Hane Genma had the distinct feeling he had been tricked.
For a split second, he even connected the White Zetsu assassination attempt with the gold mine that had fallen from the sky—a windfall so massive it burned the hands—and suspected a conspiracy lay within.
But this was purely malicious speculation, an association born from his knowledge of Black and White Zetsu's nature. After all, the plan to sweep the surrounding ninja forces had been formulated by Genma himself; he was at least certain that he wasn't being "remote-controlled" by Black Zetsu.
However, regardless of the truth, a child walking through a busy market clutching gold was simply too conspicuous. It was inevitable that they would become a target.
Genma, of course, maintained a clear understanding of the situation. His reason was not blinded by greed. After thinking through the cause and effect, he immediately ordered his ninja to withdraw.
The problem, however, was this: the gold mine itself could be abandoned, but what about the gold the Takahashi faction had already mined and the gold ryo coins already cast? surely those couldn't be abandoned too?
On one hand, as the leader, Genma had to consider the morale of his ninja. You couldn't ask everyone to fight desperately to conquer a location, only to order them to give up everything and leave empty-handed. Such an action would be unjustifiable... Genma couldn't possibly sit down and explain the complex truth to every single person.
So, that portion of the spoils had to be brought back.
On the other hand, even if they abandoned the loot on the spot, if news got out, would other powerful factions believe that the Firefly Organization took "not a single penny"? Quite the opposite. They would assume that if Genma was willing to discard so much gold, it was only because he didn't care about it.
And why wouldn't he care? Because what was left behind was merely scraps, and the bulk of the treasure had already been pocketed.
It was a trap of perception. As the saying goes: if yellow mud lands in your crotch, it's shit whether it is or not.
So, was this situation truly related to White Zetsu?
Genma quietly slipped away from Kikyo Castle. After running a considerable distance, he transformed into a White Zetsu, then doubled back, pretending to be a clone arriving from afar to meet with the few White Zetsu stationed there, attempting to fish for intelligence.
As it turned out, the White Zetsu here knew very little. Genma only managed to verify that White Zetsu placed great importance on Nanami's Sharingan. Since the key nodes of the events currently unfolding in Kikyo Castle were being handled personally by Black Zetsu and the main body of White Zetsu, the common clones subordinate to them had no sense of secrecy regarding their "own kind," but they simply didn't know what they didn't know.
Seeing that these White Zetsu offered little insight, Genma didn't hold back. He directly converted them into several "chakra refuel packs" and a "physical experience pack." Since they had no intelligence value, they would serve as fuel to help Genma burn brighter.
However, Genma didn't leave completely empty-handed; he did manage to glean one relatively important piece of information.
According to the White Zetsu, the assassination operation against the Firefly leader, Hane Genma, was scheduled to take place only after the Firefly Organization had dealt with the Takahashi Daimyo and the Takenaka Clan.
Such a clearly defined sequence of operations indirectly proved that Black and White Zetsu had come prepared. They were planning a high-intensity intervention in Kikyo Castle.
Despite the heavy crisis, Genma had no way to lead the organization in a retreat. A base of operations wasn't something you could just abandon on a whim.
That Black Zetsu had targeted the Firefly Organization so quickly exceeded Genma's expectations. But since it had come to this, the two sides would just have to clash.
Before instigating this, Black Zetsu certainly hadn't considered what he might encounter. In fact, the moment Genma realized who the enemy was, he had already devised his ultimate countermeasure. Even if his side failed, he would make it impossible for Black Zetsu to succeed.
If pushed to the brink, Genma would disseminate the story of "The Black Tadpole Finding His Mom" throughout the entire ninja world. He prepared to describe the melodramatic saga of the Otsutsuki family to the vast ninja populace in the most vivid and graphic way possible.
The content would include the Divine Tree, the Ten-Tails, the Sage of Six Paths and his brother, the origin of chakra, the founding of Ninshu, the origins of the nine Tailed Beasts, the birth of the mastermind behind the ninja world—Black Zetsu—what the White Zetsu actually were, and their millennium-long conspiracy and ultimate goal.
To be honest, once such news was spread, although it would send Black Zetsu into a panic, it would be difficult to convince people immediately. Most ninja would view such information as "fan fiction" based on the legend of the Sage of Six Paths—essentially the ninja world's version of primeval mythology.
You must be joking. Are we ninja supposed to believe we've been manipulated by a single family for thousands of years? Who would believe that?
But as Black Zetsu's plan continued to unfold, the contents of the message would be proven true one by one. The ninja, however dim-witted they might be, would eventually realize that this so-called absurd novel was actually a book of prophecy.
Black Zetsu's plan might still be implementable, but he could forget about having a smooth ride for the rest of his life.
