The three shinobi waiting in the Amamiya camp stood up the moment Raizen stepped out of the tent. Their expressions brightened like soldiers spotting a god of war.
"We greet Patriarch Amamiya!" one said, bowing slightly.
"Sit," Raizen replied, motioning with casual authority. "Which clans do you represent?"
"We come on behalf of the Katori, Shiraishi, and Yamada clans from the upper river region," the eldest answered.
"Upper river…" Raizen muttered, nodding. He'd heard of them — small but disciplined clans, skilled in Water Style and well-acquainted with the terrain. Perfect for the kind of flank assault he'd been planning.
"So, the three clans wish to join our coalition?"
"Yes," they answered together. "By order of our patriarchs."
They stepped forward, presenting three sealed scrolls. Raizen broke the wax and scanned the contents. Each scroll carried a pledge — to fight alongside the Amamiya alliance against the Kaguya, and to migrate under Amamiya protection once victory was secured.
Raizen's lips curved. "Good. The Amamiya clan welcomes your strength. Defeat the Kaguya, and the spoils of their lands will be yours to choose first."
The three envoys exchanged stunned glances, then bowed deeply. Their excitement was genuine; Raizen could feel the tremor of greed and relief.
"Simple motivation always works," he thought wryly. "People will risk their lives for pride… but fight harder for profit."
The coalition was expanding faster than he'd hoped. With these river clans joining, more would follow like fish drawn by the current.
Raizen stood. "If you'll allow it, I'd like to meet your patriarchs personally."
That stunned them. None expected a clan leader—especially one with Amamiya's growing power—to walk into uncertain territory on someone else's invitation.
Raizen caught their hesitation and smirked. "Relax. If it's a trap, at least I'll die doing something diplomatic."
The envoys didn't laugh, but they led the way.
By dusk, Raizen and two Amamiya jōnin arrived at the cluster of river valley strongholds belonging to the three clans. The Katori patriarch, Mai Katori, came running out to meet them the moment word spread.
"Are you… Patriarch Amamiya?" Mai asked, almost disbelieving the boyish figure before him.
Raizen nodded. "Amamiya Raizen. I appreciate the welcome."
Mai's doubt melted into hurried respect. "Then please, come inside at once!"
Inside the Katori compound, the patriarchs of the three clans gathered quickly. The room smelled faintly of ink and steel. None of them bothered with small talk.
"Patriarch Amamiya," Mai began, "we wish to finalize the alliance."
Raizen met his gaze evenly. "Then let's stop wishing and start signing."
In less than an hour, the alliance contract was inked and sealed with chakra. As part of the agreement, Raizen promised them first claim to the Kaguya estates once victory was secured. That was all the motivation they needed.
"Our three clans will strike from the upper river," Mai said, eyes gleaming. "We know the currents, and our Water Style users can move faster than the Kaguya expect."
Raizen nodded. "Then I'll leave the river to you. Win there, and the Kaguya lose half their strength."
When the meeting ended, Raizen returned to his camp with quiet satisfaction. The night air was thick with the scent of damp earth and coming war.
Within hours, the three river clans began mustering their forces. By nightfall, hundreds of Water Style shinobi gathered along the upper riverbank, preparing for a midnight strike.
Meanwhile, Raizen was already setting his own trap — a decoy assault meant to draw the Kaguya's attention away from the riverfront.
Let them look this way, he thought.
Let them stare right at me while the tide drowns them from behind.