novelhk Chapter 429 Wood Release Appears Again
Chapter 429 Wood Release Appears Again
Tobirama Senju's words, "Monkey, you have lost the hearts of the people," made Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart tremble.
At that moment, he seemed to hear the sound of something shattering completely deep within his heart.
He opened his mouth tremblingly, his chapped lips moving, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, trying to make a sound, trying to defend himself.
He wanted to say that the Uchiha clan's rebellion was inevitable, to talk about Danzo's pressure and radicalism, to mention the pressure from surrounding major powers, and to discuss the difficulty of maintaining Konoha's peace and prosperity...
Countless words welled up in his mouth, but when he met Tobirama-sensei's disappointed eyes, they all choked in his throat.
He then looked at the First Hokage, the teacher who always had a cheerful smile and a heart as vast as the sea.
At this moment, Hashirama's face was devoid of its usual sunshine, replaced by a heavy silence. A long sigh made Hiruzen Sarutobi feel more powerless and desolate than any rebuke.
Explanation?
What else is there to explain?
Facts speak louder than words.
Konoha is facing its worst invasion in decades during his tenure, and he, the Hokage, is trapped there. Apart from a few directly subordinate Anbu, no organized reinforcements have arrived in time.
The teachers, having died, witnessed this upheaval and saw through the disunity and discord within Konoha under his rule.
All excuses seem so pale and ridiculous at this moment, nothing more than futile attempts to save face.
A deep sense of exhaustion washed over Hiruzen Sarutobi like a tidal wave.
It was a feeling of exhaustion, a sense of bewilderment after discovering that all the hard work he had put in was rejected by two teachers.
Hiruzen Sarutobi swallowed the explanation he wanted to give and gritted his teeth.
The next moment, an even more intense emotion surged forth like a final burst of light!
He is Hiruzen Sarutobi!
He is the third Hokage who inherited the "Will of Fire" and was personally chosen by the First and Second Hokage!
He is the "Ninja Hero" who has held power in Konoha for decades!
Despite a thousand mistakes and ten thousand faults, his pride, his responsibility, and his dignity as Hokage do not allow him to show any signs of collapse or weakness in front of his enemies or his teacher!
"Teacher..." Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly took a deep breath.
"I no longer care to distinguish right from wrong."
"Throughout my life, what have I accomplished and what have I failed? Have I protected Konoha, or betrayed the trust placed in me? Have I led to prosperity, or sown the seeds of disaster...?"
Let future generations judge.
After saying that, Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a heavy breath.
The complex emotions churning in his chest were exhaled with this breath.
He straightened his slightly hunched back, and the confusion and pain in his old but still bright eyes quickly faded away, replaced by a steadfastness and awe that had settled like a rock after countless trials of blood and fire.
He assumed the most classic fighting stance, his gaze passing over the figures of the two teachers and firmly locking onto the young Orochimaru behind them, who had a strange smile on his lips and was watching his changing expressions.
"Come on, Orochimaru." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice calmed down, yet carried a resounding clang, echoing within the barrier of the Four Purple Flames Formation.
"Let me, your teacher, take a good look at how much you've actually 'improved' in all these years since you betrayed Konoha, pursuing those crooked paths!"
The moment he finished speaking, his chakra erupted, becoming even more concentrated and intensely hot than before!
It was an old but unyielding will of fire, burning fiercely with all experience, will, and even life itself!
"Hehehe... Our reminiscing is over. Well then, Hokage, please begin your performance. Let my beloved teacher relive the feeling of being taught by his most respected predecessors."
Orochimaru's golden snake eyes gleamed with pleasure. He clapped his hands together lightly, forming a hand seal, and instantly gained complete control over the actions of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
"Monkey! Watch out!" Under Orochimaru's control, Hashirama Senju could only shout a warning.
With a powerful kick, the magnificent glazed tiles beneath his feet shattered, creating a deep crater. His figure, like a cannonball, approached Hiruzen Sarutobi at an incredibly terrifying speed!
A simple, unadorned flying side kick, accompanied by a piercing shriek that tore through the air, aimed straight at Hiruzen Sarutobi's mid lane!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted slightly, his arms crossed, his muscles bulged, and chakra instantly condensed on his forearms.
Bang--!!
The heavy impact sounded like a muffled thunderclap!
Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a sharp, tingling numbness in his arms, and his body slid backward uncontrollably, his feet leaving two clear tracks on the glazed tiles.
Even though the power of the First Hokage was somewhat reduced due to the Impure World Reincarnation, it was still terrifying!
