Chapter:106

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As the deputy patriarch, Izuna knew he needed to keep his image pristine and lead by example. Though his relationship with Mito had grown intimate in all but the final sense, he remained discreet, keeping their bond private. Most of the time, Izuna remained in his main command tent. As the top commander of the Uchiha forces, spending too much time in the tent of a "female prisoner" could give the wrong impression.

Nearly ten days had passed since Izuna took over the stronghold previously commanded by Senju Kawaragi. During this time, Izuna refrained from launching further attacks. Although his recent victory had significantly boosted Uchiha morale, he recognized that the terrain favored the Senju forces. Their camp was positioned in a location that was easy to defend but difficult to attack, while the Uchiha camp offered a clear view of any approaching enemy.

Despite reducing the gap in military strength, Senju still held the advantage in numbers, so Izuna decided that initiating an attack would be unwise.

"Senju Kawaragi will soon lead his forces to attack us," Izuna remarked, looking up from the documents he was reviewing in the main tent.

Uchiha Akechi, who had taken over as Izuna's deputy, looked at him in surprise and asked, "Deputy Leader, what makes you so certain?"

"I captured Kawaragi's most well-guarded stronghold. Senju Kawaragi must be furious. However, he'll change his strategy to avoid a similar surprise attack, which will take some time. Once he's regrouped, he'll come for us," Izuna explained, finishing with a final stroke on the document. "In fact, I'd say he's almost here."

No sooner had he spoken than Uchiha Retsu entered, breathless. "Deputy Chief! Kawaragi Senju is leading a large force straight toward us!"

Akechi stared at Izuna in astonishment. Rumors about the deputy chief's foresight were evidently true.

Izuna set down the documents and donned the red armor hanging nearby. "Prepare the entire army," he ordered. "Our people are growing restless. It's time we met Senju in battle."

"Yes, Deputy Chief!" Akechi responded with a salute.

Soon, more than two hundred Uchiha clansmen, divided into small, agile squads, were stationed across the rugged mountainous terrain. As expected, Senju forces appeared as a mass of dark figures on the opposite side, quickly closing the gap. Within minutes, the Uchiha warriors activated their Sharingan, making out the figures of the Senju forces, clad in familiar blood-red armor.

In this rocky, mountainous terrain, large-scale formations were impractical; instead, combat would involve close-quarters skirmishes between small units. This environment emphasized the importance of teamwork and tactical cooperation—a strategy later known as the foundation of Kakashi's cooperative approach.

"It's surprising to see Senju Kawaragi, the clan leader, leading an assault on a side battlefield," Akechi noted, standing beside Izuna.

"If you'd seen the power of Senju Hashirama, you'd understand why," Izuna replied. "I've waited a long time for you, Senju Kawaragi," he called out, his voice carrying a taunting edge. "As clan leader, you handed over the main battlefield to your deputy, Senju Hashirama. It seems you're eager to abdicate early, but there's no need to trouble yourself—I'll defeat you here and make way for someone worthier."

Senju Kawaragi's expression darkened. He knew Hashirama's strength surpassed his own and that, in time, he'd have to relinquish his title. Yet, hearing this from an outsider like Izuna stung.

"Hmph! It's good for young people to be confident. Just don't let it lead to your death," Kawaragi retorted, voice heavy with sarcasm.

Izuna smirked, raised his arm, and brought it down in a swift motion. In an instant, countless Uchiha ninjas positioned at higher points along the mountain formed hand seals and unleashed a torrent of fireballs.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" they chanted, and dozens of fireballs filled the sky, raining down with the fury of a blazing inferno.

"Snort!" Kawaragi sneered as Senju ninjas behind him completed their hand seals.

"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!" came the unified cry, and a massive wall of water surged forward, forming a tsunami-like barrier that extinguished the fireballs.

A cloud of steam erupted, blanketing the valley in thick fog.

"Now, behold true fire," Izuna murmured, as black markings appeared at the corners of his eyes, more complete and intense than they had been in prior battles.

"Sage Art: Fire Style - Great Fire Annihilation!"

Thanks to Mito's assistance, Izuna had nearly perfected his Sage Mode. Though his abilities might not yet rival Hashirama's infamous Buddha technique, he was easily on par with Naruto's Sage Mode.

An immense wall of flames surged forward, burning hotter and brighter than anything before, tearing through Senju's water barrier and consuming everything in its path.

"Curse it, what kind of Fire Style jutsu is this?" Kawaragi muttered in shock. Acting quickly, he bit his thumb, pressing his bloodied hand to the ground. "Summoning Jutsu: Double Rashomon!"

The earth shook as two towering demonic gates, each 100 meters tall, emerged from the ground, standing like titanic guardians in the face of Izuna's fiery onslaught.

"So, Rashomon, is it?" Izuna grinned, reaching into his ninja pouch. With a quick leap, he tossed a kunai in midair, passing over the top of Rashomon as he launched into a somersault.

In a flash of white smoke, the kunai multiplied into hundreds, raining down on the Senju forces below like a deadly storm.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Clang! Clang! Clang! Senju ninjas drew their weapons, blocking and deflecting kunai from every angle. Each kunai that disappeared in a puff of smoke was a mere clone, designed to confuse and overwhelm.

"Attack!" Izuna roared.

With a unified shout, the Uchiha forces charged, moving over the top and around the sides of Rashomon's gate. They drew their swords, some wielding kunai, others brandishing larger weapons, as they surged toward the Senju lines.

"Senju Yunma is among their senior members," Retsu warned. "Akechi, leave him to me. You're not ready to face him yet."

Akechi nodded, shifting his focus to other Senju ninjas, recognizing Retsu's experience and strength. Though Retsu's rank was now lower, his battlefield prowess and leadership were invaluable. Even a fool could tell who was better suited for handling a high-level threat like Yunma.

The Uchiha and Senju forces clashed in a brutal confrontation. In the chaos, Izuna's Sharingan picked out movements with precision, allowing him to weave through the ranks with deadly efficiency. Kawaragi, wielding a large blade, was slicing through the battlefield, showing why he still held the clan leader's position despite Hashirama's growth.

Izuna spotted Kawaragi among the swirling melee and smirked. "So, you're still holding on, Senju Kawaragi. Ready to relinquish that title yet?"

Kawaragi scowled but did not reply, focusing on his opponents. He dodged a barrage of kunai, meeting Izuna's taunt with silence and determination.

The clash continued, with fireballs, water walls, and kunai filling the air. The steam from conflicting jutsu coated the battlefield, making it hard to see. But both sides pressed forward, driven by the pride and grudges that defined the Warring States.

Izuna knew this battle wasn't just about victory but about showing the Uchiha that he could lead them to match even the Senju. The intense battle cries of his clan fueled his resolve as he led his forces to challenge the might of the Senju, determined to carve out their place in this endless conflict.

(End of Chapter).

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