Izuna turned and took Mito's hand to leave. Mito cast one last lingering look at the village before pressing her lips together and finally departing with Izuna.
"Clan Head, are we really just going to let Uchiha Izuna walk away?"
"If word of this gets out, it will be an utter humiliation for us Senju!"
Many Senju shinobi crowded around. More than Uzumaki Mito, they cared about matters of face.
Senju Hashirama wore a faint smile. Losing face didn't matter as long as the substance remained.
At this moment, Senju Hashirama was like Han Xin of old, enduring the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs. For the sake of his future ideals, this small disgrace meant nothing to him.
"Retreat!"
After reuniting with Uchiha Quanye and the others, Izuna ordered a withdrawal from Uzushiogakure and a return to Uchiha territory.
Mito kept her head lowered the entire time, saying nothing.
In response, Izuna simply held her hand and walked slowly forward.
Right now, only time could heal the wounds in her heart.
"Vice-Clan Head, after suffering such humiliation, the Senju and Uzumaki will probably...
counterattack."
Uchiha Quanye and others walked beside Izuna, speaking in low voices.
During the Senju-Uzumaki marriage alliance, they had run over and abducted the bride—the future wife of the clan head, no less. As one of the strongest clans in the Warring States, how could the Senju possibly swallow this insult?
Even if Senju Hashirama himself showed no signs of fury, his subordinates would never let this go.
"Don't worry. They won't—or rather, they won't for now."
Izuna had anticipated this.
That was precisely why he had used the identity of "Kite" to drag the Kaguya clan into this mess, aiming to wear down the combat strength of both the Uzumaki and Senju.
Though Kaguya Banrō and his men hadn't performed as brilliantly as Izuna had hoped and hadn't killed many Senju-Uzumaki shinobi,
they had still achieved decent results.
At the end of the day, the Senju weren't like Uchiha Sasuke—hot-headed fools who would charge in shouting about revenge despite a massive power gap.
They needed to consolidate their forces and wait for the right moment.
At the very least, they needed to wait until this year's autumn harvest when their grain reserves were plentiful—which meant at least half a year.
However, after that point, the Uzumaki would completely align with the Senju. They would fully enter the war and clash with the Uchiha.
Should've found an opportunity on the battlefield to kill that old fossil Uzumaki Hiro'umi.
Izuna thought darkly.
...
On the other side, after Izuna led Mito and the Uchiha forces away, Senju Hashirama immediately convened a high-level joint meeting with Uzumaki Hiro'umi.
As the meeting began, Uzumaki Hiro'umi initially wanted to apologize to Senju Hashirama on behalf of the entire Uzumaki clan, but unexpectedly, Senju Hashirama bowed ninety degrees first and declared solemnly, "I am truly sorry, honored elders of the Uzumaki!
Even under the protection of us Senju, the Uchiha and Kaguya still managed to penetrate so deeply!
I, Senju Hashirama, apologize on behalf of the entire Senju clan to the Uzumaki!"
"Clan Head!"
On the other side, the Senju were equally shocked.
Uzumaki Mito had been taken by Uchiha Izuna—no matter how you looked at it, it was the Uzumaki who owed an apology.
How had it suddenly become Senju Hashirama apologizing?
However, Uzumaki Hiro'umi and the others were so startled by Senju Hashirama's gesture that they couldn't speak.
After several seconds of stunned silence, Uzumaki Hiro'umi hurried forward to support Hashirama's arms, saying urgently, "No, no, no!
Hashirama, you're making this old man feel terrible."
"No, this is indeed a failure on the Senju's part."
Uzumaki Hiro'umi quickly shook his head, then his expression turned grim. "Uchiha Izuna has truly gone too far in humiliating the Uzumaki. Today, I declare that the Uzumaki officially allies with the Senju against the Uchiha!
Does anyone object?"
As he spoke, Uzumaki Hiro'umi looked toward Uzumaki Wakou and the other Uzumaki high-ranking members.
"We have no objections!"
The Uzumaki side responded in unison.
Having gained the full support of the Uzumaki clan, the Senju side's mood improved somewhat.
A Senju Jonin spoke up. "Perfect timing, Clan Head. Once we return home, let's immediately declare all-out war on the Uchiha!"
"Absolutely not!"
Senju Hashirama refused without hesitation. "It's been less than a few months since the last war ended. At the very least, we must wait until this year's autumn harvest when our grain reserves are sufficient!"
This battle indeed had to be fought, but even if they had to fight, they needed thorough preparation.
Otherwise, the outcome would be like in Izuna's past life during the Three Kingdoms period, when Liu Bei attacked Eastern Wu without proper preparation and ended up suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Lu Xun.
Senju Hashirama continued, "And right now, there's something even more important that needs investigation."
Uzumaki Hiro'umi immediately interjected, "How the Uchiha and Kaguya managed to reach Uzushiogakure without anyone noticing, correct?"
Hearing this, everyone present felt a chill run through them.
Just thinking about it sent shivers down their spines.
An army capable of air-dropping into an enemy's main base—no matter what method they used, it was simply too terrifying.
Today they air-dropped into Uzushiogakure; next time would it be the Senju's turn?
"There are only two ways to solve this problem, correct?"
Uzumaki Hiro'umi turned his gaze toward Senju Hashirama.
"Yes."
Senju Hashirama nodded. He didn't say it aloud, but everyone present understood perfectly well.
Uchiha. Kaguya.
They would have to pry the truth out of one of those two clans.
And the choice was obvious.
"Clan Head, how many men should we send to attack the Kaguya?"
A Senju ninja immediately requested instructions.
"We're not declaring war—we just want to get to the truth. Courtesy before force."
After a few seconds of contemplation, Senju Hashirama spoke. "I alone will suffice."
This question haunted the minds of the Uzumaki and Senju shinobi like a nightmare, impossible to shake. The sooner they solved it, the better.
Once the decision was made, Senju Hashirama wasted no time. He set out alone, crossing the sea toward the island where the Kaguya clan dwelled.
With his chakra reserves, it took just over half a day. By dawn, he had reached the island.
So humid.
After landing, sensing the island's environment, Senju Hashirama thought to himself.
No wonder the Kaguya had coveted the Land of Whirlpools' territory for so long.
In a climate like this, crops could barely grow. Just feeding themselves was a major problem, let alone survival.
"Who goes there!?"
The moment Senju Hashirama landed, before he'd even walked half a mile, two Kaguya shinobi in white robes with bound hair stopped him.
Senju Hashirama clasped his hands respectfully. "Senju Hashirama of the Senju clan. I have come to seek an audience with the Kaguya Clan Head!"
Senju Hashirama!?
Hearing that name, both men started.
The Kaguya shinobi on the right brought his lantern closer to Senju Hashirama, the faint light illuminating his face.
It really was Senju Hashirama.
After a brief silence, one of them said, "You… wait here. I'll go inform the Clan Head."
Senju Hashirama raised his hand in a gesture of invitation. Only he, with such overwhelming power, could maintain such good temper.
If it had been Izuna or Madara, they'd have already thrown a genjutsu.
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