Chapter:154

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Izuna turned around and gently pulled Mito along. Mito gave one last look at her village, lips pressed tightly, before silently leaving with Izuna.

"Clan leader, are we really letting Uchiha Izuna walk away like this?"

"This will bring shame to the Senju!"

Many Senju ninjas crowded around, their pride wounded more than their sense of loss over Mito.

Senju Hashirama, however, maintained a faint smile. Though the situation damaged his clan's honor, his inner resolve for integrity remained intact. For him, present humiliation meant nothing compared to the dream of a better future.

"Retreat!" he ordered firmly.

Izuna, reunited with Uchiha Gonno and the other ninjas, commanded his troops to withdraw from Uzushio Village and return to Uchiha territory. Mito followed silently, her gaze fixed downward, not uttering a word. Izuna held her hand tightly, offering silent support.

"Deputy Chief, the Senju and Uzumaki will never let this insult go unanswered," Uchiha Gonno murmured, his voice tinged with concern.

"Not immediately," Izuna replied confidently. "They'll regroup and bide their time. For now, we've bought ourselves a few months before they retaliate. They'll need to recover and prepare."

Izuna's foresight wasn't misplaced. Despite the humiliation, Senju would not rush into battle unprepared. The war would come after the autumn harvest when resources and manpower were sufficient.

If only I had the chance to eliminate Uzumaki Guanghai on the battlefield, Izuna mused darkly.

In Uzushio Village, after Izuna's departure, Senju Hashirama convened a high-level meeting with Uzumaki Hirokai. Uzumaki Guanghai initially moved to apologize for the events but was stunned when Senju Hashirama preempted him with a deep, respectful bow.

"I sincerely apologize on behalf of the Senju clan," Hashirama said solemnly. "We failed in our duty to protect Uzushio Village, allowing Uchiha and Kaguya to infiltrate so deeply. This failure is ours, and I take full responsibility."

"Clan leader!" The Senju ninjas were shocked. To them, the Uzumaki were at fault for the loss of Mito, not the Senju.

Uzumaki Guanghai, overwhelmed, hurriedly stopped Hashirama. "No, no, Hashirama, this isn't necessary! We are equally to blame!"

Despite the placations, Hashirama's apology carried weight. Uzumaki Guanghai declared, "From this day forward, the Uzumaki and Senju shall form a formal alliance against Uchiha! Do any of you object?"

"No objections!" the Uzumaki representatives responded in unison.

A Senju ninja eagerly suggested, "Clan leader, shall we declare full-scale war on Uchiha immediately?"

Hashirama shook his head. "No. We must wait for the autumn harvest to secure enough food and supplies. Until then, we focus on preparation."

However, he added, "There's a more pressing issue to address—how Uchiha and Kaguya infiltrated so deeply without being detected."

The room grew silent as the gravity of the situation sank in. If the same tactic were used again, no one would be safe.

Hashirama decided to investigate Kaguya's role personally. Crossing the sea, he reached the island of the Kaguya clan by early morning. The humid climate immediately struck him as harsh and inhospitable.

"It's no wonder they covet the fertile lands of the Uzumaki," Hashirama murmured.

Before he could venture far, two Kaguya ninjas stopped him. "Who are you?" one demanded.

"Senju Hashirama," he answered calmly, cupping his fists. "I've come to speak with your clan leader."

The name caused both ninjas to freeze in shock. They exchanged glances, and one hurried off to deliver the message.

Hashirama waited patiently, his composed demeanor hiding the storm brewing in his mind. If this were Izuna or Madara, they'd have already forced their way in, Hashirama thought with a wry smile.

End of the Chapter.