The elite forces of both the Senju and Uchiha clans had gathered at the site.
This was not the first large-scale clash between the two sides. Back in the days of Senju Butsuma and Uchiha Tajima, full-scale brawls between their elites had already become routine, something both clans were more than familiar with.
But the problem was… this time was different.
In the past, wars between the two clans had always been fought with full armor and a do-or-die resolve. Long before battle began, they would prepare ninja tools according to the terrain and manpower, devising multiple strategies for combat.
The main principle was simple: meet face-to-face and strike, annihilating the enemy's living force!
Not a single wasted word was exchanged—just the cold glint of blades and blood on contact.
But this time, whether Uchiha or Senju, every elite had to put on a friendly smile when meeting the other side, suppressing the killing intent in their eyes and hearts.
They even had to go so far as to exchange a few insincere pleasantries, awkwardly asking if the other had eaten, or how they had been lately…
Why?
Because this so-called clash was, on the surface, wrapped in the guise of a marriage alliance.
When meeting your "future in-laws," you couldn't exactly whip out the explosive tags in your pocket and slap them viciously onto someone's forehead, could you?
You had to put on at least a halfway decent act.
Even so, the elites of both Senju and Uchiha firmly believed this marriage could never succeed.
After all, how could someone as insidious as Senju Tobirama—or Uchiha Izunai—ever sincerely treat the other clan's young heir?
It was obviously nothing but the most vicious kind of scheme!
And yet, laughably enough, both clan heads—Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara—sternly warned their people not to show the slightest hint of battle intent until the signal was given.
Young Hashirama desperately wanted this marriage to succeed. He yearned deeply for the village that Tobirama had described—a place that could bring peace to everyone.
Uchiha Madara felt the same.
Though he loved fighting against young Hashirama, those battles were nothing more than sparring between close friends, never meant to be struggles to the death.
Besides…
Madara had noticed a troubling issue.
Even though his sister still seemed rational—carefully arranging everything for the family when it came to her own marriage, without letting her emotions sway her—
As Izunai's brother, Madara sorrowfully believed: Izunai had probably truly fallen for Senju Tobirama…
If Tobirama passed this trial, then Izunai might really marry him!
In recent days, Madara had been grinding his teeth in hatred.
That insidious white-haired snake of the Senju clan had brought the Uchiha so much trouble over the years—
And now he even had the chance to steal away the clan's most precious rose?
That was eating the meal and taking the plate!
Utter shamelessness, taken to the extreme!
Yet, judging from Tobirama's demonstrated strength, even Madara—who had always despised him—had to admit he owed that bastard a debt.
If not for Tobirama holding back and showing only power equal to Izunai's, the Uchiha clan might not have been able to withstand the pressure for long…
Even so, Madara still refused to believe Tobirama could truly fall in love with Izunai.
As a good elder brother, he absolutely did not wish to see Izunai's first engagement become nothing more than a byproduct of conspiracy.
Even if there was only a one-in-a-hundred—or even one-in-a-thousand—chance for a happy union, he had to fight to ensure this marriage did not bear the stain of embarrassment…
Young Hashirama thought the same.
Thus, after both clan heads had made their emphatic warnings, the Senju and Uchiha elites did their best upon meeting each other to hide the ferocity in their eyes, adjusting their stances so that neither their short blades nor their ninja pouches would show, forcing broad smiles as they exchanged words with their old rivals…
"Haha, to think our two clans are actually forming a marriage alliance—what an unexpected turn of events!" Senju Momoka said with a laugh to Uchiha Setsuna beside him.
Yet as he spoke, Momoka's gaze repeatedly and "unintentionally" swept across his old opponent's vital points, his subconscious already calculating how to be the first to draw his blade once the fighting began.
"Yes, let's celebrate this couple! From this day on, all past hatred will be wiped clean… With the strength of our two clans united, we can surely bring an end to this age of chaos!"
Setsuna, spouting such fine-sounding words, quietly shifted the angle of his stance—ready so that, the moment Izunai gave the order to attack, he could cut down this troublesome Senju with his first strike!
Here, at this wedding scene, enemies bound by blood feuds stood side by side.
Such was the peculiar bond between the Senju and Uchiha!
No matter their strength, each clansman always managed to find an unforgettable rival, convinced that only they themselves were fated to defeat that bastard.
