The World as a Chessboard, Reaping the Benefits

Shimura Takeo felt the same way. Everyone was after benefits, and there was nothing to lose either way. If the Uchiha broke their word, the Senju Clan would surely be more than happy to have them switch sides and attack the Uchiha Defense Line.

"Boy, I'll say this upfront: if you dare deceive me, you'll learn the consequences."

Sarutobi Sasuke looked at the Uchiha ninjas by the lake and gave a fearless snort.

Uchiha Yang wasn't the least bit offended. He smiled and said, "Don't worry. This operation has our Uchiha Clan Head's approval."

"My Uchiha Clan has always kept its word. I'm sure the Shinobi World has heard as much."

"Hmph. I do trust the Uchiha's word."

Shimura Takeo nodded. That was one of the main reasons they'd dared to come to the Uchiha Compound.

For all these years, the Uchiha Clan had always honored its promises. The proud Uchiha had never stooped to scheming.

Neither of them realized that the Uchiha had changed. Their brutes had grown brains—terrifying indeed.

Uchiha Yang smiled at the two men. They were the culprits who would one day bring about the Uchiha Clan's destruction. How could he forget their two clans?

One reason he'd chosen these two clans this time was that he wanted to eliminate them along the way.

So Uchiha Yang set a time for the two men to attack the Senju Defense Line.

In the end, Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Takeo left the Uchiha Compound, both satisfied.

They figured the Uchiha Clan must have been willing to pay such a steep price to attack the Senju Clan because Uchiha Madara, the newly appointed Uchiha Clan Head, wanted to avenge his father.

After returning home, Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna hurried over. They hadn't known the details of the plan.

They had never expected Uchiha Yang to arrange a meeting with the clan heads of Sarutobi and Shimura, as well as those of the three major clans in the Southwest Alliance.

"利益 reveals a person's true nature. Anyone can be swayed by benefits. If they aren't, most likely the benefits just aren't great enough."

After having Uzumaki Mito pour them each a cup of tea, Uchiha Yang explained at length.

"We can win these clans over. Couldn't the Senju Clan do the same thing to deal with us?"

Uchiha Izuna listened with a worried expression.

Uchiha Yang explained calmly, unconcerned.

"Don't worry. This plan requires the right time, place, and people. It's not something that can be copied so easily."

"All we have to do now is stay in the clan and wait for them to attack the Senju Clan. Then we can reap the benefits."

Uchiha Yang took a sip of tea and spoke with casual composure.

He was fascinated by the feeling of treating the whole world like pieces on a chessboard.

[Brain: Master, are you feeling the allure of power? It's time to show the world what you can do.]

Hearing the Brain try to fool him again, Uchiha Yang silently rolled his eyes.

"With you in the clan, I can see a future where our Uchiha Clan destroys the Senju Clan."

Uchiha Izuna gazed at Uchiha Yang with shining eyes.

"Easy, easy. I'm just an ordinary person."

Uchiha Yang chuckled and gestured for him to sit down.

Uchiha Madara sat quietly off to the side. He felt that he wasn't suited to the position of clan head.

He loved the exhilarating feeling of hand-to-hand combat on the battlefield, not sitting in the clan day after day, handling its affairs.

Without strength of his own, he couldn't defend the clan and hold down the fort. Perhaps his cousin was the one best suited to be clan head.

But how could he persuade the clan? An ordinary person without strength becoming Uchiha Clan Head would surely meet fierce opposition from the clan members.

Still, with his and Izuna's strong support, his cousin could take the position.

Uchiha Madara suddenly felt much lighter.

"Hey, hey, you're not plotting something against me, are you? I'm telling you, I absolutely refuse to do any work."

After Uchiha Madara had stared at him for a long while, Uchiha Yang began to feel that something was very wrong.

"It's nothing, nothing. What would I be plotting?"

Uchiha Madara planned to give his cousin a surprise. His cousin would surely be moved by everything he'd done for him.

"Is that so?" Uchiha Yang felt that something was off, but couldn't put his finger on it.

The three of them chatted briefly, then went their separate ways.

Meanwhile, the Senju Clan no longer dared to let its elite jonin leave the compound because of the trouble with Senju Tobirama.

Senju Tobirama had been confined by Senju Hashirama, who knew that his hopes of joining forces with Uchiha Madara had fallen apart.

Uchiha Yang's words had made it clear that he resented Senju Tobirama.

The Senju Clan now had only ten elite jonin left, and had even lost an elder.

The Senju Clan's overall strength had fallen to its lowest point in history. As clan head, Senju Hashirama was responsible.

Without the Senju Clan's support, he couldn't fulfill his dream either.

Senju Hashirama believed that if the powers of the Uchiha and Senju joined forces, they could put an end to this chaotic age.

"So Senju Hashirama isn't as carefree as he seems."

Black Zetsu, hiding in the shadows and observing Senju Hashirama, couldn't help thinking.

Black Zetsu went nowhere these days. He stayed by Senju Hashirama's side, keeping an eye on him and learning everything about him, so he could eventually manipulate him.

Meanwhile, outside the Senju Defense Line, Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Takeo led the elite troops of their two clans, hiding in a secluded spot in a valley.

They waited for news from New City. If none came, they would switch sides to the Senju Clan and attack the Uchiha Clan.

At New City, Matsuda Masahiro, Yamada Miyashu, and Shinjo Rana led everyone in the alliance in an assault on the city.

To persuade the clans in the alliance, the three of them had paid out a huge sum. They would have to make it back in New City.

Boom!

An explosion blew open New City's gates. The ninjas guarding them were killed on the spot.

The alliance ninjas, disguised as ordinary people, bared their fangs like beasts and charged in with shuriken in hand.

The Senju Clan had pulled back its forces, so there were very few Senju ninjas guarding New City. Most of the guards were from affiliated clans.

"Kill!"

After Matsuda Masahiro and the other two entered New City with their clansmen, they immediately met resistance.

The three major clans, each with its own special secret technique, immediately unleashed their signature techniques. The resistance was torn open in an instant.

Once the breach was made, New City fell completely into the hands of the Southwest Alliance.

"Clan Head, word has arrived. New City has fallen."

"The Senju Clan will surely send reinforcements to New City. It's our turn."

A Sarutobi ninja hurried up to Sarutobi Sasuke, panting as he spoke.

"Excellent! Order every clan member to follow me straight into the Senju Clan's defenses and seize their wealth!"

Sarutobi Sasuke beamed with delight. He and Shimura Takeo immediately ordered their troops to attack the Senju Defense Line.