Immersed in the mental world, Butsuma Senju experienced the power of Sharingan Genjutsu for the first time.
Uchiha Tajima had never used any genjutsu before, which had once led Butsuma Senju to believe there were two types of Sharingan.
One was an observational eye that enhanced dynamic vision, while the other was a mental eye that controlled genjutsu.
Only now did he understand that the Sharingan's mysteries went far beyond anything he had imagined.
Bloody tears were already flowing from Uchiha Tajima's eyes. "So inflicting a serious wound on Butsuma Senju was still too much to ask?"
"It seems that today, it falls to me, Uchiha Tajima, to defend the supreme glory of the Uchiha Clan!"
He burned through himself without restraint, surging chakra filling every cell of Tajima's body.
His speed, strength, and the ocular power of his Sharingan all increased severalfold in a matter of moments.
He and Butsuma Senju knew each other well. Their countless previous battles had never ended in either man's death because they were both clan leaders.
Heavy burdens rested on their shoulders.
But today was different.
If Uchiha Tajima failed to eliminate Butsuma Senju here, the Uchiha Clan would be doomed beyond salvation.
And so, to ensure his clan's survival, Uchiha Tajima burned through everything he had with a single purpose: to eliminate Butsuma Senju.
Butsuma Senju's powerful will and faith in his clan carried him through the torment of the genjutsu.
Now his brain ached as though countless hair-fine needles were stabbing into it.
Before he could catch his breath, Uchiha Tajima's furious assault was upon him.
The pain in his head prevented Butsuma from concentrating enough to use ninjutsu, so he simply relied on the Senju Clan's formidable physique.
Every punch and kick carried tremendous force, but he still fell slightly short of Uchiha Tajima, who was burning through his chakra like a madman.
"Hashirama, my son, the clan's future rests with you!"
Butsuma Senju, likewise prepared to sacrifice himself, seemed to coat his body in a Chakra Cloak.
He was the embodiment of strength, while Uchiha Tajima represented the pinnacle of technique.
Under Uchiha Tajima's frenzied assault, Butsuma Senju stood unshaken like a mountain.
The Chakra Cloak around him flashed with dazzling light as they fought.
Every clash of fists and feet brought a deafening roar. The ground trembled continuously beneath them, as though even heaven and earth changed color at their battle.
Uchiha Tajima's Sharingan had reached its limit. The patterns in his eyes spun wildly, releasing powerful mental energy.
Genjutsu intertwined with physical attacks, plunging Butsuma Senju into a predicament unlike any he had faced before.
Yet through his immense willpower and faith in his clan, Butsuma Senju endured wave after wave of attacks.
Their battle had reached a fever pitch. The shock waves of their chakra destroyed the surrounding trees, and thick smoke and dust filled the air.
Although Uchiha Tajima had burned through all his strength, Butsuma Senju was himself the embodiment of the Senju Clan's tenacity.
Butsuma Senju suddenly seized an opening in Uchiha Tajima's defense and unleashed a punch with overwhelming force.
Despite Uchiha Tajima's swift reaction, the blow still sent him flying more than ten meters, shattering his internal organs.
Butsuma Senju took the opportunity to gather his chakra, preparing to deliver the final blow.
At that critical moment, Uchiha Tajima's eyes widened in fury.
His Sharingan actually emitted a dazzling black light.
But in the next instant, the Sharingan's light went out.
Butsuma Senju's heart tightened. He knew this was the Uchiha Clan's most powerful genjutsu, Izanagi.
Under Izanagi's influence, Uchiha Tajima's body seemed to be reborn.
His injuries healed instantly, and his chakra returned to its peak.
He stared coldly at Butsuma Senju, a cruel smile curling his lips.
"Butsuma Senju, now is the moment to witness glory!"
With that, he charged at Butsuma Senju again. This time, his assault was even fiercer, as though he intended to destroy his opponent completely.
Butsuma Senju's heart sank, but he did not retreat.
He knew this battle would determine his clan's fate. He had to hold on.
And so, in this battle that would decide the future of two great clans, Butsuma Senju and Uchiha Tajima once again clashed fiercely.
Their figures darted through the smoke and dust, every collision unleashing astonishing surges of energy.
The outcome of this battle would determine the fate of both clans...
On Madara's back, Jing Xiu let go of his wariness and stubborn resolve. "Let's go to the Land of Bears. There's something there that can help me purge the poison from my body."
In truth, Jing Xiu possessed Twin Hands, though he could not yet unleash its full power.
But even if the poison in his body was the deadliest in the Shinobi World today, he still thought nothing of it.
He was going to the Land of Bears merely to save himself another trip later, and to strengthen Madara Uchiha in the process.
Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears was small, but its Mysterious Peacock Method shared quite a few similarities with the Golden Light Mantra.
Madara had hit a bottleneck in his Golden Light Mantra training. Perhaps insights drawn from the Mysterious Peacock Method could help him break through and become an Elite Jōnin.
Madara understood Jing Xiu's intentions.
After all these years, he naturally knew how extraordinary Jing Xiu was.
He understood that Jing Xiu had only said that to spare his pride.
He silently picked up his pace, crossing the vast sea and passing through dense forests.
The Sealing Jutsu on Izuna posed no challenge to Jing Xiu, of course. But the departure of the Ino-Shika-Cho had left Izuna quiet and withdrawn.
Only two days later, the entrance to Hoshigakure, the One-Line Bridge, appeared before the three of them.
"Izuna, stay here and look after Jing Xiu. I'll go meet Hoshigakure's leaders first!"
Izuna nodded, a trace of worry in his eyes.
But after glancing at Jing Xiu beside him, Izuna could no longer hold back his question. "Jing Xiu, doesn't Kurama Natsuki like you?"
"Why did she betray you?"
Jing Xiu looked at Izuna, somewhat speechless. He had thought the Ino-Shika-Cho's departure would help him mature considerably.
He had expected Izuna to ask him to review the battle on Whirlpool Island. Instead, Izuna cared more about affairs between men and women.
Even so, he was still willing to give Izuna a proper lesson.
"Perhaps the Ino-Shika-Cho truly are loyal to you, but the three people at my side aren't the same."
"Hatake is grateful to me for teaching him, and staying by my side lets him pursue greater heights in swordsmanship. That's why he's so loyal to me."
"If my interests ever conflicted with those of the Hatake Clan, he would choose to help neither side. He certainly wouldn't stand with me."
"The same goes for Aburame."
"But I don't know what got into Kurama. She's utterly obsessed with changing her name to Uchiha Natsuki."
"Her wishes have even influenced the people around me, including you!"
"But in my eyes, she's nothing more than a dispensable subordinate."
At those words, Izuna grew thoughtful.
If Nara Yoshihiro likewise tried to influence his thinking, or even went over his head to convey misguided views directly to Jing Xiu or Madara, then...
That would be equally unacceptable to Izuna.
"So you sent her undercover, planning to use Tobirama Senju or the Uzumaki Clan to get rid of her?"
"But that still isn't a reason for her to betray you!"