Sensing * Déjà Vu

Haeharu Link the minds of all people with brainwaves, including Ninjas and Ordinary People.

Yes, everyone.

Haeharu's question to Izuna was just a formality.

Now Ninjas are running around everywhere, and Ordinary People are hiding everywhere too. Ninjas from other countries are mixed together with their own people, and the scene is so chaotic that even if she were asked to distinguish them, she wouldn't be able to do it.

And time is of the essence; a decision must be made.

Either share intelligence with a few reliable people and let them handle it, or Link everything like we do now.

The first method is certainly quick and effortless, but if Haeharu heard Izuna's words and that's true, then the possibility that those monsters might be impersonating friends or family cannot be ruled out.

Even Ninjas can grit their teeth and eliminate "traitors," but Ordinary People might choose to stand against Ninjas in order to protect their "family."

Haeharu had been trained by Pleasure Quarter, and she was very knowledgeable about people's hearts.

Although all the clans in Konoha have been united by Hashirama's speech, and some members of various clans have even formed Guard Corps with Tobirama, it seems like they are all working together towards a common goal.

How could they possibly get used to being commanded by people of another tribe so quickly, in just one day?

Didn't you see everyone subconsciously calling out to their own family members and obeying the person with the most authority in the family?

Tobirama was a lone commander; his Guard Corps didn't listen to him at all, and he wasn't used to commanding them.

Izuna would naturally provide information Hashirama, who was a Senju, and even found her from the Yamanaka Clan to do his work.

They only chose to help because they knew this person well and believed he wouldn't speak carelessly. This tactic simply wouldn't work on others.

The most dangerous thing is when subconscious distrust is amplified.

The only way to break this deadlock is to convey Izuna's insights on how to distinguish White Zetsu to everyone.

Only when everyone knows this will they unite to fight the enemy.

Even a vague perception can play a huge role.

So even though she had a nosebleed, she still managed to connect with everyone.

But she never expected that Izuna's perception would be so exaggerated!

Hashirama suddenly realized that everything in front of him had changed.

The world was still colorful, but he had the illusion that all his senses were completely open.

The perception of ordinary people is usually somewhat illusory; no matter how precise it is, they can only "sense" the presence of other people.

Now this feeling has been visualized, and I can clearly "see" everything.

The terrain and buildings within the Dueling Arena stretched out, and everyone's aura emanated like flames everywhere, making them clearly "seeable" from every angle, whether in front of or behind.

It's as easy as observing the lines on your palm; this ability to grasp everything with just one hand is astonishing.

Even those in the midst of battle couldn't help but take a break to look around.

And that's not all.

Hashirama a strange feeling; he was somehow "familiar" with everyone within his perception range, even the foreign Ninjas and Envoys, as if he "knew" them.

It's not just about knowing someone's name, their usual moves, or similar information; it's more intimate: I know who this person is, what their personality is like, and what their likes and dislikes are.

Like a friend.

Hashirama murmured, "So this is what the world Izuna perceived was like."

Ban's expression was incredibly complex. Even without memories, your senses will vaguely tell you they were friends?

In your original world, what exactly are you...?

Izuna's senses were so extraordinary that even the Ninjas couldn't help but look around, let alone the Ordinary People.

Those who had been pretending to be his companions now revealed their true colors.

On the surface, they look exactly like their own relatives and friends, but people still subconsciously stay away from them when they see the red signs.

"Everyone, listen up!" At that moment, Hashirama's voice exploded in everyone's minds, "Those marked in red in your eyes are the enemy! Don't hesitate!"

Before the words were even finished, one of the Uchiha moved, slashing horizontally at a Senju (Senju) member behind him.

"Click."

The head of the "Senju" flew off its neck and spun twice in the air.

It began to deform before it even landed, its face contorting like melted wax, revealing a deathly pale face underneath. By the time it landed on the ground, it had completely transformed into the appearance of White Zetsu.

The entire Dueling Arena fell silent for a moment, then was broken by a heavy exhalation.

No mistake was made in killing them.

Izuna's answer was correct; those with red auras were the enemies.

