The World is a Chessboard, Reaping the Benefits

Shimura Takeo felt the same; everyone was acting for the sake of profit. Since there was no loss to be had either way, if the Uchiha failed to keep their word, he was certain the Senju Clan would be more than happy to see them defect and attack the Uchiha defensive lines instead.

"Kid, let me make this clear: if you dare to deceive me, you will learn the consequences."

Sarutobi Sasuke looked at the Uchiha shinobi by the lake and let out a cold, confident snort.

Uchiha Yang was not the least bit annoyed, smiling as he said, "Rest assured, this is an operation sanctioned by our Uchiha clan head."

"The credibility of the Uchiha Clan has always been absolute; I believe that is a reputation well-known throughout the Shinobi World."

"Hmph, I suppose I can trust the word of the Uchiha."

Shimura Takeo nodded involuntarily; this was a major reason why they dared to risk coming to the Uchiha Compound.

For so many years, the Uchiha Clan had always honored their promises. The arrogant Uchiha had never deigned to play with schemes.

Neither man realized that the Uchiha of today had changed; the brutes had gained brains, and it was terrifying.

Uchiha Yang watched the two with a smile. These were the very culprits who would later orchestrate the destruction of the Uchiha, and he could never forget these two clans.

Choosing these two clans for this operation was done with the intention of wiping them out in the process.

With that, Uchiha Yang set the time for the two to launch their attack on the Senju defensive lines.

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

They reasoned that if the Uchiha Clan was willing to pay such a high price to attack the Senju Clan, it must be because their newly appointed clan head, Uchiha Madara, wanted to avenge his father.

Upon returning home, Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna hurried over; they did not know the details of this plan.

The fact that Uchiha Yang had managed to secure the cooperation of the two clan heads, Sarutobi and Shimura, as well as the leaders of the three major clans of the Southwest Alliance, was truly beyond their expectations.

"Profit reveals the human heart. Anyone can be swayed by profit; if they aren't, it's usually because the profit isn't large enough."

Uchiha Yang had Uzumaki Mito pour them each a cup of tea before he spoke at length.

"If we can win these clans over, couldn't the Senju Clan do the same to deal with us?"

Uchiha Izuna asked, his face full of worry after hearing the plan.

Uchiha Yang explained, completely unconcerned.

"Don't worry. This is a plan that requires the perfect alignment of timing, geography, and human cooperation; it isn't something that can be easily replicated."

"For now, we only need to stay within the clan and wait for them to attack the Senju, so we can reap the rewards as the fisherman."

Uchiha Yang took a sip of tea and spoke with an air of indifference.

The feeling of using the people of the world as chess pieces fascinated Uchiha Yang.

Brain: Master, are you feeling the allure of power? It is time to let the world know of your strength.

Hearing the Brain trying to sweet-talk him again, Uchiha Yang silently rolled his eyes.

"With you in the clan, I see the hope that our Uchiha Clan will one day wipe out the Senju."

Uchiha Izuna's eyes were filled with brilliance as he looked at Uchiha Yang.

"Keep it low-key, keep it low-key. I'm just an ordinary person."

Uchiha Yang chuckled and gestured for him to sit down.

Uchiha Madara sat to the side, silent. He felt that he was not suited for the position of clan head.

He preferred the visceral, heart-pounding thrill of hand-to-hand combat on the battlefield rather than sitting in the clan, handling administrative affairs day after day.

Without the strength to hold down the fort, perhaps his cousin was the one most suited to sit in the clan head's seat.

The only issue was how to convince the clansmen; an ordinary person without power becoming the Uchiha clan head would surely face strong opposition.

However, with his and Izuna's strong support, his cousin could certainly take the seat.

Uchiha Madara felt a sudden sense of relief.

"Hey, hey, hey—you aren't plotting something bad against me, are you? I'm telling you, I am absolutely not doing any work."

Uchiha Yang felt a bad premonition as Uchiha Madara stared at him for a long time.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. There's nothing going on."

Uchiha Madara prepared to give his cousin a surprise; he was certain his cousin would be moved by everything he was doing for him.

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

The three chatted briefly before breaking up.

Meanwhile, the Senju Clan, due to the incident with Senju Tobirama, no longer dared to let their elite jonin leave the compound.

Senju Tobirama had been placed under house arrest by Senju Hashirama, who realized that his dream of joining forces with Uchiha Madara had been shattered.

The fact that Uchiha Yang could say those words clearly meant he held a grudge against Senju Tobirama.

Now, the Senju Clan only had ten elite jonin left, and they had even lost an elder.

The overall strength of the Senju Clan had plummeted to an all-time low, and as the Senju clan head, this was his responsibility.

Without the help of the Senju Clan, his dream could never be realized.

In Senju Hashirama's mind, as long as the powers of the Uchiha and the Senju joined together, this chaotic world would surely come to an end.

"It seems Senju Hashirama isn't as carefree as he appears."

Hidden in the shadows, Black Zetsu couldn't help but think this as he observed Senju Hashirama.

Black Zetsu wasn't going anywhere these days; he stayed right by Senju Hashirama's side, watching him constantly, learning about him, so that he could eventually manipulate him.

Meanwhile, outside the Senju Clan's defensive line, Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Takeo led the elite forces of their two clans, lying in wait in a secluded spot within a valley.

They were waiting—waiting for news from the direction of New City. If no word came, they would turn against the Senju Clan and attack the Uchiha Clan instead.

In the direction of New City, Matsuda Masahiro, Yamada Miyashu, and Shinjo Rana were leading the entire Southwest Alliance in an assault on the city.

To persuade the clans within the alliance, the three of them had paid a massive sum, and they were determined to recoup those costs from New City.

"BOOM!!!"

The gates of New City were blown open by an explosion, and the ninjas guarding the entrance were killed instantly.

The alliance ninjas, who had been hiding in plain sight as ordinary people, were like beasts baring their fangs, charging inside with shuriken in hand.

The Senju Clan had consolidated their power, so there were very few Senju ninjas guarding New City; most of the guards were from affiliated clans.

"Kill!"

As Matsuda Masahiro and the other two led their respective clans into New City, they were immediately met with resistance.

The three clans, each possessing unique secret techniques, unleashed their specialties, and the defensive line was torn open in an instant.

With that breach, New City fell completely into the hands of the Southwest Alliance.

"Clan Leader, word has come in—New City has fallen."

"The Senju Clan will surely move to rescue New City. It's our turn now."

A Sarutobi ninja rushed up to Sarutobi Sasuke, panting heavily and looking extremely anxious.

"Excellent! Order all clansmen to charge into the Senju Clan's defensive line with me and seize the Senju Clan's wealth!"

Sarutobi Sasuke's face lit up with joy, and together with Shimura Takeo, he immediately issued the order to attack the Senju defensive line.