Chapter 27: Wood Release vs. Susanoo
"Uchiha Xiuyu, we've obtained reliable intelligence. If nothing unexpected happens, the war between the Uchiha and Senju will break out in the next two or three days."
The Great Elder had summoned Su Xiuyu delivering the latest intelligence.
"If you're planning to take action, you should start preparing now. I don't know which side you intend to stand on."
"Thanks for the information, Great Elder," Su Xiuyu replied. "I've already made my decision. I won't be joining the war—I'm going to save them. Even though staying neutral means offending both sides, I don't regret it."
He had made up his mind long ago. This time, he was caught between Hashirama and Madara, and the only way forward was to act on his own terms.
"Are you sure about this?" The Great Elder sighed. "Usually, trying to appease both sides means pleasing neither."
Su Xiuyu nodded. This war was inevitable. The grudge between the Uchiha and Senju had festered for too long—both sides needed an outlet for their hatred. Madara and Hashirama were chasing their own visions of the future, and there was no stopping them now.
"Very well, I won't try to dissuade you. The Uzumaki clan won't interfere in this battle, but I can lend you some support. You can take Uzumaki Mito, Uzumaki Masahiko, and Uzumaki Hibiki with you—think of it as a little assistance on our part."
Su Xiuyu couldn't help but feel unworthy of such generosity. He had already learned so many sealing techniques from the Uzumaki clan, and now the Great Elder was sending warriors to aid him on the battlefield.
Only today did he truly understand the Uzumaki clan's customs. Their sealing techniques weren't shared with outsiders—not even men who married into the clan were allowed to learn them. It wasn't because he had Mito's affection that he was taught, but because the Uzumaki clan had placed high hopes on him.
They had given him everything without asking for anything in return.