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to deflect the force and counterattack, adjusting his center of gravity, he heard Tobirama's calm yet helpless warning from his right: "Watch your right!"
The warning was given, but Tobirama, precisely controlled by Orochimaru, had already launched his attack!
In Hiruzen Sarutobi's blind spot, a perfectly angled, powerful straight punch slammed into Hiruzen Sarutobi's right cheek, which he hadn't had time to fully defend!
"Ugh!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi groaned, a metallic taste escaping his lips. He was sent spinning backward through the air by the blow, crashing heavily onto a tile several meters away. He slid a distance before finally coming to a stop, the tiles shattering with a loud crackling sound.
"Monkey..." Hashirama Senju watched as Hiruzen Sarutobi, panting and somewhat disheveled, crawled out of the rubble, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. A hint of pity flashed in his eyes, but more than that, he sighed at Hiruzen's declining condition.
"It seems you've really aged a lot. You can't even keep up with this level of reaction time and speed anymore?"
"It's not just because of old age, brother." Tobirama Senju moved his right wrist, which had just struck Hiruzen Sarutobi, but his gaze fell on an explosive tag that had been stuck to the back of his hand at some point.
That was a trick Hiruzen Sarutobi used during the brief exchange of blows, a move he still managed to pull off despite being in an extremely unfavorable situation, thanks to his extensive combat experience.
"The power that these two reanimated bodies of ours, under Orochimaru's modifications, can unleash is only slightly less than our peak strength. Moreover..."
boom--!!
Before he could finish speaking, the explosive tag on the back of his hand suddenly exploded!
The orange-red fireball instantly engulfed Tobirama's right arm and half of his right side, and the violent shockwave blew away nearby rubble!
The smoke dissipated quickly.
However, the countless tiny dust fragments, like scraps of paper, that Tobirama had destroyed in the explosion were drifting back from all directions, quickly coalescing and reshaping, and in the blink of an eye, he was restored to his original state, with even his clothes intact.
The only remaining faint smell of gunpowder in the air proved that the explosion had indeed occurred.
Tobirama looked down at his newly healed arm, gently clenched his fist, and felt the immense chakra flowing within it.
He looked up at Hiruzen Sarutobi, then glanced at Orochimaru behind him, whose smile had deepened, and concluded, "See that, monkey? Ordinary attacks, even if they cause damage, are quickly repaired by this immortal body. It seems your disciple's mastery of forbidden techniques is indeed extraordinary."
There was a subtle hint of recognition of Orochimaru's talent in his words.
"So, Tobirama!" Hashirama Senju spread his hands, his tone carrying the reproach of an older brother to his younger brother, as well as a deep sense of helplessness at the absurd situation before him.
"I told you repeatedly back then, don't engage in these forbidden arts that toy with life and death and desecrate the dead!"
"Look at this mess they've created! Even the dead can't find peace; we're being dragged out to deal with our own descendants and students! What kind of nonsense is this?!"
"What's the point of saying all this now, brother?" Tobirama glanced at Hashirama, his tone as authoritative as ever.
"Right now, we're nothing more than puppets being controlled. Let's talk about this after we've dealt with the controller."
During their brief conversation, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already regained his composure.
He no longer tried to find opportunities using conventional physical techniques and explosive tags.
Faced with two teachers who possessed immortality and whose strength was nearing its peak, he knew he had to use his true trump card.
He quickly formed hand seals and then slammed them onto the glazed tiles beneath him!
"Spiritual communication!"
Bang!
A cloud of white smoke exploded and quickly dissipated, revealing a tall, old ape with long white hair and a long beard, dressed in ancient armor.
It is the summoning beast that has signed a contract with the Sarutobi clan, the Monkey King, Enma!
The Enma, arms crossed, had just been summoned and was about to inquire about the battle: "Hiruzen, who is the enemy this time...?"
His words came to an abrupt end.
Because he saw those two familiar faces on the other side.
Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju!
The ape demon's pupils suddenly contracted, and an extremely solemn expression appeared on his face, even with a hint of horror.
"I'm sorry, Enma." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice sounded behind Enma.
"This time, the enemy is the First Hokage and the Second Hokage, who were forcibly summoned back from the Pure Land by my traitor Orochimaru using the Impure World Reincarnation Technique."
Upon hearing this, the Monkey King slowly turned his head to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi. From his old friend's eyes, which were burning with a fighting spirit to the death, he confirmed this absurd and cruel fact.
He took a deep breath and nodded heavily, suppressing all his doubts and shock, leaving only the purest resolve to fight to the death alongside his partner.
"I understand," the ape demon said in a deep and firm voice.
