However, no matter how Fū Senju's plans were, they still couldn't keep up with changes.
When the Uzumaki Clan learned that he had gone to the Daimyo's residence, the Uzumaki Clan leader immediately became vigilant.
That very evening, the patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan summoned several elders for a meeting.
As the saying goes, important matters are discussed in small meetings, and minor matters in large meetings. For such an important matter, he only called two or three elders who could speak on the matter to hold a meeting to discuss it.
"It seems there's something else going on with the Senju Clan. Their clan leader suddenly went to the daimyo's place. What do you think?"
The patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan asked, "Do you know what they went to do?"
The elder of the Uzumaki Clan sneered, "What else could they possibly do? The Senju Clan is nothing more than groveling before the Daimyo, begging for more!"
They're a bunch of idiots. Listen to us, why don't we just break away from the Land of Fire and establish our own independent nation? With the Land of Fire's small army, what power do they have to stop us?"
The patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan looked at the second elder. "Second elder, you tell me, if they really only wanted to continue negotiations with the daimyo, there was absolutely no need for him to go in person. Perhaps our information was leaked."
Upon hearing this, the Second Elder narrowed his eyes. "You mean we wanted to keep the news of our founding of the kingdom a secret from the Senju Clan? That's absolutely impossible! This is top secret within our family, how could it be..."
Before the Second Elder could finish speaking, he suddenly realized that they weren't the only three who knew about this; there was also the Third Elder of the family.
The Third Elder also knew about their plan to establish an independent nation, but only the three of them were sitting here for the meeting. Why did the patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan specifically exclude the Third Elder?
Seeing that the Second Elder had suddenly fallen silent, the patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan said, "It seems you've finally figured it out. That's right! According to intelligence, the Third Elder leaked the news of our independence and nation-building."
Ha... I knew he wasn't trustworthy; he's in cahoots with the Senju Clan!
The eldest elder of the Uzumaki Clan frowned and said, "That's not right. Why would the third elder, as an elder of our clan, stand with the Senju Clan?"
Although we have maintained a good relationship with the Senju Clan, we are ultimately two separate clans, not one, and the Senju Clan has always wanted to devour us.
As an elder of the clan, he couldn't possibly be unaware, unless the Senju Clan had promised him something.
The patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan said, "Regardless of what was promised or what benefits were gained, he is no longer an elder of our clan. I have already sent men to capture him."
... at the Third Elder of the Uzumaki Clan
"Knock knock... Open the door!" Several elite warriors of the Uzumaki Clan stood on either side of the door, swords in hand. One of them stepped forward and knocked on the door.
The third elder of the Uzumaki Clan cautiously pressed his finger against the door. "Who is it?"
The Uzumaki Clan outside the door replied, "Third Elder, the Clan Chief has informed us that you need to attend a meeting. This meeting is very important; it concerns Top Secret Number One."
Upon hearing this, the third elder of the Uzumaki Clan's pupils contracted, and he coldly snorted, "Top Secret Number One? Would the clan leader tell you Top Secret Number One?"
Upon hearing this, the members of the Uzumaki Clan realized that the Third Elder had become suspicious, and it was impossible to lure him out.
He immediately kicked the door open. "I don't know what 'Secret Number One' is, but I know you're a traitor!"
The Third Elder retreated rapidly, then regained his footing, while several Uzumaki Clan outside the door charged in, swords in hand.
"I knew he wouldn't be able to resist making a move!" The moment he saw the Uzumaki Clan charge in, the Third Elder actually relaxed from his fighting stance.
She gently brushed the dust off her sleeves and then said, "Do you know... why I'm not afraid at all?"
The members of the Uzumaki Clan ignored them and instead began forming hand seals, releasing Sealing Jutsu to enclose the surrounding area.
The Third Elder's gaze swept quickly over each Uzumaki Clan, then he curled his lips into a smile, "Aren't you going to make a move?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than several Uzumaki Clan suddenly turned their blades and pointed them at their clansmen!
"Huh?" The Uzumaki Clan beside him didn't have time to dodge and had his throat slit on the spot. The leader of the Uzumaki Clan was attacked from both sides. Although he dodged the first blow with his extremely fast reaction speed, he was still seriously injured by the second blow.
"When did you plant your people in the clan?" The leader of the Uzumaki Clan, clutching a wound in his chest, weakly said, "You traitor!"
The Third Elder stepped forward, patted the two Uzumaki Clan on the shoulder, and said, "You two, well done. However, we've been exposed now. Don't worry, I'll find you good positions within the Senju Clan."
As soon as the words were spoken, the leader of the Uzumaki Clan saw only a flash of cold light before losing his life.
The Third Elder vanished from the spot...
"Something terrible has happened!" Several Uzumaki Clan rushed into the conference room and whispered in the Uzumaki Clan's ear.
The patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan's eyes narrowed. "What happened? Tell us right here!"
The Uzumaki Clan swallowed hard, then said, "The Third Elder has defected, along with dozens of clansmen! They've already fought their way out and are fleeing towards the Senju Clan!"
Upon hearing this, the patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan slammed his fist on the table in anger. " Senju! Go to hell with you—"
Although the Uzumaki Clan did indeed intend to betray the Senju Clan, they hadn't even made a move yet, and the Senju Clan couldn't resist attacking them first?
Furthermore, they even managed to turn one of their clan's elders and dozens of ninjas against their cause, and the clan head himself was completely unaware of when this had happened.
The patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan was nearly driven mad with rage. Everything had happened right under his nose; if the news of the founding of the nation hadn't been leaked, he wouldn't have known about it at all.
Upon hearing this, the First Elder immediately stood up and said, "Clan Chief, the situation is urgent. We absolutely cannot allow the Third Elder to lead his men to the Senju Clan!"
He must be captured immediately, or killed on the spot! We absolutely cannot allow him to bring the Uzumaki Clan's secret techniques to the Senju Clan!
The patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan sat back down in his chair and shook his head. "It's no use. The Senju Clan should already know the news and have sent reinforcements. We can't stop them."
I just didn't expect they were able to plant spies within the family. When exactly did they sow discord among us? When did they begin?
The second elder of the Uzumaki Clan was silent for a moment, then said, "They must have had this in mind when the alliance was in trouble. Do you remember? When the alliance was in trouble, the third elder was initially neutral, but then suddenly started supporting the Senju Clan."
Perhaps it was around that time that the Senju Clan began trying to turn the Third Elder against them.
The patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan sat wearily in a chair. There was no point in saying anything more now; after all, the Third Elder had already defected, and their Uzumaki Clan... was divided.