Chapter 42: Kazama Valley
Evening. Kazama Valley.
The wind howled, causing the green grass all around to sway violently. Amidst the gale, Masahiko's loose, wide robes flapped loudly in the wind...
Thousands of Senju clansmen were gathered on the broad plain, gazing intently ahead. Their clothes also clung to their bodies in the strong wind, but they were wearing the form-fitting armor and bodysuits of the Senju clan—gear designed for life-and-death combat. It was completely different from the loose, hooded robe Masahiko was wearing.
Beside him, Tobirama covered his forehead helplessly. "Great-Uncle, what are you doing? Can you even fight in those clothes?"
Masahiko glanced at him. "You don't understand. Your big brother asked me to hide amongst the main Senju force. Look how inconspicuous this outfit is."
Tobirama looked back and saw three small figures wearing the exact same robes standing in the ranks. His mouth twitched. "Only a fool wouldn't realize there's something wrong with the four of you..."
But he really couldn't do anything about this Great-Uncle of his, so he could only glare at Hashirama, feeling that his brother had come up with another terrible idea.
Hashirama paid him no mind. His gaze swept lightly over the field. The wild grass had grown extremely tall, covering the dark brown earth beneath.
over a decade ago, Kazama Valley had seen a horrific war. The entire land had been stripped bare of grass, and blood had soaked the earth, turning the soil crimson. Now, the wild grass flourished again, covering the ground. Perhaps nourished by the blood beneath, this grass was exceptionally sharp; a careless brush against it could cut one's hand.
Hashirama looked nostalgic. "It was in that war that Father and Uchiha Tajima killed each other..."
Seeing Hashirama's nostalgic expression, Masahiko also thought of the battle he had heard about over ten years ago. It was the most impactful war in the Warring States Period in recent years. It officially announced the exit of the older generation from the stage of history, while the younger generation, led by Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, officially began to take control of the clans.
Masahiko pondered this, looking thoughtful. "Do I count as the older generation or the younger generation now? I'm technically ten years younger than Hashirama, who calls me Great-Uncle..."
Beside them, the new Second Elder of the Senju saw the three fall into a strange silence and couldn't help but interrupt. "Clan Head, the Uchiha said the battle would be in three days. We've arrived two days early. Should we let the clansmen rest and reorganize first?"
Hashirama snapped back to reality and shouted loudly, "Everyone, set up camp and rest here!"
In past wars, ninjas usually rested on the open ground, bringing at most one or two tents for meetings or for important figures to sleep in.
But now, the Senju clan was mass-producing the sealing scrolls Masahiko had developed. So...
Half an hour later, Masahiko looked at the tents covering the hills and plains, his mouth twitching. The Senju clan looks like they're here on vacation...
However, when the Senju clansmen began pulling various meats and barbecue grills out of the sealing scrolls, Masahiko couldn't help but mutter, "I really am a great man for developing these sealing scrolls... Now we can even eat fresh meat on the battlefield!"
Beside him, Tobirama's expression shifted as he glared at Hashirama. "Brother, I didn't tell them to bring these things!"
Hashirama gave a guilty laugh. "Ah, the clansmen are very thoughtful..." Then he shouted loudly, "Since everyone brought so many barbecue supplies, let's hold a banquet before the Uchiha arrive!"
"Oh! Long live the Clan Head!" came the enthusiastic reply.
And so, in Kazama Valley, which was about to become a battlefield, a grand banquet was suddenly held. Fortunately, the Uchiha were very punctual. They said three days, so they meant three days. They didn't interrupt the party.
The next day, Tobirama dragged Masahiko along to use simple Water and Earth Release jutsu to clean up the debris left by the banquet, acting as if he were terrified someone would find out the Senju had held a party on the battlefield.
After cleaning up, the group gathered again to construct defensive fortifications.
That's right. Arriving so early wasn't for the sake of a banquet; it was to seize the tactical advantage.
"This damn Kazama Valley... it's completely flat plain. How do they dare call it a 'Valley'?" Masahiko muttered a curse after following Hashirama around the perimeter.
He had originally wanted to rely on the tactics he'd seen in Romance of the Three Kingdoms or various war dramas in his past life to show off in front of Hashirama and Tobirama—setting traps, maybe an ambush for the Uchiha. But then he discovered that the so-called "Wind and Valley" was actually a flat plain.
"Great-Uncle," Tobirama explained from the side, "this place originally was a valley. But the battle over ten years ago changed the terrain."
Masahiko nodded. "Then we should change the name. From now on, let's call it Kazama Plains..."
Tobirama was speechless and followed his brother to arrange the fortifications.
In truth, there weren't really any fortifications to speak of. It was mostly just having the Genin and Chunin dig some simple foxholes for cover and distributing explosive tags so the lower-ranked ninja could be more effective. War in this era had always been like this.
Seeing there was nothing for him to do, Masahiko called over his three students to give them some pre-battle instructions.
In Masahiko's eyes, Yiko-chan, the youngest of the three, was actually the strongest. She barely had the strength of an Average Jonin. However, due to her timid personality, she could never win against Kento-kun in a spar. Masahiko was most worried about her in this war. After thinking it over, he decided to have her enter the crude defensive fortifications. She could just throw jutsu and kunai from inside; there was no need for her to fight the enemy face-to-face.
"As for you two, once the battle starts, you must stay close behind me. I will arrange suitable enemies for you to practice on."
Kento-kun looked excited and agreed loudly. Nanako-chan, however, looked worried. "Sensei, let me go protect Yiko-chan..."
Masahiko glared at her. "We don't know who would be protecting whom! I've taught you how to use Fuinjutsu in actual combat. This battle is the perfect time to test your mastery!"
After organizing his three students, Masahiko was idle again. He boredly watched Hashirama and the others direct the construction of the defenses and watched the Senju Jonin making their pre-battle preparations...
Before they knew it, it was noon. The Senju clansmen had finished all preparations and were resting in their tents, waiting for the Uchiha's arrival.
Suddenly, Masahiko sensed a somewhat familiar chakra fluctuation.
"This chakra... it's not Uchiha... It feels like... Senju Ten'yu!"
Sure enough, a figure came running from the distance. It was the Great Elder of the Senju clan, Senju Ten'yu, who was supposed to be guarding the clan compound.
Hashirama hurried to meet him. Before he could speak, Senju Ten'yu shouted, "Clan Head! Bad news! Someone discovered traces of Uchiha Madara's activity behind the clan compound!"
Tobirama's face changed drastically. "Brother, I was worried about this..."
Hashirama waved his hand. "Is it only Madara?"
Senju Ten'yu gasped for breath and replied, "We only found traces of him alone."
Hashirama nodded. "Madara... do you want a one-on-one duel with me? Tobirama! Take command here and prepare to engage the Uchiha army. I'm going back to stop Madara!"
As he spoke, Hashirama hesitated slightly. "Ten'yu, come with me!"
Ignoring everything else, the two quickly rushed back toward the Senju clan compound.
After Tobirama watched them leave, he looked at Masahiko and said, "Great-Uncle, for this battle, please hide among the clansmen. Unless something unexpected happens, there is no need for you to act personally..."
Masahiko nodded. "I came to this war just to protect my three students anyway. Don't even think about making me volunteer to fight..."
Tobirama: "..."
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