Alliance

In Chizuru's house, within the VIP room, Homura Uchiha and Momoka Senju sat facing each other, dropping their façades and meeting each other's gaze with undisguised disdain and disgust.

Their relationship had never been amicable, and in the absence of others, they saw no need for pretense.

"To be clear, I'm here solely to express gratitude to Chizuru on behalf of the Senju Clan. It has nothing to do with you or the Uchiha Clan," Momoka stated bluntly.

"Is there a distinction? I am Chizuru's grandfather, and she is a member of the Uchiha clan. If you express gratitude to her, you are expressing it to the Uchiha clan. Moreover, since you stepped into the Uchiha clan, are you representing yourself or the Uchiha clan?" Homura retorted with a sneer.

Momoka understood the implications but remained silent, her expression turning grim.

She had no desire to witness an easing of relations between the Senju and Uchiha clans.

"Don't be displeased; this is a positive development. It's beneficial for the younger generations and for Konoha. We, relics of the old era, shouldn't obstruct it, should we?" Homura attempted to ease the tension, his tone serious.

Momoka grunted in tacit agreement, despite her reservations.

While she harbored personal reservations, the improved relations between the clans were beneficial for the future of Konoha, as desired by the late Hashirama. Momoka couldn't allow personal biases to hinder Konoha's progress.

"You haven't only come to express gratitude this time; speak your mind," Homura prompted, a smile playing on his lips.

Momoka's gaze sharpened, and she fixed her eyes on Homura as she spoke coldly, "The breach of the Kyuubi's seal wasn't an accident; it was deliberate."

"What!" Homura exclaimed, shocked by Momoka's revelation.

He understood the gravity of her words; such information would send shockwaves through Konoha.

Despite the heavy protection provided by Konoha's elite forces during the Nine-Tails Inheritance Operation, Mito fell victim to a plot.

Who possessed such formidable abilities?

Homura's eyes searched Momoka's, seeking answers.

But Momoka remained silent, her gaze unwavering.

Homura, though initially confident, felt a twinge of guilt. Perhaps Momoka wasn't suspecting him but someone within the Uchiha clan, maybe even a deceased Uchiha.

"It's impossible; that person is long gone," Homura thought, convincing himself.

However, Momoka's next words shattered his conviction, "After the Nine-Tails Inheritance Operation concluded, Mito-sama awoke briefly. She revealed that before the Kyuubi's seal was broken, a chakra, both familiar and unfamiliar, appeared in her body and facilitated the breach."

"Mito-sama is still alive!"

Upon hearing that Mito was alive, a shocked expression crossed Homura Uchiha's face. As Momoka continued speaking, a growing sense of fear pervaded his emotions.

"Impossible. That person was clearly killed by the first Hokage," Uchiha Homura declared with an ugly expression.

"It seems you also thought of him. That vile individual once used Kyuubi as a summoning beast. Mito-sama sealed Kyuubi within herself to prevent its misuse. However, the psychic contract between that person and Nine-Tails wasn't nullified; it was merely temporarily obstructed by the sealing technique. Mito-sama believes that the mysterious chakra infiltrated her system through the contract, exploiting a moment of weakness in the seal, possibly reestablishing the psychic connection."

Momoka sneered.

Uchiha Homura was speechless. Who else in the world could forcibly establish a contract with Kyuubi? Only that person possessed such an ability.

While still skeptical about the person's survival, the evidence provided by Momoka indicated the likelihood of his existence.

"How could he still be alive? Did he use some...," Homura thought anxiously before suddenly recalling something, his face changing drastically.

At that moment, he remembered a forbidden Uchiha technique, a dreadful eye technique. In his understanding, only that technique could have enabled the person to survive the encounter with Hashirama senju.

"It seems you've realized something. Indeed, that person might still be alive. Although I find it hard to believe, he's the most likely candidate for such a feat. I'd truly love to personally eliminate him."

Momoka sighed, observing Homura's reaction.

"So, you came to me personally this time with the intention of easing tensions between our clans. If that person is still alive, the only way for our clans to survive his vengeance is to unite forces," Uchiha Homura said with a bitter expression.

Among the various clans in Konoha, the Uchiha clan least desired Uchiha Madara's survival. When Madara defected, he persuaded Uchiha members to join him, but none followed, and he was subsequently betrayed and abandoned.

Many Uchiha breathed a sigh of relief upon learning of Madara's death, feeling liberated from the threat that lingered as long as he lived.

"Don't get sentimental. If Mito-sama hadn't instructed me to relay this news, I wouldn't bother sharing such vital information. I have no desire to be associated with your Uchiha clan at all."

Momoka declared with a cold expression.

"Does Mito-sama have any further instructions?" Homura Uchiha, no longer concerned with Momoka's unfriendly attitude, sought information on Mito's plans.

After a moment of contemplation, Momoka spoke slowly: "Mito-sama wants you to closely monitor those dissatisfied Uchiha individuals in the village. If that person is alive, he'll likely use discontent within the Uchiha clan to exact revenge on Konoha. Look for his spies among them."

Hearing this, Uchiha Homura fell into a brief silence and sighed, "Alright, I will discreetly investigate this matter. Though I'm reluctant to admit it, Mito is right. If that person is alive, there might indeed be a spy for him within the Uchiha clan."