The panic didn't disappear immediately, but everyone felt a little more at ease. Then, everyone sprang into action, unleashing a barrage of fire on the group of red-clad imposters.

Hashirama glanced at Tobirama, who had flashed back, and whispered, "Tobirama, move everyone who's alright out of the area and arrange for people to protect them."

Tobirama frowned, nodded, and then disappeared.

Hashirama then clasped his hands together in the direction where Izuna, Haeharu, and Tadayo were.

"Wood Release: Crimson Blade Technique!"

He originally intended to protect Izuna, who provided the viewpoint, and Haeharu, who was in charge of the connection, while he and the others would deal with these sudden enemies.

But Izuna jumped out before the protective shield closed, waving at him and giving him a thumbs up. Then, as if he had a goal in mind, he headed off in a certain direction.

Upon seeing this, Madara immediately followed.

At the same time, next to Uchiha Ibo, who had just cut off the "Senju," Senju Ren stared at him in horror.

"You Uchiha!" Her eyes widened as she pointed at the Uchiha who was still gripping the Kunai, her voice carrying an ambiguous meaning, "You actually dared to lay a hand on me!"

"... He was marked in red." Uchiha Ibo's voice was calm, but she secretly hid the hand holding the Kunai behind her back.

"You'll just cut down anything marked in red? Aren't you afraid of cutting down the wrong thing?"

Ifu, her neck stiff, shouted, "It was Lord Hashirama said not to hesitate!"

He emphasized the name "Hashirama" and then looked at her with an especially innocent expression.

"You—" Ren thought this person was simply unreasonable, but it was indeed Hashirama's order, and as a Senju, she was actually the one who should obey it.

But this kid's attitude—

Lian punched the approaching White Zetsu so hard it shattered, and sneered, "You wait! I'll definitely catch you red-handed!"

Ifu glanced at her. "Hmph, I won't give you that chance."

Just as they were secretly competing to see who could kill more White Zetsu, they noticed that Hideki and the medical team Ninjas were carrying someone onto the stands and talking to Tobirama, who had just used the Flying Thunder God Technique to take away some civilians.

Tobirama checked on the person lying on the stretcher, then said something to Hideki, and took the person and the stretcher away together.

Hideki then leaped onto the high platform in a few quick movements, seemingly heading to find Hashirama.

Lian frowned, a bad feeling creeping over her.

Hideki leaped onto the high platform in a few quick movements, landing on one knee Hashirama.

His clothes were still stained with Shinya's blood as he quickly reported, "Lord Hashirama, I have something important to report."

"Shinya encountered a strange person wearing white."

Hashirama frowned. A strange man? At this time? "Do you know who he is?"

"I didn't have much contact with him, but I can say for sure that he's extremely powerful." Hideki spoke very quickly, not daring to waste even a second. "When I faced him directly, I felt immense pressure and knew I was no match for him, so I took the Shinya and ran away."

"Shinya severely injured by him at the time. He was still conscious when I dragged him away. He said that the man was after Lord Izuna."

Hashirama's eyes widened instantly. "What?!"

"Shinya told me that I must inform you and Lord Madara of this information. That person's ability is to magnify things proportionally. He can rapidly enlarge a thin needle into Black Rods, thus achieving the purpose of a silent attack."

Hideki frowned and continued, "Moreover, the black iron rod he uses has the effect of absorbing Chakra and sealing it. If someone gets stabbed, their Chakra flow will instantly become disordered, and they will be unable to move or pull out the iron rod on their own."

Just then, Tobirama returned, still holding the black iron rod in his hand. "Is this it?"

Hideki nodded. "This is it."

As soon as Hashirama held it in his hand, he felt a wave of discomfort, like drinking milk at the wrong time, causing his stomach to churn slightly.

Hashirama transmitted Hideki's words verbatim to Madara and Izuna through Haeharu's Mind Link.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the Link.

Madara's voice came through. "Understood."

Hashirama could almost picture Madara's expression at that moment.

He's probably on the verge of exploding right now. If he finds that guy, he'll definitely stop at nothing to kill him.

But Izuna didn't say anything.