And so, a scene unfolded that was at once incredibly abstract, absurd, and harshly realistic. After realizing the threat of Black Zetsu, in addition to actively preparing for war, Genma was—dammit all—writing a book. It didn't sound like something a human would do.
The elite forces of the Firefly Organization were all gathered, and the organization's war strategy shifted from offensive to defensive.
The others, aside from Genma, didn't need to overthink it. The reason for preparing for war was sufficient: the gold mine issue.
The gold mine would inevitably attract the covetous eyes of powerful factions, so the organization was bound to have a fight with this unknown enemy.
Earlier, due to Genma intentionally going easy on them, the main body of White Zetsu on the other side received news of the assassination failure in a timely manner. Along with it came a reality slightly worse than the news itself.
"The assassination failed," the main body of White Zetsu said to Black Zetsu.
"Why? Is the leader's strength truly that great?" Black Zetsu was stunned for a moment. Why did it feel like nothing had gone right recently?
"We didn't even get to test how strong he truly is... The leader of that ninja organization can also detect our presence and see through our disguises," White Zetsu stated the facts with a very calm tone.
Black Zetsu: "..."
What on earth was going on? Things that hadn't happened in a thousand years, why were they happening one after another at the same time?
After a long silence, Black Zetsu finally spoke.
"People who can sense us are either extremely sensitive to negative emotions like hatred, or their hearts are extremely pure..."
"I heard that the leader of that organization established it to help the weak. After founding it, he instead shields those ninja with insufficient strength behind him, taking personal charge of wars and high-danger battles, fearing no death."
"Perhaps he is that rare kind of ninja—simple, pure of heart, selfless, and willing to sacrifice."
White Zetsu's main body didn't react immediately—why was he suddenly praising the enemy? But he knew how to play along.
"Perhaps that is the case. Such ninja are rare, but not non-existent... The fact that their organization could grow might be precisely because of his leadership charisma."
Genma's heart was so pure. When Black Zetsu said this, he certainly didn't know that Genma was currently considering plastering "Big Character Posters" all over the world to expose his private family drama to the public... commonly known as "doxing."
Black Zetsu nodded.
"The failure of the assassination doesn't matter. Being able to detect White Zetsu isn't a major issue either. Once the next phase of the plan begins, they will be buried by the history of the ninja world."
Currently, the two were located in the intelligence gathering department of the Hagoromo Clan.
A day later, the White Zetsu near Kikyo Castle were completely wiped out, and the main body temporarily lost its source of intelligence in that area.
Black Zetsu now realized he had spoken the words "doesn't matter" too soon. He began to grow exasperated.
"Since they knew there was a risk of exposure, why didn't they steer clear of those guys? This isn't just stupid, it's sheer idiocy!"
The Uchiha Clan.
Because Uchiha Madara had publicly exposed the sinister conspiracy within the clan during the previous invasion, the demons and monsters that had been hiding in the shadows were forced to reveal themselves.
Influenced by this event, although the Clan Head remained the Clan Head, the original high-ranking elders lost their influence. The younger faction within the Uchiha, led by Madara, began to raise their heads and gradually seize power.
It looked like everything was moving in a positive direction, but in reality, hidden dangers remained. Because the transition of power was trending toward smooth and stable, the old faction had not been thoroughly purged.
Those elders had merely lost power; beyond that, their lives were not in danger, nor did they face trial. Only one elder had died in the incident, and he had even gained the reputation of sacrificing himself to resist a foreign enemy, while his guard ninja received punishment for failing to protect him.
It wasn't that Uchiha Madara didn't understand the principle of pulling weeds up by the roots, but he couldn't apply such a cruel method within the clan. If he did, he would be the one in the wrong. Everyone was blood kin who saw each other day in and day out; since they had already lost their power, how could he drive them to extinction?
Truth be told, this "human touch" actually highlighted the superiority of the Anbu system. Anbu ninja hid their identities, killed with masked faces, and obeyed only the Kage. They recognized no family ties, which greatly deterred various forces inside and outside the village.
No wonder everyone called the Second Hokage insidious. He really was insidious; something like the Anbu sounded like it fit his temperament perfectly.
Thinking of making a move while he was in charge? Your head would part from your neck faster than you could plot.
In short, people who have tasted power are never resigned to losing it. Since they weren't rooted out, they would inevitably try to settle scores.
At this very moment, a former elder named Uchiha Si was whispering slander into the ear of Clan Head Uchiha Tajima.
"Clan Head, the loss of the Nameless Mangekyo was already a tremendous loss for the Uchiha clan. Under these circumstances, we cannot allow another pair of eyes to remain wandering on the outside."
"If we lose a second pair of Mangekyo Sharingan... the price is too heavy. The Uchiha cannot bear it."
