While trying their utmost to avoid drawing the attention of the Three-Clan Alliance, the Akahane clan began secretly mobilizing their shinobi. Their goal was clear: join forces with the Ghost Fire Alliance, strike with absolute lethal precision, and reduce the northern factions from three to two in a single, devastating blow.
Simultaneously, the Ghost Fire Alliance was secretly gathering their own forces, continuously exchanging intelligence with the Akahane clan to ensure mutual trust.
Deep inside a hidden underground chamber in Xin City, Uchiha Xuan sat cross-legged, analyzing a stack of intelligence reports gathered by Uchiha scouts one by one.
Kneeling respectfully a short distance in front of him was Uchiha Shinji. The effects of Kotoamatsukami were truly terrifying. It had forcefully transformed a proud Peak Jōnin into an absolutely loyal, unquestioning servant.
"My Lord, what exactly are you planning? These reports detail the movements of the three external factions. According to the intelligence, the Akahane and Ghost Fire factions are secretly mobilizing their forces to encircle the Three-Clan Alliance. Does my Lord intend to swoop in and seize the spoils?" Shinji asked in confusion.
This was the true horror of Kotoamatsukami: it manipulated a target's will completely undetected without distorting their original personality. For instance, the current Uchiha Shinji was still the exact same Shinji. He simply felt a profound, genuine desire from the absolute bottom of his heart to obey Xuan's every command. Other than that, he was no different from his original self.
Setting down the intelligence report in his hand, Xuan chuckled lightly. What did he want to do? Uchiha Shinji didn't know. The Uchiha Elite Jōnin didn't know. The three rival factions certainly didn't know. Not only did they not know, they couldn't possibly guess even if they tried.
"I have been laying out this board for six years. It's time to pull the net. The north has been in chaos for far too long; it's time to restore peace," Xuan said leisurely, as if he weren't talking about pacifying the entire northern border, but rather what he wanted for dinner that night.
Shinji was startled. Although he was mind-controlled, Xuan was always exceptionally cautious and had never revealed his full grand scheme to him. Naturally, Shinji had absolutely no idea that Xuan was the mysterious mastermind playing the three factions against each other.
"Please reconsider, my Lord! Ever since Lord Tō departed, our military strength has been severely depleted. Currently, our forces are only roughly equal to a single one of those three factions. If we rashly intervene, they will undoubtedly unite to besiege us first!"
Xuan glanced at him and smiled an unfathomable smile. "I naturally know all of this. You don't need to know how I am going to achieve it. You only need to know what you have to do."
"Yes, my Lord!" Shinji bowed his head in compliance. Under the influence of Kotoamatsukami, he would obey Xuan's orders unconditionally.
"Oh, right. I want you to seek out Uchiha Sora in private. Tell him you deeply appreciate his talents. Tell him you want to approve his proposal and assign him a heavy responsibility. Tell him you even plan to petition the clan to officially make him your second-in-command. And then..."
Xuan narrowed his eyes, a dangerous, freezing light flashing in his pupils.
If he wanted to actually seize absolute control of the entire north, pulling strings from the shadows wasn't enough. He had to step out into the light, onto the grand stage. Only then could he officially build his own personal faction and be embraced by the masses as a true leader. And to achieve that, his first step was to establish absolute authority through intimidation.
Uchiha Sora was the absolute perfect stepping stone.
Although confused, Uchiha Shinji agreed without the slightest hesitation.
Elsewhere in Xin City, Uchiha Sora was drinking alone in his house, feeling thoroughly sullen and slightly buzzed. Sitting across from him was Uchiha Quan, another one of the seven Elite Jōnin stationed in the north.
"Tell me... hic... isn't that Uchiha Xuan brat a total bastard? Twice! Twice he's publicly rejected my proposals right in front of Lord Shinji, making me lose face in front of everyone! Sure, he's a so-called genius, but he's only a standard Jōnin right now! How dare he be so arrogant?! It pisses me off so much! Hmph. He'd better pray I don't find an opportunity, or I'll absolutely teach him just how foolish it is to offend someone stronger than him!"
Sora vented furiously, letting out a drunken hiccup before downing another cup of strong sake.
Uchiha Quan simply kept him company, drinking and offering a few placating words of comfort.
