Chapter:3

"Izuna, are you sure about this?"

When Madara heard that Izuna had volunteered for the mission, a hint of concern flashed across his face. This was a mission with a high chance of death.

"Don't worry. Don't forget about the new power we've gained," Izuna replied, casting a glance at Madara.

The others exchanged looks but didn't pay much attention to Izuna's mention of "new power." Right now, the more pressing concern was the pursuit by the Senju clan.

"Since Izuna has volunteered, we should send an elite force to support him," one of the senior Uchiha jōnin suggested.

If Izuna was going to the battlefield, he couldn't be sent alongside the old, weak, or injured. He needed a unit of elite troops to back him up. Otherwise, even if Izuna was willing, Madara would have to be the first to step in and take action.

After some discussion, it was decided that Izuna would lead two companies, a total of about 140 ninja, composed of jōnin and a few chūnin, to cover the rear. Meanwhile, Madara and the other high-ranking Uchiha would focus on retreating and evacuating the wounded.

Boom!

Just as the discussion concluded, a deafening explosion shook the camp. Izuna and the others quickly rushed outside. Madara frowned and shouted, "What's going on?"

An Uchiha intelligence ninja appeared in front of Madara using the Body Flicker Technique. Kneeling on one knee, he reported, "Senju Kawaragi is leading nearly five hundred troops in an assault on the entrance to our camp."

Senju Kawaragi—a Kage-level shinobi from the Senju clan, nearly as powerful as Senju Butsuma—was the uncle of Senju Hashirama and Tobirama. Like Uchiha Ishiki, who served as Uchiha Tajima's deputy, Kawaragi was the second-in-command of the Senju clan.

With Senju Butsuma dead, Kawaragi was now the strongest remaining member of the Senju, though his nephews, Hashirama and Tobirama, hadn't yet reached their full potential. At this moment, Kawaragi's name carried more weight than even Hashirama's.

And he was leading five hundred men. They weren't here for a simple pursuit; they intended to annihilate them.

"Izuna, your opponent will be Senju Kawaragi. I'm afraid your forces won't be enough. Maybe I should—" Madara began, his protective instincts toward his younger brother kicking in. At this point in time, Madara wasn't yet the legendary Uchiha leader feared across the shinobi world. He still hesitated when faced with a Kage-level opponent.

"Senju Kawaragi is attacking?" Izuna frowned. Something didn't add up. He had expected Senju Tobirama to lead the attack since surprise assaults were Tobirama's specialty.

Suddenly, Izuna's expression shifted. He asked Madara, "Brother, what's the situation at Mountain Road?"

Mountain Road was the only pass leading from their current position to the Uchiha clan's territory.

"It's being guarded by our rear defense force," Madara responded.

Izuna frowned, deep in thought for a moment, before saying, "Brother, we need to change our plan. I'll head to Mountain Road immediately. You and the others should hold off Senju Kawaragi for as long as possible."

"Izuna, what's going on?" Madara and the others were confused.

It didn't make sense. Shouldn't they be focusing on retreating? Why the sudden shift to offense?

"There's no time to explain," Izuna said quickly. "Just remember, your goal is to delay, not win. And one more thing: don't use those eyes unless absolutely necessary. You must promise me that."

With that, Izuna disappeared in a blur, using the Body Flicker Technique to rush toward Mountain Road, leaving Madara and the others behind.

"Chief Madara, what are your orders?" a middle-aged jōnin asked.

Without hesitation, Madara replied, "Do as Izuna says. Anyone who's uninjured, come with me to face Senju Kawaragi!"

The clan members were still hesitant. Izuna had changed the plan on the spot and issued strange commands. No one knew what he was up to.

Madara glared at them, his gaze cold. "Do as I say!"

It usually took two full days of non-stop travel for a jōnin to reach Mountain Road from their position, but after Izuna's systematic physical enhancement the night before, his strength and stamina had increased dramatically. He reached his destination that same night.

As soon as Izuna arrived at Mountain Road, the sounds of battle filled the air.

Izuna's Sharingan flickered, his vision sharpening. His suspicion was confirmed.

The Uchiha forces stationed at Mountain Road numbered only thirty. Since the area was so close to Uchiha territory, no serious incidents had occurred here for generations. Even the Senju had never managed to push this far into Uchiha land. The assumption had been that no enemy could reach this place.

But now, the camp was under attack.

The Uchiha commander at the site, Uchiha Hirito—an elderly jōnin of around fifty, considered a veteran at the peak of his strength—was locked in combat with a ninja wearing dark blue armor. All around them lay fallen Uchiha, some severely wounded, others already dead.

The ninja facing off against Uchiha Hirito was none other than Senju Tobirama, the future Second Hokage of Konohagakure.

Hirito panted heavily, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "Ha... ha... I was too careless. I didn't think you'd be able to slip past all our sensory ninja and make it here."

Tobirama's voice was cold. "Your arrogance is your downfall. I'll use my newly developed technique to destroy your clan's last hope of retreat."

With those words, Tobirama vanished in a blur, reappearing behind Hirito. A kunai engraved with sealing runes was poised to strike.

Flying Thunder God Slash!

Just before Tobirama could land the finishing blow, four fiery dragon heads roared toward him from above.

Caught off guard, Tobirama twisted mid-air to avoid the flames, which incinerated the spot where he had just stood.

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

(End of the chapter.)