Momiji Yamanaka had listened quietly as everyone spoke in turn, his brow slightly furrowed. At last, he could no longer hold back. "The Nara Clan Head has hit the nail on the head. We really can't rush into anything on impulse. As everyone knows, gathering intelligence is what our Yamanaka Clan does best. From now on, I'll send more people to keep a close watch on the Senju Clan. If they make the slightest move, we'll know right away and be prepared." A shrewd light flickered in his eyes as he spoke.
Chozan Akimichi rubbed his round belly, which looked like a small hill, and said in a booming voice, "Our Akimichi Clan may not have as many people, but every one of us has backbone. If it really comes down to life or death, we won't be cowards! Still, I think we should listen to the Nara Clan Head and preserve our strength first. That's what matters most." He grinned, revealing a mouthful of big white teeth. His smile was a little goofy, but it was reassuring. He also knew full well that they stood little chance against the Senju Clan in a head-on fight. They needed to think things through for the long term.
Natsuki Gekko leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, looking as though he wanted nothing to do with the matter but had no choice. He chimed in, "The Gekko Clan will definitely stand with everyone. There's no question about that. But fighting the Senju Clan head-on would be like throwing an egg at a rock. Think about it: all our clans put together wouldn't be enough for Hashirama Senju to beat up."
Masao Yuhi's brow was furrowed deeply enough to crush a fly, and his face was full of worry. He hurriedly said, "Let me make this clear: the Yuhi Clan will have no part in a direct conflict with the Senju Clan. Their strength is too terrifying. Whoever wants to fight them can go, but leave us out of it." He was terrified. If his clan joined the others in opposing the Senju Clan, it would be finished. It might even vanish from Konoha tomorrow.
Shinsuke Sato gave a contemptuous snort, his arrogance practically written across his forehead. He said loudly, "Tobirama Senju thinks he can wipe out all our clans in one fell swoop? How naive! The Sato Clan's Ninjutsu is no joke. If it comes to it, we'll fight to mutual destruction!" He puffed out his chest as he spoke, his eyes filled with blind conceit. He thought the Senju Clan was nothing special and didn't take them seriously at all.
Kenshin Uzuki bit his lip until it nearly left a mark. Her voice trembled slightly. "The Uzuki Clan will follow everyone's arrangements and cooperate fully. But we need to come up with a good plan quickly. Otherwise, my heart will keep racing like a little rabbit in my chest." His face was full of worry, and his eyes showed how lost he felt about his clan's future. He didn't know how they could resolve this crisis. If they couldn't find a way, what would become of the clan?
Ryuji Yamazaki scratched his head, looking troubled, until his hair resembled a bird's nest. "Our Yamazaki Clan doesn't have any particularly impressive abilities," he said, "but if there are errands to run, just say the word. We'll get them done!" He gave an honest smile as he spoke, but he understood that every clan had to do its part in this crisis, or none of them could expect to fare well.
Hiroto Mito frowned and fell into thought, remaining silent for a long time. At last, she slowly said, "The Mito Clan was originally a noble family of the Land of Fire, and we have some ties to the Senju Clan. I'm thinking we might be able to use that connection to sound out Tobirama Senju. But let me make one thing clear: you'd better not drag the Mito Clan down with you."
Shigen Koharu curled his lip and said sarcastically, "Hmph, sound him out? Careful Tobirama Senju doesn't sell you out. Our family's disciples took five spots in this genius competition, so we're bound to have someone among the next Hokage's upper ranks. You insisted on trying to assassinate members of the Senju Clan, and now some of you still want to fight to the death. I really don't know how any of you became clan heads. As I see it, the Senju Clan won't wipe us all out, but they won't let us off easily either. The Second Hokage has just taken office and needs to establish his authority. It's a question of who'll be unlucky enough to take the fall. Everyone should look after their own clan first. If anyone wants to throw their life away again, we won't be joining them." He rolled his eyes as he spoke, inwardly pleased with himself. His family would soon have a place among the Hokage's upper ranks, and he couldn't let these idiots drag them down.
