May 30th
A fleet of ships filled with Konoha nins were floating at night. It was full moon today and the white moonlight guided the Konoha fleet's path towards their destination.
Uchiha Shinichi leaned on to the wooden rail as he dazed off into the horizon.
"Shinichi, what are you thinking about?"
Fukashi exited out from the superstructure of the ship and joined Shinichi on the starboard side of the deck.
Shinichi raised his head and looked at the white circular moon shining in the pitch-black night sky. Shinichi replied,
"Just thinking about Kaito, family, clan, and Konoha."
Fukashi looked a bit startled by an unexpected response, but quickly recovered.
"I was expecting for you to say that you were admiring the view or something. But well, I guess this also fits you quite well son."
Fukashi said as he patted Shinichi's head.
"So, what exactly were you thinking about?"
"Just that Kaito and Mom won't have to experience war any time soon. And that this relationship between the clan and the village is such a pain in the ass."
This time Fukashi nearly tripped his foot from Shinichi's response. He scratched his head and looked up at the moon and recalled the incident before they left the village.
"Yeah… It is indeed, pain in the ass. But, as long as I am alive, I won't let Senju destroy our clan."
***
Two days ago. (May 28th)
Konoha ninjas assembled in front of Koknoha's Southern gate. Among the 4,000 ninjas gathered here, most were from Senju and Uchiha clan. Senju and Uchiha, each clan alone could easily suppress and take care of remaining Konoha-nins with ease. The army was ready to depart, but the commander was not yet chosen.
"I think it is only appropriate that Kenichi-sama take on the position of commander of this force."
A Sarutobi Jonin said with a bit flattering tone.
"HUH? Who the hell are you to decide the commander? A mere Sarutobi ninja."
Uchiha Setsuna yelled out with indignation with his three tomoe sharingan blazing at the Sarutobi.
"Euck! "
"Don't be hasty Setsuna. Don't scare a fellow villager like that."
Sosuke standing with his eyes closed and his arms crossed, spoke to stop Setsuna but did not act to restrain or reprimand his action.
"Yes, Clan head!"
"What do you think, Senju Kenichi? Do you want to take on the position of commander of this force?"
Sosuke opened his eyes and raised his head from his high collared Uchiha combat robe. He directed his gaze at Senju Kenichi wearing Senju's green battle armor.
For many old Uchiha and Senju clansmen, this scene reminded them of their past war and began to grab their kunais and sword hilts out of instinct. The young members saw their seniors' action and followed suit.
The atmosphere instantly turned cold and intense, filled with killing intent and blood thirst.
Most of the Senju Jonins and chunins here were over 40 or 50 years old. They all battled and fought against Uchiha clan in their youth and their prime. The Young Senju ninjas were already deployed on Suna, Iwa, and Kumo fronts.
Senju Kenichi spread his right arm horizontally and stopped his clansmen from acting rashly.
"Stop! What are you all thinking? Sheath your weapons, we are family, not enemies. Stop living in the past."
He then turned to face Sosuke.
"Sosuke... no, Uchiha Clan Head. I do not have authority to assign anyone as commander of the army. Only Hokage-sama can do that."
Sosuke stared at Kenichi in the eye for few moments before he closed his eyes. Rest of Uchiha clansmen sheathed their weapons and settled down.
Non-Senju and non-Uchiha Konoha ninjas shivered in both nervousness and relief. The pressure and intense killing intent and blood thirst just now was something that they could not handle.
Senju Tobirama arrived with few Anbu guards arrived to send off the Uzushio Reinforcements.
Tobirama scanned over both Uchiha and Senju forces semi-facing off against each other.
"Uchiha Sosuke"
Sosuke opened his eyes again and made an eye contact with Tobirama.
"You are the commander of this Uzushio Reinforcement."
"""!!!"""
Many ninjas looked at Tobirama in shock. Uchiha Sosuke was not surprised by Tobirama's decision and just nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"Kenichi, you are the vice commander. Make sure to not forget the purpose of this deployment. Our enemy is Kiri."
"Yes Hokage-sama."
Kenichi replied with respect.
Tobirama traced his gaze on other ninja clans gathered here and then finally settled down on Uchiha Sosuke's figure.
"Commander Sosuke, I hope you can lead the troops with care and fairness. Again, do not forget the purpose of this deployment. I hope you remember that we are all ninjas of Konoha."
Sosuke clenched his fist hard under his arms and opened his crimson eyes as veins started to bulge from his fist and his forehead.
"Fairness…. Hng! I give you my word as Uchiha clan head Tobirama. The Uchiha clan will fulfill the mission and duty assigned by the Hokage earnestly!"
Sosuke did not bother to hear Tobirama's response and turned around and started to depart. The Uchiha clansmen followed after Sosuke.
"Alright, what are you all waiting for. Depart! Follow your commander!"
Tobirama ordered before anyone can raise their voice to comment on Uchiha's action. He thought that there is no need to hear others speak about Uchiha's action and disrupt the reinforcing troops unity even more. He also thought that Uchiha's actions were in line of his view on Uchiha. He thought that this was typical behavior of Uchiha's action driven by emotion, pride, and arrogance.
Uzumaki Koshina stood next to Tobirama and asked,
"Is it okay?"
Tobirama glanced at Koshina's worry filled face and replied with reassurance.
"Don't worry. You know how strong Uchiha are. They gathered all of their elites and geniuses. Uchiha Sosuke will not act recklessly and repel Kiri invasion without fail for sake of Uchiha clan's reputation and wellbeing."
Uzumaki Koshina felt reassured with Tobirama's words and left with rest of his clansmen with relief.
***
"Yeah, it is all pointless, but what can we do, but accept the reality we are facing at hand. It is impossible for us to resist Senju Tobirama and Senju clan."
Shinichi turned his head to looked at Fukashi.
"Dad, Village is something that we need to protect ourselves from other villages for now. However, in the future, there won't be a need for our clan to rely on Konoha to protect ourselves."
"?"
"Our clan will naturally grow in both population and power in the future. Then our strength will reach a level that can rival major hidden villages. Historical records of our clan shows that our clan reaches the peak of our strength, when there are at least four or five clansmen with Mangekyo Sharingan. Our Uchiha clan had seven Mangekyo sharingan in same era twice, five three times, and four once. Although we were all beaten back to state similar to today by either mokuton awakened or senjutsu awakened Senju clan head, but the growth and potential of our clan is undeniable."
"This…"
"There is no need for our clansmen to feel restless. Time will resolve everything. When we have enough strength in the future, Konoha will naturally start to depend on us. All we need to do is to continue perform our duty and nurture our young ninjas and talents."
"….hahaha! If you say so Shinichi, then that must be the right path! Alright, let's stop thinking about this annoying stuff and get some sleep. We will arrive in Uzushio port by tomorrow morning."
Fukashi ruffed Shinichi's hair and dragged him into the hull where other clansmen were resting.