A faint hush fell over the battlefield when Uchiha Soren stepped forward, crimson eyes spinning into their Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Prepare to die? Lady Mito—your words amuse me."
Soren tilted his head, brushing aside a loose strand of hair as Juno slipped from his arms and padded away.
"But you look like you're itching to crush an insect or two. How terrifying."
A vein throbbed on Uzumaki Mito's temple. The Nine-Tails' chakra pulsed around her like a coiled storm, yet her mind remained razor-focused. If she could strike before Soren finished manifesting Susanoo, the battle would be hers.
In a single breath, her form blurred—an afterimage left behind as her real fist rocketed forward at supersonic force.
Soren smiled.
"Susanoo."
A colossal ribcage of blood-red chakra erupted around him an instant before her blow landed.
BOOM—!
Cracks webbed across the skeletal armor before healing just as fast, steam blasting from the impact.
(A punch that can fracture Susanoo…
As expected of this woman.)
"Lady Mito," Soren said lightly from within the towering construct, "you're a bit old for reckless behavior, don't you think?"
Mito skidded backward, crimson hair whipping loose as she tore away her elegant kimono sleeves. The Yin Seal on her forehead shone like burning ink.
"Young Lord Soren—everyone, fall back."
Soren flicked his fingers, and the Uchiha Police Force instantly retreated to the perimeter.
"This is no longer a personal fight."
His voice sharpened, ringing across the district.
"This is the clash of a clan's will."
Mito's eyes narrowed. "A clan's will? You speak as if you understand history."
Soren laughed softly from atop his rising Susanoo, now drawing itself into its immense second form—a crimson, armored titan towering over the village.
"Of course I understand. Lady Mito—do you recall how Konoha was born?"
Mito's jaw tightened.
Soren spread his arms as the massive entity behind him mirrored his motion, the sunlight bathing its armor in molten red.
"'Wood' represents the Forest Senju."
"'Leaf' represents the Uchiha."
"Together they forged Konohagakure."
"'Fire'—the Hokage flame—symbolizes our mastery over Fire Release."
His voice hardened like steel:
"When the Senju betrayed their promise—when Tobirama pushed Uchiha Madara out of the Hokage seat—we vowed to reclaim what is rightfully ours."
The colossal warrior loomed seventy meters tall now, blades gleaming.
Mito's aura swelled with equal fury.
"Are you still clinging to ancient grudges?!"
"The shame of a clan is never forgotten."
Chains of gold—Adamantine Sealing Chains—burst from Mito's back, weaving a lattice of shimmering, oppressive sigils. The ground trembled as chakra collided in thunderous waves.
Shinobi watching from afar staggered under the pressure.
Then—
A dozen shadow-tier figures appeared.
Arriving from all sides:Hyūga Sokusa, Hyūga Clan Head
Hyūga Ashikari, Branch Leader
Akimichi Chōha, Clan Head
Yamanaka Sanchiku, Clan Head
Nara Shuming, Clan Head
Aburame Mushi, Clan Head
Inuzuka Jin, Clan Head
Shimura Isshin, Clan Head
Tiger and Elephant, ANBU Captains
Uzumaki Minako, Moriki's wife
Senju Ying, veteran
The three Uchiha Elders: Shihō, Shana, Hien
And last—cutting through the barrier like a razor—Uchiha Zhili, purple-haired captain of the Western Unit.
An oppressive silence swallowed the street.
Then Hyūga Sokusa stepped forward, his calm voice cutting through both clans' fury.
"Lady Mito. Young Lord Soren. I am old—let this elder speak."
His pale eyes swept the burning district.
"Your residences lie at the heart of Konoha. Tens of thousands live beyond these walls."
"If you fight here—today—Konoha will drown in blood."
The crowd held its breath.
Soren only smiled… coldly.
"That depends on Lady Mito."
Behind him, three Uchiha elders stepped into formation.
"Should the Senju desire battle, the Uchiha will follow to the end."
"If Konoha burns—what of it? I am the so-called 'born-evil Uchiha brat,' after all."
A chill rattled through every watching soul.
Then—
A voice rose.
"And let it be known—the Uchiha did not strike first."
ANBU Captain Tiger stepped forward, mask cracked, voice solemn.
"The Senju's action wounded the Uchiha first."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
And Lady Mito…
Froze.
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