Chapter:151

"Great Elder, Patriarch!"

"They're back! Does that mean they've defeated Kaguya?"

"Wait… isn't that Uchiha Izuna? Why is he here with them?"

Uzumaki Guanghai and Uzumaki Wako led their forces back to Uzushio Village. The Uzumaki clansmen, seeing them approach, initially cheered with relief. However, their joy quickly turned to unease as they noticed Izuna walking beside them, his faint smile exuding an unsettling confidence.

Izuna had defeated Kaguya Manro effortlessly, a fact that the Uzumaki elders and Senju reinforcements couldn't deny. Even the most optimistic among them realized that Izuna hadn't shown the full extent of his power. The possibility of him releasing the Two-Tails haunted their thoughts.

"Grandfather!"

In the distance, Uzumaki Mito ran toward Uzumaki Guanghai. She hesitated for a moment, stealing a glance at Izuna. Her conflicted expression did not escape her grandfather's sharp eyes.

Uzumaki Guanghai looked at Mito, noting how she had changed out of her ceremonial white dress and into a plain kimono, reminiscent of the time she was taken by Izuna. He could see the subtle glances she cast at the Uchiha—proof of her conflicted emotions.

The wrinkles on Guanghai's face deepened as he sighed, his voice heavy with resignation. "Go."

Mito froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Grandfather…?"

When his words sank in, she knelt before him, her forehead touching the ground in gratitude. After a long moment, she rose and walked toward Izuna, her steps hesitant but determined.

But before Mito could speak, Uzumaki Guanghai suddenly formed a hand seal.

A golden barrier sprang to life around Uzushio Village, its translucent surface shimmering with intricate sealing runes—the Kinpira Barrier, the Uzumaki clan's last line of defense.

"This… this is the Kinpira Barrier!" Mito exclaimed, her voice trembling. "The village's ultimate protection!"

Izuna raised an eyebrow, watching the barrier encase the entire village. He turned to Guanghai, his tone cold. "So this is how you play your hand, Great Elder. Breaking your promise?"

"Don't even think about summoning the Two-Tails here, Uchiha Izuna," Guanghai replied calmly. "The Kinpira Barrier not only protects against outside attacks but also restrains tailed beasts. Your power will be limited here."

From the west, the sound of explosions echoed as Uchiha ninjas bombarded the barrier with fire techniques. Yet the golden barrier remained unscathed.

"It's futile," Guanghai continued, "Even if Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma worked together, they wouldn't breach this barrier easily."

Izuna smirked. "Impressive, but ninjutsu barriers often have a simple flaw—kill the caster, and the barrier falls."

His chakra surged, silver flames crackling around his body, his hair lifting in the aura of his energy. The murderous intent in his eyes sent shivers down the spines of everyone present.

"Wait!" Mito cried out, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Izuna's hand. Her voice trembled. "Please, don't…"

Izuna glanced down at her, seeing the desperation in her tear-filled eyes. With a sigh, he suppressed his chakra, the flames around him dissipating.

"Grandfather…" Mito turned back to Guanghai, her voice breaking.

The elder's face softened momentarily, but his tone remained resolute. "Mito, you no longer need to live for the clan's interests. I release you from the Uzumaki name."

His words struck like a thunderclap. Removing her from the Uzumaki lineage wasn't just a formality—it severed her from the clan entirely, a drastic measure to end her ties and responsibilities.

"Grandfather…" Mito whispered, holding Izuna's hand tightly, her body trembling.

Outside the barrier, Uchiha ninjas called out anxiously. "Deputy Chief! Are you alright?"

Izuna amplified his voice with chakra, his tone calm but commanding. "I'm fine. Ignore the Senju and Uzumaki reinforcements and stand your ground. I'll handle this."

"Understood, Deputy Chief!" came the resolute reply.

Guanghai's gaze was cold. "Uchiha Izuna, your arrogance knows no bounds."

Izuna's lips curled into a mocking smile. "It's not arrogance if you can back it up. I've been holding back out of respect for Mito, but you're starting to test my patience. Don't make me regret sparing you earlier."

Silver-white chakra flared around Izuna, forming the skeletal structure of Susanoo.

"Let's see how confident you are when I break this barrier myself," he said, his voice like ice.

End of the Chapter.