Tobirama, You're Still as Underhanded as Ever

"Kei, are you sure?"

Madara grew worried when Izuna volunteered to lead the attack. This was a mission with almost no chance of survival.

"Don't worry. Don't forget the new power we've gained."

Izuna glanced at Madara.

The others exchanged looks, but didn't pay much attention to Izuna's mention of "new power."

What they should be worrying about now was the Senju pursuit.

"Since Young Clan Head Izuna has volunteered, we should send an elite unit to support him."

A peak Uchiha Jonin made the suggestion.

Since even Izuna was going into battle, they couldn't have him fighting with a bunch of wounded and elderly people. He had to be given an elite force. Otherwise, never mind whether Izuna would agree—Madara would be the first to stand up and start cutting people down.

After some discussion, they finally decided that Izuna would lead two units, totaling around a hundred and forty people, made up of Jonin and a small number of Chunin, to cover their retreat.

Madara and the other senior ninja would focus on getting the wounded and everyone else back to the Uchiha Clan Grounds.

Boom!!

The moment their discussion ended, a deafening explosion rang out from outside. Izuna and the others quickly left the tent. Madara frowned and called out, "What happened?"

An Uchiha intelligence ninja appeared in front of Madara with the Body Flicker Technique. He knelt on one knee and reported, "Reporting in: Senju Takeuma is leading nearly five hundred men in an attack on the entrance to the Mount Kumogakure Gorge."

Senju Takeuma was a Kage Level expert in the Senju Clan, nearly the equal of Butsuma Senju. He was the uncle of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.

Just as Uchiha Gakugyo was Tajima Uchiha's right-hand man, Takeuma was the Senju Clan's Vice Clan Leader.

Now that Butsuma Senju was dead, Takeuma could be called the strongest member of the Senju Clan.

Of course, that was because Hashirama and Tobirama hadn't yet reached the peak of their abilities.

So in this era, his reputation carried even more weight than Hashirama's.

And with a force of five hundred, this was an absurd number. They weren't here to pursue them—they were here to wipe them out, weren't they?

"Izuna, our opponent is Senju Takeuma. Your forces might not be enough. Why don't I—"

Madara's hidden brother-complex kicked in. He wasn't yet the future Madara Uchiha, who would dominate the battlefield; he still had some misgivings about facing a Kage Level opponent.

"Senju Takeuma is the one leading the attack?"

Izuna couldn't help frowning.

It struck him as strange. He'd assumed that Senju Tobirama would be the one leading the attack.

After all, ambushes had always been Senju Tobirama's specialty.

Suddenly, Izuna's expression shifted. "Big Brother, what's happening on the Taihang Mountain Road?"

The Taihang Mountain Road was the only route back to the Uchiha Clan Grounds from here.

"Uchiha Sen is in charge of the rear guard there," Madara replied.

Izuna frowned and thought for a moment. "Big Brother, we're changing plans. I'm heading to the Taihang Mountain Road at once. Take your men and hold Senju Takeuma off as long as you can."

"Izuna, what's going on?"

Madara wasn't the only one confused. The other clan members were just as baffled.

It made no sense. Shouldn't they be retreating now?

Why were they attacking instead?

"There's no time to explain. The goal is to hold them off, not to win. And don't use that eye unless you absolutely have to. Make sure you remember."

With that, Izuna vanished using the Body Flicker Technique and raced toward the Taihang Mountain Road behind them, disappearing from Madara and the others' sight in an instant.

"Young Clan Head Madara, what should we do?" a middle-aged Jonin asked.

Madara answered without hesitation. "Do as Izuna said. Anyone who isn't injured, come with me to deal with Senju Takeuma!"

"B-but..."

Quite a few clan members still looked uncertain.

Izuna had changed the plan at the last moment, and his suggestion was so strange that no one knew what he was trying to do.

Madara glared at the wavering clan members. "Do as I say!"

Mangekyō Sharingan!

From the front lines to Mount Taihang, even a Jonin traveling without stopping would need more than two days.

But after the system strengthened Izuna's body the night before, his stamina and endurance had improved by more than one level. He reached his destination that same night.

As soon as he reached the mountain road, he heard the sounds of fighting ahead.

Izuna's eyes narrowed slightly. His guess had been right.

At the Uchiha camp on Mount Taihang, there were only a little over thirty Uchiha stationed there.

The place was indeed very close to the Uchiha Clan Grounds. Nothing had ever happened here in over a hundred years, and no enemy had ever managed to reach the Uchiha's doorstep.

Not even the Senju.

Of course, the Uchiha had never managed to reach the Senju's doorstep either.

At that moment, Uchiha Sen, a veteran over fifty years old and a peak Jonin, stood facing a ninja in dark blue armor.

Uchiha ninja lay fallen all around them. Some were gravely wounded and unable to move, while others had already lost their lives.

The ninja facing Uchiha Sen was none other than the future Second Hokage of Konoha, Tobirama Senju.

Uchiha Sen panted heavily, a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth. "Ha... ha... I really was careless. I never thought you'd get past so many sensor ninja and make it all the way here."

"You were too arrogant, Uchiha Clan. I'll use my newly developed technique to cut off your clan's last escape route," Tobirama Senju said coldly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Tobirama Senju vanished from where he stood and flashed to a specially made Kunai engraved with symbols on the ground behind Uchiha Sen. He snatched it up and charged at Uchiha Sen from behind.

Flying Thunder God Killing Technique!

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Song Technique!"

Just as Tobirama Senju was about to land his attack, four flaming dragon heads swept down from above.

Caught off guard, Tobirama Senju hurriedly changed direction and dodged to the side.

The spot where he'd been standing was already scorched black.