We Are All the Same

After bidding farewell to everyone at the clan grounds, Senju Meima led the group out, beginning to explain things to the clansmen who had never fought the Kaguya Clan before.

"The Kaguya Clan's kekkei genkai is called Shikotsumyaku. While not every clansman can awaken it, the general proportion is roughly equivalent to the number of Uchiha who can unlock a two-tomoe Sharingan."

"It is an ability that allows them to manipulate every bone in their body. Their bones are hard enough to withstand blades, and in terms of raw strength, they are more than capable of going toe-to-toe with us."

"On the battlefield, try your best to avoid close-quarters combat with them. You never know where their bone spikes might sprout from, and pay special attention to a mid-range ninjutsu where they fire bones from their fingertips."

Hiugo raised a question:

"According to the clan's records, I recall the Kaguya Clan having some sort of defect, don't they?"

"Correct. It seems studying a bit more in the clan is useful; you're far better than those brats who only know how to play around."

Senju Meima continued:

"Indeed, the attack power of the Kaguya Clan's Shikotsumyaku is formidable, but after they engage in combat for a period of time, they develop a 'sickness.' The more they fight, the more severe this 'sickness' becomes."

"The specific cure for this 'sickness' is unknown; it is likely held by the three Kaguya Elders and their clan head. The only intelligence we have is that they have dealings with families in the Land of Water, though the specific details remain unclear."

Senju Teruaki couldn't help but ask: "First Elder, then why do they harass us from time to time? Wouldn't it be better for everyone to live in peace?"

Meima silently noted his appearance and replied:

"Once the Kaguya Clan awakens their kekkei genkai, very few of them can restrain themselves from using that power."

"For them, the best way to release that power is through slaughter on the battlefield."

"Not everyone has the abundant resources of the Senju Clan. Their nature is extreme, and they are not skilled in Earth or Water Release, so the grain yield from the land they possess is low. Whenever they face even a slight shortage, they set their sights on nearby families..."

"They're nothing but a bunch of bandits."

Senju Teruaki, who had just asked the question, blurted out the insult, causing the surrounding clansmen to turn and look at him.

"What... did I say something wrong?"

No one answered, because in the Warring States period, plundering the belongings of other clans was a very common occurrence.

When you only need to expend a little effort to obtain resources that others spent time and money to acquire, few people are willing to go back to honestly tilling the fields.

Because the situation was relatively stable, the group did not travel day and night, arriving at the eastern battlefield on the fifth day.

A massive city, complete with defensive walls, appeared before their eyes—a symbol of both protection and the clan's power.

A group of subordinates under Senju Akikagami, who was in charge of the eastern battlefield, came to greet them and collect the supplies.

However, when he saw Hiugo, his expression turned somewhat strange. Had the clan really been pushed to the point of sending children to the battlefield?

As a subordinate, Akikagami first checked in with Senju Meima, and only after confirming that it wasn't what he had imagined did he let out a sigh of relief.

Senju Akikagami was the adopted son of Senju Meima, but he did not intend to inherit the "Ma" naming tradition of the clan head; he had changed his name to be closer to his adoptive father.

After a brief exchange, Senju Akikagami walked up to Hiugo:

"You are the son of Lord Genma. By rights, you are a 'young master' of the clan, but on the battlefield, your status means nothing. You... are just a ninja."

Hiugo nodded:

"Once on the battlefield, everyone is equal."

"Very well. I doubt your strength and need you to prove it. Sajo, you go test him."

Senju Sajo was a Special Jonin. Although he had been unable to break through to Jonin due to a severe injury, he possessed the experience of having killed three Kaguya Jonin.

As if out of habit, Sajo stepped out from the crowd and looked at Hiugo:

"Make your move. If you can't even get past me, you'd better return to the clan grounds sooner rather than later."

No sooner had he spoken than Hiugo felt a cold current rushing toward him—a combination of Sajo's own chakra and the killing intent he had honed from years of slaughter.

A show of force?

Hiugo felt slightly uncomfortable. This killing intent was effective against those who hadn't experienced it before, but compared to Genma's, it was nothing.

Since the other party had already made a move, Hiugo retaliated by throwing three kunai directly at his head.

"Not bad."

After a brief assessment, Sajo drew a kunai and blocked the attacks with three metallic clangs. He immediately formed hand seals, and water gathered around him to form a water dragon that charged forward.

A water dragon also appeared beside Hiugo. By clashing with this single ninjutsu, the two could analyze each other's approximate strength based on their chakra cohesion in a very short time.

The two dragons fought to a standstill before both dissolved into water and fell to the ground.

"A Special Jonin? To reach this level at such an age..."

Sajo saw the result, a hint of bitterness appearing in his eyes, but as the confrontation ended, he charged at Hiugo with kunai in hand.

Killing intent corresponds to "Genjutsu."

Water Release corresponds to "Ninjutsu."

What remained was "Taijutsu."

The Warring States period was ultimately dominated by taijutsu, with ninjutsu as a supplement, because no matter how much chakra one had, it would eventually run out. In such moments, relying on taijutsu and a bit of chakra was the only chance for survival.

Sajo felt the first two tests were fine, but he didn't think much of a five-year-old's taijutsu.

However, the final result surprised him: the kunai in his hand was knocked away by the boy's strike. Clearly, this strength had already surpassed what should be possible at his age.

A branch suddenly sprouted from the boy's hand, its tip nearly piercing his opponent's throat.

Shugo narrowed his eyes and thrust the branch forward with a sudden jolt, only for Zuocheng before him to transform into a log.

These days, if you can't pull off a Substitution Technique, you're basically just an extra.

"Wood Style? Are you Senju Hashirama? No... Lord Akikagami clearly said you were Genma's son."

Zuocheng's true form emerged from the earth, looking somewhat startled; had he not sensed the aura of danger, he would have already lost. The other source of his shock was Shugo's Wood Style ninjutsu.

Senju Akikagami interrupted the fight, took Shugo's hand, and announced in a booming voice:

"He is Senju Shugo, son of Lord Genma, and the second ninja since Hashirama to awaken Wood Style. He is also one of the future heirs to the clan leadership. His arrival at the eastern battlefield is a trial granted by the clan leader himself..."

Hearing this, Shugo sighed softly, understanding that Senju Akikagami was stacking buffs for him to raise his profile. If he weren't only five years old, he suspected they would have already draped a "yellow robe" over him while the others shouted "Long live the clan leader."

He would become a puppet leader for Senju Meima, helping him manage the Senju Clan.

Sure enough, following Senju Akikagami's words, many of them looked over with a stir of excitement; the opportunity to climb the social ladder and soar to new heights was right before their eyes.

Shugo kept a serious expression, pulled his hand back, and said:

"Everyone, we are all members of the Senju and ninjas on the battlefield. There is no difference between us; the methods you use to kill the enemy are the same ones I use."

"There is no need to concern yourselves with my status. On the battlefield, you only have one life, and everyone is equal. Beyond that, no other status is of any use."

Senju Akikagami laughed heartily: "Young and promising, yet humble and polite. Shugo, you will become an excellent ninja."

Shugo replied indifferently:

"My lord, have I passed?"

Senju Akikagami's smile faded as he said:

"Naturally."

"Then what is my mission?"

"Repair the walls. According to ancient texts, Wood Style requires both water and earth attribute chakra. That won't be a problem, will it?"

"No problem, but please have someone show me the way."

Senju Akikagami had Zuocheng lead the way, then approached Meima and whispered:

"Father, he doesn't seem to accept our goodwill..."

"It doesn't matter. We have many of our own on the eastern battlefield. Regardless of whether he accepts it or not, I have ways to pull him into our alliance."