Yūshin's group and Tobirama Senju were walking on an uphill path. The terrain here was slightly elevated, offering a view overlooking the Senju Clan's village.
This village wasn't particularly special—just like any other ninja village in the current Shinobi World—but because the village housed someone called Hashirama Senju, the Senju Clan had become a unique ninja clan.
After both sides clarified their goal of taking action against the Hagoromo Clan, as they walked, Yūshin suddenly said to Tobirama Senju:
"There's one more thing. Would you like to further reduce the risks of this operation and increase the possibility of achieving our goal?"
"How so?"
Facing such a powerful opponent, could Yūshin really have methods to further strengthen their side? The possibility seemed slim. Anyway, Tobirama prepared himself to hear some half-baked idea.
What methods could Yūshin have? Nothing more than using borrowed force against force.
"Naturally, by requesting aid from your friendly forces—for instance, inviting the Hyūga, Uzumaki, and Sarutobi to jointly participate in this matter... Kicking someone when they're down, everyone pushing when the wall falls, beating a drowning dog—these are things everyone's willing to do."
"The Hagoromo Clan is a historically significant major ninja clan. Secret techniques, forbidden arts, even wealth—over the years they've definitely accumulated quite a few good things. Don't your friendly ninja clans have thoughts of profiting from the chaos?"
Every ninja clan hopes to gain benefits for themselves—this was inevitable. But after thinking it over, Tobirama shook his head.
"The risk is too high. The Senju Clan only maintains friendly relations with these ninja; the Hyūga might be closer, but... we can't demand they fight for us. They're all rational and won't do things like pulling chestnuts from the fire."
"You're being somewhat inflexible. Facing risky events, they'll naturally hesitate, but facing a guaranteed victory, would anyone be unwilling to become part of the winning side?"
Inviting others to fight tough battles—of course they'd be unwilling. But inviting them to ride the momentum? Facing a guaranteed victory wagon, many people would willingly tie themselves to it.
"But can this matter really be called a guaranteed victory?"
"As long as your Senju Clan demonstrates determination and lets them see enormous victory potential, they'll be happy to participate. Once they participate, victory possibilities will further increase... This is a virtuous cycle."
Now Tobirama understood.
"You mean to deceive—"
"I mean your Senju Clan should bring confidence to everyone. When everyone contributes effort together, confidence can transform into victory."
The words sounded quite nice—wasn't it just finding more helpers to share the risk? But Tobirama felt this idea wasn't bad, because unlike Senju Butsuma who was still hesitating, Tobirama hoped the Senju would make great efforts to eliminate the Hagoromo.
With everyone acting together, risks would inevitably be much lower.
As long as the Hagoromo Clan was destroyed, other ninja clans wouldn't need to worry about subsequent retaliation for participating in such matters. This could even count as a form of forcing their hand... cough, can't be so sinister.
The Shinobi World's major ninja clans weren't too many, but not too few either. They shared common ecological niches. Even without considering what benefits to gain from the Hagoromo Clan, simply eliminating such a ninja clan could equally expand other major ninja clans' survival space.
Sharks squeezed into a sardine can—wouldn't that be exhausting? Eliminate one of them, and the remaining ones could breathe much more smoothly.
"I can try. If the Senju Clan demonstrates determination, perhaps they'll approve such a plan... The Hagoromo Clan's reputation wasn't good to begin with—too aggressive, everyone finds them disagreeable."
Tobirama calculated thoroughly in his mind before making his decision.
"Exactly. Having each family contribute a few dozen ninja isn't anything significant. Even if we fail, it's just a small loss. If we succeed, then it counts as joint achievement... I'll also try inviting other ninja clans to participate."
"Good. After finalizing all matters and details, we'll contact each other again to confirm the final operation time..."
"However, let me confirm once more—you're really going to lead the charge into the Hagoromo Clan's village? Your actions could be said to be the premise of everything. If you can't accomplish it..."
"Rest assured. When the time comes, I'll prepare a weapon that's highly flammable and explosive."
"Good. I believe you wouldn't joke about such matters. But let me remind you... if you want to parade around with Tajima's head, be careful of the Uchiha Clan."
"This is an important token. When necessary, I'll naturally display it. But who could know who I am?"
