Chapter 776: What’s Your Relationship?
"..."
Seeing Izuna take out Ginkaku with one blow, Tobirama was momentarily stunned.
He opened his mouth but no words came out.
This was bad.
Had he become a clown?
Was Izuna too strong, or was he too weak?
Tobirama’s forbidden techniques were indeed powerful, and his own strength was remarkable, but against a hard-to-kill, trick-filled monster like Ginkaku, Susano’o’s immense physical power was far more effective.
The complete Susano’o, transformed into a little blue giant, could destroy streets with a slight move; when serious, it wielded city-destroying power, untouchable by ordinary ninjas.
If Ginkaku had the Kyuubi’s chakra and transformed into a Bijuu, he might’ve withstood it, maybe surviving two blows.
But Kumogakure, newly founded, hadn’t yet launched a Kyuubi capture operation, and the brothers hadn’t consumed Kyuubi flesh.
They couldn’t access half-Bijuu mode.
Besides, the Kyuubi was now the boss of the Beast organization, Madara’s top temporary mount.
If Kumogakure dared launch a Bijuu hunt, it’d be like an old man eating poison—courting death!
Seeing Tobirama silent, Izuna didn’t care much, assuming he’d misheard.
Luckily, Izuna didn’t yet know that Tobirama would die at Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s hands in the future. If he did, he’d surely mock Tobirama relentlessly.
The Senju clan’s second-in-command, who killed him, was killed by a ’speed bump’ he crushed in one blow? Izuna couldn’t imagine it.
Kumogakure’s so-called ’dipping sauce’ ace was that weak?
Or was he just too strong?
If Kumogakure was only at this level, sending a few Uchiha with Mangekyou Sharingan could wipe them out?
Though many Uchiha ninjas died in the Warring States Period, their quality was undeniable.
In this brutal era, the Uchiha had the most ninjas awakening Mangekyou Sharingan.
Otherwise, there wouldn’t be tales of Uchiha with Mangekyou Sharingan fighting for power after Madara left Konoha.
Izuna glanced at the eight remaining Kumogakure ninjas.
Three instantly fell into his left eye’s Tsukuyomi genjutsu; the five others, avoiding eye contact, escaped it.
Yes, Izuna’s special eye technique was also Tsukuyomi.
Madara’s Mangekyou Sharingan, as the elder brother, had straight blades favoring Taijutsu, while Izuna’s, as the younger, naturally had curved blades leaning toward genjutsu.
Like Sasuke favoring Taijutsu and Itachi leaning toward genjutsu.
As Uchiha brothers, their Sharingan complemented each other, making it easier to combine into the perfect Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Seeing their leader Ginkaku killed instantly and other team members controlled by genjutsu, attacking each other, the remaining Kumogakure ninjas collapsed, losing all fighting spirit and fleeing in panic.
"Kill!"
"Leave one alive, kill the rest!"
Izuna ordered coldly, in war mode with no mercy.
"Understood!"
Several Uchiha ninjas regained confidence, swiftly attacking, quickly eliminating the fleeing Kumogakure ninjas, leaving one alive.
Meanwhile, the exhausted Tobirama reached Izuna’s side.
Izuna dispelled the complete Susano’o, leaving only one claw, and from the crater’s rubble, retrieved the Golden Canopy Rope, Seven Star Sword, and Banana Palm Fan—three Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths.
Such was the complete Susano’o’s power.
Ginkaku was reduced to meat paste, yet these three Treasured Tools remained intact. Though unfamiliar, Izuna knew they were valuable.
"What are these?"
"Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths, inherited by Kumogakure..." Tobirama explained proactively.
"Ninja Tools? From the legendary Sage of Six Paths?"
"Yes."
"Very powerful?"
"Quite unique. These Treasured Tools have strict usage conditions. Their power isn’t great normally, but if they hit the target, in the whole world, maybe only our brothers could withstand them..."
Tobirama spoke honestly.
He didn’t deny the cunning nature of these Treasured Tools.
They were the Sage of Six Paths’ Ninja Tools; even if they were a piece of dung, they’d have uniqueness.
Without prior knowledge, it was easy to be killed on first encounter.
The combination of Treasured Tools + Kinkaku and Ginkaku was still highly threatening at Kage level.
But meeting the newly revived Izuna, with boosted strength and mentality, Ginkaku was crushed in one blow, clueless.
Against a more cautious ninja, even if the fight dragged on, they might fall to the Treasured Tools and lose.
"Interesting."
"Then these spoils belong to the Uchiha clan."
