Naruto: Uchiha Izuna with system

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Madara's sudden cold joke was met with a curl of Izuna's lips, but no response.

In some ways, though, it rang true.

Reflecting on himself, Madara, and the Senju brothers, Hashirama and Tobirama, Izuna realized that this war marked the first official clash of the four individuals who would later dominate the history of the Warring States Period.

In the original timeline, Izuna's reputation was overshadowed by Uchiha Madara's legacy. Many within the clan itself would scarcely remember him in the future. But now, things were different.

He hadn't anticipated surpassing Madara in prominence and sharing the title of "Two Heroes of the Warring States" with Senju Hashirama.

When Izuna summoned the Uchiha camp leaders and announced that Madara would return to the battlefield, the room's attention immediately turned to Madara.

"Clan leader… are your eyes… alright?" Uchiha Ishiki hesitantly asked.

The memory of Madara writhing in agony after activating his armored Susanoo form a few months earlier was still fresh in everyone's mind. For someone of Madara's caliber to display such pain, the injuries must have been unimaginable.

"Who do you think I am?!" Madara declared, holding his head high. "I am Uchiha Madara, leader of the Uchiha clan! Izuna has already tended to this minor injury. It's nothing worth mentioning!"

For a moment, all eyes turned to Izuna, seeking confirmation.

Izuna sighed internally, cursing Madara's pride. His brother's eyes were teetering on the edge of blindness, and the temporary relief they'd managed was far from a complete solution. But now that Madara had declared himself fine, Izuna could only maintain the charade.

"The clan leader speaks the truth," Izuna said. "But this war has dragged on long enough. The next battle will be Madara's triumphant return—and the decisive end to this conflict!"

He pointed forward, rallying the troops. "With the clan leader and I fighting together, victory is at hand! Watanabe Clan leader will lead the vanguard, clearing the way for Uchiha Madara and myself!"

The subordinate clans—Watanabe, Onikawa, and others—joined in, their voices swelling the morale of the Uchiha camp. Yet, in their hearts, they knew better than to charge headfirst into Hashirama's Wood Release. As vanguard forces, they'd need to tread carefully to avoid demoralizing the army with unnecessary losses.

Meanwhile, the Senju and Uzumaki held their own council.

"Deputy Clan Leader Hashirama," Uzumaki Guanghai addressed him, "how long until your next breakthrough?"

If Izuna had been there, he would've cursed Hashirama's insane progress. In such a short time, he'd already mastered the rudiments of the Wood Dragon Jutsu, Deep Forest Bloom, and even the True Thousand Hands Technique. Was he about to evolve again?

Fortunately, Hashirama's response was more modest. "Elder Guanghai, please, just call me Hashirama," he replied, scratching his head awkwardly.

"Alright," Uzumaki Guanghai chuckled. "But once you marry Mito, you'll have to call me Grandpa."

The elder's teasing eased the tension in the room before his tone turned serious. "Now, about the question…"

Hashirama sighed. "Sadly, I've been studying Wood Release's essence deeply, but I've hit a plateau. A further breakthrough won't happen anytime soon."

The others nodded in understanding. If Hashirama advanced any faster, he'd seem inhuman.

"You don't need to worry," Senju Tobirama interjected. "With Madara still bedridden, my brother can handle Izuna alone. Combined with the strength of the Senju and Uzumaki, Uchiha's forces can't hope to—"

"Report!"

A red-haired Uzumaki sensor-nin burst into the room, bowing hastily. "Uchiha forces, 1,500 strong, are advancing on our position!"

Tobirama's eyes gleamed with confidence. "Izuna is bold, I'll give him that. He's making the first move!"

"No, Tobirama-sama," the Uzumaki ninja stammered. "It's not Izuna leading them… it's Uchiha Madara!"

"What?!"

Gasps filled the tent. Tobirama's confident expression faltered. He had just dismissed Madara as incapacitated, yet here the man was, leading a full-scale assault.

"Hahaha!" Hashirama suddenly laughed. "So Madara has finally recovered after all this time?"

"Brother! Now is not the time to laugh!" Tobirama snapped.

"Ah, sorry! I just got a little excited…" Hashirama replied sheepishly.

Tobirama pinched the bridge of his nose before addressing the others. "Prepare for battle! Let's move!"

Back on the battlefield, Izuna trailed slightly behind the advancing Uchiha forces. Watching Madara rush ahead with his iconic war fan in hand, Izuna couldn't help but curse silently.

"Brother, do you even care about your eyes? Charging ahead like that when you're nearly blind…"

It felt like watching a reckless emperor while Izuna played the worried advisor. Resigned, he shook his head and refocused on the battle ahead.

"Hashirama! Are you ready?!" Madara's booming voice echoed across the battlefield as he charged forward.

"Madara! About time you showed up!" Hashirama called back, his tone equally eager.

Izuna groaned inwardly. "These two... why does it feel like I'm third-wheeling their rivalry?"

"Hmph, let me show you what I've been working on during my 'rest'!" Madara declared.

The Mangekyō Sharingan in his left eye rotated ominously as his hands formed an unfamiliar sequence of seals.

"Storm Release: Thunder Cloud Thousand Waves!"

For the first time in history, Madara unleashed Storm Release, combining Water and Lightning Natures to create an awe-inspiring attack. A dark storm cloud materialized above the Senju and Uzumaki forces, crackling with blue and purple lightning. In moments, the storm unleashed a cascade of electrified water waves.

"So he's developed a new nature transformation?" Tobirama muttered, impressed despite himself.

The lightning-infused torrents surged downward, threatening to decimate the Senju ranks.

"Wood Release: Winch Technique!"

Hashirama reacted swiftly, conjuring a wall of vines that absorbed the brunt of the attack. Still, some damage broke through, and the Uchiha forces eagerly assessed the casualties.

"How many did we take out?"

"Less than a hundred," someone muttered.

"Tch, that damn Wood Release," another grumbled.

Madara smirked, raising his hands. His Sharingan spun, and faint markings spread across his face.

"Is that… Sage Mode?" Hashirama exclaimed in surprise.

Even Tobirama couldn't hide his shock. "Izuna… did you teach him this?"

The battlefield trembled with anticipation as Madara stood at the forefront, Sage energy radiating from him.

End of the Chapter.