Seeing the newcomers, the leader of the Uzumaki clan members felt his worries ease. He spoke respectfully, "Lord Jun, Clan Leader."
"How's the situation?" Uzumaki Jun took over the position and pulled out a telescope to observe the Konoha arrivals who had just landed. What were they doing here so late at night?
"Unclear, but their forehead protectors confirm they are from Konoha," the Uzumaki clansman said coldly.
That Uzumaki symbol on their foreheads was nothing but a mockery to their clan.
"They even have a clan crest?" Uzumaki Jun frowned as he scanned the group. There weren't many, just over thirty people. But what were they here for? "This crest looks familiar."
"A clan crest?" Hearing this, the clan leader also grew puzzled. Many ninja clans in Konoha had their own crests, but this one...
"It seems to be the Senju clan's crest," Uzumaki Jun suddenly realized.
"Indeed," the clan leader nodded solemnly. "They're all members of the Senju clan. But why are they here?"
"Should we go ask?" Uzumaki Jun considered. Since there were no other Konoha ninja, only Senju clansmen, maybe it wasn't a bad thing?
Just as the Senju clan grew impatient and prepared to take action, a voice broke the silence.
"Friends of the Senju clan, what brings you here?"
"That voice is..." Senju Shukuma's pupils contracted. "The Uzumaki clan leader's voice."
He was very familiar with it. It was the same voice that had once come to Konoha begging for help, only to be rejected.
The same voice that had pleaded with the Senju clan to honor Lord Hashirama's promise of mutual support.
It seemed the Uzumaki clan's situation wasn't as dire as imagined if they still had people guarding this place.
Senju Shukuma inwardly sighed in relief.
Seeing the Uzumaki clan leader appear before them, the Senju members exchanged glances. Then, Senju Shukuma spoke, "Uzumaki Clan Leader, we mean no harm. We're here to help."
"To help?" The clan leader was stunned. Hadn't their leader abandoned them to their fate? Why send people now? Though the number was rather small.
"Did Konoha send you, or did someone else?" Uzumaki Jun suddenly asked. This needed to be clarified. Otherwise, Konoha might be up to something again. It was crucial for the Uzumaki clan to lose all hope in Konoha—only then could they move forward.
Naïve people in this chaotic world, without the destiny of a prophesied child, would have died long ago. Especially when dealing with an organization as deceitful as Konoha.
Blind trust could lead to a knife in the back at any moment.
Hearing the question, Senju Shukuma was taken aback. He turned to see a child around seven years old—likely a genin from Uzushio. But...
How rude. The adults were talking, yet this child interrupted.
"The current commander of the Uzumaki clan and Uzushiogakure. Uzumaki Jun," the clan leader explained, noticing Senju Shukuma's confusion.
"He oversees all duties of the Uzumaki clan at present."
Senju Shukuma's pupils shrank. A child so young? Unless the Uzumaki clan had gone senile, this child must truly be capable. Before he could ask further, Uzumaki Jun spoke again.
"Did Konoha send you, or was it someone else?"
"Hah..." Senju Shukuma forced a bitter smile.
Though he wished to mend the friendship between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan, he decided to be honest. "Konoha did not send us. The Senju clan acted on its own."
But it was pointless now. If they claimed Konoha had sent these thirty people as reinforcements, it would only embarrass the Five Great Shinobi Villages. The ninja of Uzushiogakure weren't fools.
Hearing this, Uzumaki Jun frowned in thought. Just as expected. Konoha hadn't sent reinforcements—the Senju clan had come on their own.
This was actually a good thing. Right now, Uzumaki Jun wanted no ties with Konoha. Any connection would only cost them dearly in the future.
"We deeply appreciate the Senju clan's assistance," Uzumaki Jun stepped forward and said gratefully. For them to come now, despite everything, was truly remarkable.
Help in desperate times was far more valuable than support in prosperity. Especially for a major clan like the Senju, going against the Hokage's orders to aid Uzushio was no small matter.
Though he suspected the Senju clan leader was probably being lectured by the Hokage right now about the Will of Fire and Lord Hashirama's ideals of peace.
No wonder the Senju clan was eventually wiped out by Konoha!
Damn it!
What use were ninja who didn't obey orders? This time, not only would Danzo have objections, but the Hokage himself must be displeased. Sure, your clan produced the First and Second Hokage, and I, the Third, was the Second's student—but did you have to be so reckless?
Did my authority as Hokage mean nothing? Disobeying orders on the front lines—what would others think? If everyone acted like this, how could I lead?
If another clan pulled something like this, valuing personal bonds over missions, they'd have to be crushed. Otherwise, discipline would collapse.
Thinking this, Uzumaki Jun's mind began working. Could he possibly recruit the Senju clan? After all, if they returned to Konoha, the Third would just waste them.
Better to stay in Uzushiogakure and contribute to the world's prosperity, creating happiness for the people. Surely, Lord Hashirama would approve, wasn't this his dream?
Moreover, most Uzumaki were wind and water nature users, while the Senju specialized in earth and water.
Uzushiogakure was sorely lacking earth-natured ninja!
Road construction, mountain-moving, earth nature was incredibly useful.
But this would have to wait until after the war. Now wasn't the time. No one believed Uzushiogakure could survive against Kirigakure.
The Land of Whirlpools was too weak, practically just a single clan. That was why the Senju clan's willingness to send people to their deaths was so commendable.
He subtly signaled the clan leader to arrange rest for the Senju members. They could discuss missions tomorrow while observing Kirigakure's response.
And seeing the Senju's reinforcements, Uzumaki Jun suddenly had an idea.
Maybe they could trick Konoha into a trap.
"Move out."
Seeing that the night had grown dark, Uzumaki Komaki decided the time was right. After a full day of exhaustion, Kirigakure's forces were probably fast asleep by now. But...
Dreaming of sleep?
How about everyone enjoying some fireworks instead? If not for Lord Jun's order to only use explosive tags, he'd have loved to try gasoline bombs. Rumor had it their flames couldn't be doused with water. A few bottles tossed in the dead of night might just roast the Mizukage alive.
The thought alone excited him.
"Understood!"
Several Uzumaki clansmen nodded and vanished into the darkness.
"Hey, Nagisa, what do you think will happen tomorrow?"