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"Wood Release: Ghost Face Technique!"
"Wood Release: Coiling Technique!"
Hashirama's twin Wood Release techniques were unleashed in rapid succession. The towering wooden defenses sprang to life, attempting to block Izuna's Scorch Release: Nimbus Hayate, Black Yarei Style.
But Izuna knew Hashirama's real intention wasn't just defense. He smirked. "So, you're trying to divert its trajectory?"
The black inferno storm tore through the Wood Release defenses effortlessly, but Hashirama's strategy succeeded. The Scorch Release veered off course, narrowly missing him and crashing into the cliff behind.
A deafening explosion followed. Half the mountain disintegrated in an instant, sending rocks and dust raining down onto the battlefield.
"Monster!" gasped a member of the Senju clan. The destruction wrought by Izuna's jutsu sent shivers through the ranks of the Senju army.
But Hashirama wasn't finished.
"Wood Release: Flower and Tree World Creation!" he roared.
The ground quaked as chakra poured out of him like an unstoppable flood. Trees and flowers erupted from the earth, surging forward at an alarming speed. The air filled with golden pollen as the massive foliage expanded.
"Everyone retreat! Don't inhale the pollen!" shouted Uchiha Inosuke, his voice filled with urgency. The veterans of battles against Hashirama knew the devastating effects of his signature jutsu. The pollen would paralyze anyone who inhaled it, rendering them defenseless against the advancing trees.
Before the Uchiha forces could fully retreat, Izuna's voice thundered across the battlefield. "Hold your positions! Prepare Fire Release!"
As the armored form of Susanoo reverted to its humanoid shape, Izuna leaped high into the air, leaving the ground far behind. From his elevated vantage point, he could oversee the battlefield clearly.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Song Technique!"
Dozens of Uchiha shinobi unleashed waves of fire, creating a massive inferno that roared forward to meet Hashirama's attack.
High above, Izuna's Susanoo began to transform. Dark markings resembling tadpole-like seals appeared across its surface as Izuna infused it with natural energy.
"Senjutsu Susanoo..." Tobirama muttered, his sharp gaze narrowing. "He's enhanced it with Sage Chakra."
Susanoo raised its colossal hand. A gargantuan spiral shuriken formed in its grasp, glowing with blinding intensity.
"Senjutsu: Super Rasenshuriken!" Izuna declared.
The massive chakra construct hurled the Super Rasenshuriken into the heart of the enemy forces. Simultaneously, the swirling flames of the Uchiha's Fire Release merged with the shuriken, creating a devastating fire tornado of apocalyptic proportions.
The fiery maelstrom roared across the battlefield, incinerating the golden pollen from the Flower and Tree World Creation before it could take effect. The inferno's sheer intensity forced Senju Tobirama to shout, "Prepare Water Release immediately!"
But Hashirama raised a hand to stop his brother. "No, retreat the army! Everyone fall back!"
As the fire tornado advanced, Hashirama summoned every last reserve of chakra he had left. His body radiated an aura of raw power as he unleashed his trump card.
"Wood Release: Super Tree World Creation!"
Enormous trees erupted from the earth, their size dwarfing anything seen before. Intertwining branches and roots formed a massive barrier, over a hundred meters high, standing against the advancing firestorm.
For a brief moment, the battlefield became a chaotic maelstrom of flames and splintering wood. The roar of the inferno and the cracking of timber filled the air as Hashirama's defenses barely held.
The clash lasted for what felt like an eternity—twenty seconds of destruction so intense that even the most battle-hardened shinobi could only watch in awe.
Finally, the Super Tree World absorbed the brunt of the attack. The remaining trees collapsed to the ground in smoking ruins, leaving the Senju army exposed.
"Chase them down!" shouted an exhilarated Inosuke. The sight of the Senju forces retreating for the first time in months filled the Uchiha army with newfound confidence.
"Stop!" Izuna's commanding voice cut through the clamor, bringing the pursuing forces to a halt.
Inosuke turned, confusion etched on his face. "Deputy Chief, why? This is our chance!"
Izuna stood atop the fallen remnants of a massive vine. His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan glowed ominously as he addressed his subordinate. "Never pursue a retreating enemy blindly. Especially not into unfamiliar territory."
Realizing the wisdom in Izuna's words, Inosuke lowered his head. "Understood, Deputy Chief. I'll inform the troops."
"Good." Izuna's tone softened slightly. "Instead, we'll advance our position. Move the camp twenty miles forward tonight."
"Yes, sir!" came the enthusiastic response from the Uchiha troops.
That evening, as the camp settled into its new position, Izuna ordered the supplies of wine and meat to be distributed among the soldiers. For the first time in months, the Uchiha forces celebrated, relishing their hard-fought victory.
Later that night, Izuna and Madara retreated to a secluded hillside. Madara sat cross-legged on the ground, his hands forming intricate seals as he concentrated on absorbing natural energy. Izuna knelt nearby, prepared to intervene if Madara lost control.
This dynamic mirrored Izuna's own experience training with Uzumaki Mito. He now understood the immense effort required to guide someone through the perilous process of mastering Sage Mode.
Suppressing the raging natural energy without snuffing it out entirely required a delicate balance. Even a minor mistake could have catastrophic consequences.
As he monitored Madara, Izuna's thoughts drifted. He wondered how Mito was faring back in Uzushio Village. Was she safe? Did she ever think of him?
The hours stretched on, and finally, Madara exhaled deeply, signaling the end of their session. "I don't feel any improvement," Madara said, frustration evident in his voice.
"This isn't about improvement," Izuna reminded him. "It's about preventing further deterioration."
Madara's expression darkened. "Is there no other way?"
Izuna hesitated. "There is," he admitted. "But it will take time."
Madara looked at his brother, seeing the resolve in Izuna's eyes. For the first time in months, a flicker of hope sparked within him.
End of Chapter