Gekko Fūha was only thirty-five years old this year, a standard age for a clan patriarch.
His overall strength wasn't particularly high, hovering around the elite Jonin level, still some distance from the peak of Jonin rank. The reason for this lay in the scarcity of ninjutsu resources available to the Gekko clan; they weren't like the great clans with stacks of ninjutsu scrolls at home.
Furthermore, the elemental affinities awakened within their clan were messy and singular. Unlike the Uchiha, where everyone awakened Fire Release making standardized training easy, the Gekko clan members might awaken Fire, Water, or Wind. Since they typically awakened only one element, cultivation was troublesome. Ultimately, they had to seek the protection of a major power, becoming a vassal of the Hyuga decades ago.
Yet, even at his age, Gekko Fūha had never given up on raising his strength by another level.
Only by increasing his own power could he raise the overall standard of his clan. He even dreamed that one day they could break away from the Hyuga and stand independently—just like the Hatake clan, whose swordsmanship was second to none in the Warring States and who stood as an independent clan despite their small numbers.
After finishing his training for the day in the practice hall, Gekko Fūha prepared to return to his room.
It had been his habit for many years to review the documents submitted by his subordinates on his desk after his daily training.
Opening the door, Gekko Fūha took one step into the study before his foot froze. Shocked, he instantly shifted into a combat stance.
A mysterious figure wearing a black robe and a mask was sitting in his chair, casually flipping through the files submitted by his subordinates.
"I've waited a long time for you, Patriarch Gekko," the masked man said indifferently.
"Who are you?!"
Gekko Fūha's face was full of wariness. The security of his estate wasn't as exaggerated as the great clans of the Warring States, but there were still over a hundred men on guard at all times. For this masked man to infiltrate his room silently meant his strength was definitely not below Fūha's own.
"You don't need to know."
The masked man pressed his right hand against his mask. Judging by the motion, he was preparing to remove it.
Gekko Fūha couldn't help but fix his gaze on the face being revealed.
However, the moment the stranger's eyes were exposed, a crimson Mangekyo Sharingan reflected in Gekko Fūha's vision.
Pupil power poured into his body through the Mangekyo, causing Gekko Fūha to freeze in place, his mind instantly sluggish.
"Rule number one of fighting a Sharingan: If it's one-on-one, you must run. Remember that."
Izuna coldly placed the mask back on his face, speaking with disdain. "Make sure you remember it next time."
"Now, we can prepare to stage this show."
Having established control over Gekko Fūha, Izuna knew he could officially make his move.
During this period, the intelligence ninjas sent by Shimura Keizo to investigate Tobi had been disguised as merchants, wanderers, and bounty hunters, roaming the small town.
After nearly ten days of secret inquiries, one of them finally brought back news—a mysterious person suspected to be Tobi had been seen entering and exiting the Gekko clan's grand estate.
This news startled the other Shimura intelligence ninjas. They had never imagined that Tobi would have a connection with the Gekko clan.
It was well known that the great clan behind the Gekko was the Hyuga, the third strongest clan in the Warring States. In the previous chaotic battles, the Hyuga had seemed completely unrelated to the events.
But precisely because it was strange, it demanded investigation.
Soon, all the Shimura investigation ninjas gathered to discuss their course of action. Although the Gekko were merely a second-rate clan, conducting a deep investigation into their heartland was no simple task.
If they were to spook the enemy and provoke the Hyuga, it would be no laughing matter.
At the same time, news was sent back to the clan.
Sarutobi Furukawa and Shimura Keizo received the report stating that Yuan was likely connected to the Gekko clan.
Both clan heads were shocked.
Sarutobi Furukawa believed they should investigate cautiously and not act in haste. Shimura Keizo, on the other hand, argued that Yuan's movements were elusive—always showing the head but never the tail. If they missed this opportunity, it would be difficult to find another.
He hoped Sarutobi Furukawa would dispatch a top-tier sensory ninja from his clan to investigate immediately.
Facing his old friend's repeated requests, Sarutobi Furukawa finally agreed. He dispatched his own cousin, Sarutobi Furuyuki, a Near-Kage level sensory expert, to the Gekko clan's town.
Because Sarutobi Furukawa knew well how dangerous Yuan was, he ordered his cousin to be absolutely vigilant.
At the first sign of anything unexpected, he was not to hesitate—he must return immediately.
Traveling from the Sarutobi and Shimura lands to the town took even an expert of Sarutobi Furuyuki's Near-Kage level nearly ten days.
To get there, one had to take a detour, as the direct route was blocked by two colossal mountains: the Uchiha and the Senju.
Once Sarutobi Furuyuki arrived and rendezvoused with the two Shimura squads, he immediately began planning the infiltration of the Gekko clan estate to conduct his shadow investigation.
Finally, one night, Sarutobi Furuyuki managed to creep onto the roof of the Clan Head's residence.
"Lord Yuan, I wonder how this operation turned out?"
Hearing the voice from inside via his Sensing Technique, Sarutobi Furuyuki's heart skipped a beat. He's here!
He quietly lifted a roof tile. Imbuing his blade with Wind Release, he carved a tiny hole in the floorboards.
Sarutobi Furuyuki pressed one eye against the opening.
He saw Gekko Fūha, the patriarch of the Gekko clan, kneeling before a mysterious figure clad in black robes.
It's him!
There's no mistake!
Sarutobi Furuyuki had seen him before. Although the angle prevented him from seeing the mask on the figure's face, it was definitely him!
Yuan!
A familiar, raspy voice drifted from Yuan's mouth. "The Uchiha and Senju are at war. For a short time, we cannot wring any profit from them, especially since I have already revealed my face to Senju Yuma once."
It really is Yuan!
Hearing the conversation inside, Sarutobi Furuyuki on the roof became even more convinced of the mysterious man's identity. This was the Yuan that Shimura Keizo dreamed of finding.
Immediately, he focused all his attention on listening to the content of their discussion.
"My Lord, last time we attempted to provoke a conflict between the Uchiha and the four Northwestern clans, it failed to yield results. I wonder if this time will be successful?" Gekko Fūha asked in a respectful tone.
"Fūha, are you mocking me?" Yuan asked back, his tone unkind.
Gekko Fūha was startled and immediately fell to both knees. "This subordinate demands no such thing! It is only because of that incident that we were forced to dispatch troops and kill Shimura Ri and over twenty other Jonin from the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. This risks bringing danger upon us, and Clan Head Tenso is very dissatisfied."
Tenso!?
Hearing this name, Sarutobi Furuyuki was shocked again.
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