Flying Thunder God Technique: Second Step
Wind Release: Rasengan
Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation
...
Skill Points: 78]
Izuna looked at his skill points. If he could take down the five clans, he figured he'd get over 100 points, enough to redeem an S-rank ninjutsu.
But feeling the side effects of using his Mangekyo, he decided not to waste his points unless absolutely necessary.
His primary goal was still the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
In the original story, aside from granting eternal light and the ability to use a perfect Susanoo, it wasn't clear what other unique advantages the Eternal Mangekyo had.
But those two advantages were enough. Possessing it was practically a breakthrough beyond Kage-level, the first step toward the Six Paths level.
It would also let him run rampant in the Warring States period—as long as he ignored the cheat character Senju Hashirama, and Black Zetsu, who wasn't a concern for now.
Although the battle had seemed earth-shattering, Izuna had only used about seventy to eighty percent of his power.
He hadn't even used his trump card, the Flying Thunder God Technique.
That technique was reserved for "Tobi." He had to find other ways to increase his strength.
Izuna hadn't given up on normal training just because he had a system.
Imitating the future Naruto, he was gradually mastering the Great Ball Rasengan and chakra shape transformation.
"Vice-Clan Head, would you like some more?"
Uchiha Kong walked over with a bowl of thin porridge.
Izuna waved him off, his thoughts returning to the battlefield.
He brought the index and middle fingers of both hands together, forming a seal for a shadow clone.
*Poof.*
A puff of white smoke rose, and a shadow clone of Izuna appeared. Without a word, it sped off west, toward the newly fallen Stonecastle.
Using shadow clones for reconnaissance was no longer a rare sight among the Uchiha.
"Vice-Clan Head, what are our orders now?" Uchiha Kong asked.
"Tell all the clansmen to get some proper rest. They need to be in peak condition for the counter-attack."
Kong verbally acknowledged the order, but he couldn't help but feel a knot of doubt in his stomach.
*A counter-attack? Do we even stand a chance?*
***
Izuna's shadow clone quickly made its way back to Stonecastle. Bypassing the chunin-level guards at the rear gate was not difficult.
Once inside, he found the civilian population hiding in their homes, too afraid to come out.
It was an unspoken rule among human clans not to slaughter civilians in war.
Once a city fell, its people became a source of productivity.
The principle was to put people first. Conquering a city only to slaughter its inhabitants and gain a dead city greatly diminished the victory.
And for these civilians, it didn't matter who ruled them. They just wanted to survive in this war-torn era.
Izuna donned his Spiral Mask and the black robe and soon found the Watanabe clan head, Watanabe Ya.
He was temporarily staying in what used to be Uchiha Kong's residence.
"Congratulations, Clan Head Watanabe, on taking the Uchiha's northwestern territory even without our assistance," Izuna said, having slipped into the room.
That's right. Over the past six months, he hadn't just been working on the Hagoromo, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans; he had been busy with the other four clans as well.
He had told the Hagoromo that the four clans were colluding with the Sarutobi and Shimura, and told the four clans that the Hagoromo were colluding with the Sarutobi and Shimura.
Hagoromo Masanari and the four clan heads all believed Izuna was part of an opposition faction within the Sarutobi and Shimura, looking for allies to stage a coup.
"It's you..." Watanabe Ya was startled but forced himself to remain calm. "The war is over now. What are you still doing here?"
Since they thought he was a high-ranking member of the Sarutobi and Shimura, he would use that identity to his advantage. "I have decided to launch my coup soon," he said, playing along. "I hope to cooperate with your clan afterward, and I don't want to see you dead."
"Us dead?" Watanabe Ya's brow furrowed.
"I hear the five clan heads are holding a victory celebration tonight, correct? Hagoromo Masanari plans to make his move on the four of you tonight."
"What!?" Watanabe Ya's eyes widened, and a chill ran down his spine.
They had just dealt with the Uchiha, and on the very first night, Hagoromo Masanari was already planning to strike?
What a ruthless man!
"How you deal with it is up to you. I came to inform you because you being alive is beneficial to my future position of power."
With that, the masked man vanished from the room.
Watanabe Ya's expression was grim. After a long silence, he called out in a low voice, "Someone, inform the heads of the Saito, Fuma, and Kikawa clans to come here. Remember, do it secretly. Make sure none of the Hagoromo's people find out!"
***
In the Japanese-style courtyard that had once been Izuna's residence.
It wasn't luxurious, but it was quiet and spacious enough for a leader.
The reason it was sparsely furnished was that they had been at war for years; neither Izuna nor anyone else had the time for interior decorating.
After conquering Stonecastle, Hagoromo Masanari had naturally taken it as his temporary residence.
Just as he was pondering his next move, the masked man, Tobi, whom he never expected to see again, appeared before him once more.
"Don't misunderstand. I simply hope to have more support after I take control of my two clans. That's why I've come to warn you."
Izuna then repeated, almost word for word, the same story he had told Watanabe Ya.
"How is that possible! They're moving so soon?"
Although Hagoromo Masanari had long considered the four clans to be traitors, he never thought they would be so bold.
To make a move on the very night they took the city.
"That's all I have to say. Just be careful not to get yourself killed." Izuna made to leave.
"Please wait, Mr. Tobi," Hagoromo Masanari said, stepping forward quickly to stop him.
"Is there something else?"
"I never expected them to be so treacherous. With the current strength of my Hagoromo forces in the city, taking on all four clans at once will be difficult. I would like to ask for your assistance in the shadows, Mr. Tobi. Lend my clan a hand tonight."
By this point, his tone had taken on a pleading quality.
Izuna remained silent, giving Masanari the impression that he was hesitating.
"If you agree, Mr. Tobi, I am willing to cede thirty percent of the land and resources we gain to the Sarutobi and Shimura clans under your control." Hagoromo Masanari, fearing refusal, immediately offered a huge incentive.
"Hmm... very well. When you make your move tonight, have your men set off fireworks as a signal. I don't have many men with me, but we should be able to help." Izuna nodded.
Hagoromo Masanari was overjoyed. "Thank you. In the future, with our three clans allied, we will surely surpass the Hyuga, and it wouldn't be an empty boast to say we could even challenge the Uchiha and Senju."
***
Hagoromo Masanari worked quickly. In just two hours, he had decorated the large mansion where Izuna had once lived—a place that previously contained nothing but a bed and a desk—to look quite presentable.
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