Cold winds howled. The land was steeped in a killing intent.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sharp clash of blades echoed across the battlefield.
Shouts of rage, the roar of combat, cheers, screams of pain—
Voices of all kinds rang out in a chaotic symphony of war.
Alongside them flew kunai, shuriken, explosive tags, and blazing jutsu.
Thud!
A corpse fell to the ground, its blood soaking the Senju crest on its armor.
Immediately after—
Another body collapsed atop it, this time blood spraying onto the crest of the Hagoromo clan on the gauntlet below.
The three-curve moon sigil stained red in an instant.
This was the Warring States Era.
Bloodshed and battle were constants.
On the battlefield, a figure in silver armor—Gensou—effortlessly snapped the neck of a Senju shinobi. Tossing the corpse aside, he calmly looked ahead where Tobirama, with striking silver hair, charged forward.
With a clap of his hands, Gensou unleashed a surge of Yōton: Melting River, a corrosive, sticky acid-like jutsu that surged forward like a flood.
"Ahhh! Gahhhh!"
Several unlucky Senju shinobi were instantly dissolved in its path.
Tobirama remained composed. His hands flashed through seals:
"Suiton: Suijinheki!"
Sssssshhh!
The wall of water collided with the acidic river, generating a thick cloud of steam.
The wall broke quickly—
But it bought enough time for Tobirama and his men to scatter.
Using the cover of mist, Tobirama didn't retreat. Instead, he rushed in with the intent to ambush Gensou from behind.
Suddenly—
A powerful gust.
Gensou appeared directly behind him.
"Where are you going?"
With those calm words, a steel-colored hand pierced through Tobirama's chest.
Splash.
Only to find Tobirama turn into a puddle of water.
Before surprise could register on Gensou's face—
"Suiton: Suidanpa!"
A high-pressure water jet blasted toward him from behind.
"You're better than I thought," Gensou said, turning his head with cool indifference.
BOOM!!!
The enormous water technique exploded upward, flooding the entire battlefield.
As the battle wore on, Senju casualties mounted.
Though injured himself, Tobirama finally escaped Gensou's pursuit and, judging the situation dire, led the remaining Senju to retreat.
The fighting came to an end.
Aside from some dust, Gensou bore no wounds. He glanced at the direction the Senju fled, then turned to his own clan.
Though their losses were far less than the Senju, most of the Hagoromo shinobi were injured and at their limits.
Gensou took it all in, ultimately choosing not to pursue.
"Clan Head! We won!"
While the Hagoromo ninja rested, they looked to their newly appointed Clan Head with reverent joy. Any former doubts about him were gone.
Before this, the Hagoromo clan had suffered countless losses against the Senju, often relegated to supporting roles under the Uchiha.
But since Gensou took the helm, their fortunes had turned—one victory after another had raised their name once more.
Now, defeating the unit led by Tobirama, the Senju's second-in-command, Gensou had earned their complete trust.
But even as they cheered, Gensou remained calm.
He looked upon the blood-soaked battlefield.
Truthfully, he had little interest in the endless fighting.
But blood feuds ran deep.
Even as Clan Head, mere words weren't enough to stop the cycle of hatred.
So, they would fight.
Fight until everyone grew tired of fighting.
At least if someone had to win—better it be them.
Despite the success, dissatisfaction flickered in Gensou's eyes.
Half an hour later—
While the Hagoromo clan rested, a group of shinobi approached fast—on their gear, the crest of the Uchiha fan.
"You're late."
Gensou stood waiting, frowning at the group's leader.
"Apologies, Gensou. My brother ran into unexpected trouble and we were delayed." Izuna Uchiha stepped forward, full of regret.
"Him again, huh."
Gensou scoffed. "So what victory did your brother bring back this time?"
Izuna looked embarrassed, saying nothing.
That said it all.
Gensou sighed.
Uchiha Madara—always overconfident, always challenging Hashirama despite being weaker. And always dragging everyone else into his mess.
This time, they had planned a joint ambush on Tobirama.
Gensou had successfully lured him out.
But the Uchiha were half an hour late.
The plan was ruined.
Tobirama, ever cautious, wouldn't fall for the same trick again.
Izuna understood all too well. As the Tobirama of the Uchiha, when his older brother made a mistake, he took the blame.
Despite their pride, even the Uchiha knew they'd messed up.
And this wasn't the first time.
Gensou now saw clearly why the alliance between Hagoromo and Uchiha had never managed to crush the Senju.
Madara's pride blinded him. He believed that he alone could defeat Hashirama and the entire Senju.
Even when Gensou repeatedly pushed for coordinated attacks, Madara did things his own way.
By contrast, Izuna was far more capable—and had been the one to propose this strategy.
But as usual, Madara's arrogance ruined everything.
Sometimes, Gensou wondered if Madara was secretly a Senju spy.
Having an ally like him… was a curse.
"Izuna. Just do a coup already and take your brother's seat as Clan Head."
Gensou said seriously.
Izuna could only smile bitterly and wave it off.
Thanks to the Uchiha's incompetence, the alliance rarely reached its full potential.
Eventually, Gensou grew tired of trying.
As his own reputation grew, he began limiting clashes with the Senju.
Then, one day, he received news—
Izuna had been fatally wounded by Tobirama.
And soon after, the Uchiha and Senju ended their final battle with a handshake of peace.
Staring out the window, Gensou murmured,
"A new era has arrived."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]