Chapter 30

Uchiha Zhi glanced out the window and saw the young heir fleeing in disarray. His eye twitched, and he turned his face away, trying to signal his disapproval of his "clan head bullying a child" without his clan head receiving it.

Uchiha Tai blinked innocently, while Uchiha Zaitian silently minimized his presence.

—Why are you going into berserk mode on a child?!

Poor child... the three elders thought in unison. Pity aside, they quickly cast their meager sympathy aside. Regardless of his age, Fujiwara Uye was still an heir, the successor of the Land of Lightning. Madara's attitude towards him must have been carefully considered, so they wouldn't interfere.

In fact, the three had been waiting behind a screen for some time, overhearing Madara's conversation with the other two. Recalling the scene, Uchiha Zhi couldn't help but frown, "How can the heir of a nation have such demeanor? Even showing respect, it's a bit much."

Uchiha Tai coughed twice and said, "Perhaps he still thinks he's a hostage... Aren't you going to clarify, Clan Head?"

Madara smiled without answering.

...Alright, we get it!

"Etsu is still in the Land of Fire, when are you planning to have him return, Lord?" Uchiha Zhi asked. Uchiha Yan had already returned earlier, leaving only Uchiha Etsu and six ordinary guards. The situation in the Land of Fire was too chaotic now, and even the Sharingan couldn't solve everything.

"I think he's living quite well," Madara said, not worried at all. During this time, Uchiha Etsu in the Land of Fire had thoroughly enjoyed himself as a ninja, shedding the frustration of being a civilian. He had indulged in torture and murder with great brutality, his fearsome reputation even reaching the Land of Lightning. He had even personally engaged in battles with enemies, getting so caught up in the killing that he had proactively raided several of their bases.

"...Lord, Etsu is the Third Elder," Uchiha Zhi said, steeling himself. Madara looked at him calmly for a moment, then nodded, "You seem quite worried."

Hearing this, Uchiha Zaitian's gaze towards Uchiha Zhi flickered subtly for a moment before he averted his eyes, muttering something to himself. Uchiha Zhi began to sweat, "Etsu bears heavy responsibilities and should not easily venture into danger."

Madara chuckled, giving his elder some face, "Yes, he should return. If he doesn't, I'll miss him too. —Yan, notify the Third Elder to return to the clan immediately and seal all properties in the Land of Fire."

Uchiha Tai asked, "Shouldn't we leave a couple of people to distract them?"

"Once the Land of Fire is ours, what is this small loss?" Madara said proudly, "I've already seen the new battle reports. The Fifth Elder has done an excellent job. Continue with the first plan."

The war between the two countries had been raging for over a month, but the Uchiha clan had not committed all their forces. Given Madara's cautious nature, his eyes were still on the Senju and Hyuga clans, so he wouldn't act without a backup plan. Rather than direct combat, he preferred to sow discord, use others as a weapon, and watch from the sidelines.

Besides hired ninjas, the daimyo also maintained private armies. These private armies were diverse, consisting of samurai, ninjas, and possibly other powerful individuals. Hired forces were based on reputation, while private armies relied on loyalty. The Fujiwara family's private army had been significantly depleted by the Uchiha, with half of them now on the battlefield. Akabane Hatome's side had only sent hired ninjas, with their private army yet to appear. Madara wasn't in a hurry; the temple might move, but the monks wouldn't. Once the country fell, those who were meant to come would come.

"Return?" Uchiha Etsu pointed at himself, unsure whether to be surprised or annoyed, his expression conflicted. "I just stirred up a hornet's nest and am waiting for them to come die! Why should I go back?"

At this moment, Uchiha Etsu's hair was neatly cut short and spiked up defiantly, his entire being exuding killing intent. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan, fully activated, resembled congealed blood, making him appear completely different from his usual gentle, slightly cunning self.

Hey, Third Elder! Have you really lost your mind from all the killing?! The ninja delivering the message looked helplessly at Uchiha Miae beside him.

Miae shrugged helplessly, "My grandfather has also urged you many times, Lord Etsu, but you just won't listen."

"It must be Uchiha Zhi again, that kid loves to worry too much!" Uchiha Etsu waved his hand dismissively, "Ignore him, let's continue! If we don't take down that squad of ninjas tonight, don't call yourself an Uchiha!"

"It's not the Fourth Elder, it's the Clan Head."

