway through and abandoned their compound.

Seeing them flee, the Senju feared an ambush and took over the Onmyo Clan Compound first. However, they gained little from it. They then hurried back to the battlefield, where they defeated and imprisoned the Aburame and Inuzuka Clans. Afterward, they demanded that the two clans pay ransoms to make up for their losses in the war.

It was no easy feat to train an elite Jonin, let alone an ordinary Jonin. Even Chunin and Genin were valuable forces, and since they could trade money for their people's lives, neither clan refused.

Once Butsuma had negotiated the price, they completed the exchange immediately.

This was supposed to be a time of "rest." The Onmyo Clan had only just arrived at the Uchiha Clan's territory and still needed to be settled in, so they couldn't spare any attention for this matter yet.

After everything was taken care of, the Senju returned to their compound, leaving only the necessary guards behind.

That was when they heard a series of groans. The group went straight to where the sounds came from and found a huge pot of bubbling soup, shrouded in black fumes and giving off a strange smell...

Mistreating prisoners was forbidden in the Senju Clan Compound. Butsuma immediately sent people to analyze the unknown liquid, then went down to the dungeon and dragged Shugo out as he was feeding it to the prisoners.

In truth, Senju Butsuma and many of the other senior members had already guessed who was responsible. Only Shugo and Tobirama had the ability, energy, and brains to pull off something like this in the entire Senju Clan Compound.

And Tobirama would never do such a thing, so Shugo was the only possibility.

The soup's effects were quickly analyzed. Aside from its appearance and somewhat "unique" taste, it contained no toxins and even had some restorative properties.

In other words, the soup was only unappetizing on the outside. On the inside, it was good for them.

Butsuma discussed the matter with the senior members. It wasn't that he wanted to punish his "junior" over something so trivial. Rather, he felt that keeping such an "outstanding" "talent" as Shugo in the compound was a waste.

"Both Tobirama and Shugo are far wiser than others their age. I suggest we send them to experience the battlefield early. The Hyuga to the west and the Kaguya to the east have been quiet in recent years. They would be ideal for training."

The First Elder, Senju Meima, offered his opinion.

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

"What about Hashirama, then? He's only eight, yet you still took him to the battlefield."

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

"But Shugo awakened Wood Style too."

There was no surprise in Butsuma's eyes, only calm. "So Dark Seven was your man after all."

Senju Meima narrowed his eyes.

"You knew Shugo had awakened Wood Style?"

"I didn't. But Genma did."

Everyone turned to look at Genma. He calmly explained, "When Shinyo took the two children on a trial, the blood of the two dead Uchiha ninja was missing. More strangely, the Uchiha ninja who had awakened a single Tomoe had only black pupils in his eyes."

As long as the body had not yet lost its warmth, the Sharingan could be preserved with a special nutrient solution. That was something the Senju Clan had learned through experience.

Aside from some unknown ability, a five-year-old child couldn't have managed that.

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

"If there wasn't something wrong with you, Shugo wouldn't have been bait."

Senju Meima scoffed. "You brothers are ruthless. I admit defeat. According to clan rules, an elder who interferes with the clan head's authority must be demoted by one rank and make amends through meritorious service."

"How about this? I'll take Tobirama to the Eastern Battlefield to guard against the Kaguya Clan. Surely the clan head doesn't think I'd harm a younger member of the clan."

Butsuma shook his head. "Of course not. But since Shugo awakened Wood Style, he would be better suited to the Kaguya front."

"Genma, is that what you think too?"

Senju Meima smiled without answering.

Senju Genma closed his eyes briefly. "Yes. But the Uzumaki Clan's people haven't left yet, so we can't neglect them."

"No problem. I'll take him once the Uzumaki Clan has left."

"Meeting adjourned. Genma, stay behind."

Butsuma spoke and turned to his younger brother.

Genma looked at him calmly. "Clan head, what do you need?"

Butsuma spoke earnestly.

"Genma, I never intended to sacrifice Shugo. Besides, Tobirama is my son too."

Genma replied calmly.

"The Hyuga and Kaguya are about equal in strength, but you and I both know their battlefields are nowhere near equal in danger. He's only five."

Butsuma gritted his teeth.

"But he awakened Wood Style. His potential is naturally greater than Tobirama's! Without hardship, how can he develop his Kekkei Genkai?"

"Heh... Brother, his name doesn't give him the right to inherit the clan head's position."

"Genma, this is just Meima's ploy to draw me into discussing the clan head's position. Can't you see that?"

"I know. I can see it too. But he's my only child left. If he dies, I don't know what I might do..."

"The Senju Clan's power is already in our hands. You'll be the First Elder from now on. Who would dare touch Shugo?"

"If he's dead, none of that matters! What good is power then?"

Genma said coldly.

"I'll say this only once. If Shugo dies, whoever is responsible will answer to you. I've made enough compromises over the years."

"Genma..."

Butsuma tried to continue, but his younger brother had already left.

Three shadowy figures appeared behind Butsuma. "Clan head, what should we do now?"

"What else can we do... Cancel the mission. Dark Two, Dark Three, stand down. Dark One, go with Dark Seven and protect Shugo."

"But Dark Seven isn't..."

"He's still my Dark Ninja. I have every right to give him orders."

"Yes," Dark One replied, bowing his head.

Butsuma sat cross-legged, looking weary. He murmured, "Senju Shugo, I hope you harbor no ulterior motives."

Shugo had an unusual status, so even though he was under guard, 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 spoke gently. "Poor child. Even with your extraordinary talent, you're nothing but a sacrifice in the struggle for power."

"First Elder, what do you mean?"

"In about two months, you'll be going with me to the battlefield."

Shugo froze, then 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 Ninja who's been following you all these days is one of my men."

"I made the clan head discover that you have Wood Style. He wants you dead so his son can inherit his position, and your father agreed."

"So awakening a Kekkei Genkai means I have to die?"

"Clan rules say anyone who awakens Wood Style is automatically considered the next clan head. But there are two of you in your generation, and only one can lead the clan. The best solution is to kill one of you. It doesn't matter whether it's you or Hashirama."

Senju Meima smiled darkly.

"You understand what I mean, boy. Butsuma is only one man, after all. If I help your father, it'll be two against one. That position..."

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

"Former First Elder, are you trying to teach my child?"

"Of course not. We were just chatting."

Senju Meima gave Shugo a long look, then turned and left.

Once everyone else had gone, Shugo looked at Genma. "Was what he said true?"

"Yes."

"Am I really going to the battlefield?"

"Yes. And you'll be going with him to the Eastern Battlefield."

"How could you..."

"I'm sorry."

Genma's gaze dimmed.

Those two words from Genma stopped Shugo mid-sentence. In his memory, his father had always been so imposing. Yet for this matter, he had...

Shugo let out a long breath. "It's fine. It's not like I'm really going to die. Why are you talking as if I'm doomed?"

"It's just the battlefield—the cradle of geniuses. Who knows? I might return a completely different person."