Everyone's Doubts

Third Elder Wenjian's expression changed sharply when he heard that. "That is not good news! The Uchiha Clan already has enough geniuses."

"Indeed!" the Great Elder said gravely. "I wonder if you still remember.

Ten years ago, the clan leader led more than a hundred and fifty elite jonin to surround and attack the Uchiha Flame Twin Heroes. And what happened?

More than half of us were killed or wounded before we barely managed to severely injure those two monsters..."

Hashirama's gaze sharpened. "The Flame Twin Heroes?"

Fourth Elder Lijian explained in a low voice, "They were the two most terrifying powerhouses of the Uchiha's previous generation, Uchiha Jin and Uchiha Yan.

The Mangekyo Sharingan of those two brothers worked together seamlessly. One specialized in Amaterasu: Hellfire, and the other was a master of secret Flame Release techniques. In that battle back then..."

The Second Elder cut him off. "Now is not the time to talk about that! The point is, what exactly is this Uchiha Mo's background?

Why would even Uzumaki Mito specifically warn us to be wary of him?"

Hashirama pondered for a moment. "In that case, Great Elder, please immediately dispatch two elite Anbu squads to secretly investigate Uchiha Mo's background."

Great Elder Zhijian nodded solemnly. "This old man will go arrange the most elite 'Shadow Group' at once."

"Elder Linjian," Hashirama continued, "please gather every ninja in the clan skilled in reconnaissance and infiltration, and closely monitor the progress of Father and the Uchiha's negotiations. If anything changes, send a warning immediately."

Second Elder Linjian stroked his beard and replied, "Understood. I will personally lead the team."

Hashirama turned to the Third Elder. "Third Elder, please immediately count the clan's combat-ready forces and prepare them to move out at any time.

In particular, select thirty elite jonin to form a special operations team."

Third Elder Wenjian was slightly stunned. "Young clan leader, are you planning to..."

"That's right." Hashirama's expression was grave. "If the negotiations break down, we must support Father and Tobirama at the first possible moment.

"No problem!" The Third Elder nodded in response.

Hashirama continued, "Fourth Elder, please prepare medical supplies and retreat routes to ensure nothing goes wrong."

"Leave the rear to me without worry!" the Fourth Elder replied.

"Then I will have to trouble the four elders!" Hashirama said respectfully.

The four elders watched as Hashirama arranged every matter methodically, and looks of gratification appeared in their eyes.

Great Elder Zhijian gently stroked his long beard and sighed. "The young clan leader handles affairs steadily and thinks things through. He has more and more of the clan leader's bearing."

"Indeed," Second Elder Linjian agreed with a nod. "Faced with the Uzumaki Clan's difficulties, he both protected the clan's core interests and avoided an all-out war.

This ability to weigh gains and losses is already no less than Lord Butsuma's back then."

A look of appreciation flashed through Third Elder Wenjian's eyes. "What is most rare is that sense of responsibility."

Fourth Elder Lijian stroked his beard with relief. "In just a few short days, the young clan leader has displayed extraordinary leadership ability.

It seems the defeat of the Uchiha Clan is just around the corner!"

Hearing the elders' evaluations, a modest smile appeared on Hashirama's face. "The four elders praise me too highly. I still need to learn much more from Father and all of you elders."

The night was as dark as ink.

Qin Mo, Madara, and Izuna led nineteen elite jonin in a mad dash through the dense forest, their figures sweeping over the treetops like ghosts.

Moonlight spilled through the gaps between the branches and leaves, illuminating everyone's cold, stern faces.

Madara glanced sideways at Qin Mo. "Mo, when will the Kaguya Clan arrive?"

Qin Mo replied, "It's already arranged. They sent thirty jonin and are heading toward the Snow Clan. I told them to rendezvous fifty li to the northwest."

Hearing this, Izuna nodded slightly. "With the elites on our side added in, we'd have no problem cutting straight through the Snow Clan."

Qin Mo said calmly, "We will be the main attackers in this battle. They are only responsible for intercepting and killing deserters on the perimeter."

Madara frowned slightly. "Mo, wouldn't it be better to let the Kaguya Clan take the lead? That would reduce our Uchiha casualties."

Izuna also nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The Snow Clan's secret Ice Release techniques are not to be underestimated. Let them go first and wear them down, then we can harvest the rest. That would be safer."

Though the surrounding Uchiha elites did not speak, the same question showed in their eyes.

The corners of Qin Mo's mouth curved into a confident smile. "Everyone, I give you my word.

However many of us set out on this operation, that is how many will return. I will absolutely not let a single clansman die in battle."

Those words rang with conviction, shaking everyone present.

Shun could not help speaking up. "Young Master Mo, the battlefield changes in an instant. Even the most elite troops can hardly avoid casualties..."

"All of you just need to trust me!" Qin Mo did not explain much.

Shun still wanted to say something, but Madara waved his hand. "Enough. Since Mo is this confident, everyone will do as he says."

Everyone could only suppress the doubts in their hearts and choose to trust Qin Mo.

The team continued moving through the night.

Three hours later, everyone finally arrived at the designated meeting point—a withered forest shrouded in thick fog.

Kaguya Feng and thirty Kaguya jonin stood neatly within the dead woods.

The instant they saw Qin Mo's figure, a hint of fanaticism flashed through their eyes.

Kaguya Feng's knees subconsciously began to bend in worship, but Qin Mo stopped him with a sharp look.

"Hahaha, you finally came!" Kaguya Feng immediately understood and deliberately used a rough voice to cover up the strangeness from a moment ago. "This old man thought you had lost your way!"

Uchiha Jin and Uchiha Yan keenly sensed that these people... seemed especially respectful toward Qin Mo?

Cang, Shun, and Crimson Snow also noticed it.

Just then, everyone noticed a detail.

Every Kaguya ninja's right hand was subconsciously pressed to the left side of their chest. This was precisely their clan's etiquette for expressing submission.

"Senior Feng," Qin Mo walked forward and deliberately raised his voice, "according to our agreement, you are responsible for intercepting and killing on the perimeter.

The Snow Clan's patrol team is nearby, so why don't you first let us witness the Kaguya Clan's strength?"

Kaguya Feng understood and turned to roar at his clansmen, "Did you all hear that? Show the Uchiha guests what you can do!"

Thirty Kaguya jonin activated Shikotsumyaku at the same time, and bone-white spikes stabbed out from inside their bodies, gleaming coldly beneath the moonlight.

They quickly spread out, vanishing into the thick fog in the blink of an eye.

Crimson Snow moved close to Qin Mo's side and whispered, "Young Master, the way these Kaguya clansmen look at you... is very strange."

Qin Mo chuckled. "Prepare for battle!"

In just a few breaths, Kaguya Feng returned carrying two bloody heads.

"The patrol team has been cleaned up." He casually tossed the heads onto the ground, a hint of bloodthirsty excitement flashing through his eyes.

Qin Mo stared at Kaguya Feng and said, "One last thing. I do not want any member of the Snow Clan to escape this place alive. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Yes... mas... this old man understands!" Kaguya Feng replied.