Vassal Clans

"Build our own village? That's a good idea!"

Izuna's eyes lit up at the suggestion, but he immediately thought of something else. "But if we establish two shinobi villages within one country, wouldn't that be no different from the current situation? Wait, could it be...?"

Yan Hong nodded. "Yes. Since this decisive battle cannot be avoided, if we win, then everything will be fine. But if we lose, we might as well start anew elsewhere. Once we have enough strength, we can take everything back."

"We can discuss building a village later," Madara said. "The war is not over yet. If the others in the clan hear that we are already looking for a way out, their confidence will be shattered. So even if our chances of winning are slim, we still have to fight, because this is the Uchiha Clan."

"Heh, yes. This is the Uchiha Clan." Yan Hong smiled in relief. The Uchiha Clan was warlike and fearless in battle, proud like a pack of wolves. If they surrendered without fighting now, the will they had upheld all this time would collapse, and the Uchiha Clan would no longer be the Uchiha Clan.

"Well, in that case, we can make some other preparations in advance." Yan Hong stretched. "The Uchiha Clan has always fought alone. It's time to find a few allies."

"Allies?"

"That's right. The Senju Clan has the support of the Uzumaki Clan and the Sarutobi Clan. That is precisely why the Uchiha Clan has repeatedly fallen into the predicament of fighting on multiple fronts. In fact, we should have found allies long ago—or rather, a few vassal clans to assist us."

"The Uchiha Clan does not need allies." Madara looked proud. "No matter how close an alliance is, there will always be cracks between them. It is merely a temporary bond of interests. Even the current Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clan will inevitably have conflicts in the future. Vassal clans might be worth considering, but we do not need the followers of the weak!"

Izuna echoed his words. "If you ask me, we do not need vassals at all. Powerful clans would never willingly become another clan's vassals, while the clans willing to join us would be too weak to serve any purpose. We might as well stand alone. In terms of combat strength, we fear no one!"

In truth, the Uchiha Clan was practically a clan born with a cheat. Once someone awakened the Sharingan, their strength would soar. When members of other clans faced an Uchiha Clan member one-on-one, they would basically be doomed to lose.

"Second Brother, it's different. Whether it's the coming battle or building a village in the future, relying on our clan alone is clearly not enough." Yan Hong shook his head with a smile. "I have two clans in mind that we can consider."

"Oh? Let's hear it." Madara looked over with great interest. Ever since Yan Hong had awakened from that severe injury, his third younger brother had matured considerably. He had repeatedly proposed novel yet useful ideas, helping the Uchiha Clan escape difficult situations many times. He had gained immense prestige throughout the clan.

Yan Hong did not hide anything and spoke directly. "There are two clans I think we can win over. Both possess formidable Kekkei Genkai. One of them is the Taketori Clan of the Water Country."

As the head of the Uchiha Clan, Madara naturally knew every clan in the Shinobi World like the back of his hand. Upon hearing the name, he frowned. "The Taketori Clan? You mean that bunch of lunatics?"

"You could put it that way." Yan Hong nodded. "They are a clan with an unhealthy obsession with battle. Because of their Kekkei Genkai, the Shikotsumyaku, and their fearless desire to fight, the clan's combat strength is quite terrifying."

"Of course, in peaceful times, a clan that treats battle as its way of life would be a malignant tumor. But in this age of war, they are the finest butcher's blade, and the Uchiha Clan has more than enough strength to wield it."

Madara did not answer directly, instead continuing to ask, "What about the other clan?"

"The other is the Chinoike Clan of the Lightning Country."

"The Chinoike Clan! The clan that possesses the Ketsuryūgan?" Izuna said. "Their strength is indeed not bad."

"That's right. Although the Ketsuryūgan's upper limit does not compare to our Sharingan, its basic ocular power is not much weaker than ours. They would be a fine fighting force. Besides, our Sharingan can completely suppress their ocular techniques. Since the Lightning Country does not want them, we can make them our own."

Izuna thought for a moment. "You mean we go to Hell Valley and rescue their clan? Hmm... Getting them out would not be difficult, since we have people responsible for guarding them. But our clan is also considered their enemy. How can we ensure they submit to us?"

"Freedom and strength!" Yan Hong's face flickered in the firelight. "Give them freedom while intimidating them with force, then offer them suitable benefits. Second Brother, before interests, there are no eternal enemies."

"Hehe, Izuna, you don't see things as clearly as your younger brother does." Madara smiled rarely. As the eldest brother, he had always believed he should stand before his younger brothers and shield them from every storm. Yet without him realizing it, both of his younger brothers had grown up.

Izuna scratched his head awkwardly without getting angry. "Ahem... Third Brother has always been smarter than me since we were little."

Yan Hong smiled knowingly as well. Sometimes, he truly enjoyed the warmth brought by this family bond. "Then, Big Brother, do you think this will work?"

"If they are vassals, then there is no problem." Madara did not object, merely giving Yan Hong a serious look. "However, we will need to send people to the Water Country and the Hot Springs Country, and they must be qualified to represent the Uchiha Clan. Since you proposed this, you should personally lead people there."

"Mm, no problem." Yan Hong did not think much of it. He stood up first and said, "The great battle is imminent. I'll go make preparations and strive to return as quickly as possible."

Watching Yan Hong leave, Izuna asked in confusion, "Big Brother, there's no need to send Third Brother for something like this, right? Sending any elite squad should be enough."

Madara's gaze was deep. "Today's actions have completely exposed Yan Hong to the Senju Clan. They will surely realize how terrifying his ocular techniques are. I fear the Senju Clan may have targeted measures prepared, so Yan Hong staying here is the most dangerous option."

Izuna suddenly understood. "So Big Brother casually found an excuse to get Third Brother away first. I see."

"It was not just a casual excuse." Madara stood as well, casually brushing the dust from his armor. "His idea is indeed very good. I said it before: our younger brother may go farther than I ever will."

"Heh, Big Brother, don't always carry everything by yourself. You should know that you aren't alone. Third Brother is doing this because he wants to share the burden on your shoulders."

Madara froze for a moment, and an imperceptible smile curled at the corner of his lips. "You two..."