Over the years, due to Konoha's unfair treatment of the Uchiha clan, a significant number harbored discontent. Uchiha Setsuna, who declared allegiance to that person, was exposed and arrested by Senju Tobema, the second Hokage. Now, he was missing.

It dawned on Homura that Setsuna might have been influenced by that person.

"You've made the right choice, Chief Homura. If you refuse, I'll disclose this to the third generation. You know how he'll treat the Uchiha clan once he learns that the person is still alive. Consider it a warning."

Seeing Homura Uchiha agree to Mito's request, Momoka sneered.

A surge of killing intent emanated from Uchiha Homura, directed at Momoka. In an instant, Momoka felt as though she had stepped into the gates of hell, a cold sweat breaking out unconsciously. However, she maintained her composure, staring coldly at Homura Uchiha.

Evidently, she was confident that Uchiha Homura wouldn't dare to attack her.

Indeed, Homura Uchiha had never contemplated attacking Momoka. His intent was to use the display of force to intimidate her. Unfortunately, Momoka's resolve had been honed by the first Hokage, and she regarded Uchiha Homura's murderous aura with indifference.

"I will do my best to fulfill Mito-sama's instructions. It's better for the Sandaime not to find out about it."

Homura Uchiha, seeing Momoka's unyielding stance, recognized the futility of his intimidation. He chose to yield.

In a brief moment earlier, he had considered using an illusion to control Momoka. With his current illusionary strength, even though Momoka possessed elite jounin abilities and an enormous chakra, he was confident in overpowering her with Sharingan.

Homura awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan the night after his son's death. Since then, his mastery over illusionary techniques had grown significantly.

However, he acknowledged that controlling Momoka was unrealistic. Mito's strength was still sufficient to perceive Momoka's entrapment within an illusion.

While he possessed considerable strength, attacking Momoka wasn't an option. Such an action would shatter the Uchiha clan's recently improved standing.

Despite feeling cornered, it was challenging being the head of the Uchiha clan.

Homura Uchiha also understood Momoka's concerns. If the Uchiha clan didn't cooperate, her best course of action would indeed be to inform the third generation.

And once the third generation learned that the person was alive, their attitude towards the Uchiha clan would drastically change. The previous friendship and overtures might transform into vigilance and hostility.

Danzo, the hawkish figure, might resurface under the third generation's command to deal with the Uchiha clan.

At that point, the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha would become even more precarious than before.

"It's good that Homura can see reason. Rest assured, as long as the Uchiha clan cooperates with the investigation, the third generation need not know of this matter. This is Mito-sama's assurance."

Momoka received another affirmative response from Uchiha Homura, reassuring her.

"Please convey Master Mito's generosity towards the Uchiha clan. Tell her that I, Uchiha Homura, will do everything in my power to investigate this matter. As long as I'm here, the Uchiha clan will not be an enemy to the Senju clan."

He expressed this sincerity because deep down, he understood Mito's resentment towards the Uchiha clan. However, she was now willing to let go of that hatred to safeguard Konoha, a decision that truly impressed him.

Finally relieved, he no longer had to worry about Momoka betraying their conversation to the third generation. Mito's commitment proved trustworthy, ensuring Momoka, her loyal follower, wouldn't disclose the information.

"I appreciate it," Momoka nodded, recognizing Uchiha Homura's hesitations. The old fox seemed to believe her words only after she invoked Mito-sama's promise.

In truth, even without Uchiha Homura's agreement, she had no intention of divulging the information to the third generation. The repercussions of revealing Madara's survival to Sandai would be dire, unleashing hostility and suspicion, and possibly resurrecting Danzo as a menace.

The Sandaime harbored animosity towards the Uchiha clan, and if he learned about Madara's survival, he might deploy Danzo, a once loyal but now renegade ninja, to intensify hostility against the Uchiha.

However, as the Senju Clan was still in the process of revival, allowing this unpredictable element to disrupt their plans was not an option. She even contemplated eliminating Danzo while he was weakened, but the protective shield around him, coupled with the Sandaime's support disguised as surveillance, made the task impossible.

After reaching an agreement, Momoka and Uchiha Homura continued discussing the nuances of how the two clans could communicate and cooperate. Eventually, Momoka decisively bid farewell.

Homura Uchiha escorted Momoka to the door, and in the end, they shook hands with smiles on their faces.

"Who would have thought that, on the brink of death, I might encounter that formidable man again. The Uchiha clan's future is truly fraught with challenges..."

Homura Uchiha gazed at Momoka's departing figure, sighing inwardly.

The name Uchiha Madara was one he dreaded and wanted to avoid contemplating. At the age of seventy-two, he found it astonishing that he shared the same birth year as Uchiha Madara. Back then, he was just an Uchiha ninja with strong illusion skills, while Madara was already the patriarch with an unfathomable strength.

Even now, having acquired the Kaleidoscope, he didn't believe his illusion abilities surpassed Madara's in his prime. Madara was a person who transcended his era, with only Senju Hashirama deemed a worthy opponent. In their era, those of similar age who could contend for a brief period were considered top ninja masters.

Facing such a formidable enemy in the future weighed heavily on Homura Uchiha's heart.

"But that person is an old man now. Perhaps his strength isn't at its peak, and there might be a chance," he tried to find optimism.

Simultaneously, he found a newfound understanding of the third generation's sentiments, fervently hoping that Konoha's young talents could mature swiftly.