Thus, the field presented a strange sight: every warrior matched off in pairs…
At the very front, young Hashirama and Uchiha Madara stood shoulder to shoulder, worry and tension shading both their eyes.
Would it be the one-in-a-thousand miracle—or would slaughter break loose?
One thought of heaven, one thought of hell.
"Madara, the time has come. We should take the stage…" Young Hashirama drew a deep breath, forcing a smile at him.
"Soon, we'll be brothers who can always sit together and drink."
"I truly hope so, Hashirama…" Madara lowered his gaze, speaking softly.
The two knew each other far too well, and both had already noticed the strangeness in the other.
But on the day of Tobirama and Izunai's engagement, each held onto hope for a miracle. Neither mentioned what they sensed—just as if those ambushes laid in advance did not exist at all.
On the hastily built ceremonial platform—
Young Hashirama led Tobirama up from the left, while Uchiha Madara led Izunai from the right.
Black haori and pure white wedding robe met each other's gaze.
'What does this woman mean? She even changed into a bridal kimono… She's really investing this much effort just to make me lower my guard?'
Tobirama's eyes flickered as he looked at Izunai. Even though his mind kept turning over sinister suspicions about this engagement, for a worldly man who had never experienced such an occasion—let alone as its central figure, and as a lifelong bachelor—
Tobirama couldn't help but feel a wave of panic in his heart.
'No way—this can't be for real, right?'
When Izunai saw Tobirama's black formal robe, her heart, like his, gave a startled tremor—but she quickly steadied herself.
'Putting on those clothes, you almost look the part… But no matter how good you look on the outside, if you dare deceive me, you're nothing but a bastard who deserves to be cut into a thousand pieces!'
A handsome face was nothing more than a shell. What the Uchiha valued was sincerity!
If Tobirama had heard this, he would hardly have argued. For all that people say the heart is priceless, he was, in truth, a complete slave to appearances.
There was nothing shameful in that—just a part of human nature.
But the Uchiha were a special case…
After all, Tobirama had once witnessed the strange existence named Uchiha Obito—who, with nothing but a burning heart, had warmed even an artificial creation of Yin–Yang Release!
Even Kazuki had been left in awe.
Young Hashirama and Uchiha Madara led Tobirama and Izunai to the center of the platform.
The two clan heads looked out over their gathered clansmen. They were about to speak—yet both fell silent at once.
What could they possibly say…?
Seeing her brother sink into that awkward silence, Uchiha Izunai drew a deep breath, gently pushed him aside, and, with a challenging curl of her finger toward Senju Tobirama, declared: "Senju Tobirama—before any of this begins, do you dare to pass my test?"
Young Hashirama's heart gave a jolt. Sure enough, everything Tobirama had warned him about was true…
This engagement ceremony was not nearly as simple as the Uchiha had pretended. There was a hidden design behind it all!
"And what kind of test does this beautiful Uchiha want to put me through?"
Like Izunai, Tobirama pushed aside the bewildered young Hashirama, straightened his collar, and strode right up to her, gazing down with a smile.
So, she wanted to stir trouble?
Tobirama was never afraid of trouble!
What he feared was that Uchiha Izunai might actually go through with marrying him…
After all, fighting against the Uchiha was something he had practically written the book on. But marrying into the Uchiha? That was a problem set he had never even seen before!
"Hmph… all honeyed words. Save them for after you've passed!" Izunai gave a light snort. A pair of exquisite Mangekyō Sharingan silently blossomed in her eyes, and in a voice loud enough for all to hear, she continued: "Your talk of liking me—I admit, it kept me tossing and turning for a long time. Even though you were once my greatest enemy, I have to acknowledge it…"
"You truly have hidden your strength. Whatever schemes you may harbor, the fact is, you've done me a great favor. Otherwise, I might have long since perished on the battlefield."
"But—I still don't trust you!"
Down below, both Senju and Uchiha alike were struck dumb.
Schemes? Distrust?
Was this just nervous honesty spilling out? These were hardly the words a bride was supposed to speak to her groom…
In that instant—
Senju Momoka's hand slipped inconspicuously toward the blade in his robe, gathering strength with the Monster Strength Technique.
Uchiha Setsuna's hands, hidden beneath his wide sleeves, began forming seals, the tomoe quietly surfacing in his eyes.
In the next second, battle could erupt!
On the stage, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama both closed their eyes in pain.
No… there would be no miracle after all.
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