Naruto: Uchiha Izuna with system

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"Uchiha will attack Uzushio from the west, and the Kaguya clan will attack from the east. According to the plan, the Kaguya clan will strike first. When you're ready to attack, release the flare."

Kaido handed a custom signal flare to Kaguya Manro.

Manro hesitated for a moment before accepting it. "Mr. Kaido, you seem particularly invested in targeting the Uzumaki. Do you have a personal grudge against them?"

"You don't need to know," Kaido replied coldly. "What you need to know is that Uchiha will launch their attack in two days. This is your one and only chance."

With that, Kaido left, disappearing into the night.

"Clan Leader, this man refuses to reveal anything about himself. He's hiding something," Kaguya Butori said, stepping out from the shadows of a nearby alley.

Manro narrowed his eyes, his expression grave. "Butori, send an investigation team to the Land of Fire immediately. Verify if Uchiha is really mobilizing their forces. If they are, we proceed. If not, we'll reevaluate."

While Kaido's true motives were unclear, Manro reasoned that as long as Uchiha's involvement was genuine, the operation could go ahead.

Upon returning to the Uchiha clan, Izuna removed his black robe and mask. He barely had time to rest before Madara entered the courtyard with a smirk.

"You're going through quite the effort just to get a wife, Izuna," Madara teased.

Izuna smiled faintly. "Brother, this mission isn't just about me. It's a chance for the younger generation to gain experience. We're not going to war."

Madara paused, processing his brother's logic, before nodding in agreement.

Indeed, Uchiha's involvement wasn't about launching an all-out attack. Instead, their troops served as a show of force—a calculated deterrent. The goal was to propose marriage to the Uzumaki, not to fight them.

However, even the mere sight of Kaguya's five hundred ninja suddenly appearing less than ten miles from Uzushio Village would be enough to terrify any clan.

"And the one performing the Flying Thunder God Technique won't be 'Uchiha Izuna,'" Izuna added, "It will be Kaido."

Madara raised an eyebrow. "You mean your alias?"

Izuna nodded. Over the past few days, he had explained much of his "Kaido" persona to Madara. While Madara had initially been annoyed that Izuna had acted independently, his frustration quickly turned to pride upon learning of Izuna's accomplishments.

Izuna continued, "The secrecy of the Flying Thunder God Technique is paramount. Even our clan members can't know I possess it."

Madara frowned. "You don't trust even your own people?"

Izuna met his gaze seriously. "Brother, you can't trust anyone completely—not even our clan."

Madara rubbed his chin thoughtfully but said nothing.

Two days later, before sunrise, Kaguya Butori used the Body Flicker Technique to enter Manro's quarters.

"Clan Leader!" Butori called out, bowing respectfully.

Manro turned to him, his expression tense. "What's the report?"

"Our sensing ninjas have confirmed Uchiha's movements. They are indeed mobilizing their forces," Butori replied.

Manro exhaled deeply, relief washing over him. "It seems Kaido's claims were true. Uchiha is preparing for action."

Butori's voice turned cautious. "Clan Leader, this Kaido is playing a dangerous game. He's even involving Uchiha in his plans. If Uchiha discovers his true motives, they might turn on him—and on us."

Manro nodded grimly. "Kaido is bold, no doubt. But if we don't act now, the Kaguya clan will never have another chance to claim Uzumaki lands. We have no choice but to follow through."

As if summoned by their discussion, Kaido appeared at the door, his swirling mask catching the faint morning light.

"Mr. Butori," Kaido said in his hoarse voice, "the Kaguya clan has much to gain here, yet you hesitate. Uchiha has already committed. If you falter now and Uchiha finds out, do you think they'll forgive your clan?"

The thinly veiled threat made Butori's blood run cold. He instinctively gripped the bone spur in his hand but held his tongue.

Manro, understanding the gravity of the situation, stepped forward. "Of course, Mr. Kaido. The Kaguya clan is ready. Our five-hundred-strong ninja force awaits your lead."

Kaido nodded curtly. "Good. Let's proceed."

The Kaguya clan's ninja army gathered in the central square of their village. Despite their youth, many of the warriors bore prematurely gray hair, a visible mark of their bloodline's hereditary illness.

At the forefront, Kaguya Manro raised his hand, his voice carrying across the crowd.

"Today, under Mr. Kaido's guidance, we march to seize the land of Uzumaki! Their secrets of longevity will be ours, and we will finally free ourselves from this cursed bloodline disease! Are you with me?"

"Yes!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices filled with a mixture of hope and desperation. Though many glanced warily at Kaido, curious about the man who promised to transport their entire army to the battlefield, their leader's conviction was enough to rally them.

Kaido observed silently, his masked face betraying nothing. Behind the facade, Izuna smirked to himself.

If the Kaguya think this will be their salvation, they're in for a rude awakening.

For the Kaguya clan, this mission was a desperate gamble for survival. For Izuna, it was a carefully crafted piece of manipulation to secure his goals.

End of the Chapter.