"Assassinate the Daimyo?"
Uchiha En's heart skipped a beat, and his face, already pale, seemed to drain of all color. The weight of the command was crushing. The Daimyo of the Land of Water was not only a political figurehead but also a symbol of authority—taking his life, even covertly, could have consequences far beyond their immediate reach.
"The Daimyo of the Land of Water is easily 'soluble' in water," Uchiha Su said expressionlessly, his tone cold and matter-of-fact, as if discussing a trivial fact rather than an assassination. "Whether he 'dissolves in water' or dies of sudden illness, I only require that you complete this task cleanly. Leave no trace of suspicion. Can you do it?"
"I… I can!" Uchiha En replied through gritted teeth, his voice firm despite the weight pressing on his shoulders.
Ever since Uchiha Madara's departure, the sudden outbreak of war had thrust Uchiha Su into effective leadership of the Uchiha Clan, even before he formally became Clan Head. When Su gave an order, it was absolute. Assassinate a Daimyo? Even assassinate the Hokage if necessary? For En, refusal was inconceivable. Duty and loyalty left no other choice.
With a heavy heart, Uchiha En departed to carry out the mission.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Su did not immediately march toward Miwacho, the station of the Eastern Army. Instead, he moved deliberately, deploying squads to engage Konoha scouts while intensifying the seizure of people and property. Each captured village and looted stockpile further weakened Konoha's war potential and simultaneously strengthened Hidden Mist resources.
That morning, a message arrived from the Land of Whirlpools. Uchiha Su had only now taken the time to read it. The news did not come directly from the Land of Whirlpools but from Hōzuki Gengetsu, stationed on an island of the Land of Water near the Whirlpools.
The Land of Whirlpools did not wish to join the war, but Konoha pressured them relentlessly—three times a day, dispatching messengers demanding action. Uzumaki Ashina, unwilling yet bound by Konoha's coercion, was forced to lead troops on daily sorties, pretending to engage in meaningful operations to satisfy Konoha.
Through Hōzuki Gengetsu, Ashina's reports quietly reached Uchiha Su.
"Konoha has requested Uzushiogakure to send ten elite Jonin skilled in Sealing Techniques to Miwacho," Nami reported to Su. "Their mission: to seal an unidentified Uchiha Ninja capable of manifesting Susanoo."
Uchiha Su raised an eyebrow and glanced at Uchiha Hikari, who was leisurely flipping through a book by the window. "It seems someone wants to seal you again," he said casually, handing her the letter.
Hikari read it quickly. Her beautiful face hardened with cold killing intent. She had once been sealed by the Senju Clan in collaboration with the Sarutobi and Uzumaki. Seeing that Konoha now planned to repeat the same trick, her instinct was to strike preemptively.
"Let me go to Miwacho. Alone, I can annihilate those three thousand Ninjas," Hikari declared, her voice dripping with lethal confidence.
Her claim was not exaggeration. With Yachihoko in hand, her Chakra reserves were nearly inexhaustible, even surpassing those of some Jinchuriki. She could, theoretically, reduce the Eastern Army to ash on her own.
Uchiha Su, however, shook his head gently. "You must not act recklessly. If you fight too often, intelligence about you will be gathered, and the enemy will develop countermeasures." He paused, eyes gleaming with cold calculation. "You are my trump card. Unless absolutely necessary, I will not deploy you lightly."
Su's caution was warranted. The current Hokage was Senju Tobirama, a man renowned for creating forbidden and ingenious techniques specifically targeting the Uchiha. The Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, an A-rank Genjutsu that could plunge its target into absolute darkness, had been designed with the Uchiha in mind. Tobirama's creativity was dangerous, and Su knew better than to expose Hikari unnecessarily.
Hikari's emotions, once a tempest of rage and desire for vengeance, calmed under Su's measured reassurance. For now, her fury was restrained; she understood her value was far greater alive and ready than in reckless action.
The war, however, was far from over. Almost all the great nations were entangled in conflict. Konoha was fighting Sunagakure, Hidden Mist, Kumogakure, and Iwagakure simultaneously. The flames of battle would only subside once exhaustion or defeat dictated the terms.
The year was twenty of Konoha, and January had already brought half a month of continuous war. Compared to the early intensity of the conflict, the pace had slowed. Skirmishes now dominated the frontlines: small squads clashing in repeated, brutal encounters.
Although the overall scale of fighting had decreased, the violence between squads had intensified. Mortality rates were higher, and the battles were merciless, leaving little room for mercy or retreat.
Uchiha Su, always meticulous, organized twenty squads composed entirely of former Konoha Ninjas who had surrendered. Each squad was instructed to bring back the head of a Konoha Ninja along with an Identification Tag verifying their identity.
This was a test—a grim experiment to determine whether these surrendered soldiers could be trusted to serve Hidden Mist loyally. Those who survived and performed successfully would be treated as "half-insiders." Those who failed… well, the consequences were inevitable.
The results were largely satisfactory. Of the twenty squads, seven returned having completed their missions, eight were wiped out entirely, and five had defected back to Konoha.
Two-thirds of the surrendered soldiers proved untrustworthy or unwilling to cooperate fully. The remaining third, perhaps motivated by familial or personal reasons, showed potential for integration into Hidden Mist ranks.
Uchiha Su did not concern himself with sentiment. Results, not excuses, determined the fates of men.
By January 10th, Uchiha Su prepared to hold Sarutobi Sasuke accountable. He would confront the Eastern Army's commander personally, demanding answers:
"How dare you harbor defectors? Do you think the blades of Hidden Mist are dull?"
The army, originally 1,700 men, had suffered attrition during squad-level combat. Only around 1,300 remained. Mortality had been high, as expected in such brutal engagements.
Su dispatched a vanguard of 300 men led by Kaguya Yūsuke at five in the morning. The remaining 1,000 troops waited until seven before setting out.
Such a sizable, coordinated movement could not go unnoticed.
Sarutobi Sasuke, stationed in Miwacho, observed the approach with a solemn expression. Surrounded by advisors and Uzumaki Clan Jonin skilled in Sealing Techniques, he evaluated the threat.
"Gentlemen," Sasuke said, voice steady, "confirmed reports indicate the Hidden Mist army is advancing toward Miwacho. The vanguard will arrive by nine or ten in the morning. The main force should reach us by noon."
One Uzumaki Jonin, tasked with sealing the Susanoo-capable Uchiha, spoke up. "Rest assured, Lord Sarutobi. We will be able to seal this enemy. But we will need you to draw their attention when the time comes."
Sasuke nodded gravely. Loyalty and duty demanded he act as the decoy. "Of course. I will serve as bait. The rest of the operation is yours. Draw, trap, and seal. That is your responsibility." He bowed to the ten Uzumaki Jonin, signaling trust in their skills and commitment.
By nine o'clock, the Hidden Mist vanguard arrived outside Miwacho, observing the city like predators circling prey.
The city's defenses remained under Sasuke's control, but caution prevailed. Orders were strict: do not move recklessly. Only when the main force led by Uchiha Su arrived at noon would the Eastern Army fully mobilize to face the approaching threat.
The stage was set.
The clock ticked toward noon. Both sides braced for the inevitable confrontation. For Konoha, it was survival. For Hidden Mist, a calculated display of ruthlessness and strategic cunning. For Uchiha Su, the battle was not merely about territory—it was a test of loyalty, intelligence, and the meticulous orchestration of war itself.
The flames of the Ninja World War had only just begun to lick the edges of Miwacho.
And in the heart of it all, Uchiha Su waited patiently, the calm before the storm, ready to demonstrate that even in a world of chaos, strategy and precision could bend fate to his will.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)