Izuna pressed his right hand onto the ground. The tadpole-like seal formula of the summoning quickly spread.
However, time seemed to freeze for a few seconds. There was no movement beneath his hand.
Izuna frowned.
The summoning failed. The Two-Tails... was missing!
What the hell was going on?
The more Izuna thought about it, the tighter his brow furrowed. This situation was exactly like when Madara, after being revived by Impure World Reincarnation, tried to summon the Nine-Tails.
But at that time, the Nine-Tails was sealed inside Uzumaki Naruto, which caused the failure.
But now, the concept of a Jinchuriki didn't even exist!
How could the Two-Tails go missing?
Izuna couldn't figure it out and prepared to have Uchiha Zuoxiu and the Shadow Investigation Department investigate.
He was just about to call for someone, but then thought better of it. Where would they even start looking?
To supplement our combat power, should I go catch another Tailed Beast? Izuna wondered.
But after some thought, he temporarily shelved the plan.
The Two-Tails was missing for unknown reasons; catching a new Tailed Beast might lead to the same result.
Moreover, his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan had awakened the Complete Body Susanoo. Unless it was a beast on the level of the Eight-Tails or Nine-Tails, it would be hard for them to truly assist him as a combat asset.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit space.
Judging by the faint light and limited visibility, this place appeared to be a stone cavern.
Matatabi, the Two-Tails, was currently bound here by several pitch-black chains. Its eyes were tightly shut but trembling slightly, betraying its pain.
Gurgle, gurgle~~
Suddenly, a dark shadow floated up from the marshy ground opposite the Two-Tails.
In the near-total darkness, one could barely make out that it was a mass of black, liquid-like substance.
The bound Two-Tails snapped its eyes open and roared, "You bastard, who exactly are you?!"
However, the black shadow did not answer the Two-Tails. Instead, it muttered to itself, "Uchiha Izuna... a truly unknown variable has appeared. It seems... I must devise a counter-strategy..."
After speaking, the black shadow sank back into the ground.
It was as if he had never been there.
The disappearance of the Two-Tails did not cause a significant loss to the current Izuna.
But Izuna had a vague, ominous premonition that this was the sign of something beginning.
Until one day, Madara, who had been in seclusion for cultivation, convened a high-level clan meeting.
First, he announced that Senju Hashirama had succeeded Senju Yuma to officially become the Clan Head of the Senju clan.
Senju Tobirama took over Hashirama's former position as Vice-Clan Head.
At this moment, the highest decision-making body qualified to sit here had been almost entirely replaced by the younger faction led by Izuna and Madara.
Upon hearing this news, Uchiha Ise, Uchiha Enka, Uchiha Zuoxiu, and the others on both sides wore expressions that said, "As expected."
Senju Hashirama's performance in the previous war had far surpassed that of Senju Yuma.
Him becoming the Clan Head was considered a matter of course, not just by the Senju, but even by their enemies, the Uchiha.
"As for the second matter..."
Madara glanced at Izuna. For some reason, Izuna felt Madara's look turned instantly wicked.
The smile that had just appeared on Madara's face vanished in a flash as he forced a serious expression. "The Senju intend to celebrate a double occasion. Intelligence from the southeast coast reports a large number of Senju ninja boarding ships for the Land of Whirlpools."
The source of the intelligence was Uchiha Zuoxiu's Shadow Investigation Department.
After speaking, Madara cast another glance at Izuna. "We can't just sit back and watch, can we? Izuna."
Izuna laughed dumbly, but Uchiha Ise and the others below didn't quite understand and asked, "Clan Head, what does this mean?"
"Hahaha, haven't you heard? Izuna once went to the Land of Whirlpools and kidnapped the princess of the Uzumaki clan, holding her hostage on our Northern battlefield for nearly a year."
Madara chuckled and asked in return.
Almost everyone present was under thirty, but aside from Madara and Izuna, basically all were married.
Hearing Madara say this, realization dawned on them instantly.
"I didn't expect the Vice-Clan Head's romantic life to be so legendary. I have also heard that although the princess of the Uzumaki clan is a woman, her talent in sealing jutsu far surpasses the Uzumaki Grand Elder, Uzumaki Hiro'umi, and the Clan Head, Uzumaki Wakou."
Uchiha Zuoxiu cupped his fists.
"The Uzumaki are allies of the Senju. The two sides intend to form a marriage alliance, right? That was expected, but the Vice-Clan Head's actions are something this subordinate could never have predicted."
Uchiha Enka also looked full of admiration.
"The Vice-Clan Head is only in his early twenties this year. This is natural; we have no objections."
Uchiha Ise immediately offered his flattery.
Izuna chuckled internally. Are these bastards taking the opportunity to tease me?
Madara coughed dryly, interrupting everyone's enthusiastic discussion, and waved his hand. "The thing the Uchiha has set its sights on—how can we yield it to the Senju?"
"I originally planned for Izuna to personally lead an elite squad to raid and snatch her, but those Senju bastards were prepared."
Hearing Madara say this, Izuna's ears perked up.
Madara continued, "As the top priority after Senju Hashirama took over the position of Clan Head, the Senju have done their homework. They have not only stationed personnel around Uzushiogakure but also have the docks and ports on the southeast coast under their surveillance."
Uchiha Enka said, "Does the Clan Head mean that the Senju have already set up an iron wall in the southeast and at Uzushiogakure, allowing no one to pass?"
"Exactly. The Senju and Uzumaki have made it clear they don't want anyone causing trouble."
Madara crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes. "What's more, the sensing abilities of the Uzumaki clan are terrifyingly strong, as I think everyone knows. Surprise attacks are almost ineffective. Combined with the iron wall set up by the Senju, if we don't think of a good solution, we won't even be able to set sail, let alone reach Uzushiogakure."
Uchiha Ise suggested, "Is assembling a large-scale force feasible?"
"No!"
Uchiha Zuoxiu immediately objected. "We have just ceased fire with the Senju not long ago. Gathering a large ninja army to march toward Senju territory again would leave us open to accusations."
Uchiha Ise frowned. "But even if we want to sneak in, it's difficult under the Uzumaki sensing barrier. Furthermore, fewer numbers make us vulnerable."
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