The Uchiha tent fell into deathly silence under the clan leader's fury. Insects in the soil died under corrosive chakra influence. Everyone inside the tent dared not make a sound.
Fortunately, although Uchiha Tajima inherited all the Sharingan clan's advantages—arrogance, conceit, invincible pride, typical hot-blooded temperament—he ultimately cared about his people. His greatest ambition in life was overthrowing the Senju and restoring Uchiha glory.
Therefore, he didn't lose his temper and attack his tribesmen to vent rage. The eerie pressure around him gradually subsided as the boiling chakra within him cooled. The moment didn't last.
"Alright, I understand." Uchiha Tajima let out a heavy sigh, waving his hand impatiently. "Except for Elder Takuya, all of you may leave."
Upon hearing this, even the medical ninjas quickened their bandaging movements. After treating his wounds, they bowed and withdrew with everyone else.
Uchiha Takuya was Uchiha Tajima's uncle. A top-tier jonin with three-tomoe Sharingan, his combat strength was only slightly inferior to the young and powerful Uchiha Tajima who'd just assumed leadership. One of the few renowned powerhouses in the clan and one of three elders stationed on the front line.
The remaining two garrison elders had already been dispatched—first to support vassal ninjas cleaning the battlefield, second to guard against possible Senju surprise attacks.
This was an unwritten rule during wartime.
Putting themselves in the enemy's shoes: if possible, the Uchiha would never let any opportunity to severely injure the Senju slip away. Their methods would only be more ruthless than the Senju's.
Warring parties could reach consensus on certain issues. In some ways, they were more in sync than nominal allies.
These were troubled times.
Inside the tent.
After dismissing his attendants, Uchiha Tajima stretched his left arm—freshly healed thanks to medical ninjutsu—and turned his gaze to one side. "Elder Takuya, what do you think?"
Uchiha Takuya, also injured in the previous battle, had removed his armor. Hands tucked into sleeves, face bearing the same murderous expression as Tajima's, he replied in a deep voice. "Of course it's revenge! The Senju always use such despicable methods. We certainly can't swallow our anger!"
"Precisely! We Uchiha have always fought fair and square on the battlefield, but..." Uchiha Tajima sneered. "Did they think we wouldn't resort to methods outside the battlefield? How laughable!"
Uchiha Takuya pragmatically followed up. "What does the clan leader propose?"
Uchiha Tajima's smile turned sinister. "The spy my father planted within the Senju clan not long ago risked his life to send back a secret report. You know about this, don't you?"
Uchiha Takuya's body trembled. "The clan head is talking about Senju Butsuma's..."
"Exactly!" Uchiha Tajima waved his hand, expression growing increasingly ferocious. "I didn't want to expose the mole I painstakingly planted at this critical juncture, but Senju Butsuma has gone too far! Don't blame me for this. If he's unjust, I'll be unjust too!"
Knowing the inside story, Uchiha Takuya's expression changed several times. He knew this matter was definitely the Senju clan leader's sore spot. Once the arrow was loosed, there would be no turning back. What awaited the Uchiha was an even more brutal all-out war.
When had the Uchiha clan ever been afraid?!
The warlike seed buried deep in his blood finally overwhelmed reason. A cruel smile appeared on Uchiha Takuya's face as well.
"The patriarch is wise!"
"Come closer." Uchiha Tajima beckoned with a wicked smile. Uchiha Takuya immediately moved in. "Elder Takuya, you'll handle this matter personally. I'll write you a secret letter. When you return to the clan: first, have them send another top-tier Veteran warrior to Kazama and Yagaya to fill the gap in elite combat power. Second, assemble a secret squad and depart tonight! Then..." He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. "Do this... and that..."
Uchiha Takuya nodded repeatedly, replying in a deep voice. "Yes! Don't worry, clan leader. I'll do my utmost to complete this mission!"
"Eh!" Uchiha Tajima waved his hand. "No need to risk your life. Once this matter is settled, we'll definitely have a major battle with the Senju. At that time, I'll need Elder Takuya to protect my flanks!"
"Clan leader..."
"No further words. Just make sure you survive. If necessary, have the secret squad cover your retreat." Uchiha Tajima patted Takuya's shoulder earnestly, then turned to find paper and brush. He quickly wrote a secret letter, sealed it, and handed it over. "Elder Takuya, I'll be waiting for your good news at the front!"
A figure hurriedly left the Uchiha camp and vanished into the forest using Body Flicker Technique.
On distant mountain peaks, Jordan Evans turned a roasted deer leg over the campfire, occasionally brushing it with layers of his freshly made secret sauce.
A police voice recorder floated mid-air, enveloped in blue psychic energy beside him. The power light flashed, indicating operation. Audio signals invisible to ordinary people transmitted through the magnetic field and recorded inside the machine.
As the overheard content echoed in his mind, Jordan couldn't help gasping in astonishment.
"The scheming and infighting among pre-ninja clans is truly ruthless. Resorting to blackmail with unborn children at the drop of a hat! The Uchiha really haven't forgotten their roots."
The scale of these wars was simply too small. The tricks and sabotage they employed were so outrageous even a dog would shake its head in disbelief.
After the recording finished, Jordan used magnetic force to activate the playback function. Immediately, a sinister-sounding voice emerged.
"...According to the spy's report, Senju Butsuma's pregnant wife has secretly left the clan's territory. She's suspected to be about to give birth! In that case, we'll use Senju Butsuma's wife and his unborn second son as hostages to force him to stop the war! You do it this way..."
After the audio finished playing, Jordan tore off a piece of venison with crispy skin and tasted it.
The roasted leg was perfect—crispy outside, tender and juicy inside, with just the right heat and flavor.
Having watched the two clans fight all night, Jordan was already starving. He immediately began eating heartily.
Only after finishing the meal did he have time to properly consider the secret he'd just heard.
The second son of Senju Butsuma. Wasn't that the future Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama?