Tailed Beast Bomb!!!
The first direct confrontation between Izuna and the current Senju Clan Head, Senju Yuma, ended with a Tailed Beast Bomb from the Two-Tails.
To be precise, Izuna didn't count exactly how many Senju died in that attack, but he could at least confirm that Senju Yuma wasn't dead yet.
Thinking back on it, later on, Killer Bee's Tailed Beast Bomb couldn't even finish off the four weaklings of Team Taka, simply because the attack trajectory was too straight.
As a weapon of mass destruction, it was fine. But for dealing with a single powerful ninja, it lacked agility and still had room for improvement.
Back at the camp, after checking the wounded, Uchiha Shin entered Izuna's main tent to report. "Vice-Clan Head, our losses in this battle are within acceptable limits. I believe the Senju lost just as many, if not more, than us. However, their total combat power is definitely superior to ours..."
Uchiha Shin hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Therefore, this subordinate believes the Vice-Clan Head should request reinforcements from the Clan Head."
In a one-on-one duel, there was likely no one at Shirotani Pass who could match Izuna, especially with the addition of the Two-Tails. But war wasn't a one-man show, no matter how invincible Uchiha Izuna might be.
If everyone else was killed leaving only you, what meaning was there in the war?
"Reinforcements? I don't think any can be spared," Izuna said indifferently.
Uchiha Shin frowned, confused. "Vice-Clan Head, why is that?"
Izuna smiled faintly, taking out paper and a brush to write a letter. He lowered his head. "You will know soon enough."
Between Izuna's battlefield at Shirotani Pass and the main force led by Madara at Mount Congyun, letters were exchanged periodically to confirm the status of both sides. During non-combat periods, a letter was usually sent once a week to update on their respective situations.
Two days later, the new weekly report from Mount Congyun arrived.
On Madara's side, the situation was not optimistic!
They had officially entered the era of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama. Every meeting on the battlefield inevitably turned into a duel between the two.
Under the relentless assault of Wood Release, Madara, without using the Mangekyo Sharingan, was powerless to resist.
And that wasn't all. The critical issue was the Uzumaki clan, led by Uzumaki Hiro'umi. Dealing with them was extremely troublesome.
Although the Uchiha had absorbed four northwestern clans as vassals, compared to the Uzumaki, calling them "high-level cannon fodder" was putting it nicely.
Those various strange sealing techniques caused severe impacts on the Uchiha ninja. Movement halted, chakra sealed, ninjutsu blocked.
While the Uzumaki weren't fearful in single combat, once combined with a strong fighter, they produced an effect far exceeding the sum of their parts.
In short, if Madara sent some of his men to Izuna, his own situation would become dire.
This left only two paths:
Deploy troops from the main family stronghold.
However, many subordinates of the three Great Elders remained there. These forces could not be moved unless absolutely necessary. They were the last line of defense. If the Hyuga or other families stabbed them in the back while the stronghold was empty, who would defend it?
The Senju could deploy more ninja than the Uchiha partly for this reason. Their rear faced the sea, and their only threat was the Uzumaki—who were their staunch allies. They could march without fear of betrayal.
Kill Senju Yuma.
Ultimately, the Shirotani Pass battlefield was small, involving only a few hundred people on each side. In this scenario, whichever commander fell first signaled the defeat of their side.
Izuna or Senju Yuma. Whoever died or lost combat capability first would determine the loser.
Izuna always fought with the intent to kill Yuma, but while he was stronger, he couldn't crush him easily. Killing a top-tier Kage-level ninja was no simple task.
"Akichi." Izuna called out suddenly.
Uchiha Akichi, guarding the tent entrance, turned quickly and entered, bowing his head. "Vice-Clan Head, your orders?"
"Increase the number of ninja on the defensive barrier. From now on, shift the focus of our formation to defense."
"Yes!"
After Akichi withdrew, Izuna began to ponder.
Truthfully, while it seemed the brothers held power, the Elder faction led by First Elder Uchiha Xingzhi still held authority rivaling theirs.
Using the future Hidden Leaf as an analogy: Izuna and Madara were ostensibly the Hokage, but behind them were the Elders and the Advisory Council—people like the future Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Though Izuna never understood what use those advisors actually served.
Those rising stars, barely ten years old, were still growing. Without eliminating the Hyuga threat from the rear, getting the Elder faction to send reinforcements was the only way to speed up victory and weaken the Elders' power.
But the key question was: how to ensure the Hyuga wouldn't stab the Uchiha in the back when they were weak?
Izuna thought deeply from the afternoon until late at night without finding a solution.
At that moment, Uchiha Akichi entered again, carrying a tray with meager vegetable soup and dry flatbread.
"Vice-Clan Head, dinner."
"Mn, thank you. You may leave." Izuna waved his hand.
But Akichi didn't leave immediately. instead, he asked, "Vice-Clan Head, regarding that Uzumaki woman you brought back... should we send her the same dinner?"
Izuna glanced up at Uchiha Akichi and waved his hand. "Yes, the same."
Treating her differently would cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Though he couldn't bear to feed his lover such things, he had no choice.
After Akichi left, Izuna swallowed the bread and soup, then returned to pondering the solution to his rear-guard problem.
Wait!
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration hit him.
He had been fighting a head-on war for so long that he'd forgotten his old specialty. He still had a card to play with the Sarutobi and Shimura clans! He could make good use of this.
Although success wasn't guaranteed, it was at least a highly feasible method.
Thinking of this, Izuna's mood improved significantly.
There was a chance!
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