Chapter:153

Susanoo, now in its armored form, wielded the Flame Sword of Amaterasu in its right hand, while the eight-foot magatama spun rapidly in its left, poised to unleash destruction.

Izuna stood at the center, holding Mito's hand, his piercing gaze fixed on the Uzumaki and Senju ninjas surrounding him.

"Damn Kaguya. With such an opportunity, couldn't they have caused more chaos?" Izuna thought to himself, irritation flashing in his eyes.

Suddenly, golden chains erupted from the ground, glowing with an otherworldly light. These chains, the Adamantine Sealing Chains, sought to bind Susanoo's massive arms.

This high-level sealing technique, capable of suppressing even the Nine-Tails, was a testament to the Uzumaki clan's sealing prowess.

However, in the next moment, another arm formed on Susanoo's right side, its sword of Amaterasu flames slicing cleanly through the chains.

The shattered chains fell to the ground before disintegrating into golden powder.

"It's a pity I'm neither a tailed beast nor a jinchūriki," Izuna said, his tone calm but mocking.

To him, the Uzumaki techniques were nothing more than advanced ninjutsu with sealing effects, lacking any significant restraint against him.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

"Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!"

"Earth Release: Rockfall Barrage!"

A coordinated assault of high-level ninjutsu from the Uzumaki and Senju ninjas bore down on Susanoo, their combined might enough to devastate lesser foes.

Izuna smirked. "Trivial tricks like these? Don't insult me."

With a sweep of Susanoo's flaming sword, the flames of Amaterasu surged forth, colliding with the ninjutsu. The attacks were obliterated in an instant, the fiery blade leaving nothing but smoke in its wake.

Before the opposing ninjas could react, the eight-foot magatama in Susanoo's left hand was launched.

"Some of you need to die. You're just an annoyance on the battlefield," Izuna said coldly.

"Dodge it!" one of the Senju ninja leaders shouted in panic, but Izuna's voice cut through the chaos: "It's too late."

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Wall!"

Thick vines erupted from the ground, intertwining to form a sturdy wooden barrier. The magatama collided with the wooden wall, its trajectory diverted, but the force was still enough to reduce a distant building in Uzushio Village to rubble.

"Already here?" Izuna muttered, his expression tightening as a familiar figure appeared on the battlefield.

"Hashirama!"

"Clan leader!"

The cries of Uzumaki and Senju ninjas echoed as their reinforcements arrived.

Senju Hashirama, the hero of the Warring States Period, had finally reached the scene.

Hashirama's sharp eyes quickly took in the situation. He noticed Mito standing behind Izuna, her expression conflicted and timid.

Raising a hand, Hashirama shouted, "STOP!!!"

His booming voice carried an unshakable authority, freezing everyone in their tracks. Even Izuna halted Susanoo's advance, though his smirk remained.

Hashirama's gaze swept over the battlefield before speaking, his tone firm yet calm: "I have heard what happened from Shigemitsu."

Shigemitsu, the Uzumaki ninja who had helped Hashirama enter the barrier, had briefed him on the events leading up to this confrontation.

Turning his gaze toward Izuna, Hashirama continued, "Izuna kept his promise. He did not allow the Uchiha to attack, and he even helped us repel Kaguya. For that, we must honor our word and let him leave."

Uzumaki Guanghai bristled, his expression darkening. He wanted to argue that Izuna had manipulated the situation for his benefit, but Hashirama's tone left little room for debate.

"This…" Mito whispered, her wide eyes filled with surprise as she stared at Hashirama.

Hashirama's unwavering resolve and sense of justice struck a chord with everyone present. Even Izuna, who had expected resistance, raised an eyebrow.

"If anyone else had said that, I'd dismiss it as mere theatrics," Izuna mused internally. "But Hashirama... his words carry weight."

Guanghai finally spoke, his voice tinged with reluctance. "The promise was only to let him take Mito. We never agreed to let him go unchallenged."

Hashirama's eyes narrowed slightly, his chakra flaring just enough to command silence. "It is betrayal like this that perpetuates hatred and division in the Warring States Period."

His voice softened, but his resolve remained firm. "If we are to build a better world, one where trust and unity prevail, we must start by keeping our word."

Pausing for effect, Hashirama added, "If you choose to break that promise, I will not participate in this battle."

The weight of his words was palpable. Without Hashirama, the balance of power would shift dramatically, and the Uzumaki and Senju forces knew it.

A tense silence fell over the battlefield.

Finally, Guanghai gritted his teeth and growled, "Stand down."

The Uzumaki and Senju ninjas reluctantly lowered their weapons.

Izuna deactivated Susanoo, his smirk widening. "You speak of changing the world, Hashirama. That's exactly what I'm doing."

Hashirama's expression brightened, and he took a step forward as if to offer an alliance. But seeing the current atmosphere, he held back, swallowing the words.

"Let's go, Mito," Izuna said, taking her hand.

Mito glanced back at her clansmen one last time, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. As Izuna led her away, the golden barrier dissipated, and the battlefield fell into an uneasy calm.

End of the Chapter.