While Senju Hashirama rushed toward the Kaguya's island, Izuna had also led his forces back to the Uchiha compound.
Madara came in person to welcome them. In front of the compound, both Uchiha clan members and outside laborers couldn't help but cast curious glances toward the Vice-Clan Head's wife at Izuna's side.
Madara tried to exchange a few pleasantries with his sister-in-law Mito, but his mouth simply wasn't suited for talking to women. After forcing out a couple of lines, he and Izuna shifted the topic to military matters.
Madara and Izuna walked along the compound's main road, with Mito following a few steps behind. "According to your plan, Izuna, the Senju won't dare declare war rashly in the short term."
Hearing this, Izuna replied, "Although the marriage alliance was sabotaged by us, the Kaguya still expended a considerable portion of the Uzumaki's strength. They should at least wait until the autumn harvest in six months before launching a war."
The Senju certainly couldn't swallow this insult, but as a powerful clan that had endured for hundreds of years, they wouldn't let anger cloud their judgment completely.
It had been only a few months since the last war. No matter how angry they were, they should think twice.
What's more, the Senju had lost to the Uchiha last time.
"Including the battle six months from now, this will be our third clash with Hashirama and his people, won't it?"
Madara looked up thoughtfully, as if sighing.
"Compared to our fathers' hundreds of skirmishes over decades, it's still nothing."
Izuna smiled.
Madara couldn't help but smile as well, though the muscles in his face moved far less than Izuna's.
Before they knew it, they had reached the vicinity of the brothers' estates, where they would soon part ways.
Madara's smile became slightly more pronounced. "All right, I won't disturb you two."
After that brief remark, Madara turned and walked in the other direction.
Izuna shrugged with a smile, taking Mito's hand and heading toward his own estate.
Mito looked around silently. This would be where she lived from now on.
"Vice-Clan Head."
When they reached the entrance, two young Uchiha maids responsible for attending to Izuna's daily needs bowed from either side.
"You two may leave for today."
Izuna waved his hand.
"Yes."
They both bowed simultaneously and left with quick steps, though their eyes held a trace of hostility when they glanced at Uzumaki Mito.
They had once been the ones with the best chances.
Even if they couldn't become his official wife, if they bore Izuna a child, that child might well become the future Clan Head. Their own status and treatment within the clan would skyrocket.
But with Uzumaki Mito's arrival, that opportunity seemed much slimmer now.
"They were glaring at me just now."
Mito's face showed a hint of a smile.
But it wasn't the expression of a petty woman tattling—it was a teasing tone directed at Izuna.
"I've been keeping myself pure for you, you know."
Izuna lightly kissed Mito's forehead with a mischievous grin.
"Bah! A grown man talking about 'keeping himself pure'!"
Mito's face flushed red as she spat in mock indignation, trying to pull her hand free. But he held it firmly.
The situation reminded her of a year ago, when she'd been captured and brought to his camp. Sometimes at night, that bastard would slip into her tent and demand she do that kind of thing…
"From now on, you're the lady of this house."
Izuna led Mito inside.
"Home…"
Mito murmured the single word softly.
Izuna shifted his hand to her shoulder, pulling her into his embrace. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, "How about we add a few more family members?"
Mito had just a few days until she turned eighteen, but she certainly understood Izuna's innuendo.
Her face instantly turned as red as her crimson hair. Unable to break free from Izuna's grip, she could only raise her small fists and pummel his chest in protest.
Izuna laughed again, capturing Mito's soft lips with his own. The two heated up right there in the wooden corridor by the courtyard.
If someone walked in through the main gate and turned their head, they'd see the whole scene.
Still, Izuna didn't take things all the way that night.
After all, Mito had only just come with him to the Uchiha compound. She hadn't yet emerged from the shadow of leaving the Uzumaki behind.
No matter how eager Izuna was, he wouldn't take advantage of her at a time like this.
Besides, this morsel of meat was already in his mouth—he was just waiting to swallow it. What was there to worry about?
With the Senju and Uzumaki not daring to attack for the time being, Izuna could fully enjoy the indulgent life of having a beauty in his arms.
While Izuna was busy romancing Mito, Senju Hashirama had already concluded his meeting with Kaguya Manroku.
What allowed the typically temperamental Kaguya clan to sit down and talk calmly was mainly the fact that the visitor was Senju Hashirama.
The man known alongside Izuna as one of the Twin Heroes of the Warring States.
Through their conversation, Senju Hashirama learned from Kaguya Manroku about the existence of "Tobi."
And it was through Tobi's extremely unique jutsu that the Uchiha had teleported to the Land of Whirlpools.
Kaguya Manroku couldn't tell Senju Hashirama much about this "Tobi."
But from Manroku's description, Hashirama realized the technique was remarkably similar to his younger brother Tobirama's Flying Thunder God.
Both used seal formations to create barriers, then performed instant transfers within those barriers.
It seems his space-time jutsu is even more advanced than Tobirama's.
Yet as for Tobi's identity, Senju Hashirama had no clue.
Why would he help the Uchiha and Kaguya attack the Land of Whirlpools?
Was he an enemy of the Uzumaki?
Or an enemy of the Senju?
If he started counting, the list of suspects would be far too long.
After concluding his relatively peaceful talk with Kaguya Manroku, Senju Hashirama swiftly returned to the Land of Whirlpools, then brought his people back to the Senju compound.
Just as Izuna had predicted, the Senju and Uzumaki couldn't swallow this insult, but given the circumstances, they couldn't take revenge immediately.
At the very least, they should wait until the autumn harvest in six months, when their food supplies were secure.
But while the Senju appeared more amicable than the Uchiha on the surface, their pride was every bit as fierce.
Even with the situation unfavorable, the higher-ups and rank-and-file alike were clamoring.
Even in an unfavorable situation, many insisted on going to war with the Uchiha.
The Clan Head's fiancée was stolen by the Uchiha—how can the Senju hold their heads high among the Warring States clans in the future?
Hearing these reports from Senju Tobirama, Senju Hashirama rubbed his temples with a pained expression.
He could endure it. His subordinates could not.
"Brother, I can't swallow this either, but I respect your decision."
Tobirama was just as furious about the matter, but as a born politician, he forced himself to hold back. Yet his next words took a sharp turn. "But we must find a solution to this problem. Otherwise… the clan's anger is one thing, but being looked down upon by the other Warring States clans is far worse."
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