Chapter 11: The Uchiha's Scheme
A month passed in the blink of an eye.
As Masahiko walked through the camp, Senju and Uzumaki clansmen alike would look at him with respect.
"This feeling... of being trusted... it's really a first," Masahiko thought to himself.
Over the past month, they had clashed with the Kaguya clan seven or eight times.
Because the Kaguya Clan Head was now wary of their barrier jutsu, the allied Senju and Uzumaki forces had been at a disadvantage. After all, the Kaguya Clan Head alone required both Uzumaki Elders, several Elite Jonin, and their Peak Jonin just to intercept him. This left their high-level combatants stretched thin.
However, in every single battle this month, Masahiko had managed to firmly tie down the Kaguya's Second Elder, which was the only reason the allied forces had been able to fight at all.
The Senju clan's remaining forces were busy keeping an eye on the Uchiha, so no reinforcements could be sent.
Despite the disadvantage, the allied forces were not anxious. First, the Senju's Eastern Elder would be fully healed in another half a month. Second, Hashirama was growing stronger with every battle and was on the verge of breaking through to become a "Clan Head-level" powerhouse.
"Either one of those will be enough to instantly reverse the situation!" Many in the allied camp were confident of this.
But if the allied forces could see this, the Kaguya clan—who had been attacking for so long without success—had naturally noticed it as well.
Inside the Kaguya command tent, Kaguya Raisho was in a discussion with his two elders and several Peak Jonin.
"Damn it! We've already sent the Uchiha three letters requesting aid! Have they still not replied?!" The one who spoke was the Kaguya's Second Elder. He had been forced to hold back, stalled by a "mere Jonin," Masahiko, for all this time, and was simmering with rage.
"Reporting to Lord Second Elder, they have been dragging their feet. They likely want us to wear down the enemy's effective strength for them," a Peak Jonin replied.
"Unforgivable! The Uchiha clan... sooner or later..." Kaguya Raisho said, his voice full of hatred.
"Send another letter," the Kaguya's First Elder interrupted, his voice weary.
"Hmph!" Kaguya Raisho snorted coldly but did not object.
The next day, the Kaguya's fourth letter of request was delivered into the hands of the current Uchiha Clan Head, Uchiha Tajima.
Uchiha Tajima summoned all clansmen of Peak Jonin level and above. Madara and Izuna were among them.
Seated in the main hall, Uchiha Tajima waved the letter in his hand. "This is the fourth request for aid from the Kaguya. Madara, what are your thoughts?"
"Father, if the Kaguya have sent four letters, it proves their situation is critical. This is also a perfect opportunity to strike the Senju. I recommend we move out immediately!" Madara replied.
"Oh..." Uchiha Tajima shook his head slightly. "Does anyone else have a different opinion?"
The Uchiha's First Elder, Uchiha Shinji, slowly stood up. "Clan Head, when we attacked the Hyuga, we had to give the Kaguya an entire mine just to have them intercept the Senju for us. Now they're the ones asking for help. How can we not ask for some benefits in return?"
Uchiha Tajima still shook his head. "Benefits? How much could we get? At best, we get the mine back. Don't forget, the Kaguya clan compound is currently defended by only their Third Elder and a handful of guards!"
"Clan Head, you mean..." At these words, the hall immediately erupted in noise.
"That's right. We aren't going to fight the Senju. We are going to fight the Kaguya!" Uchiha Tajima declared his true objective.
"Father! Isn't that dishonorable? The Kaguya are our allies, after all," Madara protested. At this point in his life, Madara was still a man who loved his brother and held justice in his heart.
"Hmph. Honor!" Uchiha Tajima scoffed. "Madara, you must remember this: In the Warring States Period, there is only interest, not honor! Besides, ever since the Hyuga's sneak attack, we have lost nearly half of our reserve forces. It may not seem like much now, but in ten years, the Senju will have us completely suppressed! To prevent that, we need more resources. This is a perfect opportunity."
At the mention of the Hyuga's attack, Madara was reminded of his dead younger brothers. He closed his eyes in pain and said no more.
In truth, his objections were useless. After the Clan Head had spoken, nearly everyone else in the hall was consumed with excitement.
"Since there are no objections, go and assemble your teams. We move out tomorrow to attack the Kaguya!" Uchiha Tajima, seeing no further dissent, smiled in satisfaction and gave the order.
The Kaguya messenger returned to his camp, rushing excitedly to find his clan head. "Clan Head, good news! When I delivered the letter, the Uchiha Clan Head immediately convened his high-level officers. About an hour later, I saw from a distance that many Uchiha clansmen were packing their gear!"
"Those damn Uchiha! They've finally decided to fight?" Kaguya Raisho's face lit up. "Pass down the order! Tell the men to get a good rest! When the Uchiha arrive tomorrow, I will personally crush the Senju and Uzumaki camp!"
At this moment, Kaguya Raisho would never have dreamed that the reinforcements he so eagerly awaited were about to stab him in the back.
"Strange. The last battle was three days ago," Masahiko said, puzzled, back in the allied command tent. "The Kaguya didn't attack at all today. Have they given up?"
Everyone in the tent looked at each other, confused.
A few moments later, their question was answered.
"Reporting to all Lords! The Uchiha clan made a major move today!" A Senju scout provided the answer.
After the ninja was dismissed, the tent fell silent once more.
Ten minutes later, the Eastern Elder broke the silence. "We were prepared for this, but to have the Uchiha clan actually join the battle... the pressure on us will be even greater. This is going to turn into a long, drawn-out melee. I wonder how many more of our family we will lose."
"My strength... it's still not enough," Masahiko thought to himself. "I promised my big nephew I would protect our clansmen, but in all these battles, the most I can do is protect myself against the Kaguya's Second Elder. If I could actually defeat him, this war might have ended long ago."
At the same time, the same thought flashed through Hashirama's mind, but his feelings were even more complex.
"Madara... must we really meet on the battlefield again? Have you forgotten our shared dream?" he thought.
"Big brother, get a grip!" Tobirama said, seeing his brother's hesitation.
"There's no need to worry," the Eastern Elder said, sensing the shift in morale. "The news should have already reached the main Senju compound. Reinforcements will arrive by tomorrow. Go back and rest. Tomorrow will likely be a vicious battle!"
"Understood," Masahiko replied, and walked out. The others filed out behind him.
At this moment, no one knew just how exciting tomorrow's script would be.