"These clans of the Warring States are just a pack of starving wolves; you can't let them catch even a whiff of blood. Because we had to deal with the Senju and Hyūga last year, we temporarily abandoned the defensive line here. These twelve clans immediately charged right in. Even though I rushed back quickly, we still lost a third of our northern territory.
"Therefore, I took Zhifei and Shinji to fight battles across the region. We didn't even get a damn break during the New Year! We finally managed to reclaim some territory, but it took me about five months. And just when I wanted to continue driving them out, these bastards actually banded together. It's absolute bullshit! If we let them successfully unite, forget about reclaiming territory, we might even lose this place too. That's why I requested reinforcements from the Clan Head. With you guys here, my pressure is significantly reduced."
Uchiha Tō pointed at the map as he explained the situation. The 'Zhifei' and 'Shinji' he mentioned were the two Peak Jōnin present in the room, his direct subordinates.
"So that's the situation here," Xuan said, revealing a look of sudden realization.
Actually, after reclaiming the Kazama River Valley, Uchiha Tō and Uchiha Fujin had hurriedly rushed back to the northern and southern borders. Xuan had heard that they had been fighting continuously and that the Uchiha seemed to have the upper hand. He just hadn't expected the conflict to last this long, and by the looks of it, the enemy's strength could not be underestimated.
"Lord Tō, please give us specific orders on how to proceed," Shinobi One's calm voice rang out, sounding as if absolutely nothing could ever faze him.
Uchiha Tō laughed heartily. "That's what I love about you Shadow Guards—you're perfectly obedient."
With that, he continued to outline his plan. "In our north, there are twelve mid-tier clans. However, their strengths vary; they are not all on the same level. The strongest three are the Kimei, Shokuka, and Akahane clans. Not only are their Clan Heads Peak Jōnin, but each clan also has another Peak Jōnin within their ranks. Of the remaining nine clans, three have Peak Jōnin as Clan Heads, and the other six have Elite Jōnin as Clan Heads.
"They plan to hold a secret alliance ceremony at the Akahane compound three nights from now. Our mission is to sneak in during that time and assassinate them. By doing this, the alliance of the twelve clans will crumble instantly, and we can smoothly reclaim our clan's territory."
Listening to this plan, Xuan felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. No matter how he looked at it, it sounded exactly like a crude, reckless plan Uchiha Madara would come up with.
Thinking of this, he shot a strange look at Uchiha Tō, cleared his throat, and said, "Uncle Tō, based on what you just said, the enemy's strength seems quite formidable. There are nine Peak Jōnin alone, and at least six Elite Jōnin, not even counting the rest of their clan members. On our side, even though you are mighty and domineering, Uncle Tō, and we have seven Peak Jōnin... no matter how you look at it, we can only scrape by with a victory at best. Trying to wipe them all out is probably highly unlikely!"
Uchiha Tō was reportedly the older cousin of Xuan's father—a father he had never met—which was why Xuan respectfully referred to him as Uncle Tō.
Uchiha Tō looked down at Xuan and, not minding the interruption, grinned. "Good question. On the surface, you are absolutely correct. In reality, the human heart is a very complex thing. Our Uchiha clan is incredibly powerful. Even if they unite, if our Clan Head were to arrive, they still wouldn't be a match for us. Because of this, Kimura, Tsuruta, and Nakai—three of the weaker clans—have secretly defected to us. After all, even if the alliance forms, they'd be the ones getting the short end of the stick.
"The intelligence about the alliance ceremony in three days was sent by them. They also promised to poison the wine at the gathering. As long as we charge in, they will coordinate with us from the inside to wipe them all out in one fell swoop."
Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. If this was true, there really was a massive chance to annihilate the enemy in one go. He couldn't help but ask, "Is the intelligence confirmed to be authentic?"
Uchiha Tō looked at Xuan and said confidently, "No one can lie in front of the Sharingan. Wouldn't you agree, my little genius?"
Xuan said no more, silently lowering his head to organize this intelligence in his mind.
"Alright, the plan is set. In three days, we will launch a surprise attack on their alliance ceremony. Xuan will stay by my side; do not blindly charge into the fray."
Uchiha Tō's own son had passed away when he was very young. Perhaps Xuan calling him 'Uncle Tō' just now had stirred a long-lost sense of familial affection, prompting him to subconsciously protect the boy in this moment.
Shinobi One stated flatly, "That will not do. The Patriarch personally ordered him to execute this mission. Furthermore, as one of the most talented figures of the Uchiha's next generation, he must experience the trial of blood and fire."
Uchiha Tō gave Shinobi One a strange look, not expecting the operative to actually reject his goodwill so bluntly. He suddenly lowered his head and whispered into Xuan's ear, "How the hell did you offend that petty Uchiha Tajima for him to want you dead this badly?"
Xuan chuckled softly. He suddenly felt that Uchiha Tō was somewhat endearing; at the very least, calling Tajima "petty" suited Xuan's tastes perfectly.
However, at a time like this, he needed to speak up. He said earnestly, "As a member of the Uchiha clan, how can I hide in the rear? Naturally, I must charge forward and battle the enemy. I thank you for your kindness, Uncle Tō, but I must fight."
Uchiha Tō praised, "Good! As expected of the younger generation of my Uchiha clan." He then said nothing more.
The group discussed a few more tactical details before going their separate ways.
That night, in the room assigned to Uchiha Xuan.
Xuan—who appeared to be sleeping soundly on his futon—suddenly opened his eyes. The three tomoe in his blood-red pupils were clearly visible in the dark.
He cast a light glance toward the outside of the room and snorted. "Hmph, rotating surveillance. Are they afraid I'll take the opportunity to run away?"
His hands secretly blurred through hand seals under the covers. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Immediately, an identical Xuan appeared under the blankets, while Xuan's true body vanished—seemingly sucked into the spatial void as the three tomoe in his right eye spun.
A Shadow Guard keeping watch outside the window saw Xuan sleeping soundly inside, even watching him roll over comfortably. He withdrew his gaze, completely unaware that his target had already slipped away right from under his nose.
Meanwhile, far away in the lost territory of the Uchiha clan, a ripple suddenly appeared in the space above a tree branch. A human figure materialized from the spatial distortion, appearing incredibly eerie in the dead of night.
Xuan looked at the brightly lit, massive compound in the distance. His Sharingan swept across the perimeter, memorizing all the hidden sentries. This was the temporary compound of the Akahane clan, one of the three strongest factions among the twelve mid-tier clans.
"Uchiha Tajima... since you want to kill me, don't blame me for what happens next. I'll do you a favor and send your five Shadow Guards to the afterlife."
Xuan sneered. Reaching into his spatial storage, he retrieved the black cloak and spiral mask he had prepared and put them on. Because of his current physical age, anyone with eyes could tell he was just a child. Xuan secretly circulated his chakra, violently expanding the fabric to prop up the entire cloak, making his silhouette appear identical to that of a full-grown adult. The reason he had specifically asked his little maid to make the black cloak as large and baggy as possible back then was precisely for this moment.
The Sharingan beneath the spiral mask spun slowly, and his body was once again sucked into the spatial void, disappearing without a trace.
Uchiha Xuan's very first conspiracy in the Warring States Era had officially begun...
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