"Um..." Uchiha Masaki rubbed his nose. "Well, even so, those nobles can't be that stupid, right?"
"I can't agree with that..." Uchiha Ryo smiled faintly. "Have you forgotten what kind of status our clan had in the Land of Lightning before we came to the Land of Fire?"
"That title of [Nobles Among Ninjas] can only deceive those sheltered and inexperienced princesses," Uchiha Masaki frowned. "It's impossible to expect this title to have any effect on the nobles..."
Uchiha Ryo tilted his head. "Isn't it enough to deceive the princesses?"
Uchiha Masaki was stunned at first, then involuntarily raised his hand to cover his mouth. "Wow... You're really something!"
"Come on, it's just taking advantage of our own strengths. Besides..." Uchiha Ryo shrugged slightly. "It's a willing thing, so it can't be called deception."
"You're really something! I wouldn't be surprised if you got hit by a bolt of lightning someday."
"Ah, thanks for the compliment."
Madara, who had been listening to all this: ...What kind of riddle is this?
But the team had assembled. Madara temporarily put his doubts aside. The Uchiha clan's forces set off from the clan territory in great numbers towards the Land of Lightning.
The departure of so many Uchiha members from the Nanka River naturally couldn't be hidden from their old rivals, the Senju clan. This matter was soon placed on the desk of the current leader of the Senju clan, Senju Butsuma.
Senju Butsuma glanced at the intelligence report that was sent and casually rolled it up the Scroll and put it aside. "Don't worry about this. It's a truce period. Don't cause conflicts casually except when we meet them on a mission."
"But, Clan Leader," a Senju clan member who came to deliver the report hesitated. "I think we should pay attention to this matter..."
Senju Butsuma looked up, indicating for the clan member to continue.
"The Uchiha clan had a conflict with the Hyuga clan some time ago. Maybe this trip of theirs is..."
Senju Butsuma raised his hand to stop the clan member. "Although the Hyuga clan is also a major clan, if the Uchiha would send out so many people just to deal with the other side's provocation, they should have been wiped out by us long ago.
This team's probably handling clan business. The people in the team should be ordinary ninjas with little strength but some reputation. Attacking such a team won't do us any good and will only anger the Uchiha.
Alright, I know you hate the Uchiha, but this team won't stir up any Wind Waves. Don't mention this matter again."
"...Yes."
Watching the clan member retreat with a look of unwillingness on his face, Senju Butsuma sighed. His gaze fell on his eldest son Chishima who was picking up a Scroll. "So, are you interested in this matter?"
Hearing this, Hashirama looked up and didn't hide his interest in the Uchiha clan. "Yes, I want to know more about the Uchiha."
"Well... the battlefield situation is intense now. I'm sure it won't be long before you encounter Uchiha ninjas on the battlefield. It's good to learn about them now." Senju Butsuma nodded slightly. "Among the Uchiha of your generation, there is indeed a brat worth noting. His name... should be Madara, right?
His talent is comparable to yours. He's also a strong candidate for the next leader of the Uchiha clan. If you meet him in the future, don't hold back. Got it?"
Hashirama nodded solemnly, not saying a word.
"There should be a list in here," Senju Butsuma reached out and pointed at the Scroll in Hashirama's hand. "Take the list. Although there probably aren't any powerful ninjas on it, they can all influence the Uchiha's next move. You can memorize the names first. Later, when I'm done with my work, I'll find the records of the Uchiha's appearances for you."
"Yes, thank you, Father."
"Well, there shouldn't be any more clan affairs sent here. You can go."
"Yes." Hashirama pulled out the list sandwiched inside the Scroll, stood up obediently. "Then I'll take my leave first."
Just after leaving the room and taking two steps, Hashirama's expression contorted. He lowered his head and looked at the list in his hand. His gaze stopped at the end of the list. Madara Uchiha, whom Senju Butsuma had just mentioned, was clearly on it.
And right next to this name was Uchiha Ryo, whom the clan had mentioned several times as someone to be wary of.
[Did Father notice this list? I don't think so. Otherwise, after the clan emphasized the danger of Uchiha Ryo several times, he wouldn't have just sent the clan members out like this...]
Hashirama's expression twisted. He didn't know if he should turn back and tell Senju Butsuma about this.
"Aniki, what are you spacing out about here again?"
Hashirama was startled. He instinctively stuffed the list in his hand into his bosom. He turned back to look at the person coming, scratching the back of his head with a silly look on his face. "Haha, it's Tobirama. I didn't do anything. Yeah, didn't do anything."
The child called Tobirama by Hashirama had white hair and delicate features. At this moment, his intimidating red eyes were sizing Hashirama up. "Didn't do anything? Then what's that in your hand?"
Although, when he was young, Tobirama really had the typical Uchiha looks...
"Huh? Really?" Hashirama raised his hand to scratch his hair, trying to hide the thing in his bosom secretly, trying to get away with it. "There's nothing in my hand. You're seeing things, Tobirama. Hahaha—"
Tobirama's gaze fell on the corner of the paper showing from Hashirama's chest. He couldn't help but sigh. "Aniki, are you really someone who's been on the battlefield?"
"Of course. I'll soon be allowed to go to the battlefield where there are Uchiha." Hashirama put his hands on his hips, lifted his chin, and patted his chest confidently. "If Tobirama has anything he doesn't understand, just ask Aniki!"
Looking at the many pieces of paper that were knocked out again because of Hashirama's actions, Tobirama's mouth corners twitched uncontrollably. He raised his finger and pointed at Hashirama's chest. "Aniki, do you think I can't see them?"
Hashirama lowered his head. After a brief silence, he reached out and stuffed the papers into his bosom. "It's okay now."
Tobirama: …
"Aniki! What on earth—"
Hashirama instantly rushed over and covered his younger brother's mouth. "Shh, shh. What are you shouting for? It makes me seem like I'm some kind of shady character. I'll just tell you."
Tobirama widened his eyes. Doesn't he really think he's suspicious enough?!
"Ahem, let's talk as we walk..." Hashirama put his arm around his younger brother's shoulder and took out that list from his bosom. "Father gave me a list. I've noticed something, and I'm a bit torn now... Hey, look here."
Tobirama looked in the direction Hashirama indicated, and the name Uchiha Ryo immediately came into view. "Hmm... Uchiha Ryo. It sounds a bit familiar."
Hashirama looked back at the distance to Senju Butsuma's office and lowered his voice. "If nothing goes wrong, it's the Uchiha Ryo the clan is talking about."