Naruto: Uchiha Izuna with system

In the end, Izuna decided to reassign Uchiha Ishiki, a shadow-level master, and his veteran ninja army from Baili Stone Castle in Congyun Mountain to reinforce Uchiha Akechi in the north. Izuna would personally lead the troops on the front line of Baili Stone City to defend against the looming Senju attack.

After finalizing the strategic plan, Izuna prepared to depart the following day. Early in the morning, Mito carefully tied the strings of his armor. Her hands lingered as she adjusted the collar, her face shadowed with worry.

"You must come back safe and sound," she said with a soft smile, though her eyes betrayed her concern.

Izuna patted his chest confidently. "Don't worry. The person who can defeat me hasn't been born yet!"

Mito playfully rolled her eyes. "So full of yourself."

Little did she know, Izuna's words carried a deeper meaning. He was alluding to threats like Black Zetsu and Kaguya Otsutsuki, who remained hidden and sealed, respectively—dangers that only someone with Izuna's foresight could anticipate.

As Izuna arrived at the Uchiha compound's exit, his eyes briefly fell on the clan's commemorative monument before shifting to the 1,500 troops assembled in formation. These warriors, the backbone of Uchiha, were ready to march to Congyun Mountain.

Izuna raised his voice to address them, his tone resolute.

"This time, the Senju Alliance outnumbers us more than two to one. Many of you must feel a tinge of fear in your hearts, even if you won't admit it out loud."

A ripple of unease passed through the troops.

"But let me remind you—throughout history, it has been strategy and wisdom that allow the smaller force to triumph over the larger. We have faced overwhelming odds in our battles with the Senju before. Did we not emerge victorious each time?"

Izuna paused, letting his words settle.

"This battle is different. It is the turning point that will decide the future of the Warring States. If we succeed, Uchiha will rise above all others, and in a few decades, your children will live in a world without war!"

Cheers erupted as the troops' fear gave way to determination. Izuna's words ignited a fire in their hearts.

"For Uchiha! For peace!" Izuna roared, raising his fist.

The soldiers echoed his cry. "For Uchiha! For peace!"

Amid the rousing cheers, a bold voice called out from behind.

"Well said!"

Izuna turned to see Madara, clad in plain black robes, walking toward him. His presence, though diminished by his injuries, commanded respect.

"Clan leader?" Uchiha Yanhuo exclaimed in surprise.

Izuna shot a glance at Uchiha Sashu, who responded with an apologetic shrug, clearly unable to dissuade Madara from attending.

Madara, his eyes barely open, took a porcelain bowl of sake handed to him by a servant. Lifting it high, he addressed the troops.

"As the leader of the Uchiha clan, it shames me that I cannot join you on the battlefield. But before you depart, I must honor you."

Madara downed the bowl in one gulp, slamming it to the ground with a resounding crack. Inspired, Izuna and the soldiers followed suit, the air ringing with the sound of shattering porcelain.

Madara laughed heartily, turning to leave. Izuna smiled and gave the order: "Let's move out!"

By nightfall, Izuna and his forces reached Congyun Mountain, where Baili Stone City stood—a fortress built on Izuna's orders to exploit the mountain's natural defensive advantages. With the newly arrived reinforcements, the total Uchiha force at the location swelled to 2,000. Including the northern reinforcements, Uchiha's total strength approached 3,000, compared to the 7,000-strong Senju Alliance.

Izuna surveyed the defenses with Uchiha Zhan, a seasoned commander overseeing the area. The steep terrain and defensive walls offered a significant advantage against the Senju forces, especially for the likes of Hatake and Kaguya, whose strengths lay in close combat.

"The terrain is on our side," Izuna remarked. "But we must be prepared for Senju Hashirama and Tobirama. Their abilities can turn the tide of a battle on their own."

Uchiha Zhan nodded. "With you here, deputy chief, I'm confident we can hold the line."

Izuna chuckled at the flattery but quickly refocused. "We need to establish supply routes for grain and logistics. If we can outlast them, the Senju forces will break before we do."

End of the Chapter

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