Uchiha Motoyuki

The atmosphere on the battlefield where Yanbai and Tobirama Senju stood changed abruptly.

Meanwhile, Hashirama Senju was with Yuzhi.

Because of the sudden change in circumstances, Butsuma Senju had replaced Senju Kawarama and Itama Senju, who were originally supposed to accompany them, with Tobirama Senju and Yanbai.

Senju Longshu stood in front of Yuzhi and Hashirama Senju.

"That was close! Thank you for saving me, big brother."

Yuzhi addressed Hashirama Senju respectfully.

Hashirama Senju looked utterly bewildered, his head practically covered in question marks.

After two seconds of silence, Hashirama Senju spoke without thinking. "It was only my duty, Lord Yuzhi. I hardly deserve to be called your big brother. I'm younger than you."

Just then, a shout caught Hashirama Senju's attention.

"Senju Longshu, hold it! Uchiha Motoyuki sends his regards!"

The shout was accompanied by deafening, icy laughter.

Sensing something, Hashirama Senju immediately hoisted Yuzhi bodily off the ground and narrowly escaped to one side.

With a thunderous bang, a wave of heat swept toward them, crushing and splintering the palanquin that had stood behind Yuzhi.

The palanquin caught fire the instant the flames touched it. The blaze spread, and the wooden posts behind them began burning fiercely as well. Hashirama Senju and Yuzhi now had no way to retreat.

The sheer force of it frightened Yuzhi into silence.

Hashirama Senju looked toward the voice and saw that the ambushers had already revealed themselves.

Blocking the road ahead was a member of the Uchiha Clan wearing the Uchiha Dark Robe.

He appeared to be a young man, no older than thirty, with handsome features and a composed bearing. Dressed in his Uchiha robe, he exuded the commanding arrogance and rakish charm peculiar to the Uchiha Clan.

This was Uchiha Motoyuki, the Uchiha Clan's second-in-command. He had come to assassinate Date Yuzhi, but the sight of Senju Longshu filled him with particular fury.

During their last encounter, Senju Longshu had escaped underground halfway through the fight.

This time, Uchiha Motoyuki would never let Senju Longshu get away.

With that thought, Uchiha Motoyuki changed the direction of his attack and charged at Senju Longshu, who stood in the middle of the road.

"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"

Uchiha Motoyuki was calculating and cunning, his moves endlessly unpredictable.

Though he had initially taken the stance for Majestic Destroyer Flame, the ninjutsu that emerged after his hand seals was the Great Fireball Technique.

Senju Longshu wasted no words. He poured powerful chakra into both fists and drove them into the ground before him.

"Mountain-Cleaving Hand!"

The earth shook, and the heaving ground blocked Uchiha Motoyuki's Fire Release.

But once the Fire Release was blocked, a dense barrage of shuriken came whistling through the air.

The Uchiha Clan's shuriken had tremendous penetrating power.

Several fresh wounds immediately opened on Senju Longshu's body, sending blood spraying.

Shocked and furious, Senju Longshu hurriedly drew his new weapon, a Giant Axe. He swung it like a curtain of light, enclosing Yuzhi and Hashirama Senju within an impenetrable defense.

Without a word, Hashirama Senju unleashed Wood Release, doing his best to shelter Date Yuzhi behind him.

Senju Longshu was anxious. An unexpected turn had disrupted their party, and no sooner had they been forced to separate from the princess than the enemy attacked.

Senju Longshu wanted to find Yanbai immediately, but Yuzhi behind him was the client they had been hired to protect. He could not leave.

Yuzhi represented the Date House, and the Date House was no ordinary client. They were more than merely wealthy.

The Date Lord's Land of Pines was a tiny country blessed with extraordinary luck. It possessed several iron mines, and the weapons it forged were sharp and durable. Neighboring countries expanding their armies and shinobi clans equipping their members all purchased from the Land of Pines.

The Land of Pines was fabulously wealthy but lacked military strength, so other countries frequently coveted it. Whoever seized it could use its monopoly on weapons to extort and gather intelligence on the major shinobi clans and powers nearby.

That made maintaining relations with the Date House extremely important.

"Senju Longshu, hand over Date Yuzhi now, and I'll spare your life!" Uchiha Motoyuki's expression was vicious and sinister as he leaped into the air.

Senju Longshu roared, "Hand him over? When I was roaming the Shinobi World, you hadn't even been reincarnated yet! You're a worthless brat with a big mouth. You'd be better off going to hell early!"

A large force of Uchiha arrived behind Uchiha Motoyuki, leaving Yuzhi, Hashirama Senju, and the others no chance of escape.

Concerned for his client's safety, Senju Longshu took the lead and advanced to meet the enemy.

Senju Longshu swung the enormous weapon he carried. With several heavy thuds, he instantly cleaved the charging enemies in two, sending severed limbs flying through the air.

"Such big words, Senju Longshu."

Uchiha Motoyuki drew his Worn Blade, and dazzling firelight burst from its swiftly moving edge.

The red glare was blinding. Hashirama Senju pulled Yuzhi back.

Uchiha Motoyuki's blade swept forward with astonishing force, unleashing a torrent of fire and lightning.

Senju Longshu circulated his chakra and leaped up, preparing to intercept Uchiha Motoyuki in midair.

The power behind Uchiha Motoyuki's blade exceeded Senju Longshu's expectations.

Fortunately, Hashirama Senju had endured his little sister's loving "beatings" every day lately and had become exceptionally tough. He skillfully used Wood Release to keep Yuzhi enclosed, protecting him as though inside an eggshell.

"Senju Longshu, this is the price of underestimating the Uchiha!"

Uchiha Motoyuki's arrogant voice rang out from above.

A metallic clang sounded.

Uchiha Motoyuki's Worn Blade actually pierced Senju Longshu's dense chakra and shattered his chakra barrier. Its tip thrust repeatedly, the attacks crisscrossing like waves and reducing everything around the two men to dust.

Hashirama Senju widened his eyes without saying a word.

Yuzhi, however, asked in terror, "Is Mr. Longshu no match for that Uchiha...?"

"Hashirama, take Yuzhi and find Her Highness!"

Senju Longshu waved a hand, his expression calm.

The Uchiha before him was far too fond of posing and showing off, pursuing flashy, attractive moves that were all style and no substance.

Senju Longshu still wanted to find the princess as quickly as possible. If anything happened to her, he would bear responsibility.

Hashirama Senju looked solemn. He was not worried about Yanbai at all, but staying here was unsafe. Going to Yanbai's side would be safer.

Besides, remaining here left Hashirama Senju hampered by the need to protect Yuzhi. He could not make more trouble for Senju Longshu.

Once Hashirama Senju took Yuzhi away, Senju Longshu could fight while retreating without being held back by them.

So Hashirama Senju made an immediate decision. He clapped his hands together and used Wood Release to launch himself and Yuzhi into the sky.

"Aaaaah! Big brother, save me!"

Accompanied by Yuzhi's terrified screams, Hashirama Senju used Wood Release to cross the sea of flames and flee toward the escape route that had just been cut off.