"Then, the usual rules."
"Transform into the Vajra Ruyi Jingu Bang!" With Hiruzen Sarutobi's low shout, Enma was enveloped in a cloud of white smoke!
A heavy iron rod, about two meters long, jet black and shiny, with striking golden ring patterns at both ends, flew out from the white smoke.
Hiruzen Sarutobi reached out and firmly grasped the Vajra Staff, which was transformed from the original demon form.
His aura resonated subtly with the Vajra Ruyi Cudgel in his hand, surging once more!
"Go!" Hiruzen Sarutobi roared, wielding his Vajra Staff, and charged once again towards the two former Hokage who were being controlled by Orochimaru!
With the blessing of the Vajra Staff, Hiruzen Sarutobi's combat power was significantly enhanced.
The heavy iron rod felt as light as a feather in his hands, yet when he swung it, it carried the force of wind and thunder, fully demonstrating the weapon's advantage of "an inch longer, an inch stronger".
He no longer engaged in direct physical combat with his two teachers, but instead used the attack range of the Ruyi Staff and its occasional sudden extension to maneuver and strike from a mid-range distance.
At the same time, his rich combat experience and familiarity with the fighting styles of his two teachers often allowed him to anticipate some attacks. With the help of his Vajra Staff for blocking, he barely managed to withstand the storm of physical attacks from Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Watch out on the left, Hiruzen!" Hashirama warned.
Hiruzen swung his Vajra Staff to the left to block Hashirama's powerful slash.
"Behind us!" Tobirama warned.
The end of the Vajra Staff suddenly jabbed backward, accurately striking Tobirama, who had suddenly appeared behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, and knocking him back.
With the reminders from the two Hokage and the assistance of the Vajra Staff, Hiruzen Sarutobi temporarily regained his footing and fought back and forth with the two controlled former Hokage. Although he was still at a significant disadvantage, he was no longer as passively taking hits as he had at the beginning.
However, Orochimaru was clearly not satisfied with this.
"Hehe, what a touching display of master-disciple affection." Orochimaru stood behind, clapping his hands gently, a blissful smile on his face.
"However, that would be too boring. What the two Hokage are most renowned for is not just their taijutsu."
As Orochimaru finished speaking, Tobirama Senju, who was fighting Hiruzen Sarutobi, suddenly narrowed his eyes, seemingly wanting to resist, but his body uncontrollably leaped backward, creating distance between himself and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At the same time, his hands began to form hand seals at a dazzling speed, so fast that they even left afterimages!
The high-level water escape technique that originally required forty-four complex hand seals to activate was streamlined and optimized in his hands to only four seals!
Yin-Chou-Shen-Mao!
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!" Tobirama shouted, also reminding Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Rumble—!!
The humidity inside the barrier skyrocketed instantly!
Countless pale blue water-attribute chakra gathered from the void, swirling, compressing, and condensing wildly in front of Tobirama!
In the blink of an eye, a massive, breathtakingly large, azure-blue water dragon, composed entirely of high-pressure water jets, proudly appeared within the barrier!
The water dragon is incredibly lifelike, with clearly defined scales and claws. Its eyes are like yellow crystals, radiating terrifying chakra fluctuations and abundant water vapor.
It let out a violent, booming roar, carrying a crushing force, and charged toward Hiruzen Sarutobi!
"The Second Hokage's Water Release!" Yamato, who had been watching the battle intently from outside the Four Purple Flame Formation, exclaimed in surprise.
Although he had never met the Second Hokage, he had heard of the Second Hokage's unparalleled mastery of Water Release, which simplified complex techniques.
Seeing this simplified design of the water dragon bullet with its increased power now fills me with an overwhelming sense of awe.
Faced with this terrifying water dragon capable of tearing apart even steel, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was extremely solemn.
He gripped the Vajra Ruyi Cudgel tightly and plunged it into the tile beneath his feet, embedding it deeply.
Then, his hands began to form hand seals rapidly, and the nature of his chakra changed and combined in an instant.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a low shout.
boom!
The roof structure in front of him shook violently, and the head of a huge earthen dragon, made entirely of hard soil and rock, broke through the tiles and rose proudly!
The earth dragon opened its massive mouth and blasted out a torrent of brown mud and rocks!
At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, his chest bulged, and he exhaled forward.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A fiery orange-red dragon spewed from his mouth, and surprisingly, it crashed headfirst into the torrent of mud and rocks spewed out by the earth dragon in front of him!
The fire and earth chakra produced a strange reaction and amplification at this moment!
