"Falling Katsu Cliff? Of course I know it!"
Senju Syura immediately replied, his tone carrying a bit of emotion.
"About a hundred years ago, the Uchiha clan leader at the time fell into Falling Katsu Cliff. Our Senju clan leader Hikari thought he was definitely dead, but who would've guessed that Uchiha Katsu used a fake death trick."
"Later, he suddenly appeared in the Battle of the Sato River and caught us completely off guard…"
Before he could finish speaking, Black Zetsu in his palm raised a hand and interrupted him.
"Alright, alright, I know those old stories better than you. Let's get to the point.", Black Zetsu cut him off.
Thinking back to those days, Black Zetsu still remembered when the battle report about Uchiha Katsu reached the Immortal Hall, and when they learned Katsu had won, the expression on the Great Immortal Wanci's face was hard to hold back.
Senju Syura immediately shut his mouth and obediently waited for what came next.
Only then did Black Zetsu restrain some of his teasing, his tone turning serious.
"When Uchiha Katsu faked his death and hid at Falling Katsu Cliff back then, he left behind a set of blade techniques on the cliff wall."
"Since you're heading that way anyway, you can take a look. Though there's no guarantee the technique is still there after a hundred years, it's better than missing the chance."
A flash of excitement instantly appeared in Senju Syura's eyes. He clenched his left hand tightly, his tone eager and expectant.
"Really? Then let's set off right now!"
But right after that, his brows furrowed.
"But what if we run into the Uchiha army head-on?"
"We're acting alone right now, with no backup at all.", Senju Syura said worriedly.
Hearing this, Black Zetsu's face showed a confident smile. He waved his hand casually, completely unconcerned.
"No, no, that's not quite right. We won't run into the Uchiha army at all."
"Why?"
Senju Syura's eyes were full of confusion as he leaned forward slightly.
"Syura, take a look at this map."
Black Zetsu manipulated ink-black chakra, forming a simple battlefield map of the ninja world from Senju Syura's palm. Dark lines flowed at his fingertips, clearly outlining the positions of the various forces.
Black Zetsu tapped the map with his finger and explained calmly, "Look closely. In this war, the intentions of the Uchiha and Hagoromo couldn't be clearer. They want to attack the Senju clan from both north and south."
"The Uchiha advance from the south, while the Hagoromo attack from the north. The Uchiha's next step is to launch a direct assault on Kikyo Mountain!"
"Once they take Kikyo Mountain, the Hagoromo will push south from the north, forming an encirclement."
"And Falling Katsu Cliff is to the northwest. It's neither a major route nor does it hold any strategic value."
"The Uchiha's main force will never detour there, and the Hagoromo's main force is busy pushing south to complete the encirclement, so they definitely won't step foot there either. Our trip will be very safe."
Black Zetsu's analysis was clear and methodical, every point striking right at the key.
Senju Syura stared at the markings on the map.
"Sage, you're absolutely right. With this, I'm completely at ease."
Senju Syura nodded in sudden understanding.
"Still, just in case, we should take a side path."
Black Zetsu added, tracing a hidden trail across the map with his ink-black finger.
"We'll take a detour and go straight to the base of Falling Katsu Cliff. That way we won't have to jump down from the top and risk unnecessary danger."
"Alright! We'll do exactly as the Immortal says!"
Senju Syura didn't hesitate at all. He immediately bowed in agreement, completely following Black Zetsu's arrangements.
———
At the same time, inside the main tent of the Uchiha marching camp, candlelight flickered, stretching the shadows inside the tent.
A large battlefield map was spread across the table. An Uchiha elder stood to the side, pointing heavily at the position of Kikyo Mountain on the map as he respectfully reported to the tall woman seated at the head.
"Clan Leader, the situation is exactly like this! We directly attack Kikyo Mountain and engage the Senju in a head-on battle there. Once we hold back the Senju's main force... "
"The Hagoromo clan will immediately launch an attack from the north. With a pincer attack from both south and north, the Senju won't be able to respond on both fronts."
"This time, our Uchiha will definitely achieve a great victory!", The Uchiha elder said excitedly.
"Hmm…", Seated at the head, Uchiha Yui quietly stared at the map.
Her three-tomoe Sharingan narrowed slightly as her slender fingers lightly tapped the table. Her delicate brows furrowed as she sank into thought.
After a moment, she slowly spoke, "No. Our attack route is too obvious. The Senju clan must have already stationed heavy defenses at Kikyo Mountain. If we force an attack, the Uchiha will definitely suffer heavy casualties."
Uchiha Yui's voice was cool and cautious, "Besides, I've never trusted the Hagoromo clan."
Her tone grew heavier, a trace of disdain flashing in her eyes, "Their combat strength is weak to begin with."
"They're no match for the Senju. I'm worried that not only will they fail to break through the Senju's northern front, but they'll collapse quickly."
"When that happens, the chain reaction will cause our encirclement plan to completely fail, and we'll end up in a passive position instead."
Yui wasn't worrying without reason. The Uchiha's situation in the ninja world was already difficult.
A hundred years ago, Uchiha Katsu crossing the river in mourning clothes, using a fake death scheme, and killing Senju Mio, the only one who came to attend the funeral... had already ruined the clan's reputation.
On top of that, the Uchiha were naturally arrogant, earning the label of "madmen" from others. No ninja clan was willing to genuinely ally with them.
If she hadn't had no other choice, she wouldn't have chosen to ally with the relatively average Hagoromo clan.
There was, however, one clan in the ninja world even crazier than the Uchiha... the Kaguya clan.
Their Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit was terrifyingly powerful. In this era, where the ninjutsu system was still underdeveloped and most battles relied on taijutsu and blade techniques, the power of Shikotsumyaku was practically overwhelming.
But the Kaguya clan couldn't be relied on at all.
It was said they were currently locked in fierce battles with other ninja clans, and their members were also suffering from bloodline diseases.
In Uchiha Yui's view, it wouldn't be long before the Kaguya clan could no longer survive on the continent.
At that point, they would probably have no choice but to go to sea, and keep the Hozuki clan company on isolated islands.
"Are there any other routes?"
Uchiha Yui thought for a moment and looked at the map.
Then her finger pointed south of Kikyo Mountain.
"What about going around from the south?", she asked hesitantly.
"No, that won't work. The south is the territory of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. If we pass through there, we might be attacked by both clans."
"Although the Sarutobi clan leader is currently keeping a low profile, there's no guarantee the Shimura clan leader won't persuade... "
The Uchiha elder shook his head, frowning as he spoke.
"Then what about going north?"
Uchiha Yui had no choice but to shift her gaze north.
"To the north is Falling Katsu Cliff, the place where Clan Leader Katsu fell back then. That place doesn't hold much value, and the terrain is complicated.", The Uchiha elder said slowly.
Uchiha Yui glanced at Falling Katsu Cliff, her brows knitting slightly.
"This place…", She thought for a moment, and her eyes suddenly lit up.
This was the place where Clan Leader Katsu had been over a hundred years ago.
For some reason, she had a faint feeling, as if something was guiding her to go there.