Naruto: Uchiha Izuna with system

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Although the Watanabe and the other four tribes were now subordinate to the Uchiha, serving primarily as a defensive line against foreign invasions, Izuna didn't treat them as mere servants. Instead, he managed them with a relatively kind and fair approach.

After all, the creation of Konoha was still far in the future.

The newly relocated tribes were strategically positioned in the north, west, and south of Uchiha territory, acting as outer defensive layers. This arrangement reminded Izuna of the anime Attack on Titan from his previous life, where cities were divided into concentric walls of protection.

In this configuration, Uchiha land formed the core. The outermost layer comprised the four tribes, while the innermost, most fortified position housed Izuna, Madara, and the Uchiha elite.

The natural barrier of Congyun Mountain provided excellent defense in the east, leaving the south—the territory of the Hyūga clan—as a potential weak point.

Izuna, aware of the need to prepare for any threats, especially from the formidable Hyūga, thought of deploying a new addition to their defensive strategy: the Two-Tails.

Though Izuna had promised the Two-Tails during their contract not to interfere with its life unnecessarily, the tailed beast was a wanderer with no fixed home. He figured he could convince it to establish its base near the southern border and assist during invasions with a few Tailed Beast Bombs.

With this idea in mind, Izuna attempted to summon the Two-Tails.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Izuna pressed his right hand to the ground, and the familiar psychic circle appeared.

However, after a few moments of silence, nothing happened. The summoning had failed.

Izuna frowned. The Two-Tails… is missing?

The situation was perplexing. Izuna recalled how Madara's attempt to summon the Nine-Tails during his reincarnation had failed because the beast was sealed inside Naruto Uzumaki. But in this era, there were no Jinchūriki. So where was the Two-Tails?

The mystery deepened, leaving Izuna uneasy. Though he considered ordering the Secret Investigation Department to look into the matter, he quickly realized there was no clear starting point.

For now, he abandoned the idea of capturing another tailed beast, reasoning that the same fate might befall it. Additionally, with his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and the fully awakened Perfect Susanoo, only the Eight-Tails or Nine-Tails could offer significant support.

Elsewhere, in a dark, damp cavern, the Two-Tails lay bound in thick, shadowy chains. Its trembling eyelids and occasional growls betrayed its pain.

The faint light in the cave revealed a liquid-like black mass rising from the shadows in front of the bound beast.

"Who are you?!" the Two-Tails roared, glaring at the black figure.

The shadow offered no response, instead speaking to itself. "Uchiha Izuna… an unknown variable. It seems I'll need to rethink my plans."

With those words, the shadow sank into the ground and disappeared, leaving no trace of its presence.

Back at the Uchiha compound, the disappearance of the Two-Tails did little to affect Izuna's immediate plans, though he couldn't shake the ominous feeling that it signaled the start of something significant.

One day, during his training, Madara called for a high-level clan meeting.

The first item on the agenda was news from the Senju. Senju Hashirama had succeeded Senju Kawaragi as clan leader, with Senju Tobirama assuming the role of deputy leader.

Izuna and the younger Uchiha leaders, such as Uchiha Inosuke, Uchiha Yano, and Uchiha Sashu, had expected this development. Hashirama's strength and leadership in the recent war made his promotion a logical outcome. Even their enemies, the Uchiha, acknowledged it as a natural progression.

Madara then addressed the second issue. Glancing briefly at Izuna, he announced, "The Senju seem to be celebrating a double blessing. Reports from the southeastern coast indicate that a large number of Senju shinobi are traveling to the Uzumaki Clan in the Land of Whirlpools."

This information, provided by Uchiha Sashu's Secret Investigation Department, hinted at an alliance strengthening between the Senju and Uzumaki.

Madara smirked, his tone turning teasing. "What do you think about this, Izuna?"

Izuna raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

Madara continued, addressing the others in the room. "Haven't you heard? Izuna once traveled to the Land of Uzumaki and kidnapped their princess, holding her hostage at our northern battlefield for nearly a year."

The younger Uchiha leaders stared in surprise before bursting into laughter.

Uchiha Sashu, the first to recover, clasped his fists and said, "I've heard that the Uzumaki princess's talent in sealing techniques surpasses even their elder, Uzumaki Guanghai, and their clan leader, Uzumaki Wako. Truly remarkable."

Uchiha Yano added, "The Uzumaki are strong allies of the Senju. A marriage alliance between the two was inevitable. But I never imagined our deputy clan leader would have such… bold interactions with the Uzumaki princess!"

Even Uchiha Inosuke couldn't resist joining in. "The deputy clan leader is still in his early twenties. Of course, such things are bound to happen."

Izuna chuckled internally at their comments. These guys are just taking the chance to tease me, aren't they?

Madara, however, interrupted their banter with a dry cough. "Let me be clear. What belongs to Uchiha will not be given to the Senju so easily."

Madara's eyes gleamed with mischief. "I originally intended for Izuna to lead an elite team to raid and retrieve what's ours. Unfortunately, it seems the Senju were prepared for this and have already made their move."

The room fell silent, the weight of the situation settling over the gathered leaders.

End of the Chapter.