"I'm willing to lead the vanguard! To hell with the Uchiha!"
Before Senju Yuma, Hashirama, or the others could voice their opinions, the rest of the clansmen could no longer sit still. They waved their fists, clamoring for an immediate war with the Uchiha.
Faced with the indignant clan members, Hashirama's brow furrowed deeply. He was about to stand up when Tobirama placed a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
Hashirama looked at his brother in surprise. Tobirama just shook his head, his own brow creased.
Although Hashirama was far from Tobirama's equal in political matters, he was no fool. He knew he couldn't stop the clan's rage this time. This was a completely different situation from when the Uchiha were at war with the Hagoromo. Back then, the Uchiha hadn't violated the truce. If the Senju had backstabbed them, they would have been in the wrong. Hashirama had been able to barely suppress the clan's desires with his powerful Wood Release.
But now, it was the Uchiha who had broken the agreement and then twisted the facts to frame the Senju, even kidnapping their Vice-Clan Head's fiancée. Although their own actions could also be seen as a violation, it was the Uchiha who had struck first and then played the victim. With all that, how could the Senju not be furious?
If Hashirama tried to use his Wood Release to suppress his clansmen again, as he had a year ago, the only result would be him losing his position as Vice-Clan Head.
Senju Buken, a near-Kage level powerhouse, stood up and bowed to Senju Yuma and Hashirama. "Senju Buken requests permission to lead the vanguard, to establish a garrison at the front lines and face the Uchiha. I ask for the approval of the Clan Head and Vice-Clan Head!"
The moment he finished, Senju Toha, who had accompanied Yuma to the Land of Whirlpools, also stood. "Senju Toha requests to travel to the Land of Whirlpools once more to ask the Uzumaki clan for reinforcements in a joint effort against the Uchiha."
The highest decision-making body consisted of Clan Head Senju Yuma, Vice-Clan Head Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Senju Buken, and another top Jonin, Senju Unkan.
Hearing the requests to go to war, Senju Yuma, who was already part of the war faction, didn't hesitate. "Approved!"
Senju Unkan also said, "Approved."
Tobirama patted his older brother's shoulder. "Approved!"
Hashirama glanced at the battle-hungry faces of his clansmen and let out a deep sigh. "Do as you wish."
At this point, Hashirama knew he could no longer stop them on his own.
Seeing that Hashirama had agreed, the clansmen finally let out a collective sigh of relief, their faces breaking into smiles. They had truly feared that their Vice-Clan Head, who had so staunchly opposed war with the Uchiha last year, would do the same again.
With the decision made to go to war, the next step was deployment. After a year of recuperation, the Uchiha had surely recovered much of their strength. Combined with their annihilation of the Hagoromo and absorption of the four clans, their power was likely even greater than it had been a year ago.
Fortunately, Senju Yuma had also persuaded the Uzumaki clan to become official allies of the Senju. More importantly, they had absolute confidence in their Vice-Clan Head, Senju Hashirama.
As clan head, Senju Yuma immediately began to plan for the coming campaign. Senju Unkan, a near-Kage level shinobi, was to lead three hundred men to the front lines at once. Next, a small team would be dispatched to the Land of Whirlpools to request reinforcements from the Uzumaki. With the two clans having just become official allies, and Uzumaki Mito's abduction, Uzumaki Hiro'umi and his clan were certain to lend their full support.
Senju Yuma had intended to send Hashirama, now the Senju's strongest fighter, to the battlefield immediately. But before he could say the words, Hashirama spoke first. "I will go to the Land of Whirlpools to request reinforcements."
Yuma and the others raised their eyebrows. Tobirama couldn't help but call out, "Brother!"
Knowing Hashirama as well as he did, Tobirama could see right through his brother's intentions. Hashirama still didn't want to fight the Uchiha during the truce period. Even though war was now inevitable, he still wanted to avoid facing Madara on the battlefield.
"It's fine. Let Hashirama lead the small unit to the Land of Whirlpools to ask the Uzumaki for troops," Senju Yuma said. As a man of an older generation, he saw things clearly.
Hashirama could run for a while, but he couldn't run forever. Once he brought back the Uzumaki reinforcements, he would have no more excuses to shirk his duty on the battlefield. In half a month at most, Hashirama would have to face reality.
***
The Mount Congyun range, stretching for dozens of miles, served as the border separating the two most powerful clans of the Warring States period: the Uchiha and the Senju. Perhaps it was precisely because this mountain range divided them that the two clans, sworn enemies, did not encounter each other often during the truce, preventing further hatred from festering. In some ways, it was a blessing in disguise.
West of the Mount Congyun range was Uchiha territory; to the east, Senju.
The supreme commanders of their respective garrisons, Uchiha Gakugyo and Senju Unkan, were already stationed there. A great war between the two sides was imminent.
News that the Uchiha and Senju were once again going to war spread throughout the Warring States period as if it had wings. The three-year truce agreement had been broken before it was even half over. Both clans claimed the other had been the first to violate the terms, which was a rather intriguing detail.
But which clan had broken the treaty—or broken it first—was irrelevant. As hereditary enemies, both clans constantly wished to send the other to the next world. The other ninja clans didn't care about the reason; they only wanted to watch the tigers fight from a safe distance, hoping to find some advantage for themselves.
After receiving Izuna's report on the situation with the Uzumaki, Madara ordered Uchiha Zuoxiu to increase the number of men monitoring the eastern coastal region. They soon obtained intelligence: "Senju Hashirama is leading a small unit to the Land of Whirlpools." As for his objective, the Shadow Investigation Department couldn't confirm it, but one didn't need to be a genius to figure it out.
Still, Madara was quite surprised that a shinobi of Hashirama's caliber would personally undertake such a minor task as receiving reinforcements. Perhaps it was because he knew his rival so well, or perhaps it was the cruel fate of the Indra and Asura reincarnates, but after some thought, Madara discerned Hashirama's true reason.
"Still so naive, Hashirama," Madara murmured, a trace of melancholy in his expression. Before Izuna's "death," though he never said it aloud, he too had secretly yearned for Hashirama's dream of "creating a village where all ninja can live together."
*Swoosh!*
Just then, a Jonin appeared, kneeling before Madara and presenting a letter. "Clan Head, this is from the Vice-Clan Head."
Madara took the letter, opened it, and read it silently, his eyes narrowed. Then he gave his order. "I will lead the attack myself! Relay my command to Uchiha Shin: lead three hundred men to Shirotani Pass and establish a garrison."
Shirotani Pass was a treacherous path on the northern flank of the Mount Congyun range. It was difficult for large forces to traverse, so the Uchiha had always defended it lightly. The last time, Senju Tobirama had almost certainly used this route to bypass their defenses and reach the Taihang Mountain Road, nearly causing the collapse of their entire rear guard. Madara would not allow the same mistake to happen twice.
"Have you heard? The Senju and Uchiha are going to war again!"
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