Halfway through their drinking session, a Chūnin walked into the room. Bowing respectfully to both of them, he said, "Lord Sora, Lord Shinji has requested your presence immediately."
Sora looked at the Chūnin through hazy, drunken eyes, instantly confused. "Me? Is he convening another war council?"
"No, sir. He requested to see Lord Sora privately."
Hearing that, Sora sobered up instantly. Standing up, he said, "Apologies, Quan. I need to head over to Lord Shinji's right away. Let's drink again next time."
Quan smiled and waved his hand. "Go quickly. Don't keep Lord Shinji waiting. Drinks are on me next time." With that, he stood up and headed for the door. This was Sora's house, after all; if the host was leaving, he couldn't very well stay behind.
Sora hurried toward the central commander's manor, his mind racing with possibilities as to why Lord Shinji would summon him privately, but he couldn't figure it out.
Upon meeting Shinji and bowing respectfully, he was immediately handed several secret intelligence reports. Taking them with a confused look, he quickly scanned the contents. His heart skipped a beat, and he looked up excitedly. "Lord Shinji, is this...?"
Shinji nodded. "That's right. This is the intelligence gathered by our scouts. The three external factions are about to go to war, and it looks like a massive, all-out conflict. I have been carefully considering your proposal over the past two days, and I believe it holds great merit. We can no longer sit back and wait. This is our perfect opportunity."
A massive surge of excitement erupted deep within Sora's heart. I've finally been recognized! What little intoxication he had left completely evaporated under those words. "Lord Shinji..." he started, his voice trembling with emotion.
Shinji raised a hand, stopping him. In an earnest, mentoring tone, he said, "Do not get overly excited. As shinobi, we must maintain our composure at all times. Finish reading the reports first, and then tell me your thoughts."
Sora nodded repeatedly and began thoroughly analyzing the intel. After finishing, he said, "Lord Shinji, I've read them. I believe this is a massive opportunity for us! Two factions are uniting to besiege the weakest faction. We can seize this chance to launch a surprise attack on either the Ghost Fire Alliance or the Akahane clan, striking directly at their core! If we can annihilate one of those factions, it would be an unimaginable military achievement! When Lord Tō returns, he will be absolutely thrilled!
"I suggest we temporarily hold our ground. Once they are fully bogged down in a bitter stalemate, we personally lead a strike force to ambush one of their bases. Even if they want to turn back and reinforce their compound, it will be too late. We have a seventy to eighty percent chance of completely wiping out one of the factions!"
Shinji nodded in firm agreement. "Very logical. In fact, that was exactly what I was thinking. Good! This time, I will appoint you to lead the strike force against the enemy. Do not disappoint me! If you successfully complete this mission, I plan to officially petition the clan to make you my second-in-command. What do you say?"
Sora was so overwhelmed with excitement that tears nearly welled up in his eyes. A true kindred spirit! Lord Shinji truly values my talents! He absolutely had to go all out, fight a beautiful battle, and force the entire clan to look at him with newfound respect. Furthermore, becoming Lord Shinji's second-in-command was a supreme honor! In a way, that effectively made him the second-highest authority in the entire northern border! Thinking of this, his heart trembled uncontrollably. He had never even dared to dream of such a thing before!
Watching Sora lost in his own grandiose fantasies, Shinji sneered coldly in his heart. Outwardly, however, he continued, "I am aware of your ongoing friction with Uchiha Xuan. Although he is the premier genius of our clan's next generation and was heavily favored by Lord Tō, I have officially approved your plan this time. If the two of you clash again, I absolutely will not remain silent. You may rest assured... Although the Uchiha strictly forbid infighting, we still have the Life and Death Arena for resolving irreconcilable grievances."
Sora's body jolted violently. He looked at Shinji in absolute shock, his gratitude and admiration reaching an unfathomable peak. The Life and Death Arena! That was the ultimate, absolute final method for Uchiha clansmen to settle blood feuds—a legalized duel to the death!
Hahaha! Uchiha Xuan! Let's see how you escape death this time! Daring to oppose me... you really don't know how to spell the word 'death'!
Lord Shinji truly values me above all else!
Harboring these exact thoughts, a cold, vicious sneer curled on Sora's lips. In his mind's eye, he could already picture Uchiha Xuan's bloody demise.
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