"Even if the old, weak, women, and children of the Uchiha clan put down their weapons and surrender, they will show no mercy to your people. They will still kill them. So, you have no need to feel guilty—because this is the reality for many."
Kaede looked at Madara as he spoke.
If anyone else had said such words in front of Kaede, his response would have been a slap to the face—showing through action that sympathy toward the enemy is cruelty toward oneself.
But the one standing before him was his disciple, who once naively believed that everything could be resolved through negotiation. That was why this moment could be counted as one of Kaede's rare instances of warmth.
"Yes, I understand, sensei!" Madara nodded.
Whether or not he truly understood in his heart, at the very least at this moment, he knew that what he had done was not wrong.
"Tomorrow, you will deal with the Nara clan, the Yamanaka clan, and the Akimichi clan. These three clans possess a special secret technique that allows them to coordinate perfectly with each other. Three well-coordinated members can hold their ground against a Mangekyō Sharingan for a short while. Even though they will eventually lose, they will be a tough bone to chew. You will lead the team tomorrow. It may be difficult, and there is always the chance of an accident. But if you manage to eliminate these three clans tomorrow, it will mean you have completed your training. From then on, you'll be able to explore and refine the system I've given you on your own."
Kaede's tone was calm.
"Sensei, don't say it like that. I think my strength is still far from yours. Forget about you—even your clone, I can't defeat yet. Although I can now last more than half an hour against it, compared to only two minutes before, that's a big improvement. But I know I still can't beat you."
Madara quickly shook his head. The gap in strength was still obvious—a difference as vast as heaven and earth. The whole Uchiha clan knew that these three clans working together would be a headache for them, but to Kaede, it was nothing at all. He could suppress them with ease.
"If you think being able to beat my clone is enough, you'll still need at least two to three more years," Kaede replied helplessly.
Indeed, with Madara's current strength, he could easily handle a jōnin. Even some kage-level opponents could be killed if they let their guard down. But that didn't mean he could stand on equal ground with Kaede's clone.
"No matter what, I will keep working hard," Madara said firmly.
…
The next day, Madara led several Mangekyō Sharingan members from the clan, along with Uchiha Jingliu and Uchiha Jingshui, toward the Nara clan. Kaede followed behind them.
At this time, the Akimichi clan, the Yamanaka clan, and the Nara clan had all gathered their members together. They did this to avoid being picked off by the Uchiha individually.
What they didn't realize was that if their clans had actually split up, it would have taken more effort to track them down. By gathering together like this, they were essentially delivering themselves into the enemy's hands.
On the way, no one had the mindset of marching into a fierce battle. Instead, it felt more like an outing, with conversations and laughter along the way.
If anyone thought this was the best time to ambush the Uchiha, they would be gravely mistaken. Even if their sensory abilities weren't as sharp as the Hyūga clan's, trying to ambush them now would only lead to one result—becoming a corpse.
Jingliu walked closely beside Kaede. She admired the strong. In the past, many in the clan had confessed to her, but she ignored them all. It was only when she met Kaede that she felt differently.
Today, finally having the chance to speak with him, she wasn't going to waste it.
"Kaede-sama, dealing with the Nara and the other two clans today will be easy for us. I heard there's a cliff behind the Nara compound where the view is beautiful. I've never been there myself, only heard about it. Once everything is over, why don't you come with me to see it?" Jingliu smiled.
"No need," Kaede shook his head.
If this were the real world, he would certainly refuse. But with Ōtsutsuki Isshiki possibly appearing at any time, he knew he would return to the real world sooner or later—and by then, Jingliu would already be long gone, nothing more than bones. Since fate held no future for them, why create unnecessary ties?
"Kaede-sama, you've already refused so many of my requests. Can't you at least agree to just see the scenery with me?" Jingliu pouted.
If her admirers in the Uchiha clan saw her acting like this, they'd be shocked beyond belief—because they had never seen her like this before.
"I have no habit of enjoying scenery built upon the corpses of others," Kaede said flatly.
This time, Jingliu gave up and fell silent.
Meanwhile, on the cliffs to both sides of the valley, members of the three clans lay in wait. Their orders were to ambush the Uchiha here, preferably striking hard enough to wipe out half of them. If they could do that, even if the remaining Uchiha didn't retreat, they would still have the advantage.
"Are we ready? They've already entered the valley. I can act anytime," a Yamanaka member whispered, eyes fixed on the people below.
"Wait a little longer. They've just entered the valley. If we attack now, they can still retreat. We strike when they reach the very center—then, even if they want to run, they won't be able to," Nara Shikashō replied.
"Tell Muzuo and Hai to guard the valley's entrance and exit. Don't let a single enemy escape. If even one gets out, it'll be on us."
Shikashō's tone was calm but firm. As the main branch head of the Nara clan, he knew this battle would decide their fate.
(End of Chapter)
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