The Spiral of Hatred and the Brother's Eye

Time flowed like a torrential river, surging forward for several years under the weight of hatred and war.

The deaths of Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma did not bring peace; instead, they completely ignited an irreconcilable war between the two clans. Having inherited the Mangekyo Sharingan and his father's dying wish, Uchiha Madara led the Uchiha clan with an even more iron-fisted and radical approach.

Over these few years, the scale of the war expanded continuously, and the brutality far exceeded anything seen before.

Uchiha Madara had begun to familiarize himself with the power of the Mangekyo. It was not a simple ocular technique, but a deeper, terrifying power that touched upon the soul and energy. Although he had yet to fully tap into its potential, he could already unleash genjutsu far surpassing the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, enough to cause a jonin's mind to collapse instantly. His insight had reached an unfathomable realm, allowing him to see through the chakra flow flaws of most ninjutsu. Relying on these eyes, he was like an Asura reborn on the battlefield, repeatedly dealing heavy blows to the Senju forces, his name alone enough to strike fear into the hearts of Senju ninjas.

After losing Butsuma, the Senju clan was initially led by the capable and vigorous Hashirama Senju. Hashirama naturally loathed war and yearned for peace, but to protect his clansmen, he had to step forward. His Sage Body was continuously stimulated during these years of bloody battles, his vitality and chakra reserves reaching an astonishing level. His formidable strength and generous character gradually won the support of his clansmen, making him a leader capable of barely holding his own against Uchiha Madara.

Tobirama Senju became the backbone of the resistance against the Uchiha, especially targeting Uchiha Madara. His ghost-like, high-speed Body Flicker Technique became increasingly refined; he was elusive, repeatedly ambushing and killing Uchiha experts, causing massive trouble for the clan. Yet, facing Madara's Mangekyo, which could predict and even interfere with his movements, Tobirama suffered setbacks time and again, even finding himself in life-threatening situations. This forced him to devote significant energy to developing new techniques to counter those terrifying eyes. Preliminary concepts for space-time ninjutsu and extreme tactics based on explosive tags began to brew in his mind.

Uchiha Sou had gradually grown up over these years, his frame lengthening as he shed much of his childishness. He remained silent and reserved, not standing out within the clan. He carefully hid his greatest secret, restricting the practice of his special ability entirely to his own internal energy, with slow but steady progress. His control over chakra reached a minute level, and his mental strength grew increasingly resilient. His Double Tomoe Sharingan was already used with proficiency, performing well in several battles, but he stopped there; he deliberately suppressed the urge to evolve to avoid attracting too much attention. He watched coldly as the spiral of hatred tightened, watching Madara become more paranoid, watching Izuna follow his brother without reservation, and watching the rapid growth of the Senju brothers, his sense of crisis growing with each passing day.

He knew the balance would be broken sooner or later.

That day finally arrived.

A decisive battle over resources erupted in a valley on the border between the two lands. Both the Uchiha and the Senju committed almost all their elites.

The battle entered a white-hot state from the very beginning. The sounds of war cries, ninjutsu explosions, and clashing blades were deafening.

Uchiha Madara was like a black storm on the battlefield; his Mangekyo rotated, easily seeing through and shattering the Senju's repeated offensives, invincible.

Hashirama Senju was like an immovable giant tree, using his vast chakra and powerful taijutsu to forcefully block Madara's edge. The prototype of Wood Style—some extremely primitive techniques that could only sprout a small amount of tough vines and wooden structures—began to manifest in his hands. Although far from reaching the level of the later Deep Forest Emergence, the power originating from the myriad of things already left the Uchiha clansmen feeling shocked and troubled.

Tobirama Senju was like a white ghost on the battlefield. His ghost-like Body Flicker Technique was even harder to guard against in the chaotic fray, specifically targeting the Uchiha's command nodes and powerful jonin, succeeding time and again.

The battle situation was exceptionally deadlocked; people fell every second.

Izuna Uchiha remained guarding Madara's flank. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan operated to its limit; his swordsmanship was exquisite, his Fire Style sharp, and he repeatedly blocked attacks from the side for Madara, especially Tobirama's treacherous ambushes. The two brothers fought side by side, coordinating perfectly, becoming the sharp spearhead of the Uchiha side.

However, this was the opportunity Tobirama had been waiting for!

He deliberately exposed a flaw to lure Madara into a fierce attack, while his true target was Izuna Uchiha, who was constantly guarding Madara and suffering from massive exhaustion!

In an explosion of extreme speed, Tobirama's figure bypassed Madara's Fire Dragon Flame Bullet like a teleportation, a specially crafted kunai engraved with runes in his hand thrusting straight at Izuna's heart! The speed and the angle were far beyond anything before!

"Izuna! Watch out!" Madara's pupils constricted, wanting to turn back to assist, but he was forcibly blocked by a massive wooden arm desperately manifested by Hashirama!

Izuna's Sharingan saw the lethal cold light, but his body was a beat too slow due to the prolonged, high-intensity combat! He could feel the scent of death rushing toward him!

Just at this critical moment—

"Don't you dare!"

Uchiha Sou, who had been hovering on the edge of the battlefield providing support, suddenly threw several shuriken tied with explosive tags. They were aimed precisely at the empty space on Tobirama's inevitable path—not to hit him, but to force him to change his trajectory!

