"Mr. Izuna, please reconsider."
As Izuna jumped forward, Kaguya Manro's expression darkened. "If we take Uzushio Village, not only will Uzumaki Mito be yours, but Uchiha can claim half of Uzushio's resources. It's a lucrative offer for your clan."
Izuna smirked, twisting his neck as if warming up. "Enough nonsense. I'll give you one chance to live."
The entire battlefield seemed to hold its breath as Izuna continued coldly, "Withdraw from the Land of Whirlpools immediately, and I won't have to take action."
Kaguya Manro's face turned even darker. Uzushio Village was within reach—less than ten miles away. How could he retreat now? This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"It seems Mr. Izuna is determined to act against the interests of his own clan. If that's the case, then we have no choice but—"
"Wait, clan leader."
Kaguya Takeri interrupted before Manro could order an all-out attack.
"What is it?" Manro growled, clearly displeased.
Kaguya Takeri leaned in, speaking quietly. "Even if we manage to injure Uchiha Izuna, we'll face the wrath of the Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Senju clans combined. It's not worth the risk, even if we capture Uzushio Village."
Manro's face twitched. Takeri was right. Offending all three major clans at once would spell doom for the Kaguya clan.
After a moment of contemplation, Kaguya Manro called out, "Mr. Izuna, since an alliance between our clans isn't possible, let's settle this with a duel. If I win, Uchiha will not interfere in this matter. If you win, I will immediately withdraw my forces from the Land of Whirlpools."
A collective gasp swept through the battlefield.
Uzumaki Guanghai, Uzumaki Hikari, and the surrounding ninjas from both sides had complicated expressions. Some even suppressed laughter.
A duel? With Uchiha Izuna?
Did Kaguya Manro have any idea what he was asking for? Only Senju Hashirama might stand a chance against Izuna. Anyone else was simply overestimating themselves.
Izuna raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "A duel, huh? Sure, why not?"
Kaguya Manro didn't hesitate. "Then, forgive me!"
With that, the bones at Manro's fingertips extended into sharp projectiles, and he launched them toward Izuna.
Ten Fingers Piercing Bullets!
But to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, these projectiles were like stationary targets.
Izuna calmly raised a hand, and silver flames flickered to life, blocking the projectiles with ease. The bullets clattered to the ground, leaving Manro stunned.
"What kind of technique is that?"
"It looks like silver flames…"
"Is it Susanoo?!"
The Uzumaki and Senju ninjas, more familiar with Izuna's abilities, immediately recognized the faint outline of Susanoo.
"I'm in a bit of a hurry to bring Mito home," Izuna said nonchalantly. "So let's wrap this up quickly. Otherwise…"
His tone turned cold and murderous. "I might not be able to resist killing you."
Kaguya Manro felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine.
"Am I… actually intimidated by someone so young?" Manro thought, gripping a massive bone whip he had just pulled from his own spine.
Dance of the Maidenhair!
Manro lashed out with his bone whip, attempting to entangle Izuna. But with the Sharingan, Izuna could see every move before it happened.
Silver chakra erupted around Izuna, forming Susanoo's ribcage, which deflected the whip effortlessly.
"Enough," Izuna said coldly. "You've attacked twice. Now it's my turn."
The Susanoo expanded rapidly, a massive skeletal frame surrounding Izuna. Its hand gripped a chakra blade, which slashed downward at Manro.
The Kaguya clan leader barely managed to leap back in time, the blade carving a massive trench where he had stood.
"That… that defense and power…" Manro stammered, his confidence wavering.
"Clan leader, his feet!" Takeri shouted.
Manro's eyes darted to Izuna's unprotected feet and immediately pressed his hands to the ground.
Dance of the Seedling Fern!
From the earth, massive bone spurs erupted, aiming directly for Izuna.
But before the technique could reach its target, Uzumaki Guanghai and his ninjas acted swiftly.
Barrier: Spatial Shield!
Transparent barriers appeared in front of the Uzumaki and Senju forces, blocking the bone spurs just in time.
"Is that all?" Izuna sneered. "I'm disappointed."
The Susanoo's skeletal hand swung its chakra blade again, this time directly at Manro. The Kaguya leader knew he had no choice but to retreat, his heart pounding in his chest.
As Izuna's blade shattered the ground where he had stood, Manro realized the gap in their strength was insurmountable.
End of the Chapter.