Jomei: "From what I understand, one of their members managed to become the Daimyo's concubine, which proves that her beauty was not insignificant."
Arisuke: "I don't know how someone from the Land of Fire managed to obtain this information, but you're not mistaken. At least, that's how it was, until a few months ago."
At that point, I interrupted him. "That's right, after the Daimyo's death."
This time, Arisuke's expression showed surprise, as did Mr. Isamu's.
Their reactions were for different reasons.
At this moment, Arisuke had the feeling that the young man speaking had been keeping an eye on the Chinoike clan all along.
For Isamu, it was because the mission scroll hadn't mentioned anything about it, and yet he was always by my side.
Arisuke sighed and returned to his usual gaze.
Jomei: "Even your clan member was accused of murder by the Daimyo's wife, so when this news gets out, your clan will be hunted down, even by outside clans, as you've already seen."
What I just mentioned was true. In fact, if it weren't for Izuna giving me this mission, our clans would have started fighting until the Chinoike clan was almost extinct.
Arisuke: "I'm sorry, but I have to..." His distant expression reflected that he was running simulations of what would happen, if I was right.
Arisuke: "This meeting will be adjourned. I'm very sorry our meeting ended this way, but I have some matters to review." He commented hastily, without clarifying the reason for his decision.
Jomei: "Don't worry, Patriarch Arisuke. I just hope you'll give us permission to stay." My request was reasonable, even though I said it because my back was starting to hurt after sleeping outdoors for so long.
Arisuke: "Yes, no problem," he commented as he walked briskly away.
Isamu and I left the Chinoike clan patriarch's house, even though Mr. Isamu's expression resembled Arisuke's before he left.
When we met in the middle of the street, Mr. Isamu grabbed me by the shoulder.
Isamu: "How did you know all that information?" he asked, genuinely surprised.
Jomei: "I didn't know. I was just expressing my thoughts about what happened." My words weren't credible, even to me, but I hoped Mr. Isamu wouldn't ask any more questions about what happened.
Isamu: "It doesn't matter how smart you are, but the information you gave Arisuke was the complete truth, I could see it in his expression." His excitement was evident, which made me doubt what Mr. Isamu would do; I had never seen him like this before.
Inwardly, I began to calm down, but an impulse made me retreat to an alley.
Isamu then activated his Sharingan, staring at me intently, while holding me tightly with his hand.
For my part, I showed no fear.
Jomei: "What are you doing, Mr. Isamu?" I asked calmly.
Isamu: "Tell me, how did you know all this information?" He calmly asked the question.
Jomei: "I can't tell you, but everything I do is for the benefit of the clan." I grabbed his hand and tried to break free, but the strength between the two was unmatched.
After a few moments, Mr. Isamu's grip loosened, giving me the opportunity to break free and run away.
Mr. Isamu's expression returned to normal as he watched her run away.
He took out a scroll and began to write a few words. When he finished, he placed it in a bag containing some of the scrolls filled with information gathered during the mission.
Biting his thumb, he performed a summoning seal, causing a small ball of smoke to appear.
"Blackjack, haha, finally after losing so much money... Hey." A cat with an eye patch and a pair of cards in its hand appeared from the smoke.
Isamu: "Mochi, take this to the clan." He handed her the bag of scrolls and removed the cards from her hand.
Mochi: "Wait, you've made me lose too much money this time, I need you to give me adequate compensation." She stood on two legs and placed her front paws on his waist.
Isamu: "*sigh* Fine, make this request and I'll pay you back what you lost with interest."
Mochi folded her hands. "No, I need the money right now." Her gambling gaze shone with the intention of continuing the bet.
Mr. Isamu's cold stare made her tremble and sweat with fear, so she forced the summoning, disappearing from the scene at that moment.
...
Senju Clan.
"Mr. Tobirama, the patrol reports have arrived. They report that no such person has been sighted." The ninja said as he knelt.
