Chapter 9: A Request for Aid
For an entire day, an atmosphere of grief hung over the Uzumaki clan compound.
Kureto-kun had been very popular within the clan. He was a young genius, handsome, yet he was never arrogant or domineering. If he had learned the Hiraishin no Jutsu, he would have been the Warring States' version of Namikaze Minato.
"What a pity, to be born in the Warring States Period," Masahiko thought to himself.
Masahiko himself wasn't overly saddened. In his 48 years, he had already experienced too much life and death.
He knew there would be many more such moments in the future. After all, if nothing went wrong, he would have a very, very long life.
"I have to keep living. At the very least, I have to live until the series finale..." he thought.
The next day, Masahiko woke up early. He ate a simple breakfast and hurried to the main hall.
The funeral site from yesterday hadn't been completely cleaned up. Kureto-kun's body had already been taken to the clan's cemetery last night.
"Second Uncle, you're here." The Clan Head, sitting in the main seat, looked up with a weary face.
Masahiko knew that to proactively declare war on the Kaguya—a clan even stronger than the Uzumaki—put immense pressure on the Clan Head. But Kureto-kun could not be sacrificed for nothing. This war had to be fought.
"Second Uncle, you need to make another trip to the Senju... to request aid," the Clan Head said.
"But... if the Senju join the battle, the Uchiha will definitely get involved," Masahiko replied.
"We have no choice. In terms of pure combat strength, we are far inferior to the Kaguya. Only by pulling the Senju and Uchiha into this battlefield do we have a chance to win. Besides, the Second Elder has already departed for the Hyuga."
"The Hyuga? ...I understand. I will set out for the Senju clan immediately." Masahiko nodded, understanding the Clan Head's plan. If they could turn this into a five-clan battle, their side would have the advantage.
Masahiko once again found himself on the path to the Senju clan. This was the third time in half a month.
"Sigh, a life of endless errands..." Masahiko lamented.
'Even with the marriage alliance, convincing the Senju to send troops won't be easy,' Masahiko thought. 'I'll have to think of something and play it by ear.'
The journey this time was peaceful, and he smoothly arrived near the Senju compound.
"What's this? Why is there such a large gathering of chakra? I sense Hashirama and Tobirama in the mix." Masahiko sensed a large number of Senju shinobi in the distance.
"The person in the lead seems to be their Eastern Battlefield Elder." Masahiko moved a little closer, observing them from afar.
"Who's there?!" Hashirama shouted, having suddenly detected Masahiko's prying. In an instant, everyone turned to look in his direction.
Masahiko walked out, looking awkward. I got discovered? As expected of the future God of Shinobi...
"Great-Uncle? Didn't you already go back?" Tobirama was shocked to see him, as Masahiko had personally said goodbye to him just yesterday.
"Ah... I left something behind in the Senju compound," Masahiko said after a moment's thought, deciding not to reveal his true purpose just yet.
"The guest room should have been cleaned by now, though..." Tobirama muttered.
Seeing this, Masahiko immediately interrupted, "What, am I not welcome?"
"Of course not! If you'd like to stay, you can stay here forever!" Hashirama chimed in with a laugh. He then saw Tobirama's face instantly darken.
Sure enough, Masahiko jumped on the offer. "In that case, you can use your Wood Release to build me a nice wooden house later. Warm in the winter, cool in the summer. It's not convenient to always stay in the guest room, after all."
Hashirama looked completely baffled. "Did I say something wrong, Tobirama?" he whispered to his brother.
Tobirama shot his big brother an exasperated look...
"Just kidding, don't take it seriously," Masahiko said with a smile. "So, where are you all headed?"
Hashirama was about to answer when his clan's Elder cleared his throat. "Oh! We're going... hunting."
Tobirama closed his eyes in pain. Masahiko almost burst out laughing. "Alright, then. Have a safe trip."
Masahiko shook his head and turned to walk toward the Senju compound.
"That lie... it's even worse than my level," he thought.
"Did they think I wouldn't know just because they didn't tell me? The Eastern Elder is personally leading the team, with both Hashirama and Tobirama, plus a large group of elite shinobi. On the Senju's eastern border, the only ones who would warrant this kind of treatment... are the Kaguya clan."
"Looks like I don't need to request aid after all. The status of requesting aid and being requested for aid are completely different."
Having figured this out, Masahiko made up his mind.
"Well, I can't just come all this way for nothing..." Masahiko muttered. He went to his guest room, stuffed some rocks into his travel pack to make it look like he'd left something, and prepared to head back.
He didn't even go to see Butsuma, planning to just slip away.
He was almost out of the Senju compound when a Jonin stopped him. "Lord Masahiko, the Clan Head wishes to see you!"
"Fine, I understand," Masahiko replied.
'Calling me at this time... Don't tell me he's going to ask the Uzumaki for help?' Masahiko thought as he walked to the Clan Head's hall.
"Masahiko? Back to get your things? Did you get everything this time?" As soon as he entered, Butsuma started with the pleasantries.
"Yes, I have everything now," Masahiko replied, not proactively saying anything else.
Butsuma paused. Seeing Masahiko wasn't going to speak first, he had no choice but to broach the subject. "Our two families are now joined by marriage. We should naturally advance and retreat together. As it happens, the Kaguya clan is relentlessly harassing our eastern flank, and we have various small clans causing trouble in the west. I hope the Uzumaki clan can help us strike the Kaguya."
"Oh, that. I can't be the one to decide on such a matter. When I return, I will inform my Clan Head and Elders. They are the ones who make the final decision."
Masahiko gave a noncommittal answer, but inwardly, he was overjoyed.
"Very well. I hope you will bring me good news!" Butsuma said.
"Rest assured, Lord Butsuma. I will do my best to persuade our Clan Head. After all, with Mito's relationship connecting us, I don't think it will be a major problem." Masahiko decisively did the "good guy" act. Even Butsuma was slightly moved, feeling Masahiko's image had suddenly grown much nobler.
Masahiko bid farewell to the Senju clan and began his return journey, carrying a bag of rocks. (Of course, he dumped the rocks halfway. Weight training had its own specialized equipment; there was no reason to carry rocks.)
When he arrived back at the Uzumaki compound, the Clan Head personally came out to greet him.
"Second Uncle, you're back so quickly? Did the Senju agree to help us?" the Uzumaki Clan Head asked.
"Yes," Masahiko replied. "They've asked us for help."
"What?!"
Masahiko then explained the entire sequence of events from his trip.
"Is that so? That's wonderful! This is even better. This way, the Senju will be the main offensive force, and our clansmen will suffer fewer sacrifices." The Clan Head smiled. "In that case, I won't need to go personally. I'll have the Second and Third Elders lead the team."
"I'll go too," Masahiko said after a moment's hesitation, volunteering.
The Clan Head was puzzled. His Second Uncle had always avoided battle unless he was absolutely forced. Why was this time...
"Very well, then. Please, be careful," he said, not refusing the offer.
"Then I'll go back and prepare." Masahiko finished speaking and walked back to his home.
"Sigh, these Witness Points are making me participate in everything. How else am I supposed to get them..." Masahiko sighed.
"I just hope this battle... yields some results."