In Hashirama's memory, Izuna was rarely silent. When he heard such serious information, he would always crack a joke and make a few sarcastic remarks to lighten the mood.

Even when the White Zetsu had just appeared and the scene was at its most chaotic, he maintained a verbal conversation.

But now he hasn't said anything.

"... Izuna?" Hashirama tried calling him separately in the Link, "Is there a problem?"

One second passed. Two seconds passed. Three seconds passed.

"... No."

Izuna finally responded, his voice very soft, as if it had drifted from a great distance.

He paused for a moment, then said, "I will defeat him."

The reaction was so bland that it made Hashirama feel uneasy.

However, as the Hokage, he cannot leave this place; he must remain here to stabilize morale and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

In this situation, all he can do is worry and hope that Izuna and Madara can handle everything.

At this moment, Izuna felt his thoughts were in turmoil.

The information Hashirama had given him kept swirling in his mind.

White clothing, enlarged needles piercing the body, black iron rods that can absorb Chakra and seal actions.

Each feature felt like it had been pried out of a locked drawer deep in my memory; I'd never seen it before, yet it evoked a nauseating sense of familiarity.

He doesn't know anyone like that.

I searched through all my memories of Hokage from my past life, but I couldn't find anyone who matched this set of techniques.

But his intuition told him, you know him. You really do know him.

Moreover, you deeply despise this person.

This feeling is different from the anger I felt when facing Black Zetsu.

The hostility towards Black Zetsu stems from the events of their past lives, like facing a plot obstacle that must be cleared away.

But this anger is different; it surges up from deep within my chest, carrying an indescribable stinging pain, as if something has been pulled out from between my bones.

Kill him. Kill the person who possesses this technique at all costs.

Izuna stopped in the corridor, placed one hand on the wall, and forced himself to take a deep breath.

He knew he wasn't in the right state of mind.

He was always calm, and even when White Zetsu covered the entire Dueling Arena, he could still command in an orderly manner.

But now his hands were trembling slightly, not from fear, but from an inexplicable, almost overwhelming killing intent.

Just then, something moved deep in the corridor.

Izuna raised his head, Three-Tomoe Sharingan unconsciously activated.

That person was standing at the end of the corridor.

He was tall, with a white robe that reached his ankles, long hair draped over his shoulders, and a pale face that looked as if he had never seen the sun.

His greyish-white pupils were quietly watching him, as if he were looking at a package that had finally been delivered to him.

Izuna did not ask, "Who are you?"

No need to ask.

The moment he saw that face, the locked drawer in his mind was completely pried open.

This is Jigen. Or rather, the Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.

Black Zetsu started yelling the moment he saw Izuna.

His voice squeezed out from Isshiki's sleeve, sharp and almost distorted. "It's him! This is the man who severely injured me! The sinner who hindered the Eye of the Moon Plan!"

The Isshiki doesn't include the cuffs.

His gaze remained fixed on Izuna, from his overly youthful face to the aura about him that seemed out of place in this era, and then to the Kunai in his hand.

"So you're Uchiha Izuna?" Isshiki's tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of curiosity and disdain.

Izuna did not answer.

He disappeared.

Isshiki's pupils dilated slightly for a fleeting moment.

When he reappeared, Izuna had closed in to within a foot.

The tip of the Kunai reflected the cold white light of the corridor's overhead lamp, aiming straight for Isshiki's neck.

This attack was devoid of any fancy moves; it was simply a straight thrust, and even the killing intent was compressed to its extreme at the moment of its release.

Like a needle piercing the water's surface silently.

Isshiki reacted quickly, and Black Rods appeared out of thin air beside his neck, blocking the attack just before the Kunai was about to cut into his skin.

The sound of metal clashing exploded in the empty corridor, sharp enough to tear the air apart.

Izuna didn't stop.

His wrist loosened its grip the instant it was blocked, and with his bare hands, he stabbed at his eye.

Isshiki back.

Izuna's fingers, carrying a chilling aura, sliced through the skin of his face, leaving a thin line of blood that seeped into his pale skin.

It wasn't a fatal wound, nor even an effective attack, but it meant that Izuna was capable of injuring Isshiki.

Black Zetsu choked.