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A month had passed since the founding turmoil, and Akio thought he would return to his usual routine of training, eating, and sleeping. However, his peaceful days were suddenly disrupted.
Senju Tobirama visited the Uzumaki clan. After five years, Akio saw Tobirama once again.
"Tobirama, you want me to help you research and develop new jutsu? Do you think I'm senile?"
Akio was skeptical of Tobirama's proposal.
"Granduncle, I've had a lot of ideas lately. For example, a genjutsu that can strip someone of their vision, a technique that allows a single explosive tag to summon more explosive tags, a teleportation jutsu that works in water, and one that lets me instantly appear anywhere in a body of water..."
With each jutsu Tobirama listed, Akio's expression darkened. "Bringer-of-Darkness Jutsu, Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, Water Teleportation... You've already developed all of them?"
Akio glared at Tobirama, only to find that Tobirama's expression was even darker than his.
"My elder brother must be a spy you planted beside me! I just finished developing these jutsu, and you already know their names!"
Akio froze, realizing he had spoken his thoughts aloud. With a decisive nod, he admitted, "That's right, your brother has been my man all along."
Hashirama, you'll have to take the fall for this one…
Meanwhile, within the Senju clan, Hashirama was fantasizing about the village-building project when he suddenly sneezed. After a moment of silence, he smiled warmly. "Madara, is that you thinking of me?"
Back in the Uzumaki clan, Tobirama continued his efforts to "trick" Akio into coming to the Senju.
"Granduncle, aside from these jutsu, I have more techniques to develop."
Akio scoffed internally, thinking, "Don't try to fool me. The Scroll of Seals only contains these jutsu, and they're all completed. The only one left is Edo Tensei, and you didn't fully develop that while you were alive. That means it won't be completed for at least another ten years in Konoha's timeline."
Suddenly, Akio remembered a little-known forbidden technique Tobirama had used. When he was being pursued by the Kinkaku Force, he placed his fingers on the ground and instantly detected their numbers and strength. While the exact name was unknown, it was clearly a sensory-type jutsu.
"Tobirama, have you developed any sensory-type jutsu?" Akio asked.
"Sensory-type? Not yet," Tobirama admitted. "But I should. Aren't you a sensory ninja? Perfect reason for you to join the Senju and help me develop it!"
Akio shook his head. "Still trying to lure me over? I can develop jutsu just fine in the Uzumaki clan. Why insist on the Senju? What's the real reason?"
Tobirama sighed bitterly. "I can't fool you, can I? It's the Uchiha. They're preparing for war again."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go." Akio turned to pack his things, leaving Tobirama stunned.
As Akio hurried home, he felt a rush of excitement. "Finally, another battle? Konoha must be close to forming..."
After some thought, he decided to bring his three disciples along. The rest of the Uzumaki wouldn't participate, but sending his students to the battlefield would be a valuable experience.
"Madara has Hashirama to deal with. As for the rest of the Uchiha, I'm more than capable of protecting my students."
An hour later, Tobirama saw Akio and his three disciples standing before him, carrying large packs.
After a brief explanation, Tobirama accepted Akio's reasoning for bringing his students. With a farewell to the Uzumaki clan leader, the group set off for the Senju territory.
On the journey, Tobirama explained the situation in detail.
Ever since Hashirama utterly defeated Madara nine years ago, the Senju and Uchiha had not clashed again. The Uchiha had expanded by conquering smaller clans but had carefully avoided direct confrontation with the Senju.
"This time, it doesn't seem like they're targeting a small clan. It feels like a full-scale mobilization. If we assume the worst, Madara might have found a way to counter my brother," Tobirama said, his expression grim.
Akio wasn't particularly worried. "That's unlikely. More likely, Madara's eyesight is deteriorating… This might be the Uchiha's final gamble."
Still… Akio pondered. "Madara isn't reckless. He wouldn't mobilize the entire clan unless he had some hope of victory… Whatever. If the sky falls, Hashirama will hold it up."
"Sensei, Uncle Tobirama is talking to you!" One of his students, Nanako, called out, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Akio smirked mischievously. "Why call him Uncle Tobirama? Based on my seniority, you should be calling him Second Nephew Tobirama… and that goes for you two as well!"
His students reacted differently: Nanako sighed helplessly, Izuko looked embarrassed but secretly wanted to comply, and Jitou, the most straightforward of the three, excitedly shouted, "Oh! I get it!"
Akio's face darkened. Having such a simple-minded student was a little embarrassing.
Tobirama ignored their antics, focusing instead on what the Uchiha might be planning.
Upon arriving at the Senju territory, Akio quickly settled his students before Tobirama took him to see Hashirama.
Hashirama's face lit up upon seeing them. "Tobirama, you're finally back! Not long ago, the Uchiha sent us a formal challenge."
"A challenge?" Akio was baffled. In the Warring States era, clans never issued formal battle invitations.
"Hashirama, let me see it."
"Oh, Granduncle, you're here!" Hashirama finally noticed him.
Ignoring Hashirama's absentmindedness, Akio grabbed the letter from the table.
"A battle in three days… at Valley of the End?" Akio raised an eyebrow. "What is this, a showdown on the Forbidden Peak?"
Tobirama also frowned. "Brother, could this be a trap? If we go to the valley, what if Madara attacks our stronghold?"
Hashirama shook his head. "Madara isn't that kind of person! Tobirama, inform the clan to prepare. We leave at dawn tomorrow."
Tobirama was visibly uneasy, but seeing Hashirama's rare serious expression, he relented. "Then who stays behind to guard the clan?"
After a moment's thought, Hashirama answered, "Tenyu should stay."
Senju Tenyu had advanced to elder rank nine years ago after the Mine War and was now the Senju clan's Grand Elder.
"The Grand Elder, huh…" Tobirama pondered before nodding. "Understood." He turned to carry out the orders.
Once Tobirama left, Hashirama turned to Akio. "Granduncle, please stay hidden among the troops. Hopefully, you won't need to fight."
Akio nodded. "I'm just here to protect my students. Don't expect me to step in."
Hashirama: "…"
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