Naruto: Uchiha Izuna with system

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Despite Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Ishiki being injured, the Uchiha clan, as one of the two most powerful clans, maintained a strong defensive stance. Even with Senju Hashirama's mastery of The Birth of the Flower and Tree World, breaking Uchiha's defenses was no simple feat. Yet, Hashirama's persistence meant it was only a matter of time before their defenses would weaken.

Following Izuna's command, the Uchiha forces on Mountain Pass shifted to a full defensive state. At the same time, Uchiha Inosuke wrote to Izuna expressing concern: Senju Hashirama was an overwhelming force. Although they were focused entirely on defense, Inosuke estimated their defenses would hold for about half a year at best. If their luck ran out, the Senju could break through in as little as three or four months.

Izuna quickly responded, assuring them he had a solution and instructing them to calmly withstand Senju's assault. He also warned Madara repeatedly not to enter the battlefield, especially avoiding any use of his Sharingan. Facing Hashirama in his current state could force Madara to use the armored Susanoo again, which would put his eyes at grave risk.

Meanwhile, the long-anticipated war between the Hyuga and the Sarutobi-Shimura alliance had finally begun. The battlefield was a dense jungle in the Land of Fire's central region—a terrain that was neither a smooth plain nor difficult to navigate. The Hyuga clan leader, Hyuga Tenmen, an elder as renowned as Uchiha Tajima and Senju Kawaragi, took to the field personally, aiming to showcase the strength of his clan. He appointed the Kage-level strategist Hyuga Genmasa as his frontline commander, while he observed from behind.

The Gekkō clan, furious over the death of their leader, fought with renewed intensity. The Sarutobi forces, led by Sarutobi Koyuki, were puzzled by the Gekkō clan's repeated cries of revenge. During skirmishes, Koyuki overheard many Gekkō ninjas claiming they sought to avenge their fallen leader. Bewildered, he thought back to his previous encounters and felt certain that he'd recently overheard Gekkō Fengmo speaking with Tobi.

After the battle, Koyuki relayed his suspicions to Sarutobi Koga and Shimura Keizo. Shimura Keizo scoffed, rolling up his sleeves. "Hmph! My guess? Gekkō's leader probably died of illness, and Hyuga's just using the incident to frame us, boosting their own forces' morale."

Sarutobi Furukawa remained quiet. Keizo's theory wasn't impossible, but it was certainly suspicious timing—Gekkō's leader was dead right after Koyuki overheard him? Putting his doubts aside, Furukawa decided it was better to focus on the fight ahead.

"The Byakugan's strategic advantages are even greater than expected," Shimura Keizo noted, pointing to a map. "This is our first major confrontation with them, and we'll need a careful approach to counter the Byakugan's capabilities."

Furukawa agreed. For now, unraveling the mysteries behind Gekkō's death would have to wait. Nearly two months passed in a series of skirmishes and defensive maneuvers. In that time, Izuna repeatedly attempted to provoke Senju Kawaragi and Uzumaki Guanghai into a direct clash, but the two veteran leaders continued their entrenched defense tactics. With Uzumaki clan barriers bolstering their lines, their defenses were formidable enough that even Izuna couldn't break through easily.

Izuna felt a rare frustration as he checked his skill progression—it hadn't budged. The stalemate gnawed at him. One evening, Izuna was in a secluded tent at the Uchiha military camp, where Mito had been given a temporary place to stay. He lay on Mito's lap, venting his frustrations.

"I've never seen Kawaragi act so much like an old turtle. If he refuses to come out, should I just send him a set of women's clothing?" Izuna mused sarcastically. "Maybe if I insult him as a coward, he'll finally show himself."

Mito, her fingers combing through his hair, raised an eyebrow. "This 'old turtle' you keep complaining about… that includes my grandfather, doesn't it?"

Izuna looked up, noticing Mito's delicate face framed by a strand of red hair. He chuckled, then sighed. "Ah, so you noticed? Since when?"

"Since the last time you tried to change the subject," she replied, her voice carrying a playful edge. "You're excellent at lying to enemies, but you're not as clever at hiding things from me."

Izuna laughed softly, touched by her words. "And you've let me get away with it?"

Her gaze softened, and after a pause, she said, "I might have an idea that could force Senju and Uzumaki to come out of hiding."

Izuna sat up abruptly, staring at her in disbelief. "What? Do you know what you're saying?"

She smiled, unfazed. "You mentioned sending women's clothing. I'm suggesting a variation—send me back to them."

Izuna's expression hardened. "You want me to use you as bait to force a showdown with them?"

Her idea was simple but risky: Izuna would release her, effectively baiting Senju and Uzumaki into an engagement.

Izuna's gaze turned dark. "Are you truly advising me, or is this just a way for you to escape?"

This was the first time he looked at her with such intensity. Mito held his gaze, unflinching. "Both," she replied softly. "You know I have to go back eventually. As the Uzumaki heir, I'm bound to the clan. This is my duty."

"If I refuse, what would you do?" Izuna's tone was tense, his voice bordering on a threat.

Mito looked at him in silence, then slowly removed the hairpin from her hair, pressing its sharp point against her throat. "If you won't let me go willingly… I'll have no other choice."

Izuna's chakra flared with sudden intensity, sending a chill through the air and alerting the Uchiha guards outside. They exchanged worried glances, wondering if their Deputy Leader was truly considering harming his prisoner.

Mito lowered the hairpin from her throat, then leaned forward, her face close to Izuna's. Gently, she pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him down onto the bedding with her.

"Just this once… but beyond this, I can't give you any more," she murmured, her voice trembling slightly. For Mito, raised in the conservative traditions of her clan, allowing this much was already pushing the limits of her resolve and duty.

End of the Chapter.