Not the Plot I Changed

The sun gradually set, and the battle was drawing to a close.

The ninjutsu erupting across the battlefield had subsided, gradually turning into a contest of taijutsu.

Masahiko had no time to worry about his three disciples. Facing Madara's attacks, his taijutsu was far too lacking.

If only I had started training taijutsu earlier... Masahiko sighed inwardly.

His ability to barely hold on against Madara's taijutsu was largely thanks to taking Hitomi as his disciple. Besides, Madara was not in peak condition due to his eye problems.

Though he was in danger, Masahiko was not overly anxious, because the surrounding scene was gradually overlapping with one buried deep in his memories.

In the distance, Uchiha Izuna had been forced onto the defensive by Tobirama. The Thunder God Sword in Tobirama's hand, forged by Masahiko, cleaved Izuna's long blade in two.

Left with no choice, Izuna used his nearly overtaxed Sharingan to cast a genjutsu. While Tobirama was momentarily dazed, Izuna kicked him away.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Facing the incoming fireball, Tobirama formed hand seals with both hands. "Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

The collision of fire and water turned into steam that filled the sky. Like the Mist Technique, it completely obscured their vision.

Tobirama took the chance to throw several kunai, but they were plainly visible beneath the Sharingan.

Uchiha Izuna snorted. "Curse the fate that denied you the Sharingan..." He flashed aside to dodge the kunai, only to discover that the final one bore several strange markings.

"Flying Thunder God Slash!" Tobirama's shout rang across the entire battlefield.

"So I was right. It really was this battle..." Masahiko muttered. "This is the end..."

Across from Masahiko, Madara no longer had the mind to attack again. He used the Body Flicker Technique to catch Izuna, who was about to collapse.

Seeing that the plot had finally returned to its proper course, Masahiko unceremoniously dropped onto the ground. As for what Madara and Izuna were saying, he had no interest in it whatsoever.

"Even before I became a Jonin, I'd never encountered such a dangerous situation. If it had been ten minutes later, I might have died gloriously..."

Masahiko shook his head with a bitter smile. "Whenever I faced someone stronger than me before, I always relied on my Perception Ability to evade them first. But this time..."

At that thought, Masahiko was shocked to see Madara attacking Tobirama in the distance.

"Right, Hashirama isn't here. Madara won't stop..." Alarmed, Masahiko was about to rise and help Tobirama.

At that moment, a familiar voice echoed across the battlefield. "Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall!"

"Whew... Now it's really over." Masahiko's half-raised butt dropped back down. To him, Hashirama's foolishly adorable voice sounded like heavenly music.

Masahiko sat in the middle of the battlefield, watching the Uchiha abandon their resistance, watching Hashirama and Tobirama quarrel, watching Uchiha Madara support Izuna as he led the remnants of his forces off the battlefield...

"As expected, even with such a huge advantage, Hashirama still let Madara go. Now the plot has finally returned to its proper course..."

Masahiko thought carefully about where the plot had changed this time, putting him in such grave danger.

"Was it just because he learned Sage Mode early?" Masahiko muttered. "I hope he can give me an explanation..." Masahiko looked at Senju Tenyu, who lay unconscious behind Hashirama, bound by Wood Style.

Hashirama and Tobirama finished their argument, then used the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside Masahiko.

"Second Grandfather, it was all thanks to you this time. Tobirama said... Are you all right?!"

Masahiko shook his head and teased, "I'm fine. I won't die anytime soon..." Without explaining anything about his appearance, he continued, "What happened to Senju Tenyu?"

At the mention of that, Hashirama looked equally confused. "Tenyu... went mad. He suddenly attacked me on the way here, insisting that he was a member of the Uchiha clan."

"But that's impossible. Both his parents are Senju, and he hasn't shown any abnormalities these past years. I checked him, but found no signs that he had been placed under a genjutsu."

Masahiko was greatly alarmed. A technique that altered someone's will... "Kotoamatsukami?!"

Hashirama hurriedly asked, "What is Kotoamatsukami?"

"No, it's nothing. It can't be Kotoamatsukami." Masahiko replied, his face turning thoughtful. If anyone in the Uchiha clan of this era could use Kotoamatsukami, using it once on Hashirama would have ended the Warring States era. There was no way they would use it on Senju Tenyu.

In a daze, Masahiko recalled something that had caught his attention five years ago at the Daimyo's Mansion. Among the Small Clans attending the banquet had been one that looked very much like the Kurama Clan. But Kurama had been anime-original content, so Masahiko had always assumed he was mistaken.

"Hashirama, have you heard of the Kurama Clan?"

Hashirama looked thoughtful. "The Kurama Clan... I think I've heard of them. There's a Small Clan like that west of the Land of Fire. They keep to themselves, and their members are generally not very strong."

"As expected..." Masahiko sighed inwardly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

He had always thought he was the one who changed the plot, but now he realized that this hard-fought battle had been utterly undeserved. Anime Original Team! Even you people are screwing me over...

Masahiko looked at Hashirama and explained, "This clan isn't strong, but they specialize in genjutsu. Every few years, however, one of their members awakens a unique bloodline that can control other people's five senses."

Hashirama suddenly understood. "So Tenyu was struck by this technique? Second Grandfather, is there a way to break it?"

Masahiko shook his head. "Only the caster can undo this bloodline genjutsu. I'm afraid you'll have to go there yourself. It would be difficult for anyone else to avoid being affected by their genjutsu."

Hashirama nodded to show that he understood. At that moment, Tobirama walked over and glared at his older brother.

"Brother, this time we lost more than five hundred clansmen. Around a thousand suffered minor injuries, while dozens were seriously wounded. I'm afraid they won't last until we return to the clan..."

As he spoke, he glanced at Masahiko. "Second Grandfather, your three disciples are all fine. They only suffered minor injuries, so rest assured..."

Masahiko sighed in relief, then suddenly froze. Why did Tobirama sound as though he was telling him to rest in peace...

Masahiko stood up and bit his finger. "Summoning Technique!" He summoned the enormous Slug.

"Some of my Chakra has recovered. Bring the seriously wounded Senju clansmen to me. I should still be able to save them."

Tobirama looked moved, then glared at Hashirama again. "Brother, Second Grandfather looks more like a Senju Clan Head than you do!"

Hashirama smiled awkwardly. He truly had no excuse this time and could only smile as he endured Tobirama's criticism.

The two went to arrange for the clansmen to carry the severely wounded over to Masahiko. Masahiko swept his gaze over them, then nodded to the Slug. The enormous Slug divided into small Slugs, treating all the wounded at once.

Five minutes later, Masahiko dismissed the Summoning Technique with a weary expression. This time, his Chakra was truly exhausted.

When he looked up, Hashirama, Tobirama, and his three disciples had surrounded him, their eyes brimming with tears. Masahiko's mouth twitched. Why does this look so much like a memorial service? Should I lie down?

As that thought crossed his mind, his vision suddenly went black, and he really did fall over. Before losing consciousness, he heard several final voices.

"Second Grandfather!" *2

"Teacher!" *3