Three Fireflies ninja were patrolling around the suddenly-appeared "sea of trees," seemingly on some mission while keeping watch on the black flames suspended in midair.
The black flames naturally radiated an aura of extreme danger, but the "sea of trees" far exceeded ordinary shinobi imagination. In some ways, it could be called a divine miracle.
Shinobi are all human—everyone's roughly the same height and build—so why do some people have body energy densities like Ultraman? It defies logic.
The three ninja stood slack-jawed at the forest's edge for quite some time.
But a captain is still a captain. He suppressed his inner shock, put on a grim expression, and silently approached the sea of trees to execute his vital mission.
"Captain, are we supposed to survey the forest's scope, assess its destructive potential, and evaluate that ninja's threat level?" one of the other two asked.
Yūshin had only casually mentioned the mission details to the captain upon returning to camp, so the other two remained clueless about their actual task.
"This really is a daunting assignment," the other replied.
At this point, the unfortunate captain finally couldn't help turning around. Yes, the mission was indeed daunting—but not in the way these two idiots imagined.
"You're overthinking it. During the earlier battle, Yūshin-sama's bladeless sword accidentally fell somewhere in this forest. Our mission is to retrieve that blade... So, what do you think? Important mission, right?"
"Huh?"
"Finding a needle in a sea of trees?"
The forest seemed even more massive now, making their scalps tingle.
The captain's expression instantly infected the other two, turning their faces just as grim as his.
Threat assessment? That's not their department!
Regardless, they'd landed a once-in-a-lifetime "wonderful" assignment.
......
Meanwhile, Yūshin was momentarily stunned by Hashirama Senju's sudden declaration.
Unlike Tobirama, who habitually calculated everything, this older brother acted purely on emotion and instinct. His understanding of the Fireflies was extremely limited, yet based solely on the organization's ninja morale, he sensed something extraordinary here—completely different from typical clan atmospheres. Hence his desire to join.
If asked why, he probably couldn't articulate it beyond something like "I really like this place."
After brief consideration, Yūshin found Hashirama's words both unexpected and logical.
Forget individual membership—if the Senju Clan were entirely under Hashirama's authority, he might even bring the whole clan into the Fireflies... No doubt about it, that's exactly the kind of person Hashirama was. His methods were outrageous, just in the complete opposite way from his brother.
Yūshin's mind raced, but his response came without hesitation:
"Having Hashirama-san recognize the Fireflies is our honor. Our organization has always embraced inclusivity and openness. If you like it here, you could temporarily become an 'honorary member.'"
"Honorary member? Haha, excellent, absolutely perfect!" Hashirama laughed heartily, though whether he truly grasped the meaning of "honorary member" remained unclear.
For now, Yūshin only wanted to maintain friendly relations with the Senju Clan, harboring no thoughts of absorption—realistically, the Fireflies couldn't swallow the Senju, nor could they digest someone like Hashirama.
A snake swallowing an elephant only exists in delusions... except for Ryūchi Cave serpents.
Accepting Hashirama would be exactly that—a snake swallowing an elephant—because Hashirama was never meant to be anyone's subordinate, regardless of his personal inclinations.
On one hand, no "boss" possessed strength surpassing Hashirama's; on the other, even if Hashirama proved agreeable, the entire Senju Clan stood behind him. How could they possibly accept subordination?
Even the arrogant Uchiha couldn't suppress the Senju. Yūshin doubted he and his small organization could achieve what they couldn't... But that was fine. Soon enough, the organization's name would resonate throughout the Shinobi World.
By then, the Fireflies and Senju Clan could interact as equals.
"Big brother, stop fooling around."
Tobirama wished he could cover his brother's mouth. Did this guy even know what could or couldn't be said? Tobirama felt like he was worrying himself to death over their family.
"Huh? Tobirama, you're the one talking nonsense."
For once, Hashirama managed to resist the dejection caused by his brother's lack of face-saving... well, did he really?