The mudslide was instantly heated and partially melted by the high temperature of the fire dragon, which multiplied its power. The fire dragon also became more solid and violent with the help of the mudslide's solidity!
Brown mudslides intertwined and merged with the raging flames of the dragon, fiercely confronting the roaring giant water dragon!
Compound Ninja Technique: Earth Dragon Flame Style!
laugh--!!
A piercing screech erupted instantly!
Large plumes of white, high-temperature steam expanded and exploded violently in all directions like bombs!
It slammed hard against the inner wall of the barrier, causing the entire Four Purple Flame Array to shake violently. The purple barrier flames flickered wildly, their light fading unpredictably!
The air was thick with moisture and the light was blinding, making it impossible to see what was inside for a moment.
Outside the Four Purple Flame Formation, Yamato and the others were so shocked by the clash of these terrifying ninjutsu that their minds trembled, and they were worried for the Third Hokage.
Faced with the Second Hokage's terrifyingly powerful Water Release technique, the Third Hokage was able to use such an exquisite combination of ninjutsu to counter it. This strength and adaptability truly live up to the name of "Hero of the Ninja"!
However, Hiruzen Sarutobi had just blocked Tobirama's Water Dragon Bullet with a combination of ninjutsu, and before he could even catch his breath, his vision was still obscured by the billowing water vapor.
"Monkey! Watch out! I'm going to use Wood Release next!"
Hashirama Senju's loud reminder pierced through the aftershocks of the explosion and the barrier of moisture, reaching Hiruzen Sarutobi's ears clearly.
Wood Release!
Upon hearing these two words, not only did Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sink, but Yamato outside the barrier also trembled!
As the only current inheritor of Wood Release in Konoha, he knows the terror of Wood Release better than anyone else!
That was the foundational power that enabled the First Hokage to suppress the Tailed Beasts, quell the chaos, and establish Konoha!
However, just as Hashirama was preparing to form hand seals and mobilize his chakra...
An unexpected incident occurred without warning in the competition venue outside the barrier!
Rumble, rumble, rumble—!!!
The audience seating on the east side of the venue suddenly bulged violently and cracked!
Immediately afterwards, dozens of huge trees burst out of the ground and rose up!
They grew extremely fast, their trunks twisted and grotesque, their branches and leaves spreading wildly. In just a few breaths, they completely submerged a large area of the stands on the east side of the venue, turning it into a vast sea of trees!
Thick vines coiled and strangled the building ruins like giant pythons, and the dense canopy blocked out the sun.
"What is this?!" Hashirama Senju, who was about to use Wood Release, paused and turned his head in astonishment to look at the enormous sea of trees that had suddenly appeared outside the barrier.
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes at first, then a look of delight appeared.
"Wood Release?! This scale... the feeling of this chakra..." Hashirama murmured, a smile of appreciation on his face.
"I didn't expect Konoha to have such a Wood Release ninja? And he seems quite strong!"
He thought that the sudden appearance of the Wood Release forest was the work of a Wood Release ninja from Konoha who had intervened when the village was in danger.
I am also gratified that after his death, someone in Konoha inherited this Wood Release bloodline limit.
"First Generation Lord, you may be disappointed."
Orochimaru's mocking voice echoed softly behind Hashirama.
He licked his lips, looking at Hashirama's astonished face as he turned back, his snake-like eyes filled with a wicked smile.
"The ninja who used this Wood Release technique isn't from Konoha."
"What?!" Hashirama's smile froze instantly, and the surprise in his eyes turned into shock.
Not a Konoha ninja?
At this critical moment when Konoha is under attack, an enemy skilled in Wood Release has appeared?!
As Hashirama's emotions fluctuated violently, and with the chakra he had been preparing to use Wood Release to mobilize, a chain reaction suddenly occurred within the Four Purple Flame Formation!
Buzzing--! ! !
The immense, breathtaking, and vibrant Wood Release chakra surrounding Hashirama erupted with a deafening roar!
Click, click-clack—!
The sturdy glazed tile roof, like soft soil, was broken through by countless hard tree shoots that broke through the ground!
These buds grew rapidly, instantly transforming into gnarled tree trunks as thick as buckets, spreading wildly upwards and outwards!
The thick branches, like the tentacles of a monster, crisscrossed, and sharp thorns, like spears, burst out from the branches!
In just two or three breaths, the roof, which was originally covered with gorgeous tiles, was now covered by a forest made up of countless towering trees, twisted branches, and sharp thorns!
Countless thick branches, like giant pythons emerging from their caves, roared and lashed out at Hiruzen Sarutobi from all directions!