Uchiha Izuna took a slight step back, quickly retracting the hand that was grasping the doorknob and warily placing it against his chest, as the patterns of the Mangekyo Sharingan instantly appeared in his eyes.
He entered a state of heightened alertness.
This appearance of Senju Tobirama was something even as his nemesis he had never seen...
Even during the Warring States Era, when Senju Tobirama's brother was killed in a sneak attack by the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Izuna had thought that such a blow would affect his mental state...
It was the perfect moment to crush him!
But during the immediate assault that followed, what Uchiha Izuna saw was the cold-eyed, at most slightly pained, Senju Tobirama, still commanding the Senju Clan to meet the enemy effectively...
At that time.
Uchiha Izuna believed that perhaps nothing in this world could unsettle Senju Tobirama's mind...
This was a demon so calm it bordered on cold-blooded.
But today, Senju Tobirama's appearance shattered Uchiha Izuna's perception.
What calmness?
At this moment, Senju Tobirama looked as if someone dear had died in front of him, like a Uchiha who awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan amidst intense emotional upheaval...
Uchiha Izuna was all too familiar with this.
The frenzied and violent eye power, the gloomy and cold aura, all spoke of Senju Tobirama's resentment and pain...
"This pain, it's even greater than mine!!" Uchiha Izuna thought with shock, what on earth had Senju Tobirama encountered?
What could make someone who has hated the Uchiha Clan all his life seem so much like an Uchiha?
The so-called deep demonic nature of the Uchiha Clan referred to Senju Tobirama's current state—extremely prone to thinking in extremes due to emotional fluctuations, ultimately leading to incomprehensible madness.
Regarding the Uchiha's demonic nature, although Uchiha Izuna disliked the term, to be fair, as the former actual leader of the Uchiha, he also guarded against clan members becoming unstable factors because of it.
"If Senju Tobirama was to fall into madness"...
Uchiha Izuna's heart skipped a beat, truly fearing witnessing such a scene!
Against the backdrop of the Ninja World Alliance Army's establishment, the group formed to pass Aomi's test could not function without Senju Tobirama...
Because only Senju Tobirama understood Aomi the best, and his designated strategies and methods were most likely to free Aomi from the influence of the Otsutsuki Clan...
As for the Six Paths Sage and Otsutsuki Hamura, venerated as Immortals, in Uchiha Izuna's view, these two weren't as strategic as his brother...
And even without the filter, his brother and Senju Hashirama, as a pair, weren't fit to be leaders either; their most suited position was that of pure warriors.
"I am not suitable either... Although I'm not worse than Senju Tobirama, he has a unique bond with Aomi and possesses an incredibly thick skin..."
Uchiha Izuna cautiously stared at Senju Tobirama, refraining from rashly speaking out, weighing these thoughts while observing.
The reason he came to find Senju Tobirama today...
Partly, it was because during Uchiha Madara's teachings, he saw Senju Tobirama pretending to be a passerby supporting the event, allowing his brother to better integrate into the Ninja World Alliance Army and gain more popularity...
No matter how you think about it, this was not a bad thing.
If Senju Tobirama had done this earlier, Uchiha Izuna truly doubted that even after being deceived by the Infinite Tsukuyomi, his soft-hearted brother would have the heart to restart the entire Ninja World!
And although the mistakes were Senju Tobirama's.
Nevertheless, Uchiha Izuna had a slight change of heart towards Senju Tobirama because of this, wanting to find him to inquire about his intentions.
Regarding Aomi, the future of the Ninja World, and much more...
Uchiha Izuna wanted to set aside prejudices and pride tonight, speaking heart-to-heart with Senju Tobirama.
But who would have thought.
To see such a violent, Uchiha-like Senju Tobirama...
Is this really him?
"Forgive me for making a scene, Uchiha Izuna... Find a place to sit," Senju Tobirama said, lowering his head to cover his eyes, his voice hoarse:
"It's good that you're here. I want to talk to you too."
Uchiha Izuna slowly nodded and walked to a chair beside Senju Tobirama's bed, sitting down silently as he looked at his nemesis.
Senju Tobirama picked up a tissue, roughly wiping away the blood from his face, then looked up at Uchiha Izuna:
"Let's start with your matters; my situation can't be explained all at once..."
"You..." Uchiha Izuna began, then sighed.
Even if not wiped, the blood on Senju Tobirama's face was just two dark red streaks.
But with a dry tissue, wiping it spread the blood over half his face, and combined with his bloodshot eyes filled with a ruthless glow...
Under the dim moonlight, it was truly terrifying, like a fierce ghost climbing back from hell...
"You're still unsettled, although I don't know what happened to you, but surely you understand now... The Uchiha Clan's essence isn't a demonic nature, but rather too much emotional depth that needs the right guidance..."
Uchiha Izuna cast a glance, picking up a towel from the side.
Instantly, the towel was soaked with Water Release from his hand, then engulfed in flames the next moment...
But the fire extinguished instantly.
"Use this to clean your face, after all, you are Senju Tobirama..." Uchiha Izuna handed over the steaming towel, produced with high chakra skill: