Three months ago, Sarutobi suddenly formed an official alliance with Shimura and simultaneously declared war on the Hagoromo Clan.
Geographically, Shimura is to the west of the Hagoromo Clan, designated as the Western Front.
Sarutobi is to the east of the Hagoromo Clan, designated as the Eastern Front.
During this period, battles have raged simultaneously on both the Eastern and Western fronts.
Although the Hagoromo Clan’s war efforts appear slightly disadvantaged, the opposing side hasn’t gained much either.
As long as the war is prolonged, the Hagoromo Clan, which has a higher volume of missions and a greater number of Ninja, has a high chance of winning.
However, it is unknown what benefits Sarutobi offered, but just yesterday, the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans joined the battlefield as allies of the Sarutobi Clan.
Although these three clans are small in scale, their combined Secret Techniques make their strength formidable.
Moreover, these three clans are situated on the east side of the Hagoromo Clan, just like Sarutobi.
Their addition has drastically increased the pressure on the Eastern Front.
This is the exact news Hagoromo Yuta risked his life to deliver.
The Uchiha Clan is also on the east side of the Hagoromo Clan, and they likely received the news immediately.
They offered to help Hagoromo repel the Five-Clan Alliance in exchange for an alliance with the Hagoromo Clan.
It was unexpected that the Uchiha’s alliance proposal arrived even faster than the battlefield intelligence received by the Hagoromo Clan.
Seeing Ayato looking thoughtful, Ryunosuke took a deep puff from his pipe: “Ayato, what is your opinion?”
At once, everyone’s eyes turned to Ayato, but Ayato was unfazed.
He stroked his chin as he gathered his thoughts: “With our current manpower, dealing with the Sarutobi and Shimura clans is already difficult.
Facing the combined efforts of five clans now, defeat is only a matter of time.”
“Agreeing to the Uchiha Clan’s request for an alliance is indeed the best solution right now.”
Seeing the expected looks from everyone, Ayato continued unhurriedly: “But why would the Uchiha want to form an alliance with us out of the blue?”
“I suspect it has to do with the continuous setbacks they’ve suffered recently in their war against the Senju.” Ayato’s tone was firm as he hit upon the crucial clue: “The Senju have been communicating very frequently with the Uzumaki Clan lately.”
“It’s not just us facing pressure from hostile clans; the Uchiha are also facing pressure from the Senju and Uzumaki!” Ayato stated clearly: “Therefore, it’s not just that we need the Uchiha; the Uchiha also need our assistance.”
The Elders, who hadn’t expected to hear any useful suggestions, had their eyes light up upon hearing Ayato’s analysis: “That’s right, our relationship with the Uchiha is one of mutual aid.”
The Third Elder quickly calculated the cost in his mind: “Even if we fight five clans simultaneously, we can hold out for at least three months.”
Fifth Elder also spoke excitedly: “We can last three months, but the Uchiha might not.
Furthermore, their relationship with the Senju has always been mutually antagonistic.
Once the Uchiha show signs of decline, their vassal Ninja Clans will definitely defect to the Senju.
This is something the perpetually proud Uchiha absolutely cannot tolerate.”
The Second Elder gave Ayato a rare look of approval: “You are indeed impressive.”
Ryunosuke glanced at Ayato with satisfaction.
This child truly didn’t disappoint him; not only was his Ninja talent outstanding, but his mind was also sharp, enough to become a qualified politician.
“Iron ore has always been a strategic resource we desperately lack,” the Third Elder’s mind raced quickly now: “The Uchiha possess Jianqi Mountain, which is rich in iron ore and very close to us.”
Ryunosuke and the Third Elder exchanged a smile.
The two old foxes instantly understood each other’s meaning: “Let’s make this the condition for the alliance.
Hitozumi, you draft the document.”
“Understood.”
“Eito, activate wartime status starting now.
You will command all Ninja within the clan, except for Ayato and his Seventh Squad.
Can we hold out until our alliance is successful?”
“No problem.”
“Old Man, why aren’t you letting our squad go to the battlefield?” Ayato grew anxious upon hearing Ryunosuke’s arrangements.
“Yohei took on a mission some time ago and won’t be back for a while.”
Ryunosuke glared at Ayato.
How could a genius who excels in both martial and scholarly arts go to the battlefield so early?
Swords have a life of their own, and even the greatest genius counts for nothing until they have fully matured.
Although this was the tacit agreement of everyone in the room, Ryunosuke still had to provide an official reason: “You don’t have a Team Leader.
How can you carry out missions properly?”
“It doesn’t matter if Senior Yohei can’t make it back.
I can still serve as the Team Leader and lead the Seventh Squad on missions.”
As he spoke, he channeled the Chakra within his body, and his aura immediately surged.
Ayato had casually selected a ascend on his way back, immediately raising his level to 50.
At this moment, his status panel showed the strength of a Jonin.
Coupled with his diligent training over the past three years, he was even stronger than an average Jonin, and could likely hold his own against an Elite Jonin.
This level of strength would be comparable to that of a Clan Head in smaller Ninja Clans, and even within the Hagoromo Clan, he could contend with someone of the Elder rank.
In the world of Ninja, strength is the best argument.
Sensing Ayato’s imposing aura, which was no less than that of the Elders, Ryunosuke swallowed his words of dissuasion and said helplessly:
“Alright, if that’s the case, you will personally lead the Seventh Squad and rush to support the Eastern Front starting tomorrow.”
With Kashi there, Ayato shouldn’t run into any problems, right?
Watching the spirited youth before him, Ryunosuke silently tucked away his worries.
Senju Clan Territory.
Because he had met two new friends today, Ayato and Uchiha Madara, Hashirama returned home much later than usual.
He tiptoed to open the main door, planning to sneak into his own courtyard.
Just as Hashirama stepped his left foot into the courtyard, the sharp-eared Tobirama heard the movement: “Big Brother, why are you home so late today?”
Hashirama was afraid that his father and Tobirama would discover his audacious friendship with an Uchiha, so he felt guilty, avoided looking Tobirama in the eye, and whispered: “I’ve been training too hard lately and accidentally fell asleep.”
“Is that so?” Tobirama looked at Hashirama suspiciously.
He felt that his Big Brother was different today.
“Y-yes, that’s right.” Hashirama’s eyes darted left and right.
Just as he was thinking of how to change the subject, he saw the Daylily Tobirama was holding, and his expression darkened.
He whispered, “Did you go buy Daylilies again today?”
“Mm.” Tobirama nodded.
Their mother had passed away from illness a while ago.
In fact, their mother’s health had been poor for a year, leaving her so weak she was confined to bed, filled with melancholy all day long.
One day, Tobirama brought back a bouquet of Daylilies from somewhere.
Their mother loved them, and her complexion improved significantly.
Since then, whenever Tobirama had the chance, he would bring back a bunch of Daylilies to cheer up their mother.
But their mother’s illness was too severe to recover from; she didn’t survive the year.
Hashirama remembered that on the day of the funeral, he and his brothers cried buckets, and even their usually stern father showed a rare expression of grief.
But Hashirama knew that the most heartbroken person was actually his Second Brother, Tobirama, who always kept his feelings hidden and appeared cold on the surface.
Because even after their mother passed away, he would still bring back a bouquet of Daylilies whenever he was free and place them in her room.
“You need to move on soon, Tobirama.”
Hashirama awkwardly comforted his younger brother: “Mother would be very worried if she saw you like this.”
“I know, Big Brother.”
Tobirama lowered his head and looked at the Daylily in his hand.
Its petals were still brilliantly red, like the eyes of both his mother and that certain boy.
It’s strange.
Even though it happened a year ago, I can’t forget what he looked like.
Tobirama looked at the Daylily, wondering why, while thinking of his mother, the scene from the flower shop that afternoon still clearly appeared in his mind.
Tobirama really wanted to see that boy again.
When he did, he wanted to thank him personally and tell him that his mother loved the Daylilies he had chosen.
But later, he passed through Poisson many times and bought many bouquets from that flower shop, yet he never encountered that bright-smiling boy again.