Chapter 22: The Hyuga's Return
Masahiko had originally thought that by following Hashirama back to the Senju clan, he'd soon be able to go out and fight the Uchiha, get some Witness Points, and walk the path to the pinnacle of life.
But reality gave him a harsh slap in the face.
For the past few months, the Senju and Uchiha had been getting along peacefully, entering a bizarre "honeymoon period." It was likely due to the continuous years of war; both clans had suffered great losses and had tacitly entered a truce. It seemed they wouldn't be fighting anytime soon.
Masahiko stayed in the Senju compound for three days. When he had nothing to do, he would tease Tobirama, finding great pleasure in watching the pained look on Tobirama's face as he was forced to reluctantly call him "Great-Uncle." Of course, he also visited Mito from time to time. Mito could no longer maintain her girlish figure, as her belly was getting bigger and bigger.
As for Hashirama, he had just finished the mountain of paperwork Tobirama left for him and had eagerly run off to be with Mito.
After two more days of boredom, Masahiko was planning to go back to the Uzumaki clan and just wait. He'd come back to join the fun when the war started up again.
However, Hashirama then received news of Uchiha movement.
Masahiko wasn't happy for long before reality hit him with a second slap.
The Senju got word: the Hyuga had returned. The Uchiha's movements were aimed entirely at them.
Speaking of the Hyuga, it had been twelve or thirteen years since the Uchiha had forced them to close off their clan and recuperate. With their return, Masahiko figured that while the Clan Head was still Hyuga Tenjin, the clan's elite forces must have been completely replaced. A dozen years was a whole new generation.
Speaking of Hyuga Tenjin, he was the last of the "Four Great Powerhouses" of the old era. Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma had killed each other at the Kazama Valley Battlefield, and Masahiko himself had personally witnessed Kaguya Raisho's death five years ago.
"The Hyuga are back. Hyuga Tenjin doesn't think he's the strongest in the Warring States now and wants to stir up trouble, does he? I'm not sure about the current Madara, but Hashirama, who's learned Sage Mode, could thrash him in minutes," Masahiko thought. "Still, I was kind of looking forward to seeing that..."
But reality gave Masahiko a third, heavy slap. A scout reported that the Hyuga Clan Head, Hyuga Tenjin, was requesting an audience with the Senju Clan Head, and was waiting respectfully at the compound gate with his clansmen.
"What the hell? He's so polite?" Masahiko thought. "Guess I won't get to see the 'old-timer looks down on the new generation and gets thrashed' scene after all."
In truth, Masahiko was overthinking it. As the saying goes, "with age comes cunning." How could Hyuga Tenjin not thoroughly investigate the current state of the Warring States before bringing his clan out of seclusion?
Of course, since Hyuga Tenjin was being polite, Hashirama couldn't be disrespectful. After the Kaguya fled to the Land of Water, the only "great clans" left in the Land of Fire were the Senju, the Uchiha, and the Hyuga.
Hashirama personally went to the gate to welcome Hyuga Tenjin, who was accompanied by a guard of Branch Family members.
After welcoming the Hyuga into the main hall, Hashirama couldn't wait to ask the question on many people's minds: "Lord Hyuga, all those years ago... why did you attack the Uchiha? I know you were rivals, but it shouldn't have been a mortal feud, right?"
Hyuga Tenjin's face turned bitter. "So it's true!"
"Thirteen years ago, we received a secret letter from the Senju clan, ordering us to attack the Uchiha's Training Ground 4. It was supposed to be a coordinated attack to strike a heavy blow."
"At the time, you Senju were at war with the Uchiha, so I didn't overthink it. I sent a team to the Uchiha... to scout."
"But that day, the Uchiha's defenses were shockingly lax. My team managed to get deep into their compound without being spotted, so they just... attacked Training Ground 4 directly."
"Afterward, the Uchiha retaliated against us with a vengeance, but you never followed through on your promise to intercept them."
"I wanted to demand an explanation from Senju Butsuma at the time, but as the years passed, I felt something was very wrong. And from your question... you know nothing about this letter."
Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged a glance. Tobirama immediately used a Body Flicker and left to find the Senju's First Elder, Senju Suiken, who was in semi-retirement.
A moment later, Tobirama returned and shook his head slightly at Hashirama.
Seeing this, Hyuga Tenjin closed his eyes. "It seems someone... truly set my Hyuga clan up!" He was practically grinding his teeth. "Just... don't let me find out who it was..."
Off to the side, Masahiko shook his head, thinking, 'Even if you did find out, what could you do? Black Zetsu has been hiding in the shadows for centuries. Even the Byakugan probably can't find him...'
Hyuga Tenjin finished his recollection and began to state the purpose of his visit.
There wasn't much to it. The Hyuga had come because the Uchiha's anger hadn't faded, and they needed the Senju to "mediate."
This wasn't actually that difficult. The Uchiha had just personally destroyed their own ally, the Kaguya. They were in no position to face both the Senju and the Hyuga at the same time.
So, the Uchiha's recent movements were likely just Madara being unable to swallow his pride, wanting revenge for his brothers. If the Senju offered to mediate, the Uchiha elders would probably be thrilled.
But, even as allies, the Senju wouldn't help the Hyuga for free.
Hyuga Tenjin naturally knew this. He said, "To thank you for your help, we've brought you a great gift: a vital piece of intelligence."
"Intelligence?" Hashirama looked puzzled. Masahiko's interest was also piqued.
"Lord Senju, have you noticed that the mid-sized clans in the west have been fighting more fiercely lately?" Hyuga Tenjin began slowly.
"We have. Is there a problem?" Hashirama glanced at Tobirama, who nodded in confirmation.
"A small clan in the west has discovered Chakra-Conducting Metal in their iron mine," Hyuga Tenjin replied.
"Chakra-Conducting Metal?" Hashirama said, shocked. "I see..." He fell into deep thought.
Masahiko also focused. Chakra-Conducting Metal... it was a rare material, both in this era and in the future Konoha. It was pathetic, really. In his 53 years in the Warring States, Masahiko had never once seen a chakra-conducting weapon. The Uzumaki had some, but the quantity was so small it was probably only enough to make a few senbon.
'Chakra-Conducting Metal... I wonder if my Shuriken Substitution Jutsu would be even smoother if I used shuriken infused with it?' Masahiko wondered.
"Thank you for the information, Lord Hyuga," Hashirama said, finishing his thoughts. "I will... speak with the Uchiha on your behalf."
"Thank you, Lord Senju. In that case, we will take our leave."
As he escorted the Hyuga to the gate, Hashirama suddenly remembered something. "Lord Hyuga, which small clan was it that found the metal?"
"A small clan by the name of Sarutobi," Hyuga Tenjin replied.
Wait? Sarutobi?
Masahiko's expression froze. Don't tell me the Senju are about to go steal the Sarutobi clan's mine...