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"Is this the Hatake clan's decision?"
Early the next morning, Senju Tobirama and his team received Hatake's response: neutrality. Although this stance might appear balanced, under the current circumstances, it was tantamount to offending Senju.
Senju Tobirama's face darkened, his lips twitching with frustration.
"I, Hatake, as a small clan, do not wish to involve ourselves in the rivalry between Uchiha and Senju. I hope you understand," Hatake Suiya said, lowering his head slightly, his tone cautious.
Tobirama wanted to protest but held back. After all, it was evident that Hatake's leaders had deliberated thoroughly overnight. No matter what he said, the result wouldn't change.
On the other hand, Izuna seemed content. His voice, calm but laced with subtle intimidation, echoed through the hall: "I think Clan Leader Hatake has made a wise decision. I trust that you will stand firm in this neutrality."
Hatake Suiya's expression stiffened, but he quickly nodded. "Of course, of course."
With that, Izuna left the hall, satisfied.
Senju Tobirama and his team followed shortly after, but not before casting sharp glances at Hatake's leadership.
Hatake Suiya and his advisors exchanged uneasy looks. They knew that until Uchiha Izuna and his team completely left, they couldn't reveal their true intentions.
Meanwhile, Madara's team reached Kaguya's territory later than Izuna had reached Hatake. Upon arrival, they discovered shocking news: Kaguya and Senju had formed an alliance.
Banners of both clans fluttered in the wind, marking their newfound unity. Senju Hashirama and Kaguya Manro had shaken hands, finalizing their agreement just a day prior.
Kaguya Manro, who had initially been skeptical of Hashirama's motives, couldn't deny the generosity of the deal. Hashirama's sincerity, coupled with his offers of fertile land, weapons, food, and medicine, had been too tempting to refuse.
Moreover, Hashirama's charisma and vision of peace had swayed even the notoriously aggressive Kaguya.
When Madara learned of this alliance, his rage boiled over. He had underestimated Hashirama's willingness to negotiate with former enemies and his ability to charm even the most hostile clans.
"How dare they!" Madara roared, his Sharingan glowing. "Hashirama will pay for this treachery!"
He gathered his team and proposed a daring plan: attack Kaguya Village that very night.
"Tonight, we strike," Madara declared. "If we cannot destroy Kaguya entirely, we will at least make them regret their decision and remind the Warring States Period why Uchiha is to be feared!"
The ten jonin with him hesitated briefly. Attacking Kaguya, with its 700 to 800 combatants, seemed suicidal. Yet, Madara's resolve inspired them, and they ultimately agreed to fight by his side.
"We fight for Uchiha!" they shouted in unison.
As dusk fell over Kaguya Village, a patrol of seven Kaguya ninjas stood guard at the entrance, chatting casually about the new alliance.
"I didn't expect Senju to ally with us so easily. Do you think Hashirama is sincere?" one asked.
"Honestly, he seems... different. Just being around him feels reassuring," another replied.
Their conversation was interrupted by an unusual sight: massive fireballs descending from the sky.
"Enemy attack!" one shouted as the group activated their Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) to defend themselves. Bones protruded from their bodies like deadly spikes, and they charged at the fireballs.
The fireballs shattered upon impact, scattering harmless sparks due to the island's humid environment.
"It's a distraction!" one ninja realized too late.
From a nearby hill, a towering Susanoo, glowing with blue energy, unleashed a chakra bayonet.
The massive blade swept across the battlefield, cutting down five of the seven Kaguya ninjas in one strike.
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
"Lightning Release: Chidori!"
The remaining two Kaguya ninjas tried to regroup, but the Uchiha jonin attacked them in unison, eliminating them within seconds.
The commotion drew the attention of Kaguya's forces.
Madara, standing atop the hill within his fully-formed Susanoo, crossed his arms and glared down at the village. His voice, cold and commanding, echoed through the chaos:
"Burn everything the Sharingan can see!"
End of the Chapter.