"You guys, come and store these Ninja Tools. They can arm our useless junior ninjas later."
Izuna was pleased, unwilling to let go of rare spoils that could strengthen his clan.
Hand them to the Senju or Konoha?
Though Izuna knew about Konoha’s founding, he felt nothing for the village.
His top priority was undoubtedly his Uchiha clan. To him, the village was still a Senju ploy to swallow other ninja clans.
Otherwise, why was Hashirama Hokage?
Weren’t Uchihas the strongest in fire elements?
When his brother became Hokage, then he’d consider serving the village.
"You..."
Tobirama instinctively disliked Izuna taking all the spoils, but since Izuna defeated the enemy, he couldn’t argue.
"Got a problem?"
"Your Mangekyou Sharingan..."
"It’s the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan now!"
Izuna rarely felt proud; Uchiha blood and Sharingan power were always his pride.
"Madara transplanted his Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan to you?!?!"
Tobirama couldn’t help exclaiming, not shocked by Madara’s choice but worried if he could still defeat Izuna with the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Why? Senju Tobirama, want to taste this Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan’s power?"
Izuna squinted slyly, growing prouder.
"You...!"
Tobirama was furious—cursed Uchihas, born evil!
Before revival, Izuna was just his defeated foe; now, revived with a slight eye upgrade, he’d surpassed years of Tobirama’s training and forbidden technique development.
Utterly infuriating!
"Regret your lack of Sharingan! This is the true Uchiha power!"
Izuna mocked, thoroughly satisfied.
If effort mattered, what was talent for?
"Tch, still someone I beat."
"SENJU TOBIRAMA!"
"UCHIHA IZUNA!"
They bickered again, confusing nearby Konoha ninjas.
"Sirs, what about this one?"
A stubborn Uchiha ninja brought forward a captured Kumogakure ninja, interrupting Tobirama and Izuna’s argument.
"Disable his hands and feet, then detain him."
Izuna returned to calm mode. After battle, leaving a living witness to crimes was a lesson learned over years.
Managing the large Uchiha clan to rival the Senju, Izuna’s political skill wasn’t low.
"You others, disperse and eliminate the Kumogakure ninjas still causing chaos in the city!"
"Yes, sir!"
Several Uchiha ninjas attacked swiftly, without hesitation.
Some Senju and other Konoha ninjas exchanged glances, not attacking.
"Why are you standing there? Didn’t you hear my orders?"
"Yes, sir!"
The others nodded quickly and attacked.
Izuna had activated Susano’o—who’d doubt his identity?
And Tobirama beside him didn’t deny Izuna’s identity either.
With Madara confirmed as the Second Hokage, the news had spread in the village. Would they dare disobey the Uchiha’s second-in-command?
Besides, it was a normal attack order.
"..."
Tobirama opened his mouth, then fell silent.
Izuna’s orders were indeed correct, leaving him no room to argue.
But why did Izuna seem more like the village’s third leader than him?
That didn’t make sense, right?
"Enough, it should be safe here."
"Useless Tobirama, stay hidden here."
"I’ll save Naori myself—you don’t need to worry."
Through earlier Tsukuyomi genjutsu, Izuna knew Kinkaku’s goal in kidnapping Naori and the Edo Tensei Daimyo. His next target was chasing Kinkaku to save his outstanding junior ninja.
"Nonsense! You don’t understand Naori at all. She wasn’t kidnapped—she let herself be captured."
Tobirama grew anxious and explained.
On second thought, with Naori’s strength, though she couldn’t defeat Kinkaku and Ginkaku, she shouldn’t have been captured easily.
Especially since Tobirama’s clone was the first target attacked, Naori had enough time to escape the palace and join other Uchiha ninjas.
Her being captured so easily didn’t add up.
Izuna paused. "Naori let herself be captured? You sure?"
"Of course I’m sure! There’s a secret code she left in the palace, proving she let herself be captured."
"Secret code?"
"We developed an information encryption system together, still in early stages, but only she and I know it. Her leaving the code proves she’s not in danger."
"Developed together? What’s your relationship?"
"We’re just—"
"I get it. You bastard exploited our outstanding Uchiha junior ninja again! You deserve to die!" Izuna suddenly understood, his face filled with rage.
"No..."
"Wait, you didn’t leave a Hiraishin seal on her?"
"What, am I that kind of person?"
"Yes!"
"Izuna, you bastard..."
Tobirama was furious, but considering his weakened state and Izuna’s terrifying Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan power, fighting would only humiliate himself. He could only restrain himself.
