"The two clan leaders' concerns are not without reason," Hagoromo Jueying said, looking completely assured. "But please, rest easy.
"The elites my Hagoromo Clan has dispatched this time are battle-hardened soldiers, each worth ten men, and masters of assassination and coordinated attacks. They are by no means comparable to the jonin of ordinary clans.
"And... our clan leader still has an absolute trump card in reserve!
"It will be enough to ensure that not a single member of the Senju upper echelon gets away!
"As for what it is specifically, the time is not yet right, so forgive me for being unable to reveal it for now.
"The two of you need only know that if this plan succeeds, when my Hagoromo Clan sweeps away this chaotic age and stands at the summit of the world one day...
"You two clan leaders will be the foremost meritorious officials who opened new lands and stabilized the realm!
"Glory, wealth, authority, and status will all be within easy reach!"
The mountaintop fell into silence, with only the evening wind howling past.
Sarutobi Tetsuma's and Shimura Sato's hearts pounded violently in their chests.
The future Hagoromo Jueying described was like ghostfire suddenly flaring in the darkness, filled with danger, yet also exuding a fatal temptation.
An alliance with the Senju was obvious slow death, while the olive branch offered by the Hagoromo... though enormously risky, might bring unimaginable returns!
After a long while, Sarutobi Tetsuma took a deep breath, as if he had made some kind of decision, and asked in a low voice, "...What do you want us to do?"
"Very simple!" Hagoromo Jueying knew the fish had taken the bait, and his tone became relaxed. "Contact Senju Butsuma immediately and express your intent to ally. You can even lower your stance