The Meeting Of Two Clans

The nation of Uzushiogakure was situated in the middle of the Land Of Fire and the Land Of Whirlpools. The main island of Kibuki acted as the seat of power for the royal family of the Uzumaki clan. The clan was one of the most ancient of all the major ninja clans easily dating as far back as the life of the demi-god better known by the world's denizens as the sage of the six paths who had died over 4,000 years before. The clan had grown substantially in the past thousand years of world history with much of that in a state of war. But in the end, they had proven to be among the best warriors on this side of the Summer Sea.

Best known for their vast knowledge in the ancient art of seals few would dare face them in open battle. Aside from their mastery of seals many in the clan also knew how to use a sword. Some of them were even better than the samurai in the snow-covered land best known as the Land Of Iron due to its rich deposits far to the northeast. It was from this very clan that a man would forever alter world history.

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Deep inside the main clan compound sat an old man whose eyes were busy reading over the newest reports brought to him by one of the younger members of the clan. The Uchiha and Senju clans were once more at war and had been off and on for nearly all of his 70 years of life. He had hoped that after four centuries of near-constant war with each other that one of them would have seen sense and sued for lasting peace but with the new Uchiha clan head being a man of war he knew that such hope was destined to fail. So he called for a clan meeting. A meeting to make plans for the future of the clan. It didn't take long for the clan to assemble inside the clan's great hall. Some of the older clan members called out for a more isolationist mindset. It wasn't their war to fight they would say. Why should their loved ones have to die on some distant land or for some small backwater village none of them could pronounce one would say. What was to be gained in doing so yet another would say and on and on it would go until not but headaches would ensue. It was true that both the Uzumaki and Senju clans were related dating back to the age of the sage of the six paths. But it was also true that both had gone to war many times in the past.

It was only when one of the youngest of their clan by the name of Noguchi Uzumaki started to make his way to the front of the great hall that the future of their clan was forever altered. His sword in clear view for all to see. Noguchi Uzumaki was a 21-year-old who many in the clan known was one of the best swordsmen of his generation. As soon as he was in front of the clan he turned to face them. A look of unending devotion could be seen by all in the great hall. He took but a moment before he began to speak moving his eyes left to right as he did so.

"We all know that the land on our island is running out and that we will in time need to secure new lands for our clan's future. Lands to farm and lands to construct new homes for our families". He stopped for just a moment to take a sip of water before he continued with his passionate speech. All the while ensuring that all could hear his words as easily as one could in the front "We also know that the Uchiha clan is weak from the loss of their last clan head". It was at this time many nodded. Every clan no matter how powerful was at its weakest right after a clan head had died. "What better time than this to ensure our clan can not only survive for generations to come but also ensure that we are the ones to rule this world, we are all the sons and daughters of the sage of the six paths. His blood flows in our very bodies. We and we alone have a divine right to rule and guide future generations in the ways of the great sage". With that, he gave a deep bow before retaking his seat. Many in the clan looked at each other and before long discussions broke out amongst old and younger members alike. Some were in favor of the motion others dismissed the very idea outright. In their eyes, this was nothing more than an upstart trying to look good in front of the many beautiful young ladies in the clan they would later say. The Uzumaki clan head however sat back and listened to the concerns and opinions of his fellow clan members before he made his decision.

"This may surprise many of you as it does myself but I happen to agree with the young man". The old man said as he slowly made his way back to the middle of the great hall just as Noguchi had done not long before. "We all knew this day would come however I will be the first to tell you all I had hoped that this day wasn't have come so soon. Yet I shall nevertheless try to not fail you in this great undertaking ". Just then one of the older clan members voiced his concerns about this. He had also seen his fair share of battles. His numerous battle scars that ran up and down his body were testament to that very fact.

"How are we to go about it". The man asked the clan before he continued. "We may be powerful but we are still just one clan in a sea of many powerful foes. What hope do we have to even try such a task"? The clan head simply nodded before he answered.

"That is true Morioka but you know as well as any of us here that we must do something soon. Our island will not house us for much longer as we are now. We must push past our archipelago if we are to survive in the coming decades". The clan head replied as he pointed outside the nearest window. There was very little space left to construct new houses or shops or set aside for farming. In a few more years this choice would be forced upon them no matter how they felt about the move. Seeing that now was as good a time as any Morioka soon retook his seat and listened intently to what his leader had to say.

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In the past 15 years, the Senju clan had seen some of the bloodiest battles it had ever seen and they knew that if they were to survive a partnership would have to be formed with one of the more powerful clans. By this time Noguchi had been chosen to lead the clan into the future. His ascension to clan head went virtually unopposed as he had proven his worth to all in his clan after the failed Uchiha assassination attempt on the old clan head in his sleep ten years before. By pure luck, Noguchi was on his way home after a hard day of training when he saw the two would-be assassins enter the clan head's home via a second-floor window. Once inside both pulled out a kunai knife and were just about to throw them only for them to be stopped by Noguchi's very own kunai. It didn't take him long to subdue the two would-be assassins. As punishment for this unprovoked attack on his clan both :assassins: both pre-teens by the looks of it were to be tied to a tree by means of their legs and used for target practice by the clan's many children.

It was from this very fact that the following day he was announced to be the future clan head. The day of the crowning ceremony was a day of fun and games all ending with a massive party that lasted well into the late hours of the night.

