A heavy, almost tangible shroud of grief hung over the Uzumaki clan lands all day. Even the sky above the Island of Whirlpools seemed to weigh down, sympathizing with the loss.
Everyone in the clan, without exception, had loved Kureto. He was not just a young genius showing immense promise, but also a handsome, stately figure whose face was never darkened by the arrogance so common among gifted shinobi. Looking at him, one could draw parallels: had this young man mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, he would have become a living embodiment of Minato Namikaze in the harsh Warring States Era. But fate had decreed otherwise.
A pity for the lad. Just his luck to be born in this bloody time, when wars spark as easily as dry grass from an ember, Masahiko thought with bitter regret.
He himself did not fall into despair nor was he tormented by agonizing grief. In his forty-eight years of life in this turbulent world, Masahiko had seen too many deaths for each one to leave an unhealing wound in his soul. He understood all too well: until peace arrived, such tragedies would repeat again and again. And if the heavens were kind to him, a very long life full of new partings still lay ahead.
I must survive. Whatever the cost, I am obligated to make it at least to the finale of this story, a calculating yet determined thought flashed through his mind.
The next morning, Masahiko rose before the first rays of the sun touched the treetops. Hastily swallowing breakfast, he wasted no time heading to the residence's main hall.
The spirit of yesterday's funeral ceremony still lingered in the corridors. Workers hadn't finished clearing away the ritual items, though Kureto's body had been committed to the earth in the clan cemetery at sunset the previous day. An oppressive emptiness filled the building, emphasizing the scale of the loss.
"Uncle, you came," the Clan Head, seated at the head of a massive table, raised a heavy, haggard gaze to the newcomer. A sleepless night spent in agonizing deliberation was readable in his eyes.
Masahiko perfectly understood his nephew's state. Deciding on open war with the Kaguya clan, whose ferocity and combat power exceeded the Uzumaki forces, was a decision pressing on his shoulders with unbearable weight. But leaving Kureto's death unanswered meant admitting his own weakness. This war was unavoidable; it already stood at the threshold.
"Uncle, you will have to go to the Senju again. We need to ask them for military support," the Head said hollowly.
"But... if the Senju enter the conflict, the Uchiha won't stay on the sidelines either," Masahiko objected, foreseeing the inevitable escalation. "This could turn into a real meat grinder."
"We have no other choice. In a direct head-to-head clash, we are significantly inferior to the Kaguya. Our only chance for victory is to drag both the Senju and the Uchiha into this confrontation, creating chaos in which we can stand our ground. The Second Elder has already headed to the Hyūga to secure their support."
"To the Hyūga? So that's how it is. Now I understand your plan," Masahiko nodded. "I will depart for the Senju immediately."
His nephew's plan was bold and ambitious. If a local skirmish could be turned into a grandiose battle of the five great clans, the balance of power would shift fundamentally, giving their side a real advantage.
Masahiko stepped once more onto the narrow, winding path leading to the Senju lands. Over the last half-month, he had made this journey for the third time, and the road was beginning to feel painfully familiar.
"Ah, the life of a simple worker is hard..." he muttered with a sigh under his breath.
Even though we are now bound by ties of kinship, convincing the Senju to send full-scale troops will be no easy task, he mused, walking steadily under the canopy of trees. I'll have to improvise, play on pity or, conversely, appeal to honor. I'll act according to the situation.
The journey passed without incident, and soon Masahiko crossed the invisible boundary of the forest shinobi clan's domain.
What is happening here? The air is practically trembling from the concentration of chakra in one place... I think I sense the presence of Hashirama and Tobirama. Masahiko froze, focusing. His senses made it clear: ahead, beyond the tree line, a formidable Senju detachment was gathered.
And leading them, judging by everything, is their Elder of the Eastern Front. He moved closer silently, hiding in the dense shade of the foliage and observing the scene from a distance.
"Who goes there?! Come out!" Hashirama's thunderous shout instantly shattered the forest silence.
The surveillance was interrupted at the most inopportune moment—he had been spotted. In the blink of an eye, dozens of wary gazes converged on his hiding spot, and the air filled with the tension of warriors ready for battle.
Masahiko stepped into the light with a guilty and slightly awkward smile, rubbing the back of his head. To get caught so foolishly... Though, it wasn't surprising—before him stood the future God of Shinobi, whose sensory abilities were phenomenal.
"Second Grandfather? Didn't you leave for home yesterday?" Tobirama looked genuinely astonished. After all, he had personally seen the guest off and heard his parting words.
"Ah, this... Well, you see, I forgot some important things at the Senju residence," Masahiko found an excuse after a short hesitation, deciding not to reveal the true purpose of his sudden visit for the time being.
"The guest room has surely been cleaned by now," Tobirama grumbled distrustfully, crossing his arms over his chest.
Noticing his skeptical attitude, Masahiko feigned indignation and cut him off: "What is that tone? Are you not happy to see me at all?"
"Oh come now, how could that be! Stay with us as long as you wish; you are always welcome," Hashirama intervened, breaking into his usual good-natured smile. Tobirama's face noticeably darkened, reflecting an internal struggle with his brother's hospitality.
Seizing the moment and the elder brother's friendliness, Masahiko continued decisively: "That's excellent. Then, Hashirama, be a dear and build me a separate little house later using your Wood Release. Make it cozy and warm in winter, and pleasantly cool in summer—a real dream. The shared guest room is a bit cramped, and frankly not very comfortable."
Hashirama scratched the back of his head in bewilderment, clearly not expecting such businesslike demands, and whispered to his brother: "Tobirama, did I say something wrong? Why did he start demanding housing immediately?"
In response, Tobirama simply rolled his eyes in suffering, unable to find words for a comment.
"I'm joking, don't take everything so to heart," Masahiko chuckled, pleased with the brothers' reaction. "By the way, where are you all headed with such an impressive crowd?"
Hashirama had already taken a breath and opened his mouth to answer with all his guilelessness, but the Clan Elder standing nearby coughed loudly and extremely significantly, interrupting him. "Oh, we... we are going hunting. A large beast has appeared, you see."
At these words, Tobirama squeezed his eyes shut as if in physical pain, and Masahiko barely suppressed the laughter fighting to escape. "Well then, good luck with your hunt. Try not to let the prey slip away."
Masahiko shook his head ruefully and walked at a leisurely pace toward the main Senju settlement.
They are absolutely terrible liars. Even I can do it more elegantly, he thought ironically.
Did they seriously think I wouldn't guess? The Elder of the Eastern Front personally leading the squad, both sons of the Clan Head in formation, plus a heap of elite fighters. On the eastern borders of the Senju, only the Kaguya are honored with such attention... It seems I won't even have to ask for help. And the difference between begging for salvation and a business proposal of support is simply colossal.
Having made a final decision, Masahiko quickly adjusted his plan of action.
"Since I officially returned for my things, I need to feign busy activity. Can't just wander around the village attracting unnecessary attention..." he muttered under his breath.
He went into his former guest room, found some old piece of cloth, and stuffed the resulting bundle with ordinary stones he picked up in the backyard. Now, from the outside, it looked like a heavy load of forgotten belongings. Masahiko was about to leave the settlement unnoticed, deciding not even to bother Butsuma, but right at the exit, he was intercepted by one of the clan's Jōnin.
"Lord Masahiko, wait! Clan Head Butsuma asks you to come to him. It is urgent."
"Well, if he calls, I go," he replied, trying to maintain an impassive appearance.
He calls right now, when the squad has already moved out... Does the stern Butsuma want to ask the Uzumaki for help himself? This guess made him smile as he walked toward the assembly hall.
"Masahiko, so you did return your things? Is everything with you now? Nothing left behind?" Butsuma began with polite, non-committal small talk as soon as the guest crossed the threshold of the office.
"Yep, everything is in place, the valuable cargo is with me," Masahiko replied, patting the sack of stones and taking his time getting to the point. He decided to give the right of the first move to the host.
Butsuma held a pause, seeing that his interlocutor showed not a drop of initiative and wasn't going to make his task easier. The Senju Head had to start himself: "Our clans are now bound not only by alliance but also by marriage ties. In these turbulent times, we should act together, like a single mechanism. The Kaguya clan constantly makes daring raids on our eastern borders, and in the west, small but annoying clans muddy the waters. I hope the Uzumaki will not stand aside and will help us deliver a joint, crushing blow to the Kaguya."
"Oh, I don't even know... That's a serious question," Masahiko put on a thoughtful and slightly puzzled look. "I don't decide such matters alone. When I return to the clan, I will definitely convey your words to the Head, and let him and the Council of Elders deliver a verdict."
Verbally, Masahiko actively demurred and demonstrated doubt, but deep in his soul, he rejoiced. Everything was falling into place perfectly.
"Good. I will wait and sincerely hope you bring me good news!" Butsuma said, looking intently into his eyes.
"Rest assured, Clan Head Butsuma. I will make every effort to convince our leader of the necessity of this step. Given Mito's marriage and our common interests, I think there shouldn't be any major problems."
Masahiko agreed to render this small service with a magnanimous air, causing even Butsuma's stern demeanor to soften slightly. Masahiko's image in the eyes of the Senju Head became far more significant and weighty—now he saw him not just as a relative, but as an important mediator.
Saying goodbye to the hospitable hosts, Masahiko habitually hoisted the sack filled to the brim with stones onto his shoulders and marched briskly back toward the Uzumaki lands. Naturally, as soon as he passed the guard posts and disappeared into the dense forest thicket, the useless cobblestones flew into the nearest bushes. He had special weights in his arsenal for training; carrying simple rocks for the sake of acting—no fool would be found for that.
Upon returning to his native hearth, he was met personally by the Clan Head, whose face seemed to have grown even more gaunt during this time.
"Uncle, you returned much faster than I expected! Tell me quickly, did the Senju agree to come to our rescue?" the Uzumaki leader asked with hidden hope in his voice.
"Well... to be precise, it was the Senju who approached us with an official request for help," Masahiko replied not without pride.
"What are you saying? How is that possible?"
After these words, Masahiko retold the circumstances of his trip to his nephew in full color and detail, not forgetting to mention the meeting with the "hunting" squad and the subsequent conversation with Butsuma.
"So that's how it turned out?" His nephew's eyes shone joyfully, and the tension in his shoulders noticeably eased. "Excellent, that is even better than I dared to hope! If they are asking themselves, it means the Senju will be the main strike force in this campaign. Our people will act in support and suffer far fewer casualties. In that case, I don't necessarily have to lead the squad myself. I will send the Second and Third Elders to lead our forces."
"I will go with them too," Masahiko added after hesitating slightly.
The Clan Head froze in surprise. Usually, it was impossible to drag his uncle onto the battlefield without extreme necessity; he always preferred to stay in the shadows or handle affairs within the village. And here—such sudden and voluntary initiative.
"Well, that is commendable. Since you wish it yourself, I will not object. But I beg you, be extremely careful," he said seriously, deciding not to miss the opportunity to strengthen the squad with such an experienced shinobi.
"I'm going to pack and prepare," Masahiko threw over his shoulder, turned, and walked slowly toward his house.
Ah, these Witness Points... Damn them. To earn this currency, one has to climb into the very inferno and participate in every historically significant event, no matter how small. Otherwise, where else can I get them in such quantities? he sighed heavily to himself.
I can only hope that the coming battle proves significant enough and brings me at least some worthwhile profit to justify all this risk.