After returning to the clan territory in Uzumaki country, Uzumaki Mokudatsu took a short break and then went to see Uzumaki Yi. He told Yi everything about Uchiha Ryo challenging him to a battle in the Land of Lightning.
Across from Uzumaki Mokudatsu sat a young man with a dark complexion. His short, spiky red hair was particularly eye - catching. He had regular and kind - looking features, and he looked like a real nice guy. After listening to Mokudatsu, he grinned widely, showing his white teeth. "Really? Ryo challenged me? That's so exciting! I was a bit sad when I heard he went blind before."
Uzumaki Mokudatsu frowned. "It's not something to be happy about that such a dangerous guy has regained his fighting ability... And I always feel like that Uchiha Ryo is up to something."
"That's not right of you, Mokudatsu," Uzumaki Yi put his arm around Mokudatsu's shoulder. "Once you've fought Ryo face - to - face, you'll feel what's in his heart through his sword skills. There aren't many Uchihas as straightforward as him!"
[A portrait of Uzumaki Yi - though it wasn't drawn at this moment, it can be inserted here. [Hehe]]
"An honest Uchiha..." Uzumaki Mokudatsu twitched the corner of his mouth. "I can't tell if you're praising or criticizing him."
"A bit of both, maybe?" Uzumaki Yi stroked his chin. "If you can set aside your prejudice against the Uchiha clan, you'll like Ryo too. He's a great person to be a friend, a lover, or even an enemy."
"... A lover?"
"I mean he'd be a great candidate for a marriage alliance - after all, he's so responsible and loves taking care of people." Uzumaki Yi patted Mokudatsu's shoulder. "Anyway, I've received the challenge. I'll take on more missions in the Land of Lightning later.
You just got back. Go and rest. Using a Sealing Jutsu like Adamantine Sealing Chains takes a huge toll on your stamina and energy. If you don't recover well, it won't last as long next time you use it."
Uzumaki Mokudatsu made a disgusted gesture and left without saying anything else. Uzumaki Yi, after a hearty laugh, unconsciously looked down at the scar on his left arm. "You've overcome difficulties and stood up so quickly... You're really something, Ryo."
...
After returning to the Senju clan territory, Senju She Lin and Senju Bai Mo sorted out the matter and submitted a report to the clan. Then they started to gather the clan members to discuss whether they should ambush Uchiha Ryo.
Although there were many geniuses in the current generation of the Senju clan, there was no one who could outshine the others and take the lead.
As a result, after Senju Bai Mo and Senju She Lin brought the news, the current - generation Senju clan members split into two camps.
One camp proposed to estimate the time and take on missions in the Land of Lightning. They wanted to go all out, sink Ryo's fishing boat and kill him in the Land of Lightning.
The other camp thought it was completely unnecessary. They believed that killing any Uchiha was the same, so why go to great lengths chasing after someone so hard to kill.
After chatting to the end, they shared some information about the Uchiha clan and then went their separate ways, each planning to do things according to their own ideas.
Senju She Lin and Senju Bai Mo, who had inexplicably joined hands with the Uchiha clan for a mission, became the most popular people among the children in the clan during this period. They were often stopped by the kids, who pestered them with questions about the Uchiha clan.
Senju Bai Mo was annoyed by this. After he recovered from his injuries, he simply took on a mission and left the clan territory. On the contrary, Senju She Lin, with his good - natured personality, took on a mission to patrol the clan territory. He patiently answered the questions of the clan's children and even gave them in - depth analysis on how to deal with Uchiha ninjas while protecting themselves.
Among these children were Senju Qin, who had accidentally met Uchiha Ryo at the Nanka River, and Hashirama, who knew that Uchiha Ryo had deliberately let Senju Qin go.
Senju Qin looked at his peers gathered around Senju She Lin, asking all kinds of questions. He subconsciously touched the back of his neck and couldn't help but glance at Hashirama. "Hey, Hashirama, do we really gotta go and ask?"
"Of course," Hashirama turned his head. "Although we are gradually getting in touch with the battlefield, with our current abilities, we are far from ready to go to battles where the Uchiha clan may appear. This is a rare opportunity!
Moreover, aren't you even a little curious? That Uchiha Ryo did that to you and then joined hands with our clan for a mission. It's really bizarre no matter how you think about it."
Senju Qin was about to say something, but stiffened all over the moment he looked up. He saw that Senju She Lin had come to their side somehow and was sizing them up.
Hashirama, unaware, was still making all sorts of speculations about Uchiha Ryo. Senju Qin swallowed hard and nudged Hashirama with his hand, signaling him to turn around.
Suddenly pushed, Hashirama was full of doubts. When he looked up, he met Senju She Lin's dark, in - depth - observing eyes and was so frightened that he hiccupped.
Senju She Lin's gaze showed a bit of helplessness. He reached out to pat Hashirama on the back to help him catch his breath. "What did you just say Uchiha Ryo did to you?"
Hashirama immediately shook his head like a rattle. "No no no, he didn't do anything to us."
Seeing Senju She Lin's frowning, Hashirama quickly added, "I'm just curious about what kind of person he is because he didn't do anything."
Hearing this, Senju She Lin's frown relaxed slightly. "Tell me in detail."
Hashirama quickly and quietly described the scene when he first met Uchiha Ryo and the time when Senju Qin met Uchiha Ryo while practicing in the back mountain.
"Does that blind guy go to the Nanka River to practice?" Senju She Lin lowered his eyes. "It seems there is a chance..."
Seeing Senju She Lin lost in thought, Hashirama pulled at his clothes again. "So I really want to know about this Uchiha Ryo. Brother She Lin, can you tell me?"
"You don't need to give a damn about that blind guy right now. Just run like hell when you see him. He's our enemy."
You're quite right about one thing. He really doesn't act like a typical Uchiha. But his hostility towards the Senju clan is no less than that of other Uchiha.
As for not attacking you Senju kids... Senju She Lin's gaze dropped. He said, "You can only be thankful for being weak and kids."
Hashirama and Senju Qin exchanged a look, both looking rather confused.
"Alright, stop thinking so much. You'd better use this time to train," Senju She Lin clapped his hands to get their attention back. "Just 'cause he lets you off once or twice doesn't mean he'll keep doing it, let alone other Uchiha. So if you don't have any missions, go and do your training right away. Got it?"
Hashirama responded and pulled Senju Qin away. However, the thought of having a talk with Uchiha Ryo after getting stronger became even firmer in his heart.
[The conflict between the Senju and the Uchiha clans actually started by accident. If everyone could have a good talk and clear up the misunderstandings... Maybe peace in the ninja world won't be too far away.]
Thinking of this, Hashirama clenched his fists. [So, in order for both sides to have a calm conversation and achieve true peace, I must have the Strength to match Uchiha Ryo.]