His grand gesture froze mid-air. Uchiha Etsu suspected he was hearing things, "Who did you say?"

"The Clan Head. It is the Clan Head's order that you return."

Uchiha Etsu turned, his heart filled with silent tears, "Clan Head... What were the exact words?"

"'Uchiha Etsu, seal, transfer, and destroy all properties in the Land of Fire, and return to the clan immediately!'"

"...Can it be one day later?"

The messenger ninja shook his head, "The Clan Head said 'immediately'." The implication was that even half a day was too long.

Uchiha Etsu deflated. He turned to Miae and said, "Inform our allies in the Land of Fire, yes, mainly the Nara clan, to deal with that ninja squad calling themselves 'God Slayers'. We'll pack up and go back..."

"Also, why did the Clan Head suddenly decide to call me back?" The matters he was responsible for had already been handed over to Zongxiu and Teng. Could something have happened?

The messenger ninja thought for a moment and pointed the finger at Uchiha Zhi, "It seems the Fourth Elder was worried about you..."

You dare look down on my strength? Think you're so great just because you have Mangekyo?! You won't get away with this! Uchiha Etsu gnashed his teeth hatefully.

Uchiha Zhi! Just you wait!

The Land of Wind.

The Senju side was eerily calm. Regarding the war between the two countries, with the shadow of the Uchiha looming behind it, most nations adopted a wait-and-see attitude. The Land of Lightning was prosperous and strong, and the Land of Fire was no less so! When gods fight, mortals should stay out of it... Let them both suffer losses.

Many daimyo thought this with dark hearts.

To avoid being drawn into the war and used as a pawn without realizing it, the Senju clan's missions were personally vetted by Senju Tobirama, resulting in a 40% decrease in their number.

Their substantial assets wouldn't force them to eat meager rations, but many were so bored they were itching for action. With hard work, they were fine, but without tasks, they were unaccustomed to it. Those eager eyes almost drove Senju Tobirama to neurosis.

Senju Yūri, poring over the ledger, glared with intense resentment, "The Land of Fire's industries are affected, the Land of Wind's sales channels are blocked, mission funds are overdrawn, and profits have plummeted... A deficit! It's all deficits! Ahhh! I want to profit from the war, Lord Tobirama!"

Even if they weren't fighting, the Senju clan's scrolls, explosive tags, and sealing formulas could be sold! Why let the money slip away? As an elder in charge of finance, how heartbroken and angry he was at their lack of ambition!

"Yūri-kun?" Tobirama couldn't help but take a step back under that dark gaze, "If you have any suggestions, you can tell my brother."

Senju Yūri silently turned away, "If the Clan Head agrees, I won't come looking for you, Lord Tobirama..." You've become so dejected, Yūri, how deep is your obsession with money?!

"Don't be discouraged, Yūri-kun," Tobirama said with a dry laugh, "Brother is out sealing the Tailed Beasts. Perhaps you can talk to him when he returns?"

"Yes, sealing the Tailed Beasts... So the Clan Head is the one overdrawing mission funds the most... So why are you blocking my path to wealth... Making money is hard, don't you know..." Senju Yūri muttered to himself, clutching the ledger. Etsu, you're so lucky, I wish I could switch clan heads with you... Uchiha Madara might spend a lot, but he wouldn't stop people from making money, right?

Not only would he not stop them, he'd use all sorts of shameless and unscrupulous methods to get you to hoard wealth! Don't you know that those who get richer the more they fight are the most unscrupulous arms dealers!

"The Clan Head is back!"

"Brother is back?!" Tobirama rushed out of the room filled with dark energy, relieved, and headed towards his brother.

Senju Hashirama returned, dusty and travel-worn, his dark ninja attire torn in several places, but his spirits were high. He held a scroll in his hand. Tobirama asked, "Is it the Eight-Tails?"

"Yes, the seal can last for ten days. Send someone to escort it to the Uzumaki clan immediately."

"Alright. Brother, you should rest first," Tobirama said with a smile, then hesitated before adding, "Elder Yūri seems to have something to discuss with you..."

His steps faltered. Remembering the elder's dark expression every time he asked for funds, Hashirama's steps wavered, "...I'll go take a look."

Senju Yūri looked at Senju Hashirama walking towards him against the light, his immense resentment giving him infinite courage. He finally couldn't help but shout, "Lord! Just join the Uchiha!"

"Huh?"