The Chosen Ones

"What... are those eyes?!"

Hashirama Senju, who had been keeping his eyes on Madara, was the first to notice the change in Madara's Sharingan.

What unsettled him even more was the extremely sinister Chakra emanating from Madara's eyes.

"Hashirama, from this moment on, I'm going all out!"

Madara gave a low shout. His long hair whipped wildly behind him as his Chakra surged. He was about to unleash the Mangekyo Sharingan's Ultimate Technique in one fell swoop—Susanoo!

However, at that critical moment, a voice that made everyone freeze rang out. "Everyone from the Senju, stop! Unless you want him dead!"

It was Izuna's voice!

Madara and the others had the same thought flash through their minds. Then, just like the Senju, they looked toward the source of the voice.

On the right rear of the battlefield stood a small rocky outcrop, about seven or eight meters tall.

Izuna stood atop it, gripping Tobirama Senju by the back of his collar with one hand and displaying him to the hundreds of Uchiha and Senju Ninja below.

"Senju Ninja, stop attacking at once, or I'll kill him!"

Izuna repeated what he had just said.

"Lord Tobirama, how could this happen?!"

"Wasn't Lord Tobirama supposed to be carrying out a secret mission?"

"How did Uchiha Izuna capture him?"

The Senju Ninja stared in shock, their eyes wide.

The Uchiha were no less astonished, but once their surprise passed, joy quickly followed.

"So Lord Izuna went to capture Tobirama Senju earlier!"

"Hahaha! Excellent! The tide of battle has completely turned!"

"Just as expected of Lord Izuna!"

"Tobirama was captured? How could this be?!"

Senju Takeuma, who had been so confident in Tobirama Senju's plan moments earlier, was now overwhelmed by disbelief.

Not only could the Uchiha never have guessed Tobirama Senju's plan, but even their own Senju had no idea what he was planning.

And with his peerless Flying Thunder God, Senju Takeuma dared say that even the late clan leaders, Tajima Uchiha and Butsuma Senju, could never have captured Tobirama Senju easily.

Although Uchiha Izuna had previously been Tobirama Senju's equal in strength,

there was no way he could now stand against Tobirama Senju, who possessed the Flying Thunder God.

And yet... regardless of what should have been possible, the reality was that Uchiha Izuna had captured Tobirama Senju.

Madara's eyes narrowed, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a proud, faint smile. "So you went to capture Tobirama Senju? Well done, Izuna. The tide has turned."

"Izuna, release Tobirama. We can work this out!"

Hashirama Senju, every bit as much a doting older brother, immediately shouted.

Meanwhile, Senju Takeuma, a Kage Level ninja, vanished in an instant and appeared directly above Izuna and Tobirama Senju.

His katana plunged toward Izuna's head.

That Body Flicker Technique was probably no worse than the future Body Flicker Shisui of the Uchiha Clan.

But he wasn't the only formidable ninja in the Sengoku era.

Uchiha Gakugyo, behind Madara, vanished in an instant and appeared beside Senju Takeuma in midair.

He hurled a Kunai infused with Wind Release Chakra at Senju Takeuma's katana.

Senju Takeuma casually swung his weapon.

Clang!

The Kunai and katana collided, sending a spark flying.

The Kunai was knocked away, while a distinct crack appeared in the katana's blade.

At the same time, the two Kage Level ninjas landed on either side of the rocky outcrop where Izuna and Tobirama Senju stood.

Izuna's expression hardened. He instantly drew a Kunai and, without hesitation, drove it into Tobirama Senju's shoulder.

Splatter!

"Ugh!"

Blood sprayed out, staining the blue armor on Tobirama Senju's shoulder.

Even he couldn't help crying out in pain.

"Lord Tobirama!"

The Senju Ninja cried out.

"Uchiha Izuna! What do you want?!"

Senju Takeuma's eyes were bloodshot with rage.

"That was just a warning. If you try anything else, the next part I cut off will make sure Tobirama Senju can never have children."

Izuna smirked wickedly and raised his chin at Senju Takeuma as he issued his threat.

This felt great!

"You bastard!" Hashirama Senju roared.

"Everyone, drop your weapons!"

His sudden shout, carrying something like the Conqueror's Haki from One Piece, silenced the battlefield of hundreds in an instant.

Even the Uchiha fell silent.

"Just as expected of the future God of Shinobi. He already has this much presence?"

Izuna glanced toward Hashirama Senju and thought to himself.

Even with his skill tree, he couldn't help feeling a trace of wariness toward Hashirama Senju.

After all, this was the man who would spend his life keeping Madara Uchiha in check!

"Izuna, tell me your terms."

Hashirama Senju, the doting older brother, was doing everything he could to suppress his anger.

"It's simple,"

Izuna shouted. "The Senju must compensate the Uchiha for all their financial losses in this battle, withdraw from every territory they've occupied west of the Uchiha border at Mount Kumogakure, and sign an agreement not to fight the Uchiha for five years!"

The terms caused an uproar throughout the Senju ranks.

Quite a few Senju Ninja immediately began cursing.

"Uchiha Izuna, have you no shame?!"

"Young Clan Head Hashirama, don't listen to him!"

"Everyone, attack together and rescue Lord Tobirama!"

Those terms would strip the Senju of a huge chunk of everything they had.

Even Tobirama Senju, who was being restrained, couldn't help shooting Izuna a furious look. "You're really asking for the moon, Uchiha Izuna."

"Do you have any right to say that after sneaking up on me?"

Izuna shot back, pressing the Kunai against Tobirama Senju's throat.

It was a warning to the Senju not to try anything. Let's see whether I can slit his throat faster, or you can rescue him faster.

"Fine! I ag—"

"Wait! Give us one night to discuss it!"

Worried for his younger brother's safety, Hashirama Senju was about to agree at once.

But Senju Takeuma cut him off and shouted, "Until then, don't even think about harming Tobirama. Otherwise, the Senju will gather all our forces and fight the Uchiha to the death."

Faced with Senju Takeuma's veiled threat, Izuna didn't vent his anger by stabbing Tobirama Senju with the Kunai. Instead, he calmly replied, "Fine! You have one night."

Then Izuna exchanged a glance with Madara.

Madara nodded in understanding and raised his voice. "Everyone, fall back to camp!"

The battle between the Uchiha and the Senju was forced to a halt by Izuna's sudden appearance, with Tobirama Senju in his grasp.

This was also the first official meeting between the Chosen Ones of this era: Uchiha Izuna, Madara Uchiha, Hashirama Senju, and Tobirama Senju.