Tobirama: "Keiki, have you checked your memories?" he asked while cleaning a kunai.
Keiki: "Yes, the Yamanaka clan members were responsible for reviewing their memories before each report."
Tobirama: "Good." He raised the kunai, which bore a seal on the handle.
Keiki: "Sir, it's been over a year since that incident. Do we really need to continue searching for that person?"
Tobirama frowned. "It doesn't matter if it's been 10 years or more, we need to remain on guard in case he returns." His stern voice lashed out at Keiki's comments.
Keiki bowed to Tobirama to apologize for his actions.
Tobirama: "What information do you have on the Uchiha clan?"
Keiki: "They haven't made a move on the Chinoike clan. Apparently, they rejected the mission or it never arrived."
Tobirama: "I see... the Shimura and Sarutobi clans have already dealt with the Uchiha child?"
Keiki: "No, Mr. Tobirama. It seems they lost track of you in the northern part of the Land of Fire, but both patriarchs have sent high-level ninjas to the Chinoike clan."
Tobirama instantly stood up and stomped his foot on the floor of the residence, cracking the floor, walls, and ceiling.
The kneeling ninja didn't flinch; this behavior of Tobirama's was well known in the clan.
Tobirama: "Those greedy rats, Keiki. Send a ninja to those clans and tell them they can't touch any clan except the Uchiha clan."
Keiki: "Understood."
...
Sarutobi Clan.
A loud impact was heard, triggered by the patriarch of the Shimura clan.
Sasuke: "Calm down, Hiroki."
Hiroki: "Should I calm down? We sent those ninjas two days ago, and the new order won't arrive in time!" He exclaimed, desperation radiating throughout his body.
Sasuke: "It doesn't matter. If they eliminate the Chinoike clan, there won't be any evidence that it was us." He explained calmly after taking a sip of tea.
The patriarch of the Shimura clan relaxed upon hearing his friend's words. "That's true. Besides, they have nothing to link us to them," he said with a slightly nervous smile.
Sasuke: "That Uchiha boy has caused us several problems. I think we should take action against the Uchiha clan as Mr. Tobirama advised."
Hiroki sat down again and calmed down slightly, rubbing his temple. "Fine, but how do you suggest we do it?"
Sasuke: "*Sniffle*, Mhm... We could do it the same way we did when we started by stealing the travelers' supplies."
Hiroki: "That's perfect, haha." His fatuous laugh and cruel smile echoed throughout the building. "It's been so long since that, I didn't even remember it."
Sasuke: "That's right. I don't think anyone remembers that tactic, so they can't hold us responsible for what happened."
Patriarch Hiroki began tapping the table, then commented. "If we include the ninjas returning from the mission to the Land of Lightning, we'd be undetectable."
Sasuke: "*Sniffle*, Mhm... Why take so long? We just need to train the ninjas we have in reserve."
Hiroki: "Hahaha. Then starting tomorrow, we'll begin sneak attacks on the Uchiha clan."
A pair of chuckles echoed throughout the room for a long time.
...
Uchiha Clan.
Suddenly, the door to the room where Madara was located opened. This action irritated Madara, although he didn't say anything, since he already knew who it was.
Izuna: "Brother, the ninja cats brought this." He showed him a bag containing several scrolls.
Madara: "You could have reviewed the information and just brought me a summary of its contents. And try to announce yourself before coming in here." A vein stood out on his forehead as he said these words.
Izuna: "Sorry, it's just information Isamu sent. I thought it might interest you." His gaze reflected interest.
Hearing this, Madara put aside the papers he was reviewing and approached Izuna, snatching the bag from her.
He opened it and dumped the entire contents on the floor. "Arrange the scrolls in order." With that, he sat on the floor.
Izuna: "Brother, why don't we do it at the table?" Madara didn't reply, just pointed to the table, on which lay an immense amount of papers.
Izuna: "Hehe, I see."
Madara: "Don't just stand there, help me."