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Weeks later a small group of five Senju clan members landed on the small island and entered Uzushiogakure and asked to meet the clan head. Noguchi walked them to his new home and asked why they had entered his home village.

"I take it you're the clan head"? One of them asked.

"I am". Noguchi said before he continued. "That aside you have yet to tell me why you have come to my village". He said as he sat down behind his desk. The desk was covered in piles of paperwork that had yet to be filed. The life of a clan head was not an easy one but he never complained once. He understood what was expected of him and he would do whatever it took to ensure his clan's well-being.

"Right". The leader of the group said as he handed Noguchi a rolled-up piece of parchment. "We only ask that you sign this defense treaty. It requires you to come to our defense if need be, it would also have us come to your aid as well". Noguchi looked it over before he replied.

"You may stay in one of the spare guest rooms until I have come to a decision on this matter". The group of Senju all bowed to the clan head before exiting the room. It wasn't long after that a clan meeting was called. Like before it didn't take long for the clan to fill the great hall once more. As soon as everybody was seated Noguchi asked for everybody to quiet down so he may speak.

"As I'm sure you know we have a few members from the Senju clan with us today". At this, a fair few of the older members began to mumble unpleasantries in hushed tones but he knew it couldn't be helped. Once the group had stopped he once more resumed. "They want us to sign this". He said before he lifted it so as to better show off the treaty to the assembled crowd. "What are your thoughts and opinions on this matter"? Almost at once most of the older members who could still recall the many battles they had fighting them voiced no so it was clear there would be no love lost for them. However, the younger generation voted to sign the treaty if for no other reason than that it would strengthen the clan's position. Soon the room descended into a yelling match. Seeing this Noguchi released a healthy dose of killer intent to silence everybody.

"We will all vote on it. Each of you will be given a bit of parchment and you will put your mark upon it and lay it face down in a pile atop this desk. Once we have all cast our votes we shall will see what we will do about this". It only took around ten minutes for everybody to cast their votes and place them face down upon the table. Once it was clear that the voting was done Noguchi walked over and started calling them out.

"We have 400 votes to sign and 399 votes to not sign". Noguchi said before moving over to the treaty to sign it. However just before he was to sign it a cry from one of the younger clan members yelled out about a few lost votes. After looking for a good 25 minutes for the lost votes they were found in the inclosed fist of one Otani Uzumaki. A man who was well known for his dislike of the Senju clan. Taking the two votes in hand it soon become clear he was trying to ensure it wouldn't pass. Dismissing those two votes the final count was 400 for and 399 against. There were still a fair few who were upset at the news but at long last, they had come to a decision regarding the treaty so on October 7th of the year 1176 the Uzumaki/Senju partnership was finalized.

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The Senju would soon depart for their homeland deep inside the Land Of Fire. News of this would almost certainly turn the tide of the war. As a show of unity, Noguchi made plans to see the small group off as a sign of trust. His blood-red armor and sword could be seen by both clans. The two leaders shook hands sealing the new partnership and laying the groundwork for the rise of the Uzumaki empire that would rise in the years to come.

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It was many years later that news of yet another war between the Senju and Uchiha clans reached the ears of Noguchi. Who by this time had been clan head for over 28 years. His once blood-red hair that was so common by all true Uzumaki had slowly begun to gray somewhat. However, it was from this very same partnership years back that he had also met his wife who had given him a son who he loved very much. However, in the past 28 years, he had also overseen the rise of many great swordsmen/swordwomen in his clan. Having trained many of them himself. This forced both father and son apart later in life and their relationship never recovered from this. One such person was a boy by the name of Miyamoto Uzumaki. He like so many in the clan had the typical blood-red hair and Noguchi enjoyed watching the boy spar with his fellow clan mates. It was clear he had the potential to be something truly great in the years to come.

It was for this very reason that the boy soon found himself facing the clan head in an open field. Noguchi was going to train him to possibly be his replacement should it be necessary. Miyamoto's training regime was brutal. He was first forced to hunt and survive with just a knife, a few days of field rations (3), and of course his own wit. The near endless laps around the open field after that had often resulted in the younger bot passing out from sheer exhaustion. But he would do all that 10,000 times over than spar with the clan head. Noguchi didn't play around once he was sure Miyamoto could survive a spar he ordered him to do so daily. It had taken the better part of three years but the progress was clear. It was true he still had a ways to go before he could realistically beat Noguchi in a spar but he could now beat just about everybody else.

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Weeks later Noguchi was busy with the paperwork when one of the younger clan members by the name of Miko ran inside his office. Miko was a by-product of the partnership and was his go-to whenever he wanted a message to be delivered quickly. However, unlike on most days, Miko looked hesitant to deliver the message. Upon seeing this he soon took hold of the message and began to read. The war was going very badly and he was being asked to send even more of his clan to fight in the war. A war that had lasted for nearly four long bloody years.

"Find me this group" He ordered with more force than he really planned on using but it got the boy moving. No sooner had the order been given Miko was halfway out the door. It didn't take long before a group of nearly 20 filled the small office. Their mission was clear. They were to help hold the enemy at the base of a narrow mountain pass as the bulk of the Senju forces moved to hit them from behind. They would fail at this task.