Tobirama Senju

The cold wind howled, and the moonlight was pale.

All clamor came to an abrupt halt. The two sides faced each other from opposite ends, and the atmosphere gradually froze in the biting wind.

On Tobirama Senju's face, his iron forehead protector, shaped like a face guard, gleamed with a cold light. He wore a black skintight combat suit beneath layered blue armor. He stood tall as a pine, his expression stern, his arms crossed over his chest as he fixed the enemy before him with a steady, icy gaze!

Tobirama stood proudly at the front, with elite Senju Clan ninja standing ready behind him. All of them wore armor, clearly intending to catch their prey in a trap!

"So it isn't Izuna." Tobirama looked Yan Hong over, his tone already brimming with icy killing intent. "Judging by your looks, you must be his younger brother?"

As Madara and Izuna's younger brother, Yan Hong was naturally quite handsome as well. His features were refined, and a profound gleam shone within his sharp eyes.

Yan Hong took a slight step forward. "Tobirama Senju, I've always heard my second brother speak of you. This is our first time meeting, isn't it?"

Tobirama snorted coldly. "It is indeed the first time, but it will also be the last. Since you dared enter this place, stay here forever."

Behind him, a member of the Uchiha Clan slowly stepped forward and whispered to Yan Hong, "Lord Yan Hong, when the time comes, we'll fight with everything we have to carve out a path for you. As long as you escape, our mission will be complete."

From the moment they stepped onto the battlefield, everyone had already prepared themselves for death. But while everyone else could die, nothing could happen to Yan Hong. It was not merely because of his identity, but more importantly because of Yan Hong's value to the Uchiha Clan.

"It isn't time for you to sacrifice yourselves yet." Yan Hong waved a hand, then looked toward Tobirama. "Tobirama Senju, although I'd like to fight you, this isn't the time."

Tobirama smiled disdainfully. "Heh. You think you can still leave here alive?"

"If I'm going to die here, someone has to be buried with me." Yan Hong paused. "For example... your brother-in-law?"

"Lord Yan Hong! We brought him!"

Crash—

A commotion arose from the rear of the Uchiha formation. Immediately afterward, Uzumaki Ise, his long hair hanging loose and his entire body a mess, was escorted forward by two Uchiha Clan members.

Tobirama frowned. "What are you trying to do? Threaten me with a hostage?"

"You can see it that way." Yan Hong placed a hand on Ise's shoulder. "So, Tobirama Senju, will you be threatened?"

"Pah!" Uzumaki Ise twisted his body, his face bearing an expression as though he wanted to devour Yan Hong alive. "You think I'm afraid of you? If you've got the guts, kill me!"

Bang—

Yan Hong punched Ise in the face. Saliva and blood sprayed together as Yan Hong shook out his hand and said coldly, "Sorry, the choice isn't yours."

"You!" Ise's eyes turned red with rage, and he felt utterly humiliated. Never in his life had he suffered such indignity. He could only blame himself for being too rash this time and falling into the enemy's trap. To protect his clansmen, he had exhausted most of his chakra resisting the explosive tags, which was why he had once again become the enemy's captive.

If it had been anyone else, Tobirama would not have hesitated in the slightest. But Ise's identity was simply too special. Not only was he the future clan head of the Uzumaki Clan, he was also his sister-in-law's elder brother. In a sense, he was family.

Moreover, Yan Hong's words had placed the power over Ise's life and death in Tobirama's hands, as though Tobirama would be the one responsible for getting Ise killed. Ninja had long prepared themselves for death, and even if he truly chose to sacrifice Ise, the Uzumaki Clan would not say anything. But who could guarantee that everyone would truly let go after the death of a loved one?

On the other hand, even if they kept Yan Hong here, they still could not utterly crush the Uchiha Clan. At most, it would be a one-for-one exchange. Yet it would undoubtedly create a crack in the alliance between the Senju and Uzumaki Clans, perhaps even seriously affecting their future development. Therefore, Ise could not die—at the very least, not by Tobirama's hand!

Tobirama gritted his teeth. "What a fine scheme, Uchiha Yan Hong. I really underestimated you before."

Yan Hong replied calmly, "You flatter me. So, what is your choice?"

Tobirama stared darkly into Yan Hong's eyes. After a long while, he stepped aside and opened a path. "Leave him behind, then get lost!"

"Heh." Yan Hong neither agreed nor disagreed. He turned to Mu beside him. "Mu, you leave first."

"But... Lord Yan Hong..."

Yan Hong's tone allowed no argument. "That is an order. Go!"

"...Yes!" Mu nodded with difficulty, then led the remaining people as they quickly charged out of the encirclement.

Only after his subordinates had completely disappeared from sight did Yan Hong leisurely seize Ise and begin walking out step by step. The gazes of every Senju Clan ninja present were fixed on him, their eyes filled with fury and hatred.

Yan Hong paid them no heed. After walking roughly thirty paces beyond the encirclement, he turned and gave Tobirama a faint smile. "Then, until next time!"

Smack—

He struck Ise's back with his palm, shoving him toward the charging Tobirama, then used the force to launch himself into the air and race into the distance!

Tobirama flashed forward and caught the flying Ise, but the feel was wrong. A sizzling explosive tag was stuck to Ise's back!

Rip—

Tobirama tore off Ise's outer garment and hurled it into the air. Amid the roar of an explosion, he pushed Ise toward a nearby clansman, then stomped heavily and charged at full speed toward Yan Hong's vanishing figure!

"You go back first. I'll pursue him alone!"

"Lord Tobirama!"

"Sigh, forget it. Let him go. We should head to support the Heno River first!"

Watching Tobirama's swiftly vanishing back, his subordinates shook their heads with wry smiles. Still, they were not worried about Tobirama's safety. In their eyes, unless Madara personally entered the battle, no one could keep Tobirama if he truly wanted to escape. And if they went with him, they might only hold Tobirama back should there be a trap.

Elsewhere, Yan Hong raced through the wind at an astonishing speed. After breaking through the encirclement, he did not slow down—instead, he became even faster, leaving behind only a black afterimage!

While running, he sensed chakra surging behind him and knew Tobirama had caught up. "Hey, isn't this a bit much? Do you want my head that badly?"

Behind him, Tobirama's silver hair flew in the wind, while the fur on his silver scarf was pressed flat by the gale. He moved as swiftly as a snow fox darting across the plains!

"I told you, you can't escape!"

Yan Hong glanced sideways and discovered that Tobirama was indeed far faster than him. With every rise and fall, the distance between them shrank by another stretch. At this rate, he would sooner or later be caught!

"My eldest brother and second brother should already know where I am. Now it depends on whose reinforcements arrive first." Having figured it out, the battle-hungry blood of the Uchiha Clan within Yan Hong began to blaze fiercely!

"Since I can't run, then let me see just how strong the fastest speed in the ninja world truly is!"

Whoosh—

Yan Hong came to an abrupt stop, his left Mangekyo Sharingan locking onto the rapidly approaching Tobirama!

Kagami no Mitama!