"Lord Indra! Because we captured nine intelligence operatives who infiltrated from Ashura's side, Ashura has assembled a large force and is advancing toward us!" a subordinate reported while kneeling on the ground.
"Damn Ashura!"
Indra slammed his palm heavily onto the table, his face filled with fury.
"He knows I've just come out of a major battle and wants to take advantage of my weakened state. That shameless bastard!"
Hearing the report, Isamu also fell into thought.
Given Ashura's character and strength, he didn't seem like the type to exploit such an opportunity. Most likely, he had truly mobilized his forces for the sake of those nine captured operatives. After all, Ashura believed deeply in bonds and comradeship. Launching a rescue operation for his people was entirely in line with his principles.
"Big Brother, calm down."
Karura quickly stepped forward to persuade him.
"Second Brother may simply be trying to rescue those nine people. If you release them, this conflict can be resolved without war or casualties. Big Brother, please think carefully."
The last thing Karura wanted was for her brothers to start another war over such a small matter.
After learning that the nine prisoners had been captured while investigating yesterday's battle, she felt partly responsible. She had to find a way to prevent things from escalating.
"Pah!"
Indra snorted coldly.
"Mobilizing an entire army for the sake of nine people? Who would believe such nonsense?"
"Ashura clearly thinks I was weakened by yesterday's battle and wants to eliminate me in one stroke."
"Dream on."
"He's not qualified to defeat me."
With another palm strike, the table shattered into pieces.
In truth, Indra's injuries had already been mostly healed.
Since Isamu had not used lethal force during their battle, his wounds were relatively minor. With the combined treatment of Isamu and Karura, he had recovered completely.
Not only that, but his strength had improved.
His first true defeat had broadened his perspective and strengthened his resolve, causing his power to increase further.
Now that he had become stronger, how could he possibly tolerate Ashura appearing at his doorstep?
"Karura, that's enough."
Indra glared at her.
"Once I've made a decision, no one will change it."
"…Fine."
Karura sighed helplessly.
She knew her eldest brother too well.
Once Indra made up his mind, not even eight horses could drag him back.
His stubbornness was legendary.
Otherwise, her years of persuasion wouldn't have accomplished so little.
"Pass down my orders."
Indra looked toward the kneeling subordinate.
"Assemble the combat forces immediately."
"Prepare to intercept the enemy."
"Yes, Lord Indra!"
The subordinate hurried away.
Afterward, Indra turned toward Isamu.
"Isamu, come with me."
"Today, I'll show you my army."
"And I'll show you how I deal with Ashura."
He wasn't asking Isamu to fight.
He simply wanted him to watch.
Clearly, Indra was still somewhat bothered by yesterday's defeat. Since Ashura had conveniently appeared now, he intended to display his own strength.
"Alright."
Isamu nodded without refusing.
He understood Indra's feelings.
After losing yesterday, Indra desperately wanted to prove himself.
There was no harm in giving the Uchiha ancestor some face.
Seeing Isamu agree, Indra nodded in satisfaction before turning toward Karura.
"As for you, Karura, stay here in the clan grounds."
"Don't involve yourself in this."
With that, Indra walked out alongside Isamu, completely ignoring her.
Looking at her brother's departing figure, Karura was speechless.
"He gets a new helper and immediately forgets his own sister."
"He used to insist on taking me everywhere."
"Big Brother is way too practical."
"No chance. I'm going too."
She immediately followed after them.
There was no way she would allow Isamu to interfere in her brothers' conflict.
If necessary, she would step in herself.
As Indra's orders spread throughout the clan grounds, the combat forces assembled with remarkable speed.
The scene clearly demonstrated the respect and loyalty his followers held for him.
After all, everyone present had chosen to follow Indra because they believed in his ideals.
Although the assembled force numbered only around one thousand warriors, the clan itself contained far more people than that.
These thousand were all elite combatants.
Nearly every one of them possessed strength at least comparable to a Chunin.
As for those below that level, Indra forbade them from joining the battlefield.
In his eyes, they would only become cannon fodder.
Though he believed in the supremacy of strength, he had no desire to waste the lives of his followers.
Standing atop the assembly platform, Indra looked over the gathered warriors.
After clearing his throat, he spoke loudly.
"I trust you've all heard the news."
"Ashura and the Ninja Sect are advancing toward us with approximately five thousand people."
"Those shameless fools dare to attack us directly."
"We will stop them."
"We will crush them."
"Do you have confidence?"
"YES!"
"YES!"
"YES!"
Thousands of voices roared in unison.
There was no fear in their eyes.
Only excitement.
As followers of Indra, they possessed both strength and unwavering belief in his philosophy.
Fear was not something they acknowledged.
"Excellent!"
A smile appeared on Indra's face.
"I am proud to call all of you my brothers and sisters."
"However, the Ninja Sect has not committed its full strength."
"I only need half of you."
"Half will accompany me."
"The rest will remain behind to guard the clan grounds."
Unlike what many expected, Indra had no intention of overwhelming Ashura with superior numbers.
Since the Ninja Sect had only deployed roughly half of its forces, he intended to do the same.
He wanted a fair battle.
A fair victory.
He would defeat Ashura openly and honorably.
Yet after he finished speaking, not a single person stepped back.
Everyone remained exactly where they stood.
No one showed the slightest intention of staying behind.
Indra frowned.
"What?"
"Was I not loud enough?"
"I said I only need half of you."
"The rest, withdraw immediately."
But even after repeating the order, no one moved.
Then a warrior stepped forward.
"Lord Indra, we all wish to fight alongside you!"
"We are not afraid of death!"
Another voice followed.
"That's right! Let us all go!"
"We don't fear the Ninja Sect!"
Soon, the entire crowd erupted.
Everyone spoke at once.
Yet the meaning was the same.
They wanted to stand beside Indra on the battlefield.
No one wished to remain safely behind.
Looking at the determined expressions before him, Isamu couldn't help recalling the Uchiha warriors who had once fought alongside him.
They had possessed the same courage.
The same loyalty.
The same willingness to sacrifice everything for their people and their beliefs.
Even their lives.
These were not merely soldiers.
They were true warriors.
----------------_-_-_------------------
Read 50 advanced chapter on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic