Uchiha's Disadvantage

It was hard for Izuna not to feel murderous toward Tobirama Senju, the man who had killed him in the original story.

But after receiving the memories of the original Izuna Uchiha, he understood that he absolutely couldn't kill Tobirama Senju now.

Tobirama was too important to the Senju Clan. If Izuna killed him, the Senju Clan would surely attack with everything they had.

And with the Uchiha Clan's current strength, there was no way they could withstand that.

So Tobirama could only serve as a bargaining chip in negotiations. He absolutely couldn't be killed.

Gripping Tobirama Senju by the back of his collar like a rabbit, Izuna hurried toward the battlefield at Mount Kumogakure.

He hadn't even covered a third of the distance when Tobirama woke up.

Watching the trees rush past around him, Tobirama's pupils contracted sharply. He glanced to the side, his eyelid twitching, and gritted out through clenched teeth, "Izuna Uchiha!"

"Don't even think about escaping with Flying Thunder God."

Izuna kept holding Tobirama Senju as he raced over the branches in the forest. "I've already ordered my subordinates to destroy those kunai," he said coolly.

"Are those new eyes your new power?"

Tobirama knew he couldn't escape, and that he would most likely be used as a bargaining chip between the Uchiha and Senju Clans.

Since he couldn't change the outcome, he might as well try to pry some information out of Izuna.

"You're talking an awful lot. That doesn't suit your character."

Izuna said it out of the blue.

"What?"

Tobirama furrowed his brow, unable to understand what Izuna meant.

"Heh."

Izuna merely curled the corner of his mouth, picked up speed, and headed for Mount Kumogakure.

The battlefield at Mount Kumogakure.

The Uchiha, marked by their Flame Gunbai, and the Senju of the Forest, naturally blessed with powerful Chakra.

The two strongest clans of the Sengoku era clashed once more. Scenes like this had continued for hundreds of years.

Loud explosions rang out one after another. Fire Release, Water Release, Lightning Release... All kinds of jutsu filled the battlefield, adding to the wounded and the dead.

The rest of the battlefield was a free-for-all. Only two areas had become duels.

The reason was simple: the fighters in those two places were far too powerful, and no one else dared approach.

Anyone caught up in their battles would only die!

One battlefield featured Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, later known as the "Shinobi World's Twin Heroes."

The other featured the strongest fighters of the current Uchiha and Senju Clans—Uchiha Gakugyo and Senju Takeuma.

Uchiha Gakugyo was the clan uncle of Madara and Izuna, while Senju Takeuma was a cousin of Butsuma Senju. Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju even had to call him "Uncle."

Both men were now over forty and had reached the limits of their growth.

At the same time, they were at the peak of their careers as shinobi.

"Haah!"

Hashirama Senju, now in his early twenties, leaped into the air, his right fist blazing with blue Chakra like a flame, and struck hard at Madara.

This was the prototype of Tsunade's future monstrous strength. It was just that Hashirama's Wood Release would be so overpowered that people overlooked how terrifying his strength was, too.

Madara raised the Uchiha Gunbai from his back and held it across his chest.

Clang!

The impact rang out with a sharp crash. The rocks beneath Madara, who was in the lower position, shattered, and his feet sank more than half a foot into the ground.

The Three Tomoe in his eyes spun wildly. With his left hand, Madara formed the "Tiger" hand seal. "Fire Release: Dragon Flame Song Technique!"

Four roaring dragon heads of flame attacked Hashirama at nearly point-blank range.

As the dragon heads rushed toward him, Hashirama's pupils narrowed. Chakra ignited in his left hand, and he swung it with all his might.

He actually shattered an A-rank Fire Release jutsu with a single blow!

Madara took the opportunity to retreat and put some distance between himself and Hashirama.

"Madara, you should stop now. The outcome of this battle is already clear."

Hashirama tried to reason with him.

"Keep dreaming!"

Madara replied coldly, while thinking rapidly, I hate to admit it, but without using my new eyes, I can't beat Hashirama. But...

He couldn't help recalling what Izuna had said before leaving: "Big brother, don't use the Mangekyo unless you have no other choice."

Madara didn't yet know about the Mangekyo's side effects. Even if he did, his personality would likely still make him use it without regard for his life.

It was only because Izuna was his closest kin that Madara had kept this trump card in reserve instead of using it.

Whoosh!

A shadow flashed into view behind Madara. It was Uchiha Gakugyo.

"Madara, are you all right?"

Uchiha Gakugyo narrowed his eyes, standing back-to-back with Madara.

A streak of blood ran from his forehead, past his cheek, and down to his jaw and neck.

Less than two seconds later, Senju Takeuma caught up and stood beside Hashirama Senju.

"I'm fine,"

Madara replied, then lowered his voice. "Did you notice? Tobirama Senju isn't here..."

Tobirama Senju might not yet be at his peak, but he was already one of the Senju Clan's top five fighters, without question.

There was no reason for him to miss such an important battle.

Nearby, Hashirama Senju and Senju Takeuma were discussing the same thing as the Uchiha.

"Uncle Takeuma, it's strange. I haven't seen Izuna Uchiha on the battlefield."

Hashirama furrowed his brow.

"It is strange, but we don't have time to worry about that."

Senju Takeuma spoke with a hint of confidence. "The battle is going our way. If Tobirama's surprise attack succeeds, we might even end the centuries-long conflict between the Senju and Uchiha."

Senju Takeuma had great confidence in Tobirama's plan.

Tobirama was the strongest Sensory Type Ninja the Senju Clan had produced in centuries.

Just by standing on the battlefield, he could even tell how many people were there.

And now that he had developed that terrifying new jutsu called "Flying Thunder God," Senju Takeuma was confident Tobirama could come and go as he pleased, even in the Uchiha Clan's most important stronghold.

With that in mind, Senju Takeuma's confidence grew. He gripped the katana in his hand. "Hashirama, let's push harder. We'll break through the Uchiha front line, then coordinate with Tobirama's operation and deal the Uchiha a crippling blow in this battle."

"...All right."

Hashirama had a somewhat softhearted personality, but he wasn't stupid enough to misunderstand the situation. At most, he would avoid killing captured Uchiha.

"Cough."

Across from them, Uchiha Gakugyo coughed, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth against his will.

Madara was startled. "Are you all right?"

"It's nothing. That last blow reopened an old wound from a previous battle. But that bastard Senju Takeuma isn't doing much better."

Uchiha Gakugyo wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Madara swept his eyes over the battlefield, gritted his teeth, and thought, There's no other choice... I'm sorry, Izuna!

With that, the Three Tomoe in Madara's eyes spun rapidly, forming a circle of three connected, curved Tomoe!