Chapter:113

This town fell under the control of the Gekkō Clan, a subsidiary clan of the Hyuga. Unlike the major clans like Uchiha, Senju, and Shimura, which were nearly as self-sufficient as villages, smaller clans like Gekkō relied heavily on civilians for their survival. These villagers, in exchange for the clan's protection, provided food and other resources. In the chaotic Warring States era, survival was a high priority for these civilians, and they willingly entered these agreements.

This dependency, however, left small clans vulnerable. With fewer defenses compared to powerhouses like Uchiha and Senju, they became susceptible to outside exploitation. Yet, given the stark power difference, no one blamed them.

At the center of town stood the largest mansion, adorned with a plaque engraved with "Gekkō." This was the residence of Gekkō Fengbo, the leader of the clan. Known for their expertise in swordsmanship, the Gekkō Clan's signature technique, Moonlight Ninja Swordsmanship, had once caught the attention of the Uchiha, who, using their Sharingan, copied and adapted it to enhance their own style.

At thirty-five, Gekkō Fengbo was a seasoned leader but, by ninja standards, far from the peak of jounin. Limited resources hindered the Gekkō Clan's access to advanced ninjutsu and training, setting them apart from the elite clans that had reserves of scrolls and jutsu at their disposal.

The clan's ninjutsu attributes were also scattered and inconsistent. While Uchiha members generally awakened with fire attributes, Gekkō members showed a mix—some had fire, others water, and some wind. With only one attribute each, their training was challenging, forcing the clan to seek shelter under the Hyuga for stability several decades ago.

But despite his circumstances, Fengbo continued to train daily, refusing to let his ambitions falter. He dreamed of raising his clan's level of strength so they might one day gain independence from the Hyuga, similar to the Hatake family, which had earned its own reputation in the Warring States era despite its small size.

After a long day in the training room, Gekkō Fengbo returned to his study. He had developed the habit of reviewing daily reports from his subordinates, documents that they placed on his desk each evening. But as he opened the door, he immediately sensed something was amiss.

A mysterious figure in a black robe and mask sat comfortably at his desk, calmly rifling through the documents.

"I've been waiting for you, Chief Gekkō," the masked man said, his voice calm and composed.

"Who are you?!" Fengbo demanded, dropping instinctively into a defensive stance. His mansion might not rival the fortresses of the Uchiha or Senju, but it was still guarded by hundreds of clan members, and no one should have been able to enter undetected.

"You don't need to know," the stranger replied, reaching up to touch his mask as if preparing to remove it. Fengbo's eyes followed the motion, his gaze drawn to what lay beneath. As the mask slipped back, he was greeted by the sight of a crimson Mangekyō Sharingan.

In that instant, Gekkō Fengbo felt his entire body freeze, locked by the powerful gaze of the Sharingan.

"The first rule when fighting the Sharingan," the masked man said with a smirk, "is to run if you're alone. Remember that."

He replaced his mask nonchalantly. "Now, let's get started. You'll help me set the stage."

With the Gekkō leader now under his control, the masked man, Kaido, was ready to initiate his plan.

Meanwhile, Shimura Keizo had sent several intelligence ninjas disguised as merchants, travelers, and bounty hunters to gather information in town. Their mission: locate the mysterious figure, Kaido, who had vanished without a trace. After ten days of covert surveillance, they finally received a lead—Kaido had been spotted entering the Gekkō Clan's mansion.

The news spread through the intelligence team like wildfire. The Shimura ninjas were stunned to learn that Kaido seemed connected to the Gekkō Clan, which, although minor, was protected by the Hyuga—one of the most powerful clans of the Warring States period.

Knowing they risked incurring the Hyuga's wrath if they weren't careful, the Shimura team gathered to debate their next steps. They could not recklessly investigate the Gekkō mansion, but they couldn't ignore the intelligence either. Simultaneously, they sent word back to the clan.

When Sarutobi Furukawa and Shimura Keizo received the news that Kaido was linked to the Gekkō Clan, they were equally shocked. Sarutobi Furukawa advised caution, fearing that a hasty investigation could anger the Hyuga. However, Shimura Keizo, eager to seize this rare opportunity, urged immediate action, insisting that any delay would mean Kaido could slip away once more.

Finally, Sarutobi Furukawa relented, agreeing to send his cousin, Sarutobi Koyuki, a skilled perception master at quasi-kage level, to conduct a deeper investigation. He urged Koyuki to remain vigilant and, if anything seemed suspicious, to withdraw at once.

Even with his advanced skills, it took Sarutobi Koyuki ten days to reach the Gekkō Clan's village due to the need for a detour around Uchiha and Senju territory. Once he arrived, he joined the Shimura teams, and they began to discreetly monitor the Gekkō mansion.

After several days of careful reconnaissance, one night, Sarutobi Koyuki found himself perched silently on the mansion's rooftop. He focused his chakra to sharpen his hearing, catching muffled voices below.

"Master Kaido, what are your plans?" someone asked, the voice respectful yet tense.

Koyuki's pulse quickened. He knew he was close. Carefully, he removed a roof tile, attaching Wind Release chakra to his blade to drill a minuscule opening in the floor. Peering through, he saw Gekkō Fengbo kneeling before a man in black robes—Kaido.

"It's him," Koyuki murmured, his heart racing as he took in the scene below.

Kaido's voice was calm but carried a steely undertone. "Uchiha and Senju are at war. Neither side will gain the upper hand anytime soon. I've already revealed myself to Senju Kawaragi once."

Koyuki listened intently, trying to catch every word. Kaido's presence here and his connection to Uchiha and Senju had to be the missing link in the mystery Shimura Keizo and Sarutobi Furukawa were unraveling. The fact that he had even mentioned Senju by name was enough to make Koyuki's blood run cold. This wasn't just a rogue ninja; Kaido was a strategic mastermind whose schemes ran deep.

Carefully, Koyuki slid away, his mind racing with the implications. He now had to weigh his options—return and report, or stay and try to gather more intelligence. His training urged him to prioritize caution, yet his curiosity pushed him to linger, desperate for more details.

Kaido's words drifted up again. "With the two great clans occupied, the time to act against other ninja factions will soon be at hand. The smaller clans lack the strength and resources to resist, and with Senju and Uchiha distracted, it's an ideal opportunity."

🖤Ye Qingtian| Patreon🖤

Visit our Patreon for more:

https://www.patreon.com/YeQingtian.

Extra Content Already Available