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Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
Since their last encounter, the Senju clan had adopted a defensive strategy, fortifying their positions. Despite the opportunity to attack, Izuna refrained from launching an offensive, opting instead to focus on preparation. He used this time to assist Madara in training Sage Mode and enhancing his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
Izuna's own progress in mastering the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan was slower than expected. Unlike Madara, or even Sasuke Uchiha in later generations, Izuna found that unlocking and fully mastering Susanoo required time and effort. Reflecting on the swift progress of Sasuke, Izuna couldn't help but wonder if his perceived slowness was due to not being a reincarnation of Indra or Asura.
The Calm Before the Storm
Despite Uchiha's resurgence and Izuna's previous victories, the Senju clan's superior numbers kept them in control of the overall conflict. Yet, for three consecutive months, they remained stationary, a behavior Izuna found curious. Efforts to investigate were thwarted by the sensory prowess of the Uzumaki clan allied with the Senju, leaving Uchiha with little actionable intelligence.
Meanwhile, the northern and southern battlefields saw a ceasefire between the Hyuga and Sarutobi-Shimura clans. As Izuna had predicted, neither side gained much from prolonged conflict. Although the battle was likely manipulated by "Kaido," Izuna was relieved that his role remained undiscovered. The truce ensured that the Kite persona could still serve a future purpose.
A Sudden Attack
One morning, as Izuna prepared to continue assisting Madara with his training, Uchiha Sashu rushed into the tent, his face pale.
"Clan leader! Deputy leader! The Senju are attacking!"
Madara and Izuna's eyes widened in unison.
"After months of inaction?" Izuna wondered aloud. "Why now?"
Madara, true to his nature, immediately rose from his seat, itching for battle. However, Izuna stopped him. "Brother, you need to complete your Sage Mode training first. Without it, your vision will only deteriorate further."
Madara's jaw tightened in frustration. Though reluctant, he knew Izuna was right and reluctantly sat back down, his fists clenched.
Izuna didn't waste another moment. Mobilizing a thousand Uchiha troops, he led them to face the approaching Senju forces.
On the battlefield, Senju Hashirama took the lead, releasing his monumental chakra.
"Wood Release: Birth of the Tree World!"
Massive trees erupted from the ground, blanketing the battlefield. The canopy blocked the sky, casting the area into shadow. The chakra radiating from Hashirama surpassed even that of a tailed beast.
Izuna cursed under his breath. "Damn That baetard.. changing the terrain to his advantage. Typical Hashirama."
He activated the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. The sage lines at the corners of his eyes deepened as he entered Sage Mode.
"Immortal Technique: Flame Escape, Destiny to Control Flame!"
"Amaterasu!"
The combination of the two S-rank techniques formed a massive sea of black and crimson flames, surging forward to consume the encroaching forest. For a moment, it seemed Izuna's flames would overpower Hashirama's Wood Release.
"Impressive! But not enough!" Hashirama roared.
Senju Tobirama leaped into action, summoning a raging waterspout. "Water Release: Water Formation Wave!"
The waterspout collided with the flames, neutralizing much of their power. The clash sent water vapor and embers flying, shrouding the battlefield in a thick mist.
"Prepare to counter with Fire Release!" Uchiha Inosuke called to the troops, raising morale.
But then, a thunderous roar reverberated through the battlefield.
"What is that sound?" a Uchiha shinobi asked, fear creeping into his voice.
The mist cleared, revealing a massive wooden dragon soaring through the air. Its sheer size dwarfed everything else on the battlefield.
Izuna's eyes narrowed. "Susanoo!"
The Senjutsu-enhanced Susanoo appeared, fully armored and ready for battle. The ground shook as Susanoo charged forward to meet the wooden dragon head-on.
The two titans collided with an earth-shattering crash. The force of the impact scattered debris and shattered trees in every direction.
Before Izuna could react, the wooden dragon coiled itself around Susanoo. Branches sprouted from its body, forming a massive wooden prison that locked Susanoo in place.
"Deputy Chief!" Inosuke shouted, his voice filled with panic.
From the Senju side,Jonins laughed triumphantly. "That's the power of Hashirama's Wood Dragon Technique! It traps its target in a prison of trees, absorbing their chakra to strengthen itself! The more chakra they have, the stronger the prison becomes!"
Uchiha Inosuke and the others clenched their fists, realizing the dire situation.
"Amaterasu's Sword!" Izuna's cold voice rang out.
A massive black flame-covered sword materialized in Susanoo's hand, slicing through the wooden prison in one powerful strike. The prison shattered, and Susanoo emerged, now clad in its fully armored form. The sight brought roars of approval from the Uchiha forces.
"He escaped the Wood Dragon?" Their laughter froze.
Tobirama's sharp senses picked up the truth. "No... that technique drained a significant amount of his chakra. brother! Now's your chance!"
Hashirama nodded, his expression resolute. He clasped his hands together, summoning even more chakra.
"Wood Release: Statue of a Hundred Hands!"
A colossal wooden statue rose from the earth. Towering over even Susanoo, the statue bore countless wooden hands forming a massive disk-like structure behind it.
The sight left the Uchiha forces in awe and fear. Even Izuna, seasoned as he was, couldn't help but curse. "Damn it! Hashirama, are you the chosen son of the universe?"
The battlefield trembled as the two giants clashed. The statue's massive arms descended, aiming to crush Susanoo. Izuna countered, slashing upward with Susanoo's Amaterasu-coated sword. The resulting shockwaves flattened the surrounding forest, leaving only scorched earth and broken wood.
Despite the overwhelming power of the Guanyin statue, Izuna stood firm, his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan glowing fiercely.
"You've grown stronger, Hashirama! But don't think for a second that I've reached my limit!"
End of Chapter