What could strike fear into one of the future twin gods of the Shinobi World, the "Asura of the Ninja World" who could subdue the entire Shinobi World single-handedly?
It was neither an enemy too powerful to defeat nor the loss of his clan's interests or his personal reputation.
It was his two younger brothers, Uchiha Jing Xiu and Uchiha Izuna.
If either of them faced mortal danger, he, as their older brother, would be frantic with worry.
Let alone when the intelligence said that both his younger brothers were struggling on the brink of death.
"The Uzumaki joined forces with the Senju to ambush Uchiha Izuna."
"Uchiha Jing Xiu went to his rescue and became trapped in the enemy's snare."
The moment Madara received the intelligence, he went straight to the storehouse in the Land of Fields. He took every supply that could be used in battle and headed for the Land of Whirlpools without looking back.
Madara knew perfectly well that even if he spent every moment traveling, it would take him at least ten days to reach the Land of Whirlpools.
After all, he had to cross nearly half the Land of Fire.
"Jing Xiu, Izuna, you have to hold on. Wait for me!"
Dozens of humanoid life-forms, whose biological characteristics were no different from those of trees, traveled deep underground, following Madara's movements.
In a cavern deep underground, a strange creature with no hair or body, only eyes and a mouth, listened to a white creature's report.
Intelligence gleamed in his two beady eyes.
Had Jing Xiu witnessed this bizarre scene, he would surely have recognized that strange black mass.
He was none other than Black Zetsu, the self-proclaimed "third son of the Rabbit Goddess" and the "Shinobi World's most devoted son," who had lurked in the shadows for over a thousand years to save his mother.
And the life-form that looked human but shared the biological characteristics of a tree was White Zetsu.
"This Uchiha Madara is undoubtedly Indra's reincarnation. Could Uchiha Tajima be trying to help him awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"But there's no need to sacrifice both his brothers! Doesn't that fool know that the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan requires a transplant of a close blood brother's Mangekyō Sharingan?"
"It seems I'll have to find a way to keep these two brothers alive."
"Though that Uchiha Jing Xiu is rather mysterious, and he seems more likely to awaken his eyes."
"But I've spent a thousand years laying my plans. This time, I absolutely cannot allow my plan to fail!"
He emerged from the ground and looked up at the bright moon on the horizon. "Mother, please wait a little longer. Your son will free you soon!"
A White Zetsu merged with Black Zetsu, then headed toward the Land of Demons.
Three days of gathering intelligence gave Nara Yoshihiro a clearer understanding of the current situation.
"Young Master Izuna, if we're going to the Land of Hot Water, we'll have to pass through the Land of Whirlpools. But the Land of Whirlpools is on edge right now."
"Quite a few Uzumaki ninja have disappeared without explanation."
"Once we enter the Land of Whirlpools, they're bound to target us."
Izuna thought for a moment. "What if we return to the Land of Fire, then take a detour through the Land of Bears before heading to the Land of Hot Water?"
As soon as he asked, Izuna knew it was a foolish question. If they really took that detour, it would take at least half a month just to reach the Land of Bears.
And traveling from the Land of Bears to the Land of Hot Water would require another half-month voyage by ship.
The mission document had already specified the deadline for completing the mission: seven days from now.
He sighed helplessly. "We have no choice. Everyone will travel in disguise, hide by day, and move by night. We'll try to reach the Land of Hot Water within three days!"
After three days of frenzied slaughter, Jing Xiu and Black Wolf no longer lingered along the coast of the Land of Whirlpools.
By now, the two had parted ways. Black Wolf headed to the Land of Lightning with a classified scroll, while Jing Xiu sensed something out on the vast sea.
"Uchiha Tajima, since you love playing games so much, I'll give you a surprise this time!"
Half a day earlier, Jing Xiu had received Xia's latest intelligence.
Tobirama Senju had seen through her identity, but for some reason, he had not exposed her disguise.
With the Senju's involvement, Jing Xiu abandoned his earlier plan to stir the enemy into action and then slip through unnoticed as soon as he learned that Tobirama Senju had entered the game.
Though Tobirama Senju was still young, he was cunning, devious, and exceptionally perceptive. He would surely see through Jing Xiu's scheme.
If Jing Xiu persisted with his arrangements, Tobirama Senju would only need to go along with them to sabotage his plan and make him lose control of the situation.
"My strength is insufficient, and my opponent is the entire Uzumaki Clan."
"And there are probably Uchiha Hidden Ninja lurking in the shadows as well."
"In that case, I'll overturn your board and force you to sit at mine and play along!"
Because Jing Xiu had stirred the enemy into action a few days earlier.
The entire Uzumaki Clan recalled all its members who were away on missions. Izuna happened to exploit this opening, crossing the Land of Whirlpools in one day and two nights to reach the Land of Hot Water.
The daimyo of the Land of Hot Water clung to life and feared death. Without Black Wolf protecting him these past days, he had been too terrified even to sleep.
When Izuna found him, he actually covered his face and burst into tears in front of an eight-year-old child.
"Your Lordship, may I ask why you're so distressed? We Uchiha have come in good faith this time, hoping to work with you for our mutual benefit!"
The daimyo of the Land of Hot Water felt deeply aggrieved, but when he heard that the Uchiha had come to discuss cooperation, his eyes immediately lit up.
Even his sobbing stopped. "Young master, are you truly Clan Leader Uchiha Tajima's second son?"
"Can our Land of Hot Water really work with your clan?"
Izuna was a little dazed. He had not expected that this mission might actually be completed.
Nara Yoshihiro, standing beside him, picked up the conversation. "To be frank, Your Lordship, the Uchiha have come with the utmost sincerity."
"The fourth floor of the Tenshu Pavilion seems rather empty. I wonder if Your Lordship might need the finest ninja in the entire Shinobi World to protect you?"
At those words, excitement filled the daimyo's eyes. "I'm willing to cooperate with the Uchiha Clan, provided that the Uchiha Clan sends one-no, two Jōnin to protect me!"
Only then did Izuna understand.
The daimyo of the Land of Hot Water before him was not like the daimyo of the Land of Iron he had once met, much less a towering, imposing hero like his father.
He was merely an ordinary man who feared death and craved pleasure.
At that thought, Izuna lost any desire to continue talking to him.
Still, his upbringing kept him from being discourteous.
Izuna's conduct was proper and his words faultless, but he left all the details of their cooperation to Nara Yoshihiro.
For several days running, they spent hours each day negotiating the terms of their cooperation.
Finally, after four days, the Uchiha Clan and the Land of Hot Water reached an agreement to cooperate.
The Uchiha would send two Special Jōnin to protect the daimyo of the Land of Hot Water.
The daimyo would hand over the operating rights to two casinos and two bathhouses to the Uchiha.
The income from these four businesses would serve as payment for employing the Uchiha Special Jōnin.
After signing the agreement with the other party, Izuna prepared to return to the clan grounds by the Naka River immediately.
Nara Yoshihiro shook his head, thinking, What a headache. Yet he had no choice but to remind Izuna.
"The journey back won't be as easy as the journey here!"
"Young Master Izuna, are you prepared?"