Yūshin smiled and shook his head. He inadvertently glanced at Tobirama—if news of Tajima's head being in his possession leaked out, it would definitely be your Senju Clan's doing.
They might even do this afterward to divert attention, though credibility would be quite problematic... How could the Uchiha easily believe news coming from the Senju?
But regardless, wanting to accomplish things always requires bearing some risks.
"There's one more thing... how long are you planning to follow us? Are you coming back to the Fireflies' village with me?" Yūshin asked again.
Instead of persuading your father and urgently contacting other friendly ninja clans, what are you doing following behind me?
Yūshin suspected this guy was plotting something.
Tobirama Senju stopped walking, only now realizing the Senju village was no longer visible behind them.
Seeing someone off for ten li? That wasn't necessary.
Having finished discussing matters, Tobirama turned and left.
After concluding his visit to the Senju Clan, Yūshin didn't return to Firefly Village. As he'd said, he wanted to contact more forces, striving to ensure complete eradication of the Hagoromo Clan.
So the three-person group turned from east toward west.
Yūshin visited the Koizumi Clan again.
He first thanked Koizumi Retto for attending the village establishment ceremony, then discussed the subsequent development of multi-clan ninja villages for quite a while before getting to the main topic.
"Retto-dono, if we integrate a powerful armed force and prepare to annihilate a certain major ninja clan, would you be willing to get involved?"
Though the topic changed rapidly, Koizumi Retto didn't need to think to know which major ninja clan Yūshin meant.
After all, the Fireflies were neighbors to their Koizumi Clan, and the former's attack was still vivid in memory.
"You're preparing to retaliate against the Hagoromo Clan? Which parties are participating?"
"I might conceal this attack's force composition from others, but Retto-dono is different—I can tell you the corresponding intelligence..."
"Participants include our Fireflies, as well as the Senju Clan, Hyūga Clan, Sarutobi Clan, and Uzumaki Clan... Among them, the Senju Clan is the operation's main force."
Some matters weren't actually confirmed yet, but this didn't prevent Yūshin from starting to boast.
Retto remained expressionless, but in his heart had already determined that Yūshin's claimed "annihilation" wasn't just talk.
Gathering so many capable ninja clans together—they surely weren't planning to play house.
Retto had already witnessed the friendly relationship between the Fireflies and Senju Clan. Both sides had grudges against the Hagoromo Clan—the Senju even had a blood feud. As for the Sarutobi, Hyūga, and Uzumaki, they were the Senju's friendly forces...
Thinking of this, Retto's face showed a smile:
"Since Yūshin-dono has graciously invited us, we'll dispatch a medium-scale ninja squad to observe the situation on-site."
"That's truly too grateful for Retto-dono's support."
Retto hadn't committed definitively, but dispatching a small team to watch the excitement wouldn't cause any losses. If there were opportunities, they'd strike while the iron was hot; without opportunities, they'd withdraw. What problems could there be?
But Yūshin wanted exactly this attitude—very realistic, therefore no lies existed.
When they saw the Hagoromo Clan's situation, they'd naturally choose to act.
Subsequently, the three-person group left the Koizumi Clan. Yūshin and Ran headed north, while Nara Hideyuki temporarily separated from them due to another mission.
Yūshin held a ninja clan list—he planned to visit these ninja clans' leaders one by one. Of course, since he had no connections with these ninja clans, visiting them definitely couldn't be like visiting the Koizumi Clan through the front door.
If he could meet those ninja leaders, he'd meet them, produce his "token," and then extend cordial invitations.
If he couldn't meet them, he'd leave a letter explaining the situation.
Half a month later, Yūshin left the powerful Ishikawa Clan's village on the inland plateau. Unfortunately, this time he hadn't met their leader and could only leave a letter as usual.
Such wide-net behavior would inevitably spread some intelligence, might even arouse the Hagoromo Clan's vigilance, but Yūshin didn't need to care about such minor details.
Subsequently, Yūshin received a message from Tobirama Senju—the Senju and their friendly forces had finally been settled.
Yūshin couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. As long as the Senju participated, everything would be manageable—they were the backbone.
What Yūshin was doing now was merely adding flowers to brocade.
Another half month later, Yūshin arrived at the mountainous "Land Above the Clouds," preparing to visit the last ninja clan on his list—the powerful Gyakutoge Clan.
