Chapter 13: A Desperate Gamble

The war between the two great clans had raged for half a month. Aside from the overwhelming presence of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha that intimidated all others, the name Chuyang gradually entered the public consciousness among the younger generation.

Fame, however, brought danger in its wake.

Upon learning that Chuyang was the chosen heir, nurtured with full effort by Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, the Uchiha clan solidified their determination to kill him.

A genius so highly valued even by Hashirama himself would inevitably become a grave threat to the Uchiha clan’s future. They would never allow a second Hashirama to rise!

Thus, in the ensuing battles, Chuyang became the target of the enemy’s zealous “attention.”

Wherever Chuyang appeared, the battlefield shifted to become a secondary center of conflict after Hashirama and Madara.

Tobirama Senju was no fool either. As if foreseeing the enemy’s plan, he risked using Chuyang as “bait,” executing several brilliant ambushes.

Yet this failed to deter the Uchiha clan’s intent to snuff out Chuyang in his cradle.

As long as Chuyang dared to appear on the battlefield, the enemy would dispatch their elite warriors, fearless in death, to encircle and kill him.

The sheer scale of forces and their frenzied madness exceeded all expectations, rendering the subsequent ambushes ineffective.

At this point, the situation was slipping beyond Tobirama Senju’s control.

By the time he recovered his composure and attempted to withdraw Chuyang, it was already too late.

On the battlefield, Chuyang had become a symbol fiercely contested by both sides. Should he be pulled back for protection now, the Senju clan’s morale would suffer a severe blow.

This would render the advantages Tobirama had won in previous battles meaningless.

Thus, both sides could only continue to revolve around Chuyang—constantly pouring in troops, raising the stakes, and engaging in a fierce, unimaginable struggle of attack and defense.

The importance of this conflict even surpassed the legendary clash between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

Deep into the night.

Within the Uchiha clan’s camp, Madara Uchiha and his younger brother Izuna Uchiha discussed the key to victory in a brightly lit secret chamber.

“Brother, if this drags on, the situation will turn against us. We must risk everything, gather all remaining genjutsu experts in the clan, and eliminate that Senju boy named Chuyang,” Izuna said, his eyes bloodshot from immense mental strain.

Madara did not respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the map scattered with intersecting pieces. Just as Izuna said, the Senju clan was steadily eroding their power.

Maintaining the status quo meant inevitable defeat.

“This matter will be handled personally by you. Success is imperative. Failure means we lose all chances of turning this war around,” Madara said gravely.

Izuna nodded and left the chamber.

Watching his brother’s retreating figure, Madara felt a sudden pang of regret. If possible, he wished he could go himself, but he had to hold back Hashirama on the front lines.

No one else in the Uchiha clan could withstand Hashirama, and vice versa.

That night, Izuna summoned ten genjutsu masters from the clan to infiltrate the Senju camp and assassinate Chuyang.

Though the Uchiha possessed many skilled genjutsu users, assassination missions grew riskier with more people involved.

Ten was the optimal number Izuna had painstakingly decided upon, even including a few who could serve as expendable sacrifices if necessary.

They fully understood the stakes and were resolute.

Under the moonlight, the group silently melted into the shadows.

Meanwhile, after a day of battle, Chuyang had returned to his tent to rest.

Yet, for some unknown reason, sleep eluded him.

Though his heavy eyelids fought to close, just as he was about to drift off, he would suddenly jolt awake.

“What strange negative buff is this?” he muttered irritably.

After tossing and turning for a long time, Chuyang sat on the edge of his bed, cursing softly, then sinking into self-doubt. “Could it be physical weakness?”

“Pah, pah, pah!” he quickly denied it. He was a vigorous young man in his prime—how could he be weak?

If not physical, then it must be mental.

Speaking of which, Chuyang realized not only had his fighting spirit grown stronger, but his instincts on the battlefield had sharpened noticeably when facing danger.

“There must be some threat making me restless!” A sudden insight flashed through his mind. He immediately deployed his keen perception and enveloped himself completely in his Kenbunshoku Haki.

Through this heightened awareness, Chuyang detected eleven unknown presences crossing the Senju sentries, approaching his location.

“An assassination?” Chuyang sneered coldly, guessing the Uchiha clan’s intention. They actually considered him a target for assassination.

He activated his Wood Release shadow clone, leaving the clone on the bed while he slipped out stealthily.

He intended to lure the attackers into a trap.

To deceive the enemy, Chuyang did not inform the guards posted outside.

Elsewhere, Izuna Uchiha led the genjutsu experts as they breached the Senju defenses. At each sentry post, a genjutsu master silently hypnotized the guards.

After breaking through multiple layers, Izuna’s group reached the vicinity of Chuyang’s tent. Only the guards at the entrance remained—once they were neutralized, the mission would be secured.

At Izuna’s signal, five genjutsu masters simultaneously struck, quietly plunging the guards into a trance.

“Lord Izuna, isn’t this going too smoothly?” asked the eldest member of the group.

“All the clan’s most skilled genjutsu users are here. If we fail now, then we might as well give up and surrender to the Senju,” Izuna replied coldly.

The elder smiled wryly and fell silent, rejoining the ranks.

While the others stayed outside, Izuna lifted the tent flap and entered alone.

He saw the “Chuyang” asleep inside, his face etched with exhaustion.

“So young...” Izuna mused silently. Chuyang was already among the elite of the younger generation in the shinobi world, yet even younger.

Killing such a young prodigy brought a pang of regret, even to an enemy.

But Izuna knew well that mercy to the enemy was cruelty to themselves. If Chuyang were allowed to grow, hell might await the Uchiha clan.

These thoughts twisted Izuna’s expression into a grimace. He drew his kunai and plunged it fiercely toward Chuyang’s neck.

The moment the kunai pierced, a sudden sensation flashed back to Izuna’s hand, draining the color from his face.

“A wood clone?!”