[Ninja World]
The Senju, Uchiha, Uzumaki, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans, along with the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans, the eight great ninja clans set aside their past grievances, formed an alliance, and began capturing the tailed beasts.
The temporary camp of the eight-clan alliance was set up on a desolate plain, with tents stretching endlessly.
On a high slope to the west of the camp, Senju Hiruka stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at the orderly alliance forces below. His brows remained slightly furrowed, his expression carrying a concern that was hard to dispel.
"Shuhaku, are you really confident about this plan for our eight clans to join forces and capture the tailed beasts?"
"The tailed beasts are concentrations of chakra in this world, their power overwhelming. If we're not careful, all eight of our clans could end up bringing disaster upon ourselves."
Senju Hiruka turned his head to look at the tall and upright Uchiha Shuhaku beside him and asked in a low voice.
Uchiha Shuhaku wore the traditional attire of the Uchiha clan, one hand behind his back. His expression remained calm, but in his eyes was a sharp determination to succeed.
Hearing this, Shuhaku raised his brow slightly. "Relax. Just based on the strength of the two of us alone, we are already at the top among ninja clans. What's more, this time, our Uchiha clan has brought a powerful 'weapon' that can turn the tide."
"A weapon?"
A trace of confusion flashed in Senju Hiruka's eyes as he instinctively asked, "Could it be a ninja tool even stronger than your Uchiha's Yuki? I've never heard of your clan possessing such a secret treasure."
"Heh heh heh...", Uchiha Shuhaku let out a low chuckle and slowly shook his head. His gaze shifted toward the exclusive Uchiha camp not far away as he spoke lightly, "You're wrong. This weapon of mine isn't a ninja tool. It's a person."
"A person?"
Senju Hiruka grew even more puzzled and looked in the direction he pointed.
In the center of the Uchiha camp stood a sturdy iron cage wrapped in special sealing talismans. Inside the cage sat a small girl quietly.
The girl looked no more than five or six years old. Her clothes were thin, her face pale without a trace of color.
Her eyes were empty and lifeless, as if she had no emotions at all. She just sat there blankly in the cage, without vitality, looking no different from an ordinary orphan.
Senju Hiruka turned back with a confused expression, his tone full of disbelief, "A little girl? Shuhaku, you must be joking."
"How could such a young child be considered a powerful weapon? How could she be of any use in capturing tailed beasts?"
"Don't underestimate her."
Uchiha Shuhaku's tone suddenly dropped, his gaze toward the girl in the cage carrying an almost cold pride.
"This girl was selected by our Uchiha clan from the moment she was born. She has been raised entirely according to the standards of a 'weapon.'"
"To give her power comparable to a tailed beast, we even transplanted into her the top ocular techniques in the world."
This wasn't a private setting. In the original lore, the Uchiha indeed possessed the ability to transplant ocular techniques.
Senju Hiruka's brows tightened further, "Transplanted? What kind of ocular technique is worth such effort?"
"You and I have known each other since childhood. Our bond is not ordinary. This time, the eight clans forming an alliance is also based on the trust between us. I might as well tell you directly."
Uchiha Shuhaku slowly turned slightly and opened his right eye.
In his crimson pupil, three tomoe spun rapidly, then formed into a complex and eerie pattern...
It was the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Shuhaku withdrew his gaze. "In recent years, quite a few powerful individuals in our Uchiha clan have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. Unfortunately, they all died one after another in clan wars."
"I expended great effort and used the power of my Mangekyo to strip away the Mangekyo ocular abilities they left behind after death, and transplanted them all into this girl."
Senju Hiruka's pupils shrank sharply, a storm rising in his heart.
He understood the power of the Mangekyo Sharingan all too well.
It was the ultimate ocular technique of the Uchiha clan. Every pair possessed unimaginable abilities. And now, multiple Mangekyo abilities had been concentrated into one child. Such a method could only be described as madness.
Senju Hiruka slowly nodded, finally understanding Uchiha Shuhaku's confidence. But immediately after, the worry in his heart surged again.
"I see. With such power, our chances of capturing the tailed beasts have indeed increased a lot."
"But I'm still concerned. If we rashly attack the tailed beasts, aren't we being too reckless? We might end up committing a great taboo in the eyes of the world."
"After all, the tailed beasts are part of human belief. What we're doing will likely attract criticism from the entire ninja world."
Uchiha Shuhaku looked at his hesitant expression, a trace of impatience flashing in his eyes.
He directly interrupted, his tone firm and unquestionable. "Hiruka, we've known each other for so many years, and you're still this naive."
"In chaotic times, strength is everything. This so-called taboo is nothing more than an excuse used by the defeated."
"When we succeed in capturing all the tailed beasts, control this invincible power, and unify the ninja world, ending this century of war..."
"By then, there will be no more messy criticism. There will only be eternal peace. Everything we do will become an achievement that saves the ninja world!"
Senju Hiruka fell silent for a moment. Looking at the smoke-filled horizon in the distance, he thought of countless clan members who had died in war, thought of the displaced civilians.
In the end, he clenched his teeth, and the hesitation in his heart gradually faded.
Yes, in this chaotic world, only extraordinary means could end the conflict and bring true peace. His and Uchiha Shuhaku's goal had always been to end this endless war.
"And if our generation doesn't accomplish this, do you think the next generation will have the same resolve as us? We can become friends, but will future generations?", Uchiha Shuhaku asked.
Senju Hiruka shook his head. He felt Shuhaku was right.
Future generations would not have their level of resolve, nor would they unite like this. This was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Just as the two were speaking, two figures hurried up the slope. They were the head of the Sarutobi clan, along with the joint representatives of the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka clans... the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance.
Their steps were quick, their expressions serious.
"Clan leaders, the reconnaissance ninja we just sent out has returned with news. They've found the location of the Two-Tails, Matatabi."
"It's in the barren forest thirty miles north of the camp. Its movements are clear. Should we set out immediately and capture the Two-Tails first?"
The representative of the Ino-Shika-Cho stepped forward and spoke in a steady tone.
"Good. There's no time to waste. Let's act immediately! Inform the Uzumaki. We'll need the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques to deal with the tailed beasts."
Uchiha Shuhaku nodded and said as he looked at Senju Hiruka.
The four of them exchanged glances and nodded.
The reason the eight clans could form this alliance was largely because their leaders all had the resolve to end the chaotic era.
Among the Ino-Shika-Cho, the Nara clan head was very intelligent. He knew this kind of internal conflict couldn't continue and wanted to form an alliance.
Coincidentally, in this generation, the reincarnations of Indra and Asura had not fought each other.
In addition, the leaders of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans were both conservative leaders without much ambition.
All these factors combined to make this alliance possible.