In the blink of an eye, a whole month had passed.

  As Masahiko Uzumaki walked through the vilge streets, members of both the Senju and Uzumaki cns cast him respectful gnces.

  “So this is what it feels like to be trusted,” Masahiko mused inwardly. “Feels like a first for me…”

  Over the past month, the allied forces had cshed with the Kaguya cn seven or eight times.

  But due to the Kaguya patriarch’s wariness toward barrier techniques, the Uzumaki-Senju alliance had consistently been on the back foot. After all, just dealing with the Kaguya patriarch alone required two Uzumaki elders and a team of elite and top-tier jonin to hold him off. In terms of high-end combat power, they were clearly outmatched.

  It was only thanks to Masahiko, who had repeatedly managed to stall the Kaguya’s second elder on his own, that the alliance still had a fighting chance.

  Meanwhile, the remaining forces of both the Senju and Kaguya cns had their hands full keeping an eye on the ever-watchful Uchiha, making it impossible to send reinforcements.

  Despite the disadvantage, the alliance remained calm. One, Elder Higashi of the Senju would recover in another two weeks. Two, Hashirama had been growing rapidly amidst the battles and was now on the verge of becoming a cn-head level powerhouse.

  “No matter which happens first, the tide will turn!” Many among the allied forces held firm faith in that belief.

  But of course, if the alliance could see this much, the Kaguya cn wasn’t blind either.

  Inside the Kaguya command tent, Patriarch Kaguya Jōrai sat in council with the two elders and several peak-level jonin.

  “Damn it! We've already sent the Uchiha three requests for reinforcements. Still no response?” The second elder’s voice was filled with frustration—he’d been bottled up by a mere jonin for weeks now, and his pride was nearing its breaking point.

  “Reporting, Second Elder. They've been stalling. Likely trying to let us wear down the enemy forces for them,” a peak jonin answered.

  “Despicable! Those damn Uchiha… one day—” Jōrai growled, voice seething with hate.

  “Send another letter,” the First Elder cut in, interrupting the outburst with a weary sigh.

  “Hmph.” Jōrai snorted but didn't object.

  The next day, the fourth letter of plea from the Kaguya arrived at the hands of Uchiha Tajima, the current cn head.

  Tajima gathered all jonin and elites within the cn for a high-level meeting. Among them were Madara and Izuna.

  Seated in the central hall, Tajima casually shook the letter in his hand and said, “This makes four letters from the Kaguya. Madara, what’s your take?”

  “Father, if they’ve sent this many, their situation must be dire. And this is the perfect chance to strike the Senju while they’re vulnerable. I say we move out immediately!” Madara replied firmly.

  “Oh? Anyone disagree?” Tajima asked, eyes scanning the room.

  Uchiha Shinji, the cn’s eldest elder, slowly stood up and said, “Cn head, during our st campaign against the Hyuga, we gave the Kaguya a whole mine just to get them to block the Senju. If they want help now, shouldn't we at least get something in return?”

  Tajima shook his head lightly. “And what would that get us? Another mine? Don’t forget—right now, the only ones guarding the Kaguya homend are their third elder and a skeleton crew.”

  The room immediately buzzed with chatter.

  “You mean…?” someone ventured.

  “That’s right,” Tajima said with a cold smirk. “We’re not attacking the Senju. We’re going after the Kaguya.”

  “Father, isn’t that a betrayal? We’re allies,” Madara said, frowning. At this point in his life, he was still a young man who loved his brother and believed in justice.

  “Justice? Hmph. Madara, remember this—during the Warring States Era, only benefits matter. Loyalty is a luxury,” Tajima said coldly. “Since the Hyuga ambush, we’ve lost nearly half our reserve forces. It doesn’t show now, but give it ten years, and the Senju will crush us. To prevent that, we need more resources—and this is our chance.”

  At the mention of the Hyuga ambush, Madara closed his eyes in pain, remembering the brothers he’d lost. He didn’t speak again.

  Not that it mattered. The moment Tajima finished speaking, the hall erupted into barely contained excitement.

  “No objections? Then prepare the troops. We march on the Kaguya at dawn,” Tajima ordered with a satisfied smile.

  Back at the Kaguya camp, the messenger returned and excitedly rushed to Jōrai.

  “Patriarch! Good news! When I delivered the letter, Uchiha Tajima immediately summoned his top elites. Not long after, I saw rge groups of Uchiha packing up—it looks like they’re finally joining the fight!”

  “Hahaha! Those damn Uchiha are finally stepping in!” Jōrai beamed. “Tell everyone to rest well tonight—when the Uchiha arrive tomorrow, we break the Senju and Uzumaki camps once and for all!”

  Little did he know that the reinforcements he eagerly awaited were sharpening their bdes for his back.

  Back in the allied camp, Masahiko frowned.

  “It’s strange. The st battle was three days ago. Why haven’t the Kaguya attacked today? Could they be backing off?” he wondered aloud.

  The others in the war tent exchanged puzzled gnces, but no one had an answer.

  Moments ter, a Senju scout burst in with an urgent report.

  “Reporting! The Uchiha cn is on the move!”

  Silence fell over the room like a heavy fog.

  Ten minutes passed before Elder Higashi broke it with a grim voice.

  “We knew this day might come, but the Uchiha joining the war… it means things will only get worse. Another drawn-out bloodbath… who knows how many loved ones we’ll lose.”

  Masahiko clenched his fists. “Still not strong enough… I promised the cn leader’s nephew I’d protect our people. And yet, all I’ve done is hold the line against Kaguya’s second elder. If I could just defeat him… this war might’ve already ended.”

  Hashirama, elsewhere in the camp, was thinking the same thing—but his emotions ran even deeper.

  “Madara… are we really going to face each other like this? Have you already forgotten our dream?” he thought bitterly.

  “Big brother, pull yourself together!” Tobirama urged, sensing Hashirama’s hesitation.

  “Everyone, don’t lose hope,” Elder Higashi said quickly, noticing the heavy atmosphere. “The news must have already reached our cn. Reinforcements will be here tomorrow. Rest while you can. We’re in for a brutal fight.”

  Masahiko nodded. “Understood.” He turned and walked out into the night. One by one, the others followed.

  At that moment, none of them knew—

  Tomorrow’s battle would shatter every expectation.