But things were different now.
The Hagoromo clan had discovered the West Mountain Iron Mine, and the iron ore it produced was extremely pure and of excellent quality.
If they could seize it, the Senju would possess superior weaponry and more resources.
Therefore, the Senju's aggressive attack on the Hagoromo clan was entirely understandable.
However, Reiryū and Ryūga simply couldn't understand why, given their clan's strength, the Senju would have to pay an extremely heavy price to annihilate them.
With their mortal enemy, the Uchiha, nearby, why would the Senju still launch such a desperate attack?
Weren't they afraid that the Uchiha would reap the benefits?
Whoosh!
The tent flap was suddenly lifted.
Inside the council tent, everyone turned to look at the entrance.
"Ryosuke, what are you doing here?" Reiryū frowned at the newcomer, a sense of foreboding creeping into his heart.
Hagoromo Ryosuke, panting heavily and looking disheveled, had clearly arrived in a hurry. "Clan leader, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans launched a surprise attack on our territory! The Grand Elder is seriously injured!"
"What?!"
Everyone inside the tent was shocked, standing up in unison.
What were Sarutobi? What were Shimura? Just second-rate ninja clans!
How dare two mere second-rate clans attack Hagoromo? Were they tired of living?!
Whoosh!
Suddenly, another clansman lifted the tent flap and entered. "Clan leader, the Senju have begun evacuating their camp!"
-------
Inside his tent, Kazuki spoke expectantly. "System, I just escaped death from the Senju ninjas! Shouldn't you reward me with some talent points?"
The system's reply was mechanical and cold. [Sorry, the system did not issue any missions previously, so there are no rewards.]
"Tch." He curled his lip.
After the battle this morning, he understood that he lacked a method to kill with a single blow at close range.
At the same level, he could indeed defeat his enemies, but against someone like Tobirama, the outcome was unpredictable.
After all, every time he used Ice Leap to ambush Tobirama, the latter was able to react and counterattack.
If he hadn't initially given Tobirama false information, making him careless, he might not have been able to seriously injure him.
Therefore, a one-hit kill ninjutsu was especially important in this situation.
If he had possessed such a technique, what use would Tobirama's sword be? One Ice Leap would send him to meet his brother.
"Speaking of short-range, one-hit kill ninjutsu, the Rasengan is an excellent choice."
When talking about Naruto, the Rasengan was an unavoidable topic.
Naruto, relying on Shadow Clones and Rasengan techniques, had overcome countless opponents, proving that one skill was all you need.
The Rasengan, on the other hand, was a hand seal-less ninjutsu developed by Minato to complement the Flying Thunder God Technique. His Ice Leap was also a space-time ninjutsu, making the Rasengan a perfect fit.
"It's a pity there are no chakra balloons on the battlefield, so I can only use the most rudimentary method to train."
He muttered to himself, then extended his right hand, attempting to gather chakra in his palm.
Noon arrived quickly, and his training still showed no results.
"Young Clan Leader, prepare yourself. We need to retreat to the clan's territory."
As he diligently gathered chakra in his hand, Masamichi lifted the tent flap and entered.
He still had that square face, his expression unsmiling, quite distinctive.
"Why? Aren't we going to fight the Senju on the front lines?"
Kazuki was unaware that the Senju had begun their retreat, so upon hearing Masamichi's words, he instinctively inquired about the situation.
Masamichi replied, "The Senju have begun their retreat. The Sarutobi and Shimura clans attacked our territory, so we must rush back to provide support!"
"Sarutobi? Shimura?" He was taken aback.
He was all too familiar with those surnames.
Weren't those the families of the Third Hokage and Danzo? Two second-rate ninja clans—what were they thinking, daring to attack the Hagoromo?
Masamichi was also furious. "Yes! Those two clans! They took advantage of our fight against the Senju to launch a sneak attack! They're utterly shameless! When we get back, we'll make them pay!"
The ninjas' speed was incredibly fast. In just ten minutes, the entire camp was cleared.
After setting up some traps, Reiryū abandoned the area used to defend against the Senju and began leading his clansmen to retreat toward their territory.
[Ding~ Mission issued: Retreat alive to the Hagoromo clan's territory. Reward: Host's Talent Value (Technique) 1 point, Subordinate's Talent Value (Limit) 1 point. Do you accept?]
Hearing the system issue a mission, he couldn't help but complain. "Do you think I wouldn't accept this kind of survival mission? What nonsense are you talking about?"
"But what is this Subordinate Talent Value?" he asked, somewhat puzzled.
He knew about Talent Value. Its role in his current strength was undeniable.
He also understood the "Limit" and "Technique" in parentheses. "Limit" referred to Bloodline Limits, such as his Ice Release. "Technique" referred to Ninjutsu, such as his Frost Domain and Ice Leap.
But what the heck was this Subordinate Talent Value? Was it for him to train subordinates?
[Subordinate Talent Values can activate the talents of those other than the host. After using a talent value, the recipient's affinity toward the host will continuously increase.]
[Note: The person using the talent value cannot harbor hostility toward the host.]
Upon hearing the system's explanation, he was immediately overjoyed. These subordinate talent values were definitely a good thing! If someone's affinity toward him was maxed out, wouldn't he instantly gain an extra subordinate?
However, from another perspective, since the system had issued a mission, it proved that this journey back to their territory would definitely not be peaceful.
Meanwhile, in the direction of the Senju camp, the Senju First Elder's actions confirmed his suspicions.
The First Elder led the remaining third of their forces on the battlefield, retreating a distance with Butsuma, then circled back, keeping a safe distance behind the Hagoromo clan.
This distance was precisely beyond the perception range of the Hagoromo rearguard ninjas.
That night, the Hagoromo clan set up camp.
Around 2 AM, the Senju First Elder led his elite troops in a surprise attack on the camp.
Fortunately, Reiryū and Ryūga remained in the camp. Upon seeing them appear, the First Elder immediately retreated.
The next day, the Hagoromo clan continued their journey.
The Senju behind them no longer concealed themselves. The First Elder, like a persistent fly, would swarm and ambush the Hagoromo from time to time.
If the Hagoromo pursued, they would turn and retreat without hesitation, greatly annoying them.
However, the Hagoromo were currently under attack from Sarutobi and Shimura, and they dared not delay.
In the end, they decided that Elder Ryūga would lead a portion of the elite troops to stay behind and hold off the Senju, while the main force, led by Reiryū, would quickly return to provide support.
One day later.
The Senju clan returned to their ancestral homeland.
The clan members who perished in this battle would be buried under the supervision of their patriarch, Butsuma.
Among these fallen Senju was Butsuma's son—Kawarama.