Chapter:7

For Izuna, who had been killed by Senju Tobirama in the original work, it was difficult not to harbor murderous intentions towards him.

However, after receiving the memories of the original Uchiha Izuna, he understood that he must not kill Senju Tobirama at this time. Tobirama was far too important to the Senju Clan. If Izuna were to kill him, the Senju Clan would retaliate with full force, and the current strength of the Uchiha Clan alone was far from sufficient to withstand that onslaught.

Thus, Senju Tobirama would have to serve as a bargaining chip in negotiations—he must not die.

Holding Tobirama by the back collar, Izuna rushed toward the battlefield as if carrying a rabbit.

Before they had traveled a third of the distance, Senju Tobirama regained consciousness.

Seeing the trees flying by in a blur, Tobirama's pupils constricted. He glanced sideways, his eyelids twitching in realization as he gritted his teeth and muttered, "Uchiha Izuna!"

"Don't try to escape with the Flying Thunder God," Izuna replied, maintaining his grip on Tobirama as he swiftly maneuvered through the jungle. His tone was indifferent as he continued, "I've ordered my subordinates to destroy those kunai."

"Are those new eyes your new power?" Tobirama asked, recognizing that escape was futile. He had already accepted that he would likely be used as a bargaining chip between the Uchiha and Senju.

Since he couldn't change the outcome, he might as well try to gather more information.

"So much nonsense; it doesn't suit your personality," Izuna said coldly.

"What?" Tobirama frowned, not grasping the meaning behind Izuna's words.

"Heh."

In response, Izuna simply smirked, quickened his pace, and continued toward the battlefield.

---

On the battlefield, the Uchiha with their flame fan symbols clashed against the Senju, who were born with powerful chakra.

This confrontation between the two strongest ninja clans of the Warring States period had persisted for countless centuries.

Violent explosions resonated throughout, with Fire Style, Water Style, Lightning Style, and various other ninjutsu being unleashed. The wounded and dead continued to accumulate.

While much of the battlefield was embroiled in chaos, two locations were defined by intense duels.

The reason was simple: the power of the protagonists in these areas was so immense that others dared not approach. Anyone caught in the crossfire would face certain death.

On one side stood Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, later dubbed the "Two Heroes of the Ninja World."

On the opposite side were the current top masters of their respective clans: Uchiha Ishiki and Senju Kawaragi.

Uchiha Ishiki was a clan uncle to both Madara and Izuna, while Senju Kawaragi was the cousin of Senju Butsuma. Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama referred to him as "Uncle."

Now both men were over forty years old, at a stage where they could no longer grow, but they were still in their prime as ninjas.

"Haha!!"

In his early twenties, Senju Hashirama unleashed a burst of flaming blue chakra from his right fist, leaping into the air to deliver a powerful blow to Madara.

This was the prototype of what would become Tsunade's Strange Power in the future, but Hashirama's Wood Release was so overwhelmingly powerful that it overshadowed the strength of his Strange Power.

Madara grabbed the Uchiha fan from his back with his right hand and held it across his chest.

Clang!!

The sound of an explosion and impact echoed as the rocks beneath Madara shattered, sinking his feet more than half a foot into the ground.

The three tomoe spun wildly in his eyes as he formed a "Yin" seal with one hand and shouted, "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Singing Technique!"

Four roaring dragon heads of fire lunged toward Senju Hashirama from nearly point-blank range.

In response to the sudden attack, Hashirama's gaze sharpened. He ignited chakra in his left hand and flicked it fiercely.

He actually shattered the A-rank fire jutsu into pieces!

Seizing the opportunity, Madara retreated to distance himself from Hashirama.

"Madara, stop this now! The outcome of this battle is already clear."

Hashirama urged him gently.

"Dream on!" Madara retorted coldly. In his mind, he contemplated, "Although I don't want to admit it, without my new eyes, I can't defeat Hashirama at all, but..."

Madara recalled what Izuna had said before his departure: "Brother, don't use the Mangekyō unless you have to."

Unaware of the side effects of the Mangekyō, Madara, even if he had known, would still have used it desperately due to his character. The only reason he refrained was Izuna's strong advice.

Whoosh!

A black shadow flashed behind Madara—Uchiha Ishiki.

"Madara, are you okay?" Ishiki asked, standing back-to-back with him.

Blood trickled from his forehead, running down the side of his face and dripping onto his chin and neck.

Within seconds, Senju Kawaragi caught up and stood alongside Senju Hashirama.

"I'm fine," Madara replied before lowering his voice. "Have you noticed? Senju Tobirama is missing..."

Although Tobirama hadn't reached his peak yet, he remained one of the top five strongest members of the Senju Clan, and there was no reason he wouldn't participate in such a crucial battle.

Not far away, the conversation between Senju Hashirama and Senju Kawaragi mirrored that of the Uchihas.

"Uncle Kawaragi, it's odd that we haven't seen Uchiha Izuna on the battlefield," Hashirama said, frowning.

"It is strange, but we don't have time to ponder that," Kawaragi replied, confidence evident in his tone. "The battlefield situation is in our favor. As long as Tobirama's surprise attack succeeds, we can end this centuries-long conflict between the Senju and Uchiha."

Senju Kawaragi was very confident in Tobirama's plans.

His belief stemmed from Tobirama being the strongest sentient ninja born in the Senju clan in hundreds of years. He could even assess the number of people on the battlefield merely by standing there.

With the newly developed and terrifying ninjutsu called Flying Thunder God, Kawaragi believed Tobirama could navigate the Uchiha Clan's defenses with ease.

Thinking of this, Kawaragi's confidence swelled, and he tightened his grip on his sword. "Hashirama, let's push harder to break through the Uchiha front line. We need to support Tobirama and inflict severe damage on the Uchiha in this battle."

"...Good."

While Senju Hashirama had a generally kind disposition, he was not so foolish as to fail to discern the situation. He would fight without killing the Uchihas and surrender his pawns instead.

"Cough."

Opposite him, Uchiha Ishiki coughed dryly, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Madara looked on in shock. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine; it's just the old wounds from the last battle acting up. But that bastard Senju Kawaragi doesn't seem to be in much better shape."

Ishiki wiped the blood from his mouth and continued.

Madara surveyed the surrounding battlefield, gritting his teeth. "There's nothing we can do... I'm sorry, Izuna!"

Thinking of this, the three tomoe in Madara's eyes began to rotate rapidly, forming a circular pattern with the three curved tomoe interconnected!

(End of the chapter).