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"What? The defensive line on the right flank of the battlefield was broken through by the Hyuga clan?"
That was the first thing Madara and Xuan heard as they rushed into the meeting hall.
There were only three people inside: the Third Elder, Uchiha Yutaka, and a blood-soaked Uchiha clansman.
Seeing Madara and Xuan, the Third Elder relaxed slightly. He didn't dismiss them—only gestured for them to sit to the side while he continued questioning the messenger.
As the exchange unfolded, Xuan silently pieced together the situation.
For two years, most of the Uchiha forces had been locked in a stalemate against the Senju on the frontal battlefield. Only a small elite detachment had been assigned to contain the Hyuga. That balance had held—until now.
A few days earlier, the Senju realized the war of attrition was pointless. They staged a large-scale frontal assault to pin the Uchiha in place while secretly dispatching a squad of Jōnin to reinforce the Hyuga. With coordinated pressure from both sides, the Hyuga shattered the Uchiha's defensive flank.
The stationed Uchiha had their retreat cut off.
It was a massacre.
Xuan curled his lip faintly.
Outplayed by such a basic feint-and-flank maneuver. Uncle's battlefield command is… disappointing.
If the clan's leadership continued like this, matching the Senju in raw power wouldn't matter. Strategy would always be the deciding factor.
"Third Elder," the wounded ninja pleaded, "the Clan Head is being attacked from both front and rear. The situation is dire. Please send reinforcements!"
The Third Elder's expression darkened.
"I want to," he said heavily. "But the Clan Head took nearly all elites to the main front. Aside from essential garrison forces and the children, there are no spare troops left in the compound."
Madara suddenly stood.
"Elder, I am willing to go to the battlefield as reinforcement."
Xuan's face stiffened.
Reinforcement? Have you lost your mind? That's a battlefield, not a training ground. Even seasoned Jōnin die there like insects. You're eight!
More troubling—Madara was staring directly at him.
Don't drag me into this.
Under that unwavering gaze, Xuan stepped forward reluctantly.
"Third Elder… I am also willing to reinforce the battlefield."
The Elder looked deeply moved.
"You two are so young, yet already thinking of bearing the clan's burden. That gladdens me. But Madara, you are eight. Xuan, you are only five. You are the future of this clan. It is not yet your time to step onto a battlefield. Your task now is to grow stronger."
After several words of encouragement, he dismissed them.
Madara looked visibly disappointed.
Xuan forced a similar expression while inwardly exhaling in relief.
Thank the heavens. Madara may have destiny shielding him. I don't.
The Third Elder added after brief contemplation, "I cannot send these children. However, I will personally lead the remaining garrison ninjas as reinforcement."
The bloodied ninja bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, Third Elder! Thank you!"
As he lowered his head, a fleeting smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
It vanished instantly.
But Xuan saw it.
"Please move quickly, Elder. I will return ahead to inform the Clan Head."
The Elder nodded. "Go. I will assemble the forces immediately."
The messenger departed swiftly.
Xuan's eyes narrowed as he watched the man's retreating figure.
Something felt wrong.
Outside the hall, Madara left without a word, frustration written across his face.
Xuan stood still for a moment.
Then he made a decision.
He followed.
---
Deep within the forest, far from the Uchiha compound, the bloodied "Uchiha ninja" leapt swiftly through the treetops.
Once he believed himself safely distant, his expression twisted into disdain.
"The mighty Uchiha? Fooled by a few words. Just wait and regret it."
Mid-leap—
His footing slipped.
The branch beneath him had been coated in grease.
His eyes widened.
Three Paper Bombs were plastered against the bark beside him.
BOOM!
The explosion erupted instantly.
He reacted with astonishing speed, channeling Chakra into both palms and spinning midair, forming a defensive dome.
When the smoke cleared, he landed heavily, coughing.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
"I've been behind you this whole time. Are you blind?"
The voice was cold.
He spun around.
Three meters away stood a five-year-old child.
Recognition dawned.
One of the boys from the meeting hall.
My cover is exposed.
Yet the man was a veteran spy. His face betrayed nothing.
He smiled warmly. "Ah, our clan's little genius. Did the Third Elder forget to pass along something?"
Flattery. A natural tactic.
Xuan's expression did not change.
"My name is Uchiha Xuan. Don't use 'genius' so lightly."
He stepped forward calmly.
"I chased you because I have a question about a technique."
The spy relaxed slightly.
"A technique? Ask. If I know it, I'll answer."
Xuan nodded.
"I heard the Hyuga clan's Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven—Rotation—is formidable."
His eyes sharpened.
"Can you teach it to me?"