"What info did Naori leave?"
"Tell Madara, Kumogakure is done for!"
"Hmm?"
"Yeah, that’s her intent..."
Tobirama roughly understood Naori’s goal.
With the real Tobirama absent, the trap-the-enemy plan failed, and his clone was suddenly destroyed.
Naori had to improvise.
But her strength was limited; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t defeat Kinkaku and Ginkaku’s forces with the Treasured Tools, especially with the Edo Tensei Daimyo captured.
Even with Konoha ninjas outside, they might not stop the enemy.
Better to take a risk, pretend to be defeated and captured.
This way, Naori could sabotage Kumogakure’s plan from within, leave clues for Tobirama and others, and draw in their big gun—Madara!
Naori was smart, always knowing her biggest backer and ace.
That was Madara!
The greatest, strongest support in the world; supreme violence only the Hokage could rival!
The key point: Naori was fiercely protective of her clan.
No matter what happened, if she was in danger, she gave Madara a reason to intervene, whether the culprit was Tobirama or someone else.
Then Madara would ride his godlike complete Susano’o, descend from the sky, and crush all living enemies!
Before such power, all tricks were useless.
All Naori had to do was use herself to forcibly trigger that violent intervention!
Of course, the risk was high.
Once captured, her resistance would be minimal, and she might even be killed en route.
But so what?
Don’t be fooled by Naori’s usual calm and rational demeanor, unlike a typical Uchiha.
Born in the Warring States Period and the Uchiha clan, who didn’t have a mad streak deep down?
If she feared death, Naori wouldn’t have come to the Fire Nation for a mission, let alone research forbidden techniques to counter Izanagi...
In short, even if an accident occurred, if she died, Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning would be her burial ground!
This way, Naori could further expand the Uchiha clan’s influence, indirectly complete Madara’s mission, and not trouble Tobirama.
One move, multiple gains!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Learning the truth, Izuna couldn’t help but feel moved.
Naori was ready to sacrifice herself to trigger Madara’s violent intervention—truly an outstanding Uchiha ninja! Such a loyal junior!
So young, exceptional, and loyal...
Yet such a fine seedling was in danger due to Tobirama’s mistake.
Damn! Too damn infuriating!
"Senju Tobirama, you bastard, look what you’ve done!"
"If anything happens to Naori, I’ll be the first to not forgive you!"
Izuna grabbed Tobirama’s collar, shouting angrily.
He didn’t care how mad his brother would be if Naori was hurt—he’d be the first to not forgive that bastard Tobirama!
Even if he had to bite, he’d bite this jerk to death!
"Stop yelling! She did it for the village’s sake, better than you whose brain is only filled with the Uchiha clan!"
"You..."
Izuna had no intention of continuing the argument with Tobirama. He angrily threw Tobirama aside and set off, preparing to chase Kinkaku and save Naori.
"Wait!"
"What’s your nonsense now?"
"Do you know Kinkaku’s location? Where to chase him?"
"You know?"
"I don’t, but someone does!"
"???"
Tobirama sprang into action, eager to save Naori—how could he hold back?
He grabbed the surviving Kumogakure ninja captive, took some blood from Ginkaku’s corpse, drew a summoning seal, and began the jutsu.
"Edo Tensei!"
Tobirama slapped the ground with one hand, using his last chakra, and succeeded.
Moments later, Edo Tensei Ginkaku formed and returned.
"This is Edo Tensei? When did you develop this forbidden technique? Playing with the dead and souls—you bastard are still so dark!" Izuna frowned and sneered.
"As long as it’s useful, you can’t fathom the meaning of forbidden techniques."
Tobirama had no intention of arguing or explaining why he developed Edo Tensei.
This Edo Tensei Ginkaku, due to poor sacrifice quality, couldn’t use his full living strength, but Tobirama only needed him to guide the way to chase the fleeing Kinkaku.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku were tracking experts.
Especially tracking his own brother, far more reliable than Izuna searching randomly.
"Stop talking, let’s go!"
Izuna urged, and Tobirama climbed onto Ginkaku, controlling him to start tracking.
"You’re coming too?"
"If I don’t, who’ll control this guy?"
Tobirama hid the fact he could control Edo Tensei targets remotely; he just wanted to chase Kinkaku and save Naori.
"Fine! Weakling, if we meet enemies, stay back."
"Nonsense! You’re the weak one, your whole family..."
They bickered while moving swiftly.
They quickly left the Daimyo’s residence, chasing Kinkaku north.