章 114: Chapter:111
After facing an overwhelming numerical disadvantage, Izuna decisively changed strategy by summoning the Two-Tails. The Uchiha clansmen engaged the Uzumaki ninjas while Izuna and the Two-Tails took on the nearly four hundred Senju warriors led by the formidable Senju Kawaragi.
On the surface, it seemed like madness. However, Izuna's confidence was rooted in necessity and in the tools he had at his disposal. The Uzumaki sealing techniques were known to have a unique advantage over tailed beasts, likely due to the shared heritage of Senju and Uzumaki, tracing back to the Six Paths Sage. Sometimes Izuna even wondered if the Sage himself had passed down the sealing arts specifically to the Uzumaki.
Izuna's decision to face down an army led by a peak-level shinobi like Kawaragi had initially alarmed Uchiha Retsu and the others. But Izuna's complete mastery of his Mangekyō Sharingan, alongside the formidable Two-Tails, proved more than a match. He lacked the Eternal Mangekyō's power to fully unleash the tailed beast's potential, but with the Susanoo skeleton perched atop the Two-Tails and the enhancement of Sage Mode, Izuna's overwhelming strength reshaped the landscape, crushing mountains to hills. This raw display of power put intense pressure on the Senju and Uzumaki forces.
Even Uchiha Retsu, who led the main Uchiha forces against the Uzumaki, felt encouraged. Though outnumbered by the combined forces, they faced the red-haired Uzumaki without fear, with Izuna's example lifting their spirits. Determined to keep the enemy from reaching their deputy leader, many Uchiha even employed their clan's forbidden jutsu, Izanagi, risking blindness to hold the line.
The tide of battle reached a tense stalemate. The Senju-Uzumaki coalition withdrew, temporarily stymied by Uchiha's resilient defenses. In this new generation's first direct confrontation, three figures stood out, and their names echoed across the warring clans.
The first was Senju Hashirama, who had mastered the unprecedented Wood Release. The power of his new technique was extraordinary, and rumors whispered that Hashirama alone could end the war if his opponents weren't powerful clans like Uchiha, Hyuga, or Sarutobi. However, Izuna saw this as an exaggeration. While Hashirama's potential was undeniable, he hadn't yet unlocked techniques like the Deep Forest Emergence that would solidify his dominance in the future.
The second was Izuna himself, commanding the Uchiha forces at Baigu Pass. Although he hadn't created a new nature transformation like Hashirama, Izuna's combination of a flaming psychic beast, his Sharingan, and his tactical genius made him a formidable threat. Alone, he had held his ground against hundreds of Senju shinobi led by Kawaragi, remaining undefeated in every clash. His strength, paired with his strategic insight, left many hesitant to face him directly.
The third was Uchiha Madara, locked in a fierce rivalry with Senju Hashirama on the frontlines at Mountain. His evaluations, however, often came just shy of Hashirama's, and this frustrated him deeply. Despite Madara's Mangekyō Sharingan, its immense burden meant he often had to retreat first, tipping the scales of public perception in Hashirama's favor.
Another notable figure was Senju Tobirama, a master of Water Release and the Flying Thunder God Technique. His combination of speed and water jutsu had earned him the moniker "The Fastest of the Senju," though he had yet to match the likes of Hashirama, Izuna, and Madara in battle.
Tobirama's concern, however, lay more with Izuna's cunning than his raw strength. He knew the "Uchiha Think Tank" would use whatever means necessary to turn any situation to his advantage—a thought that troubled Tobirama as the conflict wore on.
After the intense skirmish, Izuna returned to the Uchiha camp and immediately issued two orders. First, no one was to engage the Senju directly unless necessary, redirecting all efforts to fortify their defenses and prolong the fight. Second, no one was to mention the Uzumaki clan's involvement to Mito, particularly that the Uzumaki elder Guanghai was leading them. While the Uchiha were known for their aggressive tactics, they weren't lax in defense, especially with the advantage of mountain Pass's steep terrain. Despite several attempts, the Senju-Uzumaki coalition gained little ground, stalled by Uchiha's relentless countermeasures.
Over time, the morale among the Uchiha grew, bolstered by the daring feats of their leaders. Among the new generation, Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Izuna, and Uchiha Madara were becoming legends in their own right.
When the battle lulled, Izuna visited Mito's tent. He had a plan in mind and wanted to review the Uzumaki sealing technique Mito had taught him—the same one that could suppress chakra surges. Similar to Yamato's chakra suppression on the Nine-Tails in later years, Izuna intended to adapt the technique to help Madara control his Mangekyō's drawbacks. If Madara could wield Sage Mode, it would mitigate the Mangekyō's harsh side effects.
As Izuna practiced the technique under Mito's supervision, she watched him intently, her expression a mix of affection and pride. Finally, Mito tapped her chin thoughtfully and commented, "You're getting there. It's still a bit rough, but I think you're ready to use it on someone else's chakra."
Izuna smiled, pulling Mito into a warm embrace and placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Thank you, Mito. None of this would be possible without you."
She rolled her eyes playfully and nudged him back. "Is that all you've been hiding from me, Izuna?" she asked, a glint of curiosity in her eyes.
Izuna's smile faded slightly. "What do you mean?"
Mito's gaze grew serious. "The guards outside my tent used to talk freely about the battles, the situation on the field, and how things were going. But now… silence. Did you order them not to speak around me?"
Izuna looked away, momentarily unsure how to respond. He knew Mito's perceptiveness well, and there was little chance he could hide the situation forever. Finally, he sighed, nodding. "Yes, Mito. I didn't want you to worry. The Uzumaki clan… your clan… they're here, led by your grandfather, Uzumaki Guanghai."
Mito's expression tightened, but she met Izuna's gaze, her voice steady. "And you thought this would spare me from worry? You don't understand my family very well, do you, Izuna? They're as stubborn as I am."
Izuna chuckled softly, admiration clear in his eyes. "If that's the case, maybe I do know them better than I thought. But know this, Mito—I'll keep my promise to you, no matter what happens."
Her resolve softened slightly, and she reached out, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "Just promise me you'll do everything in your power to avoid bloodshed. For the sake of both our clans."
He took her hand in his, giving it a firm, reassuring squeeze. "I promise, Mito. I will find a way."
As they shared a quiet moment, the reality of the conflict looming over them felt briefly distant. But they both knew the gravity of their choices—and the lives depending on them—would soon pull them back into the chaos of war.
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