At the same time, the double tomoe in his eyes spun frantically, pouring all his mental energy and that minuscule "interference" ability into a nondescript pebble under Tobirama's feet, betting everything on this one move!

"Slip!" A powerful intent burst forth!

Perhaps it was a coincidence, perhaps that weak ability finally had some effect at this crucial moment, or perhaps Tobirama had placed all his attention on Izuna, but his foot did indeed stumble ever so slightly!

The hesitation was infinitesimal, not even a tenth of a second!

But for a ninja of Izuna's level, this was enough!

Izuna used his last bit of strength to violently twist his body!

Squelch!

The special kunai failed to pierce his heart, instead stabbing fiercely into his right chest near the shoulder! The massive impact sent him flying backward, blood spraying wildly!

"Izuna!!!"

Uchiha Madara witnessed his brother being severely wounded and let out a heart-wrenching roar! Extreme anger, worry, and fear swallowed him instantly!

Hashirama was also stunned by this turn of events, his movements slowing.

Tobirama Senju, having failed to kill with one strike, saw a flash of cold light in his eyes and retreated without hesitation, his hands forming seals as fast as lightning!

"Forbidden Technique: Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags!" (Preliminary Prototype)

The explosive tag on the special kunai embedded in Izuna's body was instantly activated via summoning, and it began to frantically and continuously summon more explosive tags, about to trigger a chain of violent, non-stop explosions! He intended to blow Izuna into pieces!

"No—!!!"

Uchiha Madara's Mangekyo Sharingan spun crazily due to the extreme emotional shock, power surging out uncontrollably! He saw his brother about to be left with nothing, his despair and hatred reaching their peak!

At the same time, Izuna, who had been severely wounded and sent flying, felt the destructive energy about to erupt within him. In the air, he saw his brother's twisted, pained face, saw Tobirama's cold, ruthless eyes, and saw the horrified expressions of the clansmen around him...

Protect his brother! Guard the Uchiha! The bone-deep hatred for the Senju, especially for Tobirama... and his own extreme unwillingness to die... all these extreme emotions erupted at this moment!

"Ugh, ahhh—!!!"

As he flew backward, Izuna let out a scream that did not stem from pain, but from the depths of his soul! The blood spraying from the wound in his right chest seemed to carry a thick, volatile chakra fluctuation!

His Three-Tomoe Sharingan, wide open from pain and anger, saw its pupils suddenly contract, the tomoe twisting, deforming, and finally connecting and fusing! It transformed into a brand-new, complex pattern—different from Madara's, yet equally containing a powerful, cold, and dark strength!

The Mangekyo Sharingan, in the eyes of Izuna Uchiha, also suddenly awakened!

In this split second between life and death, the newborn ocular power was instinctively triggered!

Hum—!

A massive energy skeleton, radiating a ghostly purple light and resembling a ribcage, instantly appeared out of thin air, enveloping Izuna's body within!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The continuous barrage of exploding tags slammed violently into the deep purple skeletal frame, swallowing it in firelight and thick smoke! The shockwaves from the explosions swept across the entire area!

Everyone held their breath.

The smoke dissipated.

Izuna Uchiha was seen kneeling on one knee, gasping heavily, with that Kunai still embedded in his right chest, blood staining his clothes red. Yet, his body was firmly protected by that seemingly incomplete, yet indestructible, deep purple energy skeleton. Although the skeleton had developed cracks under the intense explosions, it had successfully withstood the lethal blow!

Susanoo!

"Izuna!" Madara, both shocked and overjoyed, rushed to Izuna's side in an instant.

Izuna looked up, revealing a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan flowing with blood tears, their patterns entirely new. His voice was hoarse but filled with hatred: "I am fine... elder brother... that white-haired one's eyes... I will dig them out with my own hands!"

A moment of dead silence descended upon the battlefield.

The Uchiha clan had actually produced a second pair of Mangekyo Sharingan!

Tobirama Senju's expression was incredibly grim. His strongest sneak attack and new forbidden technique had, by some twist of fate, helped the enemy awaken the Mangekyo?! He stared at the eerie energy skeleton, alarm bells ringing in his heart. His assessment of the danger posed by the Sharingan reached its peak, and his resolve to develop new techniques became even more urgent.

Hashirama Senju looked at those two pairs of ominous eyes, feeling the cold hatred contained within them, and a deep sense of pain and helplessness appeared on his face. The path to peace seemed to have become even more remote. Some power within him seemed to be accelerating its awakening due to this extreme confrontation and the determination to protect his clansmen.

Uchiha Sou watched Izuna, who had activated the Susanoo and escaped death, and slowly let out a sigh of relief, though his mood grew heavier. The appearance of a second Mangekyo would only make the Uchiha's will to fight even more frenzied, binding the chains of hatred even tighter.

And he had finally witnessed with his own eyes the moment of the Mangekyo's awakening, that ultimate emotional impact...

He knew that from this moment on, the war would enter a more terrifying new phase. And the "different possibilities" he sought seemed increasingly slim and distant under the gaze of those two pairs of hateful eyes.

The time for respite seemed to be running out.