Looking at the wounded soldiers, Senju Shin felt relieved. "Yura, you've worked hard."
"Jordan, on behalf of the Senju clan, I thank you for your help."
As a long-time adversary on the front lines, Senju Shin knew very well what level of strength Uchiha Takuya possessed. Even the clan leader wasn't entirely confident of quickly killing him when facing him at full strength. He was definitely not someone that Yura's small team could handle.
Given the numerous escape methods available to ninjas, capturing a clan elder-level fighter alive seemed like a pipe dream.
But the tall man before him had done it. His brand-new long robe looked completely undamaged.
Based on this observation, there was only one possibility.
The fight had become one-sided.
If the extent of Jordan's combat power was previously just speculation, now it was confirmed.
Senju Shin's tone became much more sincere.
This gratitude came from the bottom of his heart. If it weren't for Jordan's intervention, it was possible that Senju Yura's entire team would have been completely wiped out.
Jordan smiled modestly. "Elder Shin, you're too kind. I was just doing what I was asked to do."
He paused for a moment, then asked, "By the way, the clan leader said the matter you were investigating has yielded results. Why don't we take care of it together tonight?"
Senju Shin wanted to be polite. After all, the journey had been tiring.
Jordan wasn't a subordinate of the Senju clan. The intelligence he'd sent earlier had already been confirmed. Now he had the achievement of capturing Elder Uchiha Takuya alive to back it up. Although he was just one person, the Senju clan didn't dare be negligent in the slightest.
Fortunately, their clan patriarch, Senju Butsuma, had already set an example. The relationship between both sides was still in its honeymoon phase and very harmonious.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Jordan." Senju Shin thought for a moment and agreed. "This isn't the place to talk. Please come with me."
Late night, Senju Clan Territory
Countless figures moved silently across rooftops, surrounding a secluded courtyard on the edge of clan territory from all directions.
A two-story building sat in the courtyard, decorated with a pavilion, rockery, and pond connected to a flowing stream. Flowers and plants were everywhere, creating a tranquil scene.
At that moment, countless figures surged into the courtyard, instantly snapping and crushing the thriving flowers and plants, which were then deeply embedded in the soil.
In an instant, everything was in chaos.
The leader knocked on the door. The candlelight inside flickered, but there was no response for a long time.
A Senju ninja pressed his left hand against the ninja sword at his waist and shouted, "Come out, Iki! Elder Shin requests your presence!"
Senju Iki, adopted daughter of the previous elder, had grown up in the Senju clan.
Because of her poor ninja talent, she'd never been on the battlefield.
She married at age fourteen under the auspices of the deceased elders but had no children to this day.
Several years ago, Senju Iki's husband died in battle. As a widow, she was assigned a separate small courtyard and had lived a secluded life ever since, becoming a marginalized figure in the clan, almost invisible.
Just now, Elder Shin had suddenly issued an order to arrest Senju Iki.
The veteran in charge of the matter was completely baffled. It took him a while to remember who Senju Iki was. He then mobilized the defense forces and surrounded her residence.
With a loud bang, the door was violently kicked open. A group of ninjas rushed in, instantly guarding all entrances and exits, including windows and stairs.
"Oh, you arrived so quickly?"
At the center of the crowd was a petite woman, barefoot and dressed in a plain white gown. Her face, lightly made up, was youthful and beautiful. Her red lips, rouged with lipstick, were luscious and tempting. Although already married, her figure was still as delicate as a young girl's, making her a sight to behold.
Clearly, Senju Iki had prepared before the crowd arrived, even putting on makeup in advance.
Just as the leader was about to speak, his gaze fell upon an empty sake bottle on the table. His expression changed.
"If you want to know anything, look inside my corpse." Senju Iki smiled sadly. An unnatural crimson flush rose to her pale cheeks before she coughed up a mouthful of hot blood. "My mission is complete..."
As she spoke, her head tilted to the side. Her soft body slumped onto the tatami mat.
A Senju ninja immediately stepped forward and reached out to check Senju Iki's breathing and heartbeat.
Seeing that he hadn't risen for a while, the deputy beside him asked, "Sir, what do we do now?"
"What can we do?" The jonin sighed. "Search the courtyard thoroughly. Take the body with you and come with me to report to Elder Shin!"
The next day,
After a night of fierce fighting with the Uchiha who'd raided the camp, Senju Butsuma was radiant with joy. He looked at the secret letter delivered by ninja pigeon from behind and was overjoyed. He hadn't been this happy even during New Year.
"So that's what that brat Uchiha Tajima was up to!"
Seeing Elder Hikaru's puzzled expression, he handed over the secret letter. The latter took it, glanced at it, and his perpetually expressionless face filled with astonishment. "Yura and the others set off at dawn and finished by evening? Not only did they catch the mole within the clan, but they also captured Uchiha Takuya?!"
That mysterious man named Jordan looked even younger than the clan leader. How did he manage that?
This was utterly unbelievable!
Senju Hikaru looked incredulous while Senju Butsuma, having resolved his worries and gained an important hostage from the Uchiha side, felt refreshed and invigorated.
Senju Hikaru snapped out of his daze and hurriedly asked, "Clan Leader, Elder Shin mentioned in his letter that this person took away the information on the Tailed Beasts that the clan had collected before leaving. Isn't there something wrong with that?"
"Elder Hikaru, Elder Shin must have had his reasons for making this decision." Senju Butsuma waved his hand dismissively. "Tailed beasts are hard to kill, and they're a problem for ordinary clansmen too. Let Jordan do whatever he wants. Strong people always have their own quirks."
In this era, the use of jinchuriki had not yet become popular. Tailed Beasts were still seen as symbols of disaster rather than strategic weapons. It was normal for Senju Butsuma to have such thoughts.
Senju Hikaru had some concerns but was persuaded by his clan leader.
Senju Butsuma cracked his knuckles, eyes gleaming with fury. "Next, let's see what price Uchiha Tajima will pay."
At the same time, Senju Clan Territory
At Senju Shin's residence, Senju Yura—still with head bandaged—sat at the table below Elder Shin, reporting on the details of the battle with the Uchiha.
A ninja pigeon flew in from the window, landed on Senju Shin's shoulder, and gently pecked at his hair.
Senju Shin removed the intelligence information tied to the ninja pigeon's leg, fed it some millet, then released it into the air.
"Elder Shin, what happened?"
Seeing that Senju Shin had read the information and a smile appeared on his face, Senju Yura asked curiously, "What is it, Elder Shin?"