chsdbacks Chapter 111: The Opportunity at Fallen Fox Cliff.
Chapter 111: The Opportunity at Fallen Fox Cliff.
"Fallen Fox Cliff? Of course I know it!"
Senju Tsuru immediately responded, her tone tinged with emotion.
"About a hundred years ago, the then Uchiha clan leader fell into Falling Fox Cliff. Our Senju Futen clan leader thought he was surely dead. Who would have thought that the Uchiha Fox had faked his death and then suddenly appeared during the Battle of Sato River, catching us completely off guard..."
Before he could finish speaking, Black Zetsu in his palm immediately raised his hand to interrupt him.
"Alright, alright, I know these old scores better than you do. Let's get to the point."
Black Zetsu interrupted.
Looking back, Black Zetsu still remembers the tense expression on the Great Sage Manji's face when the battle report of Uchiha Kitty reached the Sage's Palace and he learned that Kitty had won.
Senju Tsuru immediately shut her mouth and obediently waited for what was to come.
Black Zetsu then toned down his playful tone and became serious: "When Uchiha Kitsune faked his death and hid at Falling Fox Cliff, he left behind a set of sword techniques on the cliff face."
"Since you're going to Falling Fox Cliff on your way, you might as well go and take a look. Although it's uncertain whether the sword technique still exists after a hundred years, it's better than missing out."
A look of surprise flashed in Senju Tsuru's eyes. She immediately clenched her left hand, her voice urgent and expectant: "Really? Then let's set off now!"
But then, Senju Tsuru frowned.
"But what if we run into the Uchiha army head-on?"
"We're operating alone now, without any backup."
Senju Tsuru spoke with concern.
Upon hearing this, Black Zetsu smiled confidently and waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Hey, you're mistaken. We won't encounter the Uchiha army at all."
Why?
Senju Tsuru's eyes were full of doubt, and he leaned forward slightly.
"He, look at this picture."
Black Zetsu manipulated the dark chakra, conjuring a simple map of the ninja world from Senju Tsuru's palm. Dark lines flowed from his fingertips, clearly outlining the layout of various forces.
Black Zetsu tapped the map with his fingertip and explained calmly, "Look carefully, the intentions of the Uchiha and Hagoromo in this war are crystal clear: to attack the Senju clan from both the north and south."
"The Uchiha are advancing from the south, and Hagoromo is attacking from the north. The Uchiha's next plan is to launch a full-scale assault on Kikyo Mountain!"
"Once they take Kikyo Mountain, Hagoromo will launch a southward attack from the north, forming an encirclement."
"Fallen Fox Cliff is located in the northwest. It is neither a major transportation route nor has any strategic value. The main force of the Uchiha clan would never detour there, and the main force of Hagoromo is busy heading south to encircle them. They would not be able to set foot on Fallen Fox Cliff even once. Our trip is very safe."
Black Zetsu's analysis was clear and logical, and every word hit the nail on the head.
Senjutsu-zuru stared at the markings on the map.
"Immortal, you are absolutely right. Now I can finally rest assured."
Thousand Hands nodded in sudden realization.
"However, just in case, let's take the back road."
Black Zetsu then suggested that his dark fingertips trace a hidden path on the map.
"Let's turn a corner and take a shortcut to the bottom of Falling Fox Cliff, so we don't have to jump off the cliff and risk it all."
"Yes! We'll do as the immortal says!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Senju Tsuru bowed and agreed immediately, completely complying with Black Zetsu's arrangements.
------
Meanwhile, inside the main tent of the Uchiha army camp, the flickering candlelight cast long, thin shadows on the figures inside.
A huge battlefield map was laid out on the table. Elder Uchiha stood bowing to one side, his fingertips emphasizing the location of Mount Kikyo on the map, as he respectfully reported to the tall woman in the main seat.
"Clan leader, this is the current situation! We'll launch a direct assault on Kikyo Mountain and engage the Senju forces in a skirmish, while we hold them off!"
"The Hagoromo clan will immediately launch an attack from the north, attacking from both the south and north. The Senju will be unable to defend themselves from both ends, and this time our Uchiha will surely achieve a great victory!"
"Old Man Uchiha said excitedly."
"Um....."
Uchiha Sa, seated at the head of the table, gazed silently at the map. Her three-tomoe Sharingan eyes narrowed slightly, her slender fingers tapping lightly on the table. Her delicate brows furrowed as she fell into deep thought.
After a moment, she slowly spoke.
"No, our attack route is too obvious. The Senju clan must have already deployed heavy troops to defend Kikyo Mountain. If we force an attack, the Uchiha will suffer heavy casualties."
Uchiha Sa's voice was cold and cautious.
"Moreover, I have never trusted the Feathered Robe Clan."
Uchiha Sa's tone deepened, and a hint of disdain flashed in her eyes.
"Their fighting strength is weak to begin with, and they are no match for the Senju. I am worried that not only will they fail to conquer the northern border of the Senju, but they will also collapse quickly. At that time, due to the chain reaction, our encirclement plan will completely fail, and we will be put on the defensive instead."
Sa wasn't being overly pessimistic; the Uchiha clan's current situation in the ninja world is already quite difficult.
A hundred years ago, Uchiha Kitsune crossed the river in his shroud, feigning his death to plot against others, and killed Senju Uzuki, the only person who came to attend the funeral.
The Uchiha clan's reputation had already been ruined, and their inherent arrogance earned them the title of "madmen," so no other ninja clan was willing to genuinely ally with them.
She wouldn't have chosen to ally with the mediocre Feathered Clan unless she was desperate.
There is a clan in the ninja world that is even more insane than the Uchiha.
The Kaguya Clan.
Its Shikotsumyaku bloodline limit is terrifyingly powerful. In an era where the ninjutsu system was not yet perfect and most battles relied on taijutsu and swordsmanship, the Shikotsumyaku's combat power was beyond the norm.
But the Kaguya clan is completely unreliable.
I heard that they are currently engaged in fierce fighting with other ninja clans, and their clansmen are suffering from bloodline disease.
In Uchiha Sa's view, within a few years, the Kaguya clan would be unable to survive on the continent.
At that point, the only option left is to go to sea.
They lived together on the deserted island with the Hozuki clan.
Are there any other routes?
Uchiha Sa pondered for a moment, then looked at the map.
Then his fingertip pointed to the southern part of Kikyo Mountain.
"How about we go around to the south?"
Uchiha Sa hesitated.
"No, the south is Sarutobi Shimura's territory. If we go through there, we're likely to be attacked by both clans. Although the Sarutobi clan chief is currently keeping a low profile, there's no guarantee that the Shimura clan chief might be able to persuade..."
Uchihachi shook his head and frowned as he spoke.
"What about heading north?"
Uchiha Sa could only look north.
"To the north is Falling Fox Cliff, the place where the fox clan chief fell off the cliff. This place has little value and the terrain is distorted."
Elder Uchiha said slowly.
Uchiha Sa caught a glimpse of Fallen Fox Cliff, and her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"This place..."
Uchiha Sa pondered for a moment, then her eyes lit up.
This place was the residence of the fox clan chief over a hundred years ago!
Although I don't know why, I have a feeling that I want her to go to this place.