In an office, clan leader Iso Gyakutoge and his right-hand man Reginald Gyakutoge were discussing certain matters.
At this moment, Yūshin's figure emerged from behind them.
"Who's there?"
Both immediately became alert.
"Gentlemen, I am friend, not foe. I've come with important matters to discuss with you."
Yūshin looked at these two people. As rumored, this clan's ninja had dark skin and robust builds like berserkers.
"Skulking wretch—I have nothing to discuss with you."
Seeing the other party about to launch an attack, Yūshin immediately said quickly:
"Soon, a certain powerful allied force will launch a siege against the Hagoromo Clan. If you want to seek benefits, you can get involved... To prove my words aren't false, I've brought a token."
Speaking thus, Yūshin produced that head he'd displayed countless times. Since this was the last ninja clan he was visiting, he didn't need to put it away again.
"This is... Tajima Uchiha?"
"The Uchiha Clan leader, Tajima Uchiha's head—to prove the allied force's determination to act against Uchiha forces."
The two exchanged glances. They weren't so familiar with Tajima Uchiha, but intuitively felt this thing should be genuine.
"Inviting us to participate? You want to borrow our strength! Leader, let's act!"
These two immediately wanted to capture Yūshin.
But clan leader Iso signaled his subordinate to remain calm.
"Allied forces? I've never heard of any powerful forces uniting in the Shinobi World... You should at least give your name."
"I am Tobirama Senju."
No wonder Yūshin had said earlier he didn't care about parading around with Tajima's head.
Yūshin could appear and disappear mysteriously. Once Tobirama learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could also appear and disappear mysteriously. So Hagoromo equals Tobirama—no problems whatsoever.
"Attack!"
After learning Yūshin's identity, the two no longer hesitated, attacking Yūshin from both sides.
Yūshin directly jumped out the window and fled, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.
"Regardless of whether you're willing to participate, I'll notify you of the specific time separately."
...
The plan consumed more time than Yūshin had anticipated. By now, wanting to present the Hagoromo Clan with a New Year's gift was somewhat too late—he could only give them belated New Year's greetings.
After visiting the last ninja clan, Yūshin still didn't return to the village.
At this time, he brought Ran to a certain place. If calculated according to later geography, this was actually the intersecting area of Fire, Earth, and Lightning country forces.
"Yūshin-dono, this way."
Nara Hideyuki, who had been waiting here, led Yūshin into a certain building.
As the saying goes, snakes have snake paths, rats have rat roads. In the Shinobi World's dark side lived equally dark creatures... Certain ninja who couldn't see light gathered together to do things like selling intelligence and bounty assassinations.
Yūshin had learned of these things from Nara Naoyuki. Since he could utilize them, he prepared to do so.
Actually, though these people weren't omnipresent, their business scope was quite broad. Back then, Kikyō Castle forces had commissioned such people to investigate the "Tsugawa Clan's" destruction.
After entering a certain room, Yūshin saw a person completely hidden in shadows.
"Did you find the intelligence I wanted?"
He didn't waste words either, signaling for Nara Hideyuki to display the payment to the other party.
"The Nine-Tails' location, right? Currently it's hiding in a certain coastal area."
Speaking thus, this person handed Yūshin a map with several locations marked—presumably the Nine-Tails' activity area.
In this era, investigating Tailed Beast information wasn't too difficult, because most Tailed Beasts were currently in non-captive wild states, occasionally producing sighting reports—finding Tailed Beasts was much simpler than finding jinchūriki in later times.
"Very good. The transaction is complete."
Yūshin wasn't afraid of these people deceiving him. After obtaining the intelligence, he turned and left.
"Wait, what do you want the Tailed Beast for?"
Such noise naturally didn't need acknowledgment.
In short, this time Yūshin had no plans for infiltration and assassination activities in the Hagoromo Clan's village.
The three-person group left this place and returned to Firefly Village.
After returning to the village, Yūshin had no rest time. He first made battle deployments, frequently contacted Tobirama Senju to confirm combat plans. After completing these necessary preparations, he found Sasuke Uchiha.
"Let's go. We should execute the mission to 'drive a wedge between Senju and Uchiha relations.'"
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