Genta Aoki had remained silent, like a statue. After quite a while, he finally spoke. "The Aoki Clan does not support going to war."
Rendi Mitarashi smiled, his face somewhat innocent, though his eyes were wary, like a cunning little fox's. He declared, "The Mitarashi Clan will not take part in this war."
Kenichi Morita rubbed his chin and said thoughtfully, "I don't intend to confront them directly either."
Ichiro Suzuki nodded. "My clan won't take part in opposing the Senju Clan either. I've always supported Clan Head Shikaboshi Nara's Parasite Plan." He thought that following the Nara Clan Head couldn't go wrong, and that the Parasite Plan might really bring his clan a change of fortune.
Kazuo Yamamoto still couldn't accept it. Frowning, he muttered, "Are we just going to sit here and wait? Watch Tobirama Senju throw his weight around in Konoha?" His face flushed red, and he was full of resentment and anger. He felt that his clan's dignity had been trampled underfoot, like an ant beneath someone's shoe, yet he could do nothing about it.
Shikaboshi Nara glared at him and said coldly, "What can acting on impulse solve? For now, everyone should calm down, prepare their own clan's defenses, keep a close watch on the Senju Clan, and wait for the right moment. As long as we're united, even Tobirama Senju won't dare act rashly." His eyes showed firm conviction as he spoke, but inwardly he was uncertain. He didn't know how long their unity would last, or when the right moment would come.
Sasuke Sarutobi sighed, his voice full of weariness and helplessness. "This is urgent. The Shinozuka Family must arrange for its members to leave the village immediately. You're at too great a risk of being exposed. Everyone, let's disperse. Be careful and don't give anything away." He was deeply frustrated. How had he ended up with such pig teammates, who had made such a mess of things? Now he could only take things one step at a time.
Everyone rose and silently left the secret meeting room, each with their own thoughts. The night remained dark and still, as though nothing had happened, but undercurrents continued to surge through the village.
Meanwhile, at the Hyuga Clan Compound, the Hyuga Clan Head, Tennin Hyuga, sat at home with a gloomy expression. A ninja knelt before him, too nervous to breathe loudly, and carefully reported, "Lord Clan Head, someone tried to assassinate the Gold-Swallowing Beast today. The assassins were led by the heads of the Yamamoto and Shinozuka Clans, and Tobirama Senju killed them all. After the assassination failed, Kazuo Yamamoto and Kazuo Shinozuka went to the Sarutobi Clan Compound. The Sarutobi Clan's defenses were too tight, and a barrier blocked the way, so our people didn't dare follow them any farther."
Tennin Hyuga listened and sneered. "These small fry dared to come out and cause trouble? A bunch of idiots ruined my plans. They really don't know what's good for them! Go and pass this news on to Lord Hokage." He was furious that these idiots had ruined his plans. He would have Tobirama Senju deal with them properly.
The ninja left to carry out his orders. Tennin Hyuga leaned back in his chair and smiled smugly. "Hmph, let's see how our new Lord Hokage deals with these people. Interesting, very interesting."
Tobirama Senju was busy in the Hokage's office, repeatedly going over tonight's operation and checking again and again to make sure there were no flaws. Just then, an Anbu member appeared silently, knelt on one knee, and presented intelligence from the Hyuga Clan. Tobirama unfolded the note, and his eyes narrowed instantly. A cold aura spread from his body. "The Yamamoto and Shinozuka Clans, and now the Sarutobi Clan has shown up too. If the Sarutobi Clan is involved, then the Shimura Clan and the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans must be involved as well. What troubled times! You dare act like this? Wouldn't it be better to live your lives peacefully? It seems I'll have to give them a proper warning." He murmured under his breath. Though his voice was quiet, it seemed to carry an icy killing intent.