"Taking a step back, even for your sister's personal safety, we cannot let her remain outside. Such a small organization has no ability to protect the Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Perhaps it was precisely because they coveted the power of the Sharingan that they bewitched and deceived Nanami... After all, her condition is special. Although she was born a long time ago, her true age is not great. Her mind may not be mature."
Some things were inconvenient to say explicitly. Perhaps privately, Uchiha Si was cursing Nanami for being love-struck.
Uchiha Madara had once carried out a mission to persuade Nanami to return home. Although the mission failed, he brought back news regarding her location, so the Uchiha knew the general intelligence regarding the Firefly Organization.
Uchiha Tajima actually agreed with what this elder was saying, but he still hesitated. Family interests were one thing, but on the other hand, he didn't want to completely tear up his relationship with his own sister.
"If we are to destroy that small organization and leave Nanami with no place to stay, forcing her to return to the Uchiha... Madara and the young ninja in the clan might not approve of our methods. They might even tip Nanami off."
"We don't need to deploy a large number of our ninja. You must remember, the previous incident was caused entirely by the Hagoromo Clan. They owe the Uchiha a debt. We only need to send a small number of ninja; the remaining combat power can be demanded from the Hagoromo Clan."
Uchiha Tajima's mind stirred. To heal the rift in their relationship, both sides had previously considered a joint operation. Perhaps this was the opportunity?
Using the power of the Hagoromo to achieve his own ends—Uchiha Tajima had absolutely no psychological barrier to this. Just as the elder said, the Hagoromo owed the Uchiha.
"But will the Hagoromo Clan be willing to help? They won't gain any benefit from this matter."
"That will require you, Clan Head, to negotiate with them personally."
Uchiha Tajima remained silent for a while, but eventually nodded. The responsibility of being the Clan Head finally outweighed the last shred of familial affection in his heart. Concerning the future of the clan, he decided to "sacrifice the private for the public."
"When the time comes, take Shizuru along. Let him be the one to persuade Nanami in the end."
Two days later, Uchiha Tajima took two trustworthy ninja and traveled once again to the Hagoromo Clan's village.
Along the way, Tajima considered how to persuade the Hagoromo Clan, wondering how much breath he would have to waste.
However, unexpectedly, he didn't need to persuade them at all. By a sheer stroke of coincidence, the Hagoromo Clan also had designs on that small ninja clan.
Such a coincidence? It was truly a case of "seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."
They did not know that a force was secretly pushing them to unite. That force hoped that Uchiha Tajima would appear on the battlefield and that there would be people who would disregard Uchiha Nanami's life or death—the ultimate goal being to force the two pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan to merge into one.
"Why are you interested in a small organization in that remote area?" Uchiha Tajima asked Hagoromo Shu, the leader of the Hagoromo Clan.
"Because we received a piece of valuable intelligence..."
Hagoromo Shu explained the good news about the discovery of a gold mine in the remote region, then added, "It just so happens that we need a joint operation to improve our relationship of mutual trust. So, I think this is a good opportunity. The mission difficulty is low, and the returns are very rich."
Such a good thing existed?
Uchiha Tajima thought for a moment and said, "What a coincidence. I actually came for that remote organization as well. We do not need the gold mine, but we have another objective."
He explained the matter of Uchiha Nanami settling in Kikyo Castle and stated that his side didn't need the gold, only to bring Nanami back to the Uchiha.
"This... are you sure? You seem to be getting the short end of the stick."
What short end? Was a Mangekyo Sharingan not more valuable than some gold mine?
Uchiha Tajima shook his head and said, "This operation will be led by you. We Uchiha will only send a few ninja to provide coordination and support."
Joke's on them; how could he possibly lose out?
Hearing Tajima say this, Hagoromo Shu's suspicions vanished. Dealing with that tiny organization was something they could do effortlessly anyway. If the Uchiha's goal was to bring back their own clansman, there really was no need for them to exert too much effort. Contribution matches reward; to swallow the gold mine whole, Hagoromo Shu was happy to oblige.
From beginning to end, neither of them felt that this operation would carry any danger.
Of these two men, one cared only about the Sharingan, and the other cared only about the gold mine. Neither even noticed the novel organizational structure of the Firefly Organization.
Compare this to the treatment Genma received from the Furui Clan...
One could only say that there are gaps in quality even between the leaders of great ninja clans.
After finalizing the cooperation agreement, all that remained was the issue of timing. For such a small-scale skirmish, a great ninja clan could execute it at a moment's notice; there was no need for any pre-war preparation.
"So, when do we make our move?"
"When? The sooner the better, of course."
Genma and his Firefly Organization were being looked at as a simple dish to be devoured. The bitter part was that one couldn't even call the enemy arrogant, because the strength of the two sides was indeed not on the same level.
Unknowingly, he was about to face the greatest crisis in his history.
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