Half a month later.
"Vice-Clan Head, according to intelligence relayed by Lord Zuoxiu's Shadow Investigation Department, the Senju-led main force of four thousand is advancing toward us. They are expected to arrive in two days. Additionally, the Senju coalition led by the Kaguya and Hatake has set up camp to the north, roughly two thousand strong."
In the main command tent, a Uchiha special jonin reported to Izuna.
"So both sides field double our numbers?"
Izuna murmured to himself, then his eyes sharpened. "Have all the clans sent their Clan Heads?"
The special jonin quickly replied, "No. At least in the Shadow Investigation Department's reconnaissance of the northern region, the Hatake leader is Hatake Sakutsuki, not Clan Head Hatake Saiga. As for the Senju side, Senju Tobirama's sensing ability is truly terrifying—the Shadow Investigation Department dares not probe too deeply. But given that you have come in person, Vice-Clan Head, their leader must surely be Senju Hashirama."
"Saiga isn't there?"
Izuna rubbed his chin and said, "Pass my orders to Uchiha Gakugyo on the northern defense: be wary of a surprise flanking attack by the Senju coalition. Last time, Uchiha Shin's mistake cost us dearly. Don't trip over the same stone twice."
If not for Izuna—now empowered by the Two-Tails—arriving in time, the northern region would have fallen.
The Hatake clan, though few in number, were elite. It would not be surprising if they used that tactic again.
"Yes!"
The special jonin vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
"Two more days until the Senju arrive, and they're practically coming in full force. Vice-Clan Head, this battle will likely determine the standing of the Senju and Uchiha in the Warring States for decades to come."
Uchiha Sen, now over fifty, could not help but sigh. Even in the previous generation under Uchiha Tajima, he had never experienced a battle of this scale.
Izuna smiled. The Warring States era was supposed to end in Madara and Senju Hashirama's generation anyway. The variables at play far exceeded anyone's imagination.
"Vice-Clan Head, I'll go notify the clan to tighten defenses."
Uchiha Sen clasped his fist toward Izuna. After Izuna nodded, he withdrew from the tent.
The sun gradually set. Once the entire camp learned that the Senju were about to arrive, even veterans of countless wars felt their mouths go dry and their hearts race.
It was unavoidable.
In this battle, facing an overwhelming disadvantage in strength, the Uchiha had no choice but to defend.
Two days later, from the mountaintop, anyone with decent dynamic vision could see that several forward camp tents had appeared on the distant plains.
They were faintly visible, primarily crimson—a stark contrast to the Uchiha's black and blue.
The Senju! The Senju!
What would their opening move be?
An immediate assault, or would they send small units to probe?
Under these circumstances, it was finally possible to dispatch the Shadow Investigation Department for reconnaissance.
After all, at this range, Senju Tobirama's sensing ability would detect them anyway.
Soon, the Shadow Investigation Department returned with news.
Senju Tobirama was indeed there. The moment they approached, the Senju forces spotted them.
If Izuna had not ordered them to retreat immediately at the first sign of trouble, they might have been caught there.
That monstrous-level sensing technique—only Senju Tobirama could pull it off.
Many believed that ending the Warring States era and founding Konohagakure was Senju Hashirama's achievement.
But that was not entirely true. Senju Tobirama also played a vital role, not just politically but militarily.
Being able to sense battlefield conditions from a thousand miles away exceeded the limits of any sensory ninja.
Any surprise attack tactic was rendered useless in his presence.
"The Senju have traveled a long distance. In terms of supply lines, we have the advantage. They should want to decide this quickly."
Izuna sat at the strategy table, staring at the map and muttering to himself.
Three days had passed since the Senju encampment. Having rushed all this way, they should have caught their breath by now. Surely they were getting restless.
"Report!!!"
The special jonin in charge of intelligence burst into the tent and spoke rapidly, "The Senju have deployed two thousand troops and are attacking our clan!"
Izuna shot to his feet, a grin tugging at his lips. "I knew they couldn't sit still much longer!"
Walking atop the hundred-mile Stonecastle, Izuna looked down into the distance.
Flecks of red already entered his field of vision. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, those red dots multiplied, eventually forming a crimson sea that grew clearer and clearer.
It was the Senju army!
"They're here!"
Behind Izuna, Uchiha Sen on his left and Uchiha Enka on his right both spoke in low, sharp tones, bracing themselves.
"They sent two thousand. Likely testing the strength of our defensive wall first."
Izuna gave his order. "Enka."
"At your command!"
Uchiha Enka quickly responded.
"Your dynamic vision is excellent. Keep an eye on that bastard Tobirama," Izuna said with a cold smile. "If he leaves a Flying Thunder God mark somewhere, it'll be endless trouble."
Izuna himself had used Flying Thunder God marks left in Uzushiogakure and the Kaguya village to lead the great clans on a merry chase.
Though Senju Tobirama could not yet teleport entire armies like Izuna, he could still transport a few individuals without issue.
Imagine if he infiltrated the Uchiha defensive wall and left a Flying Thunder God mark inside, then teleported Senju Hashirama in...
"Understood."
Uchiha Enka replied, quickly scanning the advancing army for Senju Tobirama's figure.
At this distance, the state of the Senju forces was fully visible.
What surprised Izuna was that the Uzumaki clan—the Senju's most loyal allies, marked by their red hair—were not among the first wave.
"Sending their own people first instead of using alliance clans as cannon fodder—are they trying to show the Warring States clans that the Senju won't sacrifice their allies? Or is there another reason?"
Izuna pondered silently.
"Vice-Clan Head, they're here."
Uchiha Sen, at his left rear, reminded him.
The Senju had entered attack range.
Izuna said proudly, "Except for me, everyone else defend with jutsu. Once your chakra is depleted, switch to the second rotation!"
Before the battle began, Izuna had announced this insane plan.
Though most initially tried to dissuade him, Izuna remained resolute.
In the end, Uchiha Sen and the others could only agree.
"Attack!"
Izuna raised his right hand, then slashed it down two seconds later.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Atop the hundred-mile Stonecastle, the front row of Uchiha ninja—seals already formed—exhaled massive fireballs. After traveling some distance, the fireballs began to descend.
To the Senju below, it looked like countless meteors falling from the sky. The sight was spectacular.
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