Hatake Kaede, Nawaki, and Momoka Senju slowly entered the tent.
The others were assigned to guard the area around the tents, armed and vigilantly watching for any movement around them.
Upon entering the tent, Senju Momoka formed hand seals, and a sound-isolating barrier appeared out of thin air inside the tent.
Uchiha Masaru completely ignored Nawaki and Senju Momoka, his gaze falling directly on Hatake Kaede, his eyes revealing a hint of scrutiny.
"Hatake brat, didn't you already go back?Why are you back again?" Uchiha Masaru's voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of accusation.
Upon hearing this, Hatake Kaede quickly replied, "Commander-in-Chief, there's a new mission in the village.This mission is extremely important and requires your assistance."
"Oh~" Uchiha Masaru's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile, but there was no warmth in that smile."You need my assistance.But you brat from the Hatake clan, what makes you think I'll help you complete this mission?"
Hatake Kaede let out a deep breath, knowing that it was Masaru Uchiha looking for trouble.
Hatake Kaede didn't care.He said to Uchiha Masaru, "Commander-in-Chief, this mission is of utmost importance.If we can successfully complete this mission, it will bring huge benefits to the village and the Uchiha clan."
Uchiha Masaru was a person who valued the Uchiha clan extremely.When he heard Hatake Kaede say that this mission would be of great benefit to the Uchiha clan, a wave of emotion surged within him.
His gaze was fixed on Hatake Kaede, as if trying to glean some clue from the other's eyes.
Noticing Uchiha Masaru's change, Hatake Kaede seized the opportunity and explained everything about the Land of Whirlpools.
Uchiha Masaru listened quietly to Hatake Kaede's story.His face did not show much change in expression, but his tightly clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.
He turned to look at Senju Momoka sitting to the side, and asked with a hint of doubt, "Old woman, is what this brat is saying true?"
Senju Momoka raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly displeased with Uchiha Masaru's form of address.But she still replied curtly, "Of course, otherwise what would an old woman like me be doing here?"
Uchiha Masaru completely disregarded the dissatisfaction in Senju Momoka's tone.After all, the two of them had often fought since the Warring States period, and it would seem rather awkward if they didn't exchange a few sarcastic remarks when they met.
Uchiha Masaru stared at Hatake Kaede expressionlessly and said slowly, "Hatake brat, you speak well.However, what reason do I have to assist you?Moreover, in my opinion, it would probably be more beneficial for the Uchiha clan if the Uzumaki clan were to disappear."
At this point, Nawaki could no longer contain his anxiety and jumped up from his seat.
His face flushed red, and he roared anxiously, "Commander-in-Chief, how can you do this?The Uzumaki clan is an ally of Konoha!We cannot stand by and watch them die!"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Masaru's eyes narrowed slightly, and a chilling killing intent shot straight towards Nawaki like an arrow.He said coldly, "Senju brat, are you perhaps instructing me on how to behave?"
In the blink of an eye, just as Uchiha Masaru's killing intent surged toward Nawaki like a raging torrent, Senju Momoka, who was sitting to the side, quickly stood up.She was agile and arrived in front of Nawaki in the blink of an eye.
Senju Momoka spread her arms wide, forming an unbreakable shield that completely blocked Uchiha Masaru's killing intent.The killing intent was as if blocked by an invisible wall, unable to advance any further.
Senju Momoka's face contorted with rage.Her eyes widened as she glared at Uchiha Masaru, shouting, "You scoundrel!How dare you, at your age, lay such a cruel hand on a child!"
Seeing this, Uchiha Masaru showed no sign of backing down.Instead, he retorted even more arrogantly, "Hmph!Old woman, mind your own business!This is how I always do things.Come and bite me if you dare!"
As the tension between the two elderly people escalated, a fierce conflict seemed inevitable, and Hatake Kaede was extremely anxious.
He quickly stepped forward, positioned himself between the two, and shouted, "Seniors, please calm down!"
After much persuasion, Hatake Kaede managed to calm the two elderly men and prevent a conflict from breaking out.
Hatake Kaede is having a bit of a headache right now, and is even thinking of just quitting.
Hatake Kaede took a deep breath, suppressing his dissatisfaction and impatience, and tried his best to keep his voice calm and steady.
He looked directly at Uchiha Masaru and slowly said, "Commander-in-Chief, please let me finish.If you still insist on not going to rescue the Land of Whirlpools and just watch it be destroyed, then we will leave the camp and look for other solutions."
Uchiha Masaru sat in the main seat, leaning back slightly with his arms crossed over his chest, staring expressionlessly at Hatake Kaede.A subtle, mocking smile played on his lips, seemingly a sneer at Hatake Kaede's overestimation of his abilities.
Ignoring Uchiha Masaru's reaction, Hatake Kaede continued, "As far as I know, Kirigakure must have dispatched their most elite bloodline limit troops to attack Uzushiogakure this time."
"This force is not only powerful, but also possesses a unique bloodline limit ability, making it one of Kirigakure's trump cards.If we can successfully eliminate this force, it will deal a heavy blow to Kirigakure, severely weakening it."
Uchiha Masaru snorted coldly, interrupting Hatake Kaede: "Hmph!Even if Kirigakure suffers heavy losses, what does that have to do with our Uchiha clan?It has nothing to do with us Uchiha.""The Bo clan doesn't offer any benefits!" His tone was full of disdain and indifference.
"Commander-in-Chief!" Hatake Kaede shouted, "Please reconsider!If you remain indifferent to this operation, our village will lose a crucial ally.In the eyes of the world, this would be tantamount to our village betraying our brothers and allies!"
