Until Izuna could exchange for a new Mangekyo, Madara was out of the fight.
During this time, the Uchiha side intensified their preparations, readying themselves for the battle that could begin at any moment.
And the Kaguya's heavy losses did indeed cause clans originally planning to side with the Senju to hesitate, instead adopting a neutral, wait-and-see stance.
However, the Kaguya didn't flee to the Land of Water despite their severe losses.
In the original story, even when their strength was weaker than now, they still dared to stage a coup against the Land of Water—proof that their madness rivaled the Uchiha's.
The day after being rescued by Senju Hashirama, the Kaguya appointed Kaguya Taketori as their new clan head and relocated the entire clan to the northwest of the Senju territory, bordering the Hatake.
That's right—the Hatake.
The very day Izuna led his team back to the Uchiha compound and set out to rescue Madara, the Hatake secretly approached the Senju and declared their allegiance.
Though Senju Tobirama was somewhat surprised, once they explained their reasons, he accepted without hesitation.
After all, who wouldn't welcome a boost in combat strength?
This news only reached Izuna's Shadow Investigation Department, led by Uchiha Zuoxiu, on the third day after he had rescued Madara.
Originally, Izuna had secured a promise from Hatake Kiba and the others to remain neutral and stay out of the conflict.
He hadn't expected that right after he left the Hatake, rumors of their alliance with the Senju would emerge.
One can imagine how Izuna felt.
It wasn't just Izuna—the entire Uchiha clan wore furious expressions.
If the Hatake had stated their position from the start and said they were siding with the Senju, the Uchiha wouldn't have been nearly as angry.
Many clansmen immediately demanded war, calling for an immediate attack on the Hatake.
However, that was no longer realistic.
The Hatake had already relocated their entire clan, retreating behind the colossal shield that was the Senju.
They'd clearly taken precautions in advance.
Izuna gathered the senior leadership to discuss the matter.
But in truth, there wasn't much meaningful to discuss.
Now that the Hatake had joined the Senju alliance, no matter how displeased the Uchiha were, all they could do for now was swallow their anger.
They'd settle accounts on the battlefield later.
"If you're upset, come have some tea."
At home, Mito approached with a tray in both hands, setting the tea set between herself and Izuna, and gracefully poured him a cup.
Seeing the concern on his lover's face, Izuna finally managed a faint smile, accepting the teacup and taking a light sip. The fury in his heart cooled slightly.
Even so, Izuna remained deeply resentful of the Hatake clan's betrayal.
When they met on the battlefield, he would make sure those traitors understood the price of turning their coats.
"Mito, is it boring for you here in the Uchiha with nothing to do?"
Izuna suddenly shifted to casual conversation.
Mito smiled gently, pouting slightly. "Mm-hmm~~ A little. Back in the Uzumaki, at least I had the children of the clan to talk to. But here, I can barely even leave the house."
After all, the Uzumaki were openly aligned with the Senju—the Uchiha's mortal enemies—so Mito's position was naturally sensitive.
Though Izuna had never placed her under house arrest, to avoid causing him unnecessary trouble, Mito obediently chose to remain within his estate, never stepping outside.
Izuna wrapped an arm around Mito's shoulder and drew her into his embrace, affectionately nuzzling her hair. "Don't worry. Once I marry you properly, no one will dare say a word."
Warmth flooded Mito's heart, and she murmured a soft "Mm."
After a tender moment together, Mito's bright eyes clouded with worry. "Right now, the Uchiha and Senju have such a wide gap in military strength. Will it be all right?"
Even secluded in the inner chambers, Mito wasn't ignorant of the outside world—especially since Izuna sometimes discussed such matters with her.
Truthfully, the gap in strength between the two clans this time was nearly twofold, and with Madara unable to join the fight for the time being, many in the clan felt immense pressure.
Izuna glanced at a green leaf drifting down from the tree in the courtyard and smiled faintly. "There's always a way."
That night, the bedroom echoed with the sounds of intimacy between man and woman.
The contrast between Mito's usual ethereal, otherworldly image and her uninhibited passion in bed always gave Izuna a unique thrill, and without realizing it, he became even more vigorous.
Early the next morning, despite having been thoroughly exhausted the night before, Mito still rose early to personally prepare breakfast for Izuna.
She knew that once the war began, she wouldn't have the chance to cook for him for at least half a year.
The two sat across from each other. Izuna had gradually grown accustomed to Mito's cuisine, which differed somewhat from traditional Uchiha dishes—flavors from the Land of Whirlpools.
"Vice-Clan Head, everything is ready."
A ninja from the Shadow Investigation Department knelt on one knee in the courtyard, his voice carrying to the two inside.
Izuna visibly quickened the pace of his chopsticks, smiled at Mito, and said, "I'm going out for a bit."
"Take care."
Mito walked with Izuna to the entrance of the estate and saw her beloved off.
Entering the council hall, even Madara, who had not received outside visitors for days, had arrived early.
Once everyone was assembled, there was no wasted time—the topic immediately centered on the impending war.
"Following the Vice-Clan Head's prior directives, Department Heads Uchiha Sen and Uchiha Gakugyo have completed construction of a hundred-mile stone defense wall on Mount Soún. We will first hold a defensive posture to repel the Senju Alliance's attacks."
Uchiha Ise reported first.
Fortunately, the last victory had given the Uchiha full control of Mount Soún, the boundary line far from both Senju and Uchiha territories.
The moment preparations for war began, Izuna immediately ordered the western border garrison to construct military fortifications on the mountain.
His model was the Great Wall from his previous life.
Even though everyone sat in the hall, those in the back rows were barely visible to Madara, who relied mostly on hearing. He said, "This time the enemy's military strength is more than twice ours. If we adopt a strategy of fixed defense and holding, we must ensure sufficient logistics and provisions."
"Exactly. The first step of this strategy is 'delay,'" Izuna said. "Right now, the gap in total combat strength between us and the Senju is indeed large, but everyone must understand—victory will belong to the Uchiha!"
Seeing Izuna's confidence, many clansmen felt reassured.
"How much longer until the hundred-mile Stonecastle defensive wall is fully constructed?"
Izuna turned to Uchiha Ise.
"Yes, based on current progress, roughly one more month."
Uchiha Ise quickly replied.
"One month?"
Izuna glanced at the large map hanging on the wall behind him and stood. "Many clans have joined the Senju in this war. The Hatake and Kaguya alone are not to be underestimated. They may very well divide their forces, so we must dispatch corresponding units to engage them."
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