Tobirama Senju

The cold wind howled, and the moonlight was ghastly pale.

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

A mask-like iron forehead protector gleamed coldly on Tobirama Senju's face. He wore a black skintight combat suit beneath layered blue armor. Standing straight as a pine, his expression was stern, his arms folded over his chest as he fixed the enemy before him with a calm, icy gaze!

Tobirama stood proudly at the front, with elite Senju Clan ninja standing ready behind him, all clad in armor. They clearly intended to trap their prey in a jar!

"So it isn't Izuna." Tobirama sized Enkō up and down, his voice already brimming with chilling killing intent. "Judging by your face, you're his younger brother, aren't you?"

As Madara and Izuna's younger brother, Enkō was naturally quite handsome as well, with striking features and a profound gleam in his sharp eyes.

Enkō took a small step forward. "Tobirama Senju, I've always heard my second brother mention you. This is our first meeting, isn't it?"

Tobirama snorted coldly. "It is indeed the first, but it will also be the last. Since you had the nerve to come in here, then stay here forever."

Behind him, an Uchiha Clan member slowly stepped forward and whispered to Enkō, "Lord Enkō, when the time comes, we'll fight with everything we have to carve out an escape route for you. As long as you can get away, our mission will be complete."

From the moment they stepped onto the battlefield, everyone had already prepared themselves for death. But anyone could die except Enkō. It was not merely because of his status, but more importantly, because of Enkō's value to the Uchiha Clan.

"It isn't time for you to sacrifice yourselves yet." Enkō waved a hand, then looked at Tobirama. "Tobirama Senju, although I would very much like to fight you, this isn't the time."

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

"If I have to die here, someone has to be buried with me." Enkō paused. "For example... your brother-in-law?"

"Lord Enkō! We've brought him!"

Crash—

A commotion came from the rear of the Uchiha Clan formation. Then Uzumaki Ise, his long hair loose and his entire body in disarray, 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." Enkō placed a hand on Ise's shoulder. "So, Tobirama Senju, will you be threatened?"

"Pah!" Uzumaki Ise twisted his body, looking as though he wanted to devour Enkō alive. "Do you think I'm afraid of you? If you've got the guts, kill me!"

Bang—

Enkō punched Ise in the face. Saliva and blood sprayed together as Enkō 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. He had never suffered such indignity in his life. 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 damage from the Explosive Tags, which was why he had once again become the enemy's prisoner.

If it had been anyone else, Tobirama would not have hesitated in the slightest. But Ise's identity was far 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, Enkō's words had placed the power over Ise's life and death in Tobirama's hands, as though Tobirama would be the one killing Ise. Ninja had long prepared themselves for death, and even if he chose to sacrifice Ise, the Uzumaki Clan would not say anything. But who could guarantee that every relative would truly be able to let go after losing a loved one?

On the other hand, even if they captured Enkō, they still could not completely crush the Uchiha Clan. At most, it would be an even trade. Yet that would undoubtedly create a rift in the alliance between the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan, perhaps even seriously affecting their future development. Therefore, Ise could not die—at the very least, not at Tobirama's hands!

Tobirama gritted his teeth. "What a method, Uchiha Enkō. I truly underestimated you before."

Enkō remained unruffled. "You're too kind. So, what is your choice?"

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

"Heh." Enkō neither confirmed nor denied it. He turned to Mu beside him. "Mu, you leave first."

"But... Lord Enkō..."

Enkō's tone allowed no question. "This is an order. Go!"

"...Yes!" Mu nodded with difficulty, then led the remaining people swiftly out of the encirclement.

Only after his subordinates had completely disappeared from sight did Enkō slowly seize Ise and begin walking out step by step. Every Senju Clan ninja present had their eyes fixed on him, their gazes filled with fury and hatred.

Enkō paid them no heed. When he had walked roughly thirty paces beyond the encirclement, he turned back and gave Tobirama a faint smile. "Then, until next time!"

Smack—

He struck Ise's back with his palm, sending him toward the charging Tobirama. Borrowing the force, he shot into the air and darted into the distance!

Tobirama flashed forward and caught the flying Ise, but immediately sensed something wrong. An Explosive Tag was stuck to Ise's back, hissing with sparks!

Riiip—

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

"You return first. I'll pursue him alone!"

"Lord Tobirama!"

"...Forget it. Let him go. We'll head to support the Heno River first!"

Watching Tobirama's rapidly disappearing back, his subordinates shook their heads with bitter smiles. Still, they were not worried about Tobirama's safety. In their minds, unless Uchiha Madara personally entered the fight, no one could keep Tobirama if he was determined to flee. And if they went with him, they might only hold him back should there be a trap.

Elsewhere, Enkō raced through the wind at astonishing speed. Even after breaking through the encirclement, he only grew faster, becoming nothing more than a streaking 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 scattered in the wind, while the fur on his silver scarf was pressed flat by the gale. He was as swift as a snow fox darting across the plains!

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

Enkō glanced sideways and discovered that Tobirama truly was much faster than him. With every leap and landing, the distance between them shortened, and if this continued, he would sooner or later be caught!

"My eldest brother and second brother should already know where I am. Now we'll see whose reinforcements arrive first." Once Enkō understood this, the battle-hungry blood of the Uchiha Clan began to blaze within him!

"Since I can't run, then I'll see just how strong you, the fastest in the Shinobi World, really are!"

Whoosh—

Enkō came to an abrupt halt, his left Mangekyo Sharingan aimed at the rapidly approaching Tobirama!

Kagami no Mitama!