The first rays of dawn pierced the sky, shining through the window into the room. Above the distant treetops, early birds chirped incessantly, searching everywhere for unlucky bugs. It was a thriving, vibrant scene.
Xuan opened his eyes, waking up right on time. He let out a yawn and subconsciously glanced at the ancient tree outside the window. The Shadow Guard had already left at some unknown time.
Last night, he had used Intangibility and the Shadow Clone Jutsu to completely avoid detection, playing the role of a mysterious oracle to perfectly sell out Uchiha Tō's plan. Then, he returned without a sound, successfully pulling off a flawless bait-and-switch right under the Shadow Guard's nose.
After getting dressed and washing up, he went into the courtyard to practice Taijutsu for a while, and then ate breakfast with Uchiha Tō.
Uchiha Tō was actually a pretty decent person. Perhaps due to the Uchiha clan genetics, his personality was a bit aggressive and decisive when it came to business, but in all other aspects, he was quite easygoing. His attitude towards Xuan was also very warm, and he even took the initiative to impart some of his Ninjutsu experience to the boy.
Just like that, three days flashed by. When night fell, Uchiha Tō donned the standard Uchiha battle armor, a slender katana fastened to his waist. His overall aura was condensed but unreleased, faintly exuding a murderous intent that told everyone tonight would be a night of blood.
When everyone had assembled, excluding Xuan, the killing intent of the other eight men linked together into a single, suffocating mass. One Kage-level powerhouse and seven Peak Jōnin—the sheer pressure was almost enough to stop a person's breathing. Normally at sunset, there would be the rising and falling chorus of insects in the courtyard's weeds. But under the aura of these eight men, the entire courtyard was dead silent. You could hear a pin drop; it was terrifyingly quiet.
Even Xuan had to take two deep breaths, needing a few seconds to adjust.
"Move out!"
Uchiha Tō commanded coldly, his hand resting on the katana at his waist. Tonight was a night for killing; naturally, there was no need for excess words.
All nine people sprang into action simultaneously, turning into nine black shadows that bounded northward in a staggered formation, disappearing into the distant forest without a trace.
The moonlight was hazy, making everything seem both real and illusory. The nine figures darting through the forest looked like nine ghosts. Shinobi One cast a sidelong glance back at Xuan, who was following closely behind them. Tightening his grip on the kunai hidden in his sleeve, his gaze turned somewhat sinister. If he dies in the fighting tonight, that would naturally be for the best. But if he somehow survives, I will have no choice but to personally execute the Patriarch's secret order.
Yes... but I still need to avoid Lord Tō while doing it... Shinobi One thought to himself, looking at Uchiha Tō leading the vanguard.
Trailing at the rear of the formation, a fleeting sneer touched the corners of Xuan's mouth. The three tomoe in his eyes were demonic and wicked. Even if Shinobi One's movements were covert, how could he possibly hide them from Xuan's Sharingan? Tonight... it's still undecided who will be the one to die.
The group of nine moved at blistering speeds. About two hours later, they arrived at their destination.
"Halt!"
Uchiha Tō raised a hand, and the other eight stopped simultaneously like well-oiled machines, without making a single sound.
"Carefully use the shadows of the trees to advance to the very front. Xuan, stay by my side. Remember to use a camouflage jutsu," Uchiha Tō instructed quietly.
The eight operatives sprang into action, using the shadows to reach the edge of the woods. Their hands moved through seals, and their forms blended almost perfectly with the color of the tree trunks. Unless someone walked right up and inspected them closely, it was completely impossible to tell anyone was there.
Not far away was a brightly lit, massive mansion. People were constantly moving in and out, and numerous shinobi patrolled back and forth on high alert. This was the temporary compound of the Akahane clan.
From all directions, the Clan Heads of the other ninja clans continuously arrived with their retinues, completely unaware of the Uchiha group hiding in the treeline.
