Vassal Clans

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

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

Enkō 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 establish ourselves elsewhere. Once we have the strength, we can take everything back."

"We'll discuss building a village later," Madara said. "The war is not over yet. If the others in the clan hear that we are already planning a way out, their confidence will be shattered. So even if our chances of victory are slim, we must fight, because this is the Uchiha Clan."

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

"Well, if that's the case, we can make some other preparations in advance." Enkō stretched lazily. "The Uchiha Clan has always fought alone. It's time we found 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 been forced into the predicament of fighting on multiple fronts. In truth, we should have found allies long ago—or rather, several vassal clans to assist us."

"The Uchiha Clan does not need allies." Madara looked proud. "No matter how close allies may be, they can never be completely without barriers between them. They are merely bound by temporary interests. Even the current Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clan will inevitably have conflicts in the future. Vassal clans may be worth considering, but we have no need for the followers of the weak!"

Izuna agreed. "If you ask me, we don't 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 be useful. We're better off alone. In terms of combat strength, we fear no one!"

In truth, the Uchiha Clan could indeed be called a clan born with a cheat. Once they awakened the Sharingan, their strength would soar. When members of other clans faced an Uchiha Clan member, they would basically lose in a one-on-one fight.

"Second Brother, this is different. Whether it's the coming battle or building a village in the future, relying on our clan alone is clearly not enough." Enkō 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 interest. Ever since Enkō had awakened from that serious injury, his third younger brother had become much more mature. He had repeatedly proposed novel yet useful ideas, helping the Uchiha Clan escape difficult situations time and again. He had gained tremendous prestige throughout the clan.

Enkō did not hide anything and said directly, "There are two clans I believe we can win over. Both possess formidable Kekkei Genkai. One of them is the Taketori Clan of the Water Country."

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

"You could put it that way." Enkō nodded. "They are a clan pathologically obsessed with battle. Their Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai, coupled with their fearless desire to fight, makes their combat strength exceptionally terrifying."

"Of course, in peacetime, a clan that regards battle as its way of survival 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 that blade."

Madara did not answer immediately. Instead, he continued asking, "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 spoke up. "Their strength really isn't bad."

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

Izuna thought for a moment. "You mean we go to Hell Valley and rescue their clan? Hmm... Getting them out would not be much of a problem. After all, we have people overseeing their imprisonment as well. But our clan is also their enemy. How can we ensure they submit to us?"

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

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

Izuna scratched his head awkwardly, but he was not angry. "Ahem... Third Brother has always been smarter than me since we were children."

Enkō smiled knowingly as well. Sometimes, he truly enjoyed the warmth that came from family bonds. "Then, Eldest Brother, do you think this will work?"

"If they are vassals, then there is no problem." Madara did not object. He merely gave Enkō 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 a team there."

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

Watching Enkō's departing figure, Izuna asked in confusion, "Eldest Brother, there's no need to send Third Brother for something like this, right? Wouldn't it be enough to send an elite squad?"

Madara's gaze was deep. "Today's actions completely exposed Enkō to the Senju Clan. They will surely realize how terrifying his ocular techniques are. I fear the Senju Clan may have measures specifically prepared for him. So Enkō remaining here is the most dangerous option."

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

"It wasn't just a casual excuse." Madara stood as well and casually brushed 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, Eldest Brother, don't always carry everything on your own. You should know that you're not alone. Third Brother is doing this because he wants to share the burden on your shoulders."

Madara froze for a moment, and an almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his lips. "You two..."