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Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Izuna, Senju Hashirama, and Senju Tobirama.
These two pairs of brothers would later be seen as fated rivals by future generations. Their first battle as leaders of their respective clans ended with an undeniable victory for the Uchiha.
While it wasn't an absolute triumph, it was a milestone far beyond what was achieved in the original timeline.
The once-contested border of Yunshan had now fully fallen into Uchiha control. The remnants of colossal towers and sword marks left behind bore witness to the ferocity of the conflict.
During the retreat, Izuna's actions behind the scenes further solidified alliances. Notably, the Hyūga, Sarutobi, and Shimura clans—normally at odds—were drawn into an uneasy truce to avoid Uchiha dominance.
With Yunshan secured, Madara ordered increased defenses and troop deployments. He personally led the reinforcements alongside Uchiha Takahiko, an elder and the clan's secretary-general, while the young and capable Uchiha Inosuke, a loyal follower of Izuna, was appointed as director.
It was clear to anyone with political insight that Madara was initiating a shift in leadership from the older generation to the younger one—a necessary evolution for the clan.
Izuna agreed wholeheartedly.
While strength was critical, political acumen couldn't be ignored. In the original timeline, Madara's downfall wasn't just due to Senju Hashirama's strength but also Senju Tobirama's cunning, which politically outmaneuvered the Uchiha at every turn.
Reflecting on the original timeline, Izuna thought grimly: If Madara had waited until after Tobirama's death and the appointment of a non-Uchiha Third Hokage, his departure might have been justified. But leaving right after Hashirama's reign ended was catastrophic. The clan hadn't yet recovered from war.
The tension within the clan had been brewing for decades. First, the Senju brothers took the Hokage mantle, leaving Uchiha dissatisfied yet silent due to their overwhelming strength. Later, the appointment of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Senju brothers' disciple, as the Third Hokage only worsened tensions. Finally, when Hiruzen's own student, Minato Namikaze, became the Fourth Hokage, the Uchiha's resentment reached a breaking point.
But for now, such matters were far in the future.
Returning to the present, Madara's vision was deteriorating. The senjutsu chakra he had obtained from the Jūgo clan was not as potent as Senju Hashirama's cells, nor could it sustain repeated use of the Mangekyō Sharingan techniques like Obito's later experiments.
Madara could barely see objects five steps away, yet he pressed on without complaint.
Izuna, meanwhile, had accumulated 108 skill points in his unique system, primarily for accomplishing what the Uchiha had never done in the original timeline—defeating the Senju. However, he still lacked enough points to reach the coveted 150 required for the next evolution of his Mangekyō Sharingan.
For now, with the war temporarily paused, the pressure to use their ocular powers had eased.
When the brothers returned to the Uchiha compound, they were greeted by cheering women and children led by the clan elder, Ishiki Uchiha. Peace, however brief, was a welcome sight.
Seeing the joyful reception, Izuna thought, Who truly enjoys endless fighting? Even someone like Madara must yearn for peace deep down, as much as he strives for dominance.
At the celebratory banquet, Izuna couldn't resist the enthusiasm of his comrades, drinking until his face turned red.
Young Uchiha's praised Izuna and Madara's feats on the battlefield, conveniently omitting the moments when Senju Hashirama's strength had temporarily overwhelmed Madara.
The focus of their praise was Izuna, whose tactical brilliance and battlefield prowess inspired confidence that the Uchiha-Senju feud might soon come to an end.
Izuna listened quietly, smiling as he drank, refusing to comment.
Privately, he reflected on his performance. It's a shame I didn't unleash my Perfect Susanoo during the battle. But even if I had, it wouldn't be enough against Hashirama once he fully awakens his Bokujin Jutsu and the terrifying Thousand Hands Technique.
For now, however, Izuna was confident that he and Madara together could overwhelm the current version of Senju Hashirama, who lacked Sage Mode or access to his ultimate techniques.
Izuna was pragmatic, favoring results over honor. Victory achieved through strategy and cunning was still victory.
After the banquet, drunk and exhausted, Izuna returned to his mansion—a place he hadn't seen in over a year.
Collapsing onto the tatami mat, he barely registered the presence of a young Uchiha maid who quietly attended to him.
Blushing, the maid hesitated before recalling her father's advice. With trembling hands, she began to undo the knot of her kimono.
Unlike the future establishment of Konoha, where kunoichi actively participated in missions, women of the Warring States Period rarely fought. Their primary role was to strengthen the clan through childbirth, especially in bloodline clans like the Uchiha, Hyūga, and Senju, where pure lineage was paramount.
As the sound of the kimono loosening filled the room, Izuna opened his eyes slightly.
"Stop," he said, raising a hand.
The maid froze, startled. "Deputy Clan Leader… You don't need to worry about taking responsibility," she said, her voice anxious.
Izuna frowned. "That's not what I meant. I have no interest. Please leave."
"…Yes."
The maid reluctantly redressed, bowed, and left the room silently.
Lying alone under the moonlight, Izuna whispered a single name.
"…Mito."
End of the Chapter.