Yūshin glanced at Tobirama, thinking: As expected, you only understand schemes and conspiracies—clever but lacking true wisdom. At crucial moments, you can't match your brother's flashes of brilliance and profound simplicity.
Can't you see? Things are actually reversed. Hashirama claims he wants to join the Fireflies, but in reality, he's recruiting the Fireflies.
He himself might not realize this, but it's determined by the power dynamic between both sides.
At this moment, Tobirama only worried about his brother embarrassing the Senju Clan.
Damn it, no wonder you left such a poor historical reputation... Yūshin complained internally. The crisis had passed, and with the more "trustworthy" Hashirama present, Tobirama was no longer his beloved ally.
Subsequently, Yūshin dismissed his strike team and personally guided Hashirama through the camp, pointing out different areas and explaining future functional divisions and the new village's organizational structure.
Hashirama laughed continuously, unable to stop his excited exclamations. Honestly, his personality was ten thousand times better than Tobirama's and eight thousand times better than Madara's.
Tobirama silently and earnestly followed his brother, listening to Yūshin's explanations.
Yūshin's presentation was even more detailed than what he'd shared with the Koizumi Clan, except for one omission: he concealed his plans for establishing an "Anbu" department.
The most important reason was that the Fireflies, both presently and in the future, had no need for such a department. Even if Hashirama led a multi-clan shinobi village, he wouldn't need it either.
Unnecessary and detestable—his personality naturally rejected such shadowy machinations.
He only needed to charge forward alone, and everyone would unite around him. His character template perfectly matched "Asura."
Furthermore, any organization employing high-pressure tactics indiscriminately against internal and external targets—like Anbu—would stain whoever proposed it with a century-long bad reputation... Yūshin could ignore reputation, but as an organizational leader, good reputation was far more useful than bad. Better to leave such matters to someone else.
It's precisely because certain younger brothers lack their elder's strength and charisma that they constantly skulk in the shadows.
After hearing Yūshin's "unreserved" explanation, the Senju brothers decided to temporarily remain at the camp as guests, attending the upcoming village founding ceremony.
This behavior demonstrated their genuine regard for the innovative multi-clan alliance format—otherwise, they wouldn't linger so long. The Senju Clan's war situation barely permitted their top combatants to remain away for extended periods.
Tobirama had previously believed Yūshin lacked sufficient strength to lead such an organization, so he'd considered its "lifespan" limited... This wasn't shortsighted—at the time, Yūshin's power was indeed severely inadequate.
But after the Hagoromo assault incident, the Fireflies had firmly established themselves, and Tobirama's assessment underwent a complete reversal.
That evening, Yūshin hosted a banquet for the Senju brothers in camp. "Banquet" was generous—it was really just a bonfire in the camp center, with ninja who'd spent all day on construction work laughing, eating, and drinking together.
The food was ordinary, but this dinner format perfectly suited Hashirama's taste. He was naturally unpretentious, loved crowds, and was basically a "country bumpkin."
Considering he later taught his crawling granddaughter to gamble, who could expect this guy to be proper?
"Hahaha, come, come, eat, eat!"
Hashirama seemed more like the organization's leader than Yūshin, not caring whether he knew people or not—he'd encourage everyone to eat and drink.
He especially enjoyed physical contact, throwing arms around shoulders. Initially, most people felt uncomfortable, but somehow, somewhere along the way, he'd already blended in with everyone.
"Hey? Where's Tobirama? Where did he go?" While eating, Hashirama finally noticed his younger brother's absence.
Yūshin, holding a bowl of porridge, said to Hashirama with a slightly peculiar expression: "He probably went to examine our organization's advanced medical system."
He'd only just discovered that Tobirama was... like this.
"Huh? He can't even relax at night?"
"I think it's precisely because it's nighttime that he's restlessly active."
"Restless at night? Are you describing a person or an animal?"
"Either works, both work, all of the above."