Activating his three-tomoe Sharingan, Uchiha Tō stared at the Clan Heads entering the mansion and murmured, "The one in the blue robes is the Clan Head of the Miyazato—Peak Jōnin. The one with the cross-shaped scar on his forehead is the Clan Head of the Nishii—also a Peak Jōnin. The one in black is the Clan Head of the Nishikido—Peak Jōnin. The one wearing the crest with two water ripples is the Clan Head of the Kurokawa—Elite Jōnin..."
Uchiha Tō listed them off one by one, as familiar with them as he was with his own family treasures.
Xuan silently memorized the information and asked casually, "So, what's our move now?"
"We wait. We wait for the signal from the Kimura, Tsuruta, and Nakai clans. When the time comes, we charge in together and immediately decapitate the various Clan Heads to avoid any unforeseen complications."
A scene from a historical opera Xuan had heard in his past life suddenly popped into his head: "Dispatch fifty axemen to ambush the left, fifty to the right, and fifty to the rear! When I smash my cup as a signal, charge out together and hack these thieves to pieces!" Shaking his head to dispel the ridiculous thought, he focused his three-tomoe Sharingan intently on the mansion.
About two hours later, under Xuan and the others' watchful eyes, the various factions took their respective seats in the main courtyard. They discussed matters for a while, and finally, the Clan Heads jointly signed an agreement. Following that, everyone rejoiced and a grand banquet was laid out, with endless eating and drinking.
About half an hour into the feast, the Clan Head of the Kimura clan suddenly shouted, "Today, our twelve clans have formed an alliance! This is a joyous occasion indeed! The Akahane clan's food is quite delicious, but it's a pity the wine is a bit too bland. It's simply not satisfying enough!"
Sitting at the host's seat, Akahane Akira looked at him with a light smile and said meaningfully, "I wonder what Clan Head Kimura suggests?"
At that moment, the Clan Head of the Tsuruta clan suddenly stood up and laughed. "I've heard that the Kimura clan's aged vintage is extremely famous, sold far and wide across the Warring States. Could it be that today, you are bringing out your long-hoarded fine wine to let everyone get properly drunk? I'm certainly looking forward to it."
The Nakai Clan Head laughed uproariously, raising a bowl of sake. "I had the fortune of tasting the Kimura clan's aged wine once before, and the aftertaste still lingers in my memory! It seems we are in for a real treat today! Hahaha!"
Holy crap, are these three performing a comedic crosstalk routine?!
Perched on a distant tree branch, Xuan roasted them in his mind. The three men speaking were precisely the Clan Heads of the three factions that had supposedly defected to the Uchiha.
Akahane Akira exchanged a glance with the other two leading clans, sharing a knowing smile. He turned his head and said, "Hearing you say that makes our mouths water as well. Clan Head Kimura wouldn't be hiding the good stuff from us, would he?"
Clan Head Kimura laughed heartily and clapped his hands twice. Immediately, several Kimura clansmen pushed a few carts forward, fully loaded with jars of wine. With a wave of his hand, the clansmen broke the seals, and the rich aroma of wine instantly filled the courtyard. They poured a bowl for every Clan Head present.
Raising his bowl, Clan Head Kimura laughed loudly. "Today, our twelve clans ally as one! We will surely shock the Warring States! May our fortunes of war be prosperous!" With that, he downed the wine in his bowl in a single gulp.
The other clans also drank the sake in their bowls. Suddenly, one of the Clan Heads let out a sharp cry and collapsed onto his desk, his body completely limp and unable to move.
Thud! Thud! Thud...
One by one, the Clan Heads collapsed to the ground. Akahane Akira reached out a trembling hand, pointing at Clan Head Kimura, completely speechless.
Clan Head Kimura burst into wild laughter. Standing up alongside the Tsuruta and Nakai Clan Heads, he simultaneously launched a Ninjutsu into the sky, bursting into a brilliant flare of light.
In the distance, Uchiha Tō said in a deep, commanding voice, "The signal is here. Follow me! Charge in and kill them all!"
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