Invitation to Plot

Uchiha Tenshu remained in his secret chamber, occupied with his own schemes.

Elsewhere, after concluding his discussion with Uchiha Tenshu, Elder Uchiha Raimon dispatched his trusted subordinate, Ash, to invite the elders who typically supported him to a meeting.

At this moment, Uchiha Raimon knew that he had been ambushed and killed. If not for the heaven-defying power of the Sharingan, which had altered his death and allowed him to resurrect, he would have already been separated from his two daughters by the veil of death. He shuddered to think what might have become of them, or whether they could have grown up safely without his protection.

Consequently, Uchiha Raimon's heart was filled with hatred. He had simply masked it well in his daily life, never letting it show, but deep down, he longed to see his enemies torn to pieces.

Furthermore, now that he was aware of the traitor Uchiha Ming's existence, Raimon knew that his own severe injuries prevented him from taking much action in the short term. He had no choice but to rely on his allies to exert pressure.

As long as they stand on the same front as me, it will be enough to restrict Uchiha Ming. Even if we cannot take his life for the moment, we can at least sabotage his plans!

After all, what I must do now is pave the way for Tenshu's growth and solidify his status as my successor. While my body can still hold out for a few more years, I must ensure Tenshu gains the support of these allies. Even if I am no longer here, Tenshu's growth combined with their backing will be enough to handle the future, Uchiha Raimon thought to himself, hoping his allies possessed a sense of the bigger picture.

Time did not wait, and Uchiha Raimon did not delay.

With the lightning-fast speed of a ninja, finding a few people within the clan was as easy as turning over one's hand.

In an instant, Ash led the group over in a hurry.

Three figures followed closely behind, rushing toward Uchiha Raimon like a gale. Their faces were etched with burning concern, and they checked Raimon's physical condition like startled birds, terrified that something might be wrong.

These three, along with Uchiha Raimon himself, were the four individuals currently most concerned with the clan's welfare.

In their hearts, the interests of the clan were paramount, with the status of the village coming second.

Their priorities were evident from their respective responsibilities: one managed the clan's development and affairs, acting as its brain; one oversaw the forging of weapons, like the clan's armory; one handled the distribution of supplies and captives, serving as the clan's logistics; and one managed the cultivation and storage of grain, like the clan's granary. They were all mainstays who had fought during the Warring States period, loyal men who had risked life and limb for the clan.

However, it was precisely because they had been tempered by the storms of the Warring States period that they had formed this unique bond.

Even today, in the peaceful era of the village, they maintained a tight-knit unity within the clan.

Just like the disputes and conflicts over grain cultivation in previous years, it was only through the support of these three elders that Uchiha Raimon had been able to withstand the pressure and maintain the Uchiha's stance of preparedness.

In contrast, while they remained tightly united, the other elders—though they shouted slogans of "stability and unity" to maintain the facade of a cohesive clan—were, in reality, a group of "turtles" who disliked trouble and avoided action, overly indulged in the current atmosphere of peace.

Take the Fourth Elder, Uchiha Kin, who was in charge of the clan's commercial teams. He was like a greedy jackal, obsessed with making money through trade and using unscrupulous means to recruit followers. He eyed the clan's internal power with covetousness and was Raimon's fiercest rival, oblivious to the fact that he was draining the clan's war potential.

Then there was the Sixth Elder, Uchiha Ryūun, who managed espionage and intelligence. Raimon had harbored suspicions about him regarding the recent intelligence leak, though he had set those concerns aside for the time being.

Finally, the Eighth Elder, Uchiha Fūha, was responsible for logistics regarding food, clothing, and shelter. Because his duties were minor, he also dabbled in selecting ninjutsu pairings and teaching techniques.

As for the Ninth Elder, Uchiha Enmon, his deep-seated hatred for the Senju clan had fueled a desire for rebellion, leading him to hide his strength and wait for an opportunity.

These were still manageable. At least they weren't selling out the clan.

But someone like Uchiha Ming, who hid within the Uchiha clan while frantically betraying them—all while convincing himself he was working for the clan's benefit—truly filled Uchiha Raimon with disgust and dread.

"Rest assured! The clan's physicians have already examined my injuries; I can hold on for a few more years!" Uchiha Raimon waved his hand.

"How could this happen?" First Elder Uchiha Mine widened his eyes, asking with murderous intent, "Who did this? Our Uchiha clan must not let them go. We must make those damned bastards pay in blood."

"Indeed, anyone who dares to challenge our Uchiha clan must be wiped out," the Third Elder, Uchiha Tsuki, added fiercely.

The Fifth Elder, Uchiha Yanagi, didn't even ask; he stated firmly, "It must be those bastards from the Senju clan."

"Indeed, it is related to the Senju clan. That dog Tobirama Senju was the one who instigated it! Unfortunately, I have no evidence, and I cannot prove it to the village. Since we cannot touch them yet, we must endure and wait for the future."

Uchiha Raimon waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Besides, this matter is not so simple. Beyond Tobirama Senju's schemes, there is a traitor within our own clan. My intelligence routes were provided by the clan, yet I encountered three waves of ambushes. If not for my luck, I might have died there! Therefore, we must catch the mole first."

"Who is it!"

Uchiha Mine and the others widened their eyes, snarling. To dare betray the clan—they deserved to die!

"According to my deductions, it is Uchiha Ming. He must have leaked my intelligence, leading me into the ambush."

"Why would he do such a thing? What benefit does he gain? With the current disparity between the Uchiha and the Senju, why would he harm the clan?" the First Elder asked, full of confusion.

To this, Uchiha Raimon explained using the words Uchiha Tenshu had provided.

"What? No wonder he keeps cooperating with Tobirama Senju. So he intends to use the clan as a sacrifice to gain benefits from the village! Damn it, if Hashirama Senju weren't still alive, I would fight them right now!" Uchiha Tsuki gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tight.

"Damn it! To think there is such a traitor!" First Elder Uchiha Mine's eyes blazed with fury, his knuckles cracking.

"The top priority is to restrict Uchiha Ming's movements and sabotage his plans," Uchiha Raimon said. "Furthermore, I intend to support Tenshu as my successor. I hope you will all back him. His talent is extraordinary, and he will surely become a powerhouse capable of dealing with the Senju clan's hostility."

Third Elder Uchiha Tsuki nodded. "We have all witnessed Tenshu's talent. He is brave and resourceful. If he has our support, he will surely lead the clan to glory."

Fifth Elder Uchiha Yanagi added, "That's right, Raimon. Don't worry, we will assist with all our might."

"Sigh!"

First Elder Uchiha Mine sighed as well. "Very well. Since you have made your choice, we will support your wishes. However, regarding the issue between Tobirama Senju and Uchiha Ming, given the clan's current strength, I fear we cannot handle it all at once! We must proceed slowly."

"First Elder, I am well aware of that! That is why I am asking for your support for Uchiha Tenshu and for us to stand on the same front, to isolate Uchiha Ming and slowly strip him of all the power he holds in the clan."

Uchiha Raimon nodded in satisfaction and continued to lay out his plan.

The three elders naturally had no objections.

"With your support, I am at ease. Now, let us discuss how to deal with Uchiha Ming, and then we shall find an opportunity to teach the Senju clan a lesson."

The group sat together and began to plot their next move; a counterattack against the traitor and the foreign enemy was about to unfold.