For an entire day, sorrow hung heavy over the Uzumaki compound like a shroud.

  Muren had been well-liked among the cn. A young prodigy, striking in both looks and talent, yet never arrogant or overbearing. If he’d mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could’ve easily become the Warring States’ version of Minato Namikaze.

  “What a shame... born in the wrong era,” Masahiko Uzumaki thought to himself.

  He wasn’t overwhelmed by grief. After forty-eight years of life, he’d already seen too much death and farewell.

  He knew there would be plenty more to come. After all, unless something unexpected happened, he was in it for the long haul.

  “Gotta stay alive. At least until the series finale...” he muttered internally.

  The next morning, Masahiko rose early, grabbed a quick bite, and made his way toward the main hall.

  The funeral site hadn’t been fully cleaned up yet—Muren’s body had already been sent to the cn’s burial grounds the previous night.

  “Uncle, you’re here.” The cn leader sat at the head of the hall, lifting his tired face.

  Masahiko understood. Waging war against the Kaguya cn—whose strength exceeded their own—was a crushing burden. But they couldn’t let Muren’s death be in vain. This war had to be fought.

  “Uncle, I need you to go to the Senju again. Ask them for aid,” the cn leader said.

  “But... if the Senju get involved, the Uchiha will too,” Masahiko replied.

  “There’s no choice. In terms of raw power, we’re no match for the Kaguya. If we can drag both the Senju and Uchiha into this, we might just stand a chance. Besides, the Second Elder has already gone to negotiate with the Hyuga.”

  “The Hyuga, huh? Got it. I’ll leave for the Senju right away.” Masahiko nodded, understanding the cn leader’s pn. If they could turn this into a five-cn war, the odds would finally tip in their favor.

  So once again, Masahiko found himself walking the familiar path toward the Senju. This was already the third time in half a month.

  “Man... always on the move,” he sighed.

  “Even with marriage ties, convincing the Senju to send troops won’t be easy,” he thought, already strategizing. “I’ll have to py this smart, feel things out on the spot.”

  The road was peaceful, and he reached the outskirts of the Senju territory without incident.

  “Huh? What’s going on here? So much chakra gathered in one pce... and I can sense both Hashirama and Tobirama.” Masahiko detected a rge number of Senju ninja.

  “The guy in front... looks like their Eastern Front Elder.” Masahiko crept a bit closer and peered from a distance.

  “Who’s there?!” Hashirama suddenly shouted, spotting him. Instantly, all eyes turned in his direction.

  Masahiko stepped out awkwardly. He’d been caught spying. Should’ve known better—this was the future God of Shinobi, after all.

  “Granduncle? Didn’t you leave yesterday?” Tobirama looked surprised. Masahiko had even said goodbye before heading out.

  “Ah, I, uh... left something behind,” Masahiko blurted, deciding not to reveal his real purpose.

  “Didn’t someone already clean up the guest room?” Tobirama muttered.

  Masahiko cut in quickly, “What, not happy to see me?”

  “Of course not,” Hashirama smiled. “If you want to stay, stay as long as you like.” Tobirama’s face immediately darkened.

  Masahiko grinned, “Then maybe you can use Wood Style to build me a nice wooden house—warm in winter, cool in summer. Staying in a guest room forever’s a bit inconvenient, don’t you think?”

  Hashirama looked confused. “Did I say something wrong, Tobirama?” he whispered.

  Tobirama gave his brother a withering gre.

  “Just kidding. No need to take it seriously,” Masahiko chuckled. “Anyway, where are you guys headed?”

  Hashirama opened his mouth to reply, but the elder with them coughed pointedly. “Oh... uh... hunting. We’re going hunting.”

  Tobirama closed his eyes in pained silence. Masahiko nearly burst out ughing. “Alright, then. Happy hunting.”

  Shaking his head, Masahiko turned and headed for the Senju compound.

  “Man, that was the worst excuse I’ve ever heard,” he thought. “Like I wouldn’t figure it out? The Eastern Front Elder’s personally leading the squad, both Hashirama and Tobirama are here, and they’ve got elite troops with them. The only ones worthy of this level of force on the eastern front... are the Kaguya.”

  “Looks like I don’t need to ask for aid anymore. There’s a big difference between being begged for help and giving it of your own accord.”

  With that realization, Masahiko made up his mind.

  “Well, since I’m already here, I better make it look legit...” he mumbled, heading to the guest room and stuffing his bag with random stones to pretend he’d come back for something important.

  He didn’t even bother looking for Tobirama again before preparing to leave.

  Just as he was about to exit the Senju compound, a Jonin stopped him. “Lord Masahiko, the cn leader wishes to see you.”

  “Sure, I figured as much,” Masahiko said.

  “They’re probably going to ask the Uzumaki for help now...” he thought, walking toward the audience hall.

  “Back to grab your stuff? Got everything this time?” Butsuma Senju greeted him as soon as he entered.

  “Yeah, got it all,” Masahiko replied casually, not offering anything more.

  Butsuma paused for a moment, then, seeing Masahiko wasn’t speaking, finally gave in and said, “Our two cns are bound by marriage. We should face threats together. The Kaguya have been harassing us from the east, and smaller cns are stirring up trouble from the west. We hope the Uzumaki can join us in striking back.”

  “Oh, that? I’m not in a position to decide. I’ll report it to the cn leader when I return. The final say belongs to him and the elders.”

  Masahiko pyed coy, but inside, he was practically grinning.

  “I see. Well, I hope you’ll bring back good news,” Butsuma said.

  “Don’t worry, Lord Butsuma. I’ll do my best to persuade our cn leader. With Mito’s connection, I doubt it’ll be a problem.” Masahiko pyed the good guy to the hilt, earning a rare look of appreciation from Butsuma.

  Masahiko left the Senju compound, lugging his sack of stones back toward the Uzumaki. Of course, he tossed the rocks halfway—training with weights was one thing, carrying random stones was just dumb.

  When he returned, the Uzumaki cn leader came out to greet him personally.

  “Uncle, back so soon? Did the Senju agree to help us?”

  “They... requested our aid,” Masahiko replied.

  “What?”

  Masahiko expined everything that had happened.

  “This is good—better, even,” the cn leader said, smiling. “Now the Senju can take the lead, and we won’t have to sacrifice as many of our people. No need for me to go personally—let the Second and Third Elders lead the troops.”

  “I’ll go too,” Masahiko said after a pause.

  The cn leader looked surprised. Masahiko had always only fought when absolutely necessary.

  But he didn’t press. “Alright. Just be careful.”

  “I’ll go get ready,” Masahiko said, turning to leave.

  “Man, this ‘plot point’ system forces me to participate in everything... Where else am I supposed to rack up those witness points?” he muttered.

  “Let’s hope this battle brings some returns...”

  <><><><><>

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