"Vice-Clan Head, this..."
Uchiha Akichi stepped forward anxiously, and the others wore expressions of disbelief.
One man against five hundred? And those five hundred weren't ordinary ninja; the Senju and Uzumaki were not to be trifled with. Not to mention Senju Yuma and Uzumaki Hiro'umi—two Kage-level experts—and countless Jonin.
"Senju Hashirama is now recognized as the strongest Senju of the Warring States. It's fitting. I will fulfill my promise and force Senju Yuma to retire early to make way for the worthy."
The season was gradually turning into the winter of the second year.
Cold winds swept across the ridges. The trees, already sparse, had been decimated by half a year of fighting, leaving the entire mountain bald and desolate.
"Vice-Clan Head, Intelligence reports that the Senju-Uzumaki coalition, led by Senju Yuma and Uzumaki Hiro'umi, has gathered about five hundred ninja on the ridge."
Perched on a massive rock, Izuna listened to Uchiha Shin's report. Beside him stood Mito, dressed in Uchiha kunoichi garb. Ostensibly a prisoner, her treatment wasn't overtly harsh, though her hands were bound behind her back with anti-ninja rope.
"Vice-Clan Head, perhaps we should hide behind you and attack in full force once the battle begins?" Uchiha Akichi suggested from behind.
"Stop talking nonsense. The Uzumaki sensory abilities rival the Hyuga's Byakugan. Do you think they wouldn't know if you were hiding?"
Izuna grabbed Mito's bound hands from behind. "I'm going alone."
Uchiha Akichi and Uchiha Shin exchanged glances, helpless. Finally, they said, "In that case, Vice-Clan Head, if you are outmatched, please fire the signal flare immediately."
Having pulled out the reserves left to guard the family, the Uchiha's total northern force was not inferior to the Senju and Uzumaki. A frontal assault was viable. However, firing the signal would cause the Senju and Uzumaki to retreat, failing to achieve the objective of a decisive battle.
But at least it would save Izuna, right?
The entire Uchiha army watched Izuna's receding figure as he dragged Mito away. At Uchiha Akichi's command, everyone entered a state of high alert. As soon as Izuna's signal went up, the whole army would rush to the rescue.
"Grand Elder, I sense two chakras approaching us. One is Uchiha Izuna, the other... is Princess Mito."
On the other side of Shirotani Pass, at the forefront of the five-hundred-strong coalition, an Uzumaki sensory expert reported to Uzumaki Hiro'umi.
"Is it really just one person?"
Although Uzumaki Hiro'umi had written in the letter for Izuna to come alone, he hadn't truly expected Izuna to walk into the trap solo. He had already begun secretly plotting how to rescue Mito.
"Absolutely. Apart from those two chakras, I sense no one else within twenty li." The Uzumaki sensor was extremely certain.
Senju Yuma laughed savagely beside him. "Since Uchiha Izuna seeks death, why shouldn't we grant his wish?"
Uzumaki Hiro'umi nodded in agreement but quickly added, "But remember, until Mito's safety is absolutely assured, no one is to make a move!"
"Yes!"
Five hundred voices responded in unison, echoing through the valley.
More than ten miles away, Izuna untied the rope around Mito. They walked unhurriedly toward their destination.
"After we part this time, we won't see each other again," Mito said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"That's not certain." Izuna crossed his arms over his chest.
"Still won't give up? Forget it, that is just like you." Mito didn't argue. In her heart, she already had the answer.
They walked in silence until they were less than two and a half miles away, nearing the range of the Senju and Uzumaki monitors. Mito extended her hands again. "Alright, tie me up. In the eyes of others, we are enemies, after all."
Abruptly, Izuna hooked his finger under Mito's snow-white chin and kissed her.
Mito froze for two seconds before responding fiercely.
No one would have imagined they would do such a thing while potentially being watched by Senju or Uzumaki ninja. But it should be safe; even among the Uzumaki, there was no sensory ninja stronger than Mito.
About twenty minutes later, a gust of yellow sand blew past. Uzumaki Hiro'umi and the others saw two figures slowly approaching. As the distance closed and the breeze cleared the air, they finally saw the faces clearly.
"He really has guts, this Uchiha Vice-Clan Head!" a Senju Jonin grit his teeth, admitting internally that he lacked such courage.
"Uchiha Izuna, release Mito!"
Seeing his granddaughter after a year, Uzumaki Hiro'umi couldn't help but tear up, shouting anxiously.
"Elder Hiro'umi, no need for such a harsh attitude. Who knows? We might become family in the future." As he spoke, Izuna smirked and ran his finger along Mito's smooth cheek.
"Bastard!" Uzumaki Hiro'umi flew into a rage, but concern for Mito's safety forced him to suppress his anger.
"Relax, I won't mistreat a beauty."
As his voice fell, Izuna untied the rope around Mito's wrists. Mito immediately vanished from her spot, sprinting toward the Uzumaki army.
The instant Mito ran, the three tomoe in Izuna's eyes spun rapidly, merging into a distinct pattern. Markings of Sage Mode simultaneously surfaced on the sides of his eyes.
He pressed his index fingertips together, thumbs raised, while the other three fingers curled and overlapped to form a seal.
"Sage Art: Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
"Uchiha Izuna, you animal!"
Seeing Izuna attack before Mito had even returned, Uzumaki Hiro'umi was furious. This reckless move could easily harm the apple of his eye.
He didn't know that this action was something Uzumaki Mito had requested of Izuna beforehand. This way, any suspicion the Senju and Uzumaki clans might harbor toward her would be erased. Although unlikely, she had been captured by Izuna for nearly a year; suspicion was not impossible. Izuna's ruthless attack would eliminate whatever doubts lingered in their hearts.
"Protect the Princess!" the Uzumaki ninja shouted.
The Senju hesitated not for a second. A peak Jonin immediately bit his finger and slammed his hand onto the ground.
"Summoning Technique: Rashomon!"
A massive gate adorned with a demonic face rose from the earth, blocking Mito's back and shielding her from the sea of fire.
However, the massive flames curved around the sides, rushing toward the rest of the coalition army, while simultaneously melting the Rashomon at a visible rate.
Uzumaki Hiro'umi took action personally, rushing forward to shield Mito behind him. He ordered his highest-ranking subordinates, "Cover the Princess's return to Uzushiogakure. No matter what happens, do not look back!"
"Yes!"
Four Jonin surrounded Mito. "Princess, please hurry."
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