See, Yūshin knew he got along better with Hashirama.
......
The next day, the brothers began more detailed inspection tours, though this time Yūshin didn't personally accompany them.
By afternoon, Nara Naoyuki's diplomatic team returned to camp, bringing good news—the friendly agreement with the Koizumi Clan had been consolidated and implemented.
This meant that barring unexpected developments, the Fireflies wouldn't face encirclement for quite some time.
As for merchant caravan issues, they only needed to negotiate with Lord Shimizu... Desert resources were relatively scarce, so Yūshin understood Koizumi Retto's conditions.
On the eve of the village's establishment, after Naoyuki's return, Yūshin held an extremely important closed-door meeting that night in a newly completed five-story stone-and-wood mixed-structure office building.
Felling trees, quarrying stone, laying foundations—ninja worked so efficiently that the camp changed daily. You could call it "Firefly Speed."
The main participants included Akimichi clan leader Shinyu, Nara clan leader Naoyuki, Yamanaka clan leader Tokiya, Aburame clan leader Junwa, Fūma clan leader Chi, and Tachibana Wakamatsu representing other ninja (Hagūgen).
Additionally, Ran sat to Yūshin's right as a mascot, with Nara Shūji to his left taking notes.
"Everyone's present. This meeting will briefly discuss how to structure our armed forces after the village's establishment."
Seeing everyone sitting upright around the conference table like elementary students, Yūshin wondered if his meeting notice had been too serious...
But this wasn't the time for such concerns. He continued:
"First, I plan to organize a thirty-member mobile force. This will be our core strength for external operations. In theory, only this unit qualifies for external combat... There are six of you present, meaning five slots per clan."
"However, considering strength imbalances between different groups, we'll make specific adjustments."
Simple enough—only the most elite ninja qualified for this combat unit. Currently, the organization was in a vigorous developmental phase. Every clan leader hoped for more slots, since contribution determined influence. This was healthy competition, nothing problematic.
Tachibana Wakamatsu and Fūma Chi shared similar concerns, both tightening their lips... In terms of combat strength, Hagūgen was weakest, Fūma second-weakest, so their slots might well be redistributed.
Wakamatsu's feelings were even more complex, being Yūshin's "main family," hoping to contribute more to the organization, yet strength issues weren't easily resolved.
"Yūshin-sama, isn't thirty too few?" Naoyuki asked.
"Not at all. Quality over quantity. Honestly, most battles would only require twenty people—the extra ten could be considered 'reserves.' Eventually, this unit will operate on merit-based selection: lack the strength, and you'll honestly have to change careers."
Everyone's expressions immediately turned serious. Being selected then expelled would be more than just embarrassing.
"Next is a sixty-member garrison force—the guard unit—responsible for internal defense, support, and all missions except external combat."
"We can barely assemble sixty people currently, but there's no need to force it. If numbers are insufficient, we can gradually train more."
"Yūshin-sama, which unit will handle the daimyo's protection?"
"The daimyo deserves the best, naturally the garrison unit. Ten people will be specifically assigned to protect the daimyo's safety."
Uh, does Yūshin-sama have a questionable understanding of "the best"? But no one present corrected this point.
"If the organization continues developing, ninety unit slots will quickly fill up. Yūshin-sama, what about other ninja?"
"There are countless positions—logistics and support departments need more ninja, plus mission departments, intelligence departments, interrogation departments, medical departments, education departments... No amount of ninja could fill all the positions."
"Under ideal conditions, we should have one combatant, two garrison members, and five to ten providing logistics, intelligence, medical rescue, and other support..."
"Then we wouldn't fear any enemy (cheaters excluded)."
"Everyone focus—prioritize assembling the thirty-member combat unit. After the village's establishment, we'll use a mission to demonstrate our presence."
"A mission? Yūshin-sama, convenient to share details?"
"Hmm... How about annihilating the Hagoromo Clan? What do you think?"
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