He paused briefly, took a deep breath, and continued, "Alright, even if we concede that making the village bear such a huge burden will indeed severely damage its reputation and weaken its influence, have you ever considered what benefit this would bring to the development of your Uchiha clan?"
Hatake Kaede's words struck Uchiha Masaru's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Don't forget," Hatake Kaede's voice grew even lower, "who exactly are the people in Konoha's leadership these days?They inherited their hostility towards the Uchiha clan from the Second Hokage!How do you think they will treat the instigator after the village has suffered such a huge loss?"
Before he could finish speaking, a loud "bang" rang out, and Uchiha Masaru could no longer maintain his arrogant demeanor.He slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, his eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Hatake Kaede and roared, "They dare?"
Hatake Kaede completely ignored Uchiha Masaru's somewhat out-of-control behavior and continued, "It is undeniable that Kirigakure's strength is relatively weak.However, despite this, it is still a ninja village of a major country, which means that it has a certain status and influence in the ninja world."
He paused briefly, then continued, "A clan guarding a village might be seen as an honor to some extent.But from another perspective, isn't it also a heavy shackle?"
"If we can truly cripple Kirigakure this time, the Uchiha clan will reap enormous benefits.First, this will be a true moment of glory for the Uchiha clan, and the villagers will have a deeper understanding of the Uchiha clan's contributions, thus truly accepting you."
"Secondly, this also provides an opportunity for your Uchiha clan to establish friendship with the Uzumaki clan.I believe that with Lady Mito's skillful maneuvering, the relationship between the Uchiha clan and the village will definitely be greatly improved."
At this point, Hatake Kaede's tone softened slightly: "Even after Lady Mito's death, wouldn't Tsunade and Nawaki speak out for the Uchiha clan?"
Upon hearing Hatake Kaede's words, Uchiha Masaru was struck as if by lightning.His body trembled violently, and then, like a deflated balloon, he slowly sat down in his chair.
He, Uchiha Masaru, as an elder of the Uchiha clan, has always been full of confidence in the strength of his clan.
He firmly believed that the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan was the most powerful force in the ninja world, unmatched by anyone.However, at this moment, Hatake Kaede's words struck him like a heavy hammer, waking him from his dream.
He looked around blankly, his gaze first landing on Hatake Kaede, who had been talking so eloquently just moments before.This young Hatake lad, though young, possessed knowledge and insight far beyond the ordinary.Uchiha Masaru couldn't help but feel a touch of admiration for him.
Then, his gaze shifted to Nawaki, who was terrified by his actions.Nawaki's horrified expression made Uchiha Masaru realize how inappropriate and reckless his behavior had been.
Finally, Uchiha Masaru's gaze settled on his old rival, Senju Momoka.Senju Momoka had always been his formidable opponent, and their rivalry had continued from the Warring States period until the founding of the village.
However, at this moment, Uchiha Masaru suddenly felt that all those struggles had become meaningless.
He shook his head with a wry smile and sighed, "Alas!Hundreds of years of open and covert struggles, deceit and treachery.Is being the number one ninja in the world really that important?I've lived to this old age, and I still can't see things as clearly as you, a mere brat."
After speaking, Uchiha Masaru's gaze returned to Hatake Kaede, and he slowly said, "Hatake kid, you're very good." This was both an affirmation of Hatake Kaede and a reflection on himself.
After a moment of silence, Uchiha Masaru slowly stood up from his seat.His gaze was piercing, fixed intently on his old rival, Senju Momoka.
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he asked, "Old woman, how much strength do you still possess, you 'Phantom God' who was famous throughout the ninja world during the Warring States period?"
His voice carried a hint of provocation, but also a touch of mockery.Senju Momoka's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this, then she gave Uchiha Masaru a disdainful glare.
However, Uchiha Masaru didn't seem to care about her reaction and continued to laugh, "Well, old woman, do you dare to come with this old man to meet those brats from Kirigakure?"
Senju Momoka snorted coldly and retorted without backing down, "What's there to be afraid of!This old woman has some old scores to settle with those White Lotus and Hozuki Gengetsu!"
"It's a pity they're dead, but it doesn't matter, let their descendants pay for this debt!"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Masaru suddenly burst into laughter.He slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed happily, "Hahaha, I never expected that at this age, I could actually team up with an old woman like you!Alright, let's go and see just how capable those brats from Kirigakure really are!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Uchiha Masaru prepared to issue orders and begin assigning tasks.However, just as he was about to speak, Hatake Kaede suddenly interrupted him.
"Senior, please wait a moment!" Hatake Kaede's brows were tightly furrowed.From the beginning, he harbored doubts about the destruction of the Land of Whirlpools.The fall of the Land of Whirlpools was undoubtedly orchestrated by Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu.Therefore, he absolutely could not afford to be careless.
Hatake Kaede offered his advice to Masaru Uchiha: "First of all, we must not let the enemy realize that we already know about the Land of Whirlpools."
"Therefore, you can send two or three small teams to the Land of Waves.First, you can establish observation posts to monitor the movements of Kirigakure.Second, I will arrive in the Land of Waves ahead of time and secretly bring a portion of the elite troops into the Land of Whirlpools."
Then, Hatake Kaede paused slightly before continuing, "Secondly, the Commander-in-Chief used the excuse of mobilizing troops from the village to support the Land of Rain to lead the main force to complete the final encirclement."
After listening to Hatake Kaede's advice, Uchiha Masaru exchanged a glance with his old rival Senju Momoka, both of them showing a hint of appreciation in their eyes.
Uchiha Masaru nodded and said, "Okay, we'll proceed with your plan."
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