Shadow of Scars and Return to the Battlefield

The news that Uchiha Sou's squad had encountered and successfully restrained a "Test Subject" was quickly submitted as vital intelligence. The report emphasized the effectiveness of "genjutsu interference" against that abnormal state, offering a glimmer of hope to the Uchiha high command, who were struggling to counter Tobirama Senju's forbidden techniques—though this hope was faint and carried a heavy price.

Izuna Uchiha personally summoned the squad leader and Tsang. His complexion appeared increasingly pale under the candlelight, but those Mangekyo Sharingan remained as sharp as blades, as if they could pierce through a person's heart. He meticulously questioned every detail, especially regarding the state of those "Fanatics" and their reactions when finally disrupted.

Tsang cautiously repeated his previous statement, attributing his "Inner Harmony interference" entirely to the accidental efficacy of Sharingan genjutsu and a keen perception of chakra fluctuations. Izuna's gaze lingered on him for a moment; a flicker of scrutiny seemed to pass through those deep pupils, but in the end, he did not press further. Perhaps it was due to Tsang's past "mediocre" record, or perhaps because his entire focus was currently occupied by how to deal with Tobirama's techniques.

"Genjutsu interference... nodes of chakra turbulence..." Izuna repeated in a low voice, his fingers tapping the desk unconsciously. "Pass the order down: have all squads encountering such enemies attempt to concentrate their use of genjutsu, prioritizing attacks on their chakra core regions! Even if it only causes a moment of stagnation, it is an opportunity!"

The order was quickly disseminated. In the subsequent skirmishes, the Uchiha side began to consciously use genjutsu against those "Test Subjects," indeed achieving some results and temporarily curbing the panic brought about by this Senju tactic. A blind optimism even emerged within the clan, believing that a method to restrain Tobirama's forbidden techniques had been found.

Only Uchiha Sou knew clearly that the effect of ordinary Sharingan genjutsu was far inferior to the interference imbued with his "Inner Harmony" intent. The "success" of his clansmen was bought more with more skillful coordination and higher casualty costs; furthermore, Tobirama's techniques were still evolving, and the flaws of the "Test Subjects" were being rapidly patched.

The meat grinder of war did not cease its operation. As Uchiha Madara's injuries gradually healed and he began to reappear to take command, the scale of the conflict between the two clans expanded once more, returning almost to the level it had been before Madara was severely wounded. Everyone could feel that a decisive battle was brewing.

And the core of this battle would inevitably be the rematch between Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju. As well as... the collision of the sharpest fangs of both sides—Izuna Uchiha and Tobirama Senju.

Uchiha Sou's heart sank day by day. He knew that the fated moment was approaching. He tried to do something, even if it were just a warning, but he could not speak. Any warning that exceeded common sense might invite unnecessary suspicion, or even accelerate the arrival of the disaster. He could only sharpen his sense of "Internal Seeking" more diligently; his Double Tomoe Sharingan, through countless instances of introspection and actual combat, became increasingly profound, as if only a thin veil remained before that barrier, yet he could never pierce through it.

Finally, on an overcast morning, the great battle erupted. Deep within the Uchiha compound, the oppressive atmosphere almost condensed into substance. The unfavorable news constantly arriving from the front lines, especially the reports regarding Tobirama Senju's eerie "Test Subjects," pressed down on everyone's hearts like heavy boulders.

Outside Uchiha Madara's residence, the guards were several times more numerous than usual. Inside, the bitter scent of medicinal herbs permeated the air.

Madara sat cross-legged on the tatami, his upper body bare, with thick bandages still wrapped around his chest and arms, through which bloodstains faintly seeped. The wounds left by Hashirama Senju were no small matter; even with his powerful physique and vitality, it would still take time to fully recover. His face appeared somewhat pale due to blood loss and pain, but in those deep black eyes burned an unquestionable will and suppressed rage.

Several of the best medical ninja in the clan were carefully performing a final emergency treatment and reinforcing his bandages.

"Clan Leader, your injuries..." a senior medical ninja could not help but speak, his voice filled with worry. "Forcing your chakra to circulate, the wounds are likely to tear open again, or even..."

"Enough." Madara's voice was low and hoarse, yet carried an unquestionable majesty. "Hashirama has already appeared on the front lines. Tobirama's little tricks are slaughtering my clansmen. How can I sit idly by?"

He stood up slowly, and even in his movements, one could detect a trace of imperceptible stiffness and endurance. Powerful chakra began to circulate within his body, pressing down on the surrounding medical ninja until they could barely breathe, also rendering them unable to offer further dissuasion.

The paper door was slid open, and Izuna Uchiha walked in quickly. His complexion was even worse than Madara's, with bloodshot eyes densely packed; his vision had clearly deteriorated significantly, but his steps were firm as he walked straight to Madara.

"Brother, everything is ready." Izuna's voice was steady, as if he could not see the horrific injuries on his brother's body. "The troops have assembled, waiting only for your command."

Madara's gaze fell upon his younger brother, that sharp look softening for an instant, but it was quickly replaced by an even deeper resolve. He reached out and pressed heavily on Izuna's shoulder.

"Izuna, my back is, as always, entrusted to you."

Izuna looked up abruptly, meeting Madara's gaze. Although his vision was already blurred, he could still feel that unreserved trust. He nodded forcefully: "Yes! Brother! I will clear away all obstacles for you! Especially... Tobirama Senju!"

The two brothers had no further words; everything was understood without being spoken. Madara took the armor handed to him by an attendant and slowly put it on, covering his numerous scars. When he walked out of the room and arrived before the assembled Uchiha elite, the "Asura of the Battlefield" who looked down upon the war and struck fear into the hearts of men seemed to have returned. It was only the pale complexion and the trace of imperceptible exhaustion deep in his eyes that revealed the strain beneath this strength.

Uchiha Sou stood in the ranks, watching Madara and Izuna. He could clearly feel that the vast chakra within Madara was like a volcano being forcibly restrained, surging yet carrying an unstable tremor. And Izuna's flame of life was burning at an abnormal speed, like a candle in the wind, yet erupting with its final, most dazzling brilliance.

A strong, ominous premonition gripped Tsang's heart.

He knew that Madara's forced participation was like the sounding of the horn for the final battle. And Izuna's resolute posture was pushing him toward the guillotine of fate.

The troops set out, silent and murderous. Madara walked at the very front, his figure like a scarred lion, every step treading with heavy determination and the flames of revenge. The Uchiha clansmen looked at their leader's back, their morale bolstered, but beneath this excitement lay even deeper unease and fear.

Tsang followed in the ranks, his Double Tomoe Sharingan rotating slightly, his sense of Internal Seeking elevated to the extreme. He perceived Madara's unstable yet majestic power, perceived Izuna's rapidly burning life, and also perceived the increasingly dense sense of "Dissonance" permeating the surrounding air—that was the scent of war, hatred, and death intertwined.

He knew that the wheels of history were irresistibly grinding toward that fated, tragic node.

And he, a transmigrator who knew the future but possessed meager power, seemed capable of doing nothing now but follow this torrent, and within this torrent, try his best to grasp at the infinitesimal variable that might exist.

The shadow of scars returns to the battlefield. The fate of the Uchiha is walking toward the edge of a cliff.