Chapter 68: Wood Release!
"I told you—shut up!"
Obito's voice was like a demon's snarl as he suddenly reappeared, a sharp wooden spike in his hand radiating terrifying chakra.
Haruta leapt back instantly, his kunai flashing forward. In a split second, their figures crossed paths—and Haruta collapsed to the ground!
A wooden spike had pierced through his body, and crimson blood sprayed into the air, splattering onto Obito's white spiral mask, making the scene look eerily sinister.
"Pointless trickery."
But Obito's eyes narrowed. He turned toward Shisui—where Haruta was standing right behind him!
"Has no one told you? Before these eyes, nothing escapes!"
Poof!
A puff of smoke rose—the fallen Haruta had turned into a wooden log.
Haruta's expression turned serious as he stared at the wooden spike in Obito's hand.
"Shisui… is that Wood Release?"
"Yeah…"
Shisui's eyes darkened, his voice low.
"No doubt about it."
Wood Release. The very symbol of Konoha itself.
A rogue Uchiha not only awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan but also possessed Wood Release?
This was beyond unsettling—it was terrifying!
Shisui had no idea how Obito had obtained this power. But one thing was certain—if the village found out, things would get messy.
"We have to take him down here. No matter what!"
Shisui had made up his mind. If necessary, he would use Kotoamatsukami—this threat could not be allowed to remain!
His Sharingan spun rapidly as he whispered to Haruta,
"Work with me. I need an opening to use my dōjutsu—this kind of danger can't be left unchecked!"
"Hmm…"
Haruta nodded, though inwardly, he was skeptical.
Genjutsu shouldn't be affected by space-time barriers, right?
Especially Kotoamatsukami—a god-tier technique that could rewrite willpower without anyone even noticing.
Honestly, Haruta felt this jutsu shouldn't even exist.
Maybe that's why Shisui had been taken out so early—his personality was one reason, but this jutsu was simply too game-breaking.
"Still… against Obito, Kotoamatsukami alone might not be enough."
Haruta gripped his kunai tightly.
Obito had resisted the Ten-Tails' influence—his willpower was absurdly strong.
Plus, with Black Zetsu watching his back and the potential use of Izanagi, he could likely undo even Kotoamatsukami.
"More importantly… this is my stage now!"
Haruta smirked.
If he wanted to stir things up, what could be more eye-catching than Wood Release?
"Senior, I'll go in first. You wait for the right moment!"
Without hesitation, Haruta pulled out several kunai and launched them toward Obito.
The kunai phased right through him, embedding into the tree behind him and the ground below.
The very next moment—Haruta teleported behind Obito!
"Childish."
Obito scoffed.
With a flick of his hand, sharp wooden spikes burst toward Haruta.
"Watch out!"
Shisui called out while forming hand seals.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
A massive flaming dragon roared forward, engulfing Obito from the front!
At the same time—Haruta vanished, reappearing behind Obito.
A pincer attack! No room to dodge!
But—Obito simply sneered.
His lone Sharingan spun.
"You really think I'd fall for the same trick three times?"
With a low growl, he clapped his hands together—and in an instant, Wood Release erupted!
A massive wooden shield formed in front of him, blocking the fire jutsu completely.
At the same time—behind him—
A twisting tree sprouted upward, spiraling like a drill, covered in razor-sharp wooden spikes!
Thorned vines shot toward Haruta, while Obito's gaze filled with killing intent.
Haruta had said it himself—all jutsu have limits.
That applied to Kamui… and also to the Flying Thunder God.
The Fourth Hokage could only chain two teleports together—there was no way Haruta could manage a third teleport!
"Thank you."
But—Haruta wasn't panicking at all.
In fact, Obito caught a glimpse of something horrifying—Haruta was smiling.
Then—BOOM!
An ominous surge of chakra exploded forth—and Obito's expression changed drastically.
"Impossible?!"
---
At the Uchiha District's outer perimeter…
"Are we certain this is coming from the Uchiha compound?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked as he and a squad of Anbu raced toward the source of the disturbance.
Even as he ran, he turned toward the Sensor Corps ninja beside him.
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
The sensor ninja didn't dare hesitate.
"We've detected a massive chakra presence and clear signs of combat—all members of the Sensor Corps confirm it!"
"Hmm…"
Hiruzen nodded grimly.
The Uchiha were already under strict surveillance by Anbu.
If a chakra disturbance erupted in an unmonitored area, that meant something serious was happening.
He turned to Yugao and Kakashi, who were running alongside him.
"Haruta hasn't arrived yet?"
"Hokage-sama, Haruta went home. He wasn't feeling well, so he may be responding slowly."
Yugao quickly explained.
Hiruzen sighed.
Anbu's Medical Corps had records of Haruta visiting several times, reporting strange chakra fluctuations in his body.
But no tests had revealed anything.
There wasn't much he could do—he just regretted losing such a powerful asset right now.
The Flying Thunder God was irreplaceable.
As for Shisui… Hiruzen chose not to ask.
Shisui was an exceptional ninja, but his position was too sensitive.
Instead, he looked at Kakashi.
"And you, Kakashi? How is your eye?"
"Hokage-sama, I believe I'm ready."
Kakashi spoke calmly.
Ever since he discovered his Mangekyō Sharingan, his mission load had been reduced, allowing him time to train and master his abilities.
He wasn't fully proficient yet.
But—the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan was undeniable.
"Good."
Hiruzen sighed, about to continue—
But suddenly—
A massive surge of chakra erupted.
A moment later—a colossal tree burst from the ground.
Every single Anbu member froze.
Staring at the towering tree, pulsing with pure life energy, shock spread across their faces.
Then—their expressions twisted in horror.
They didn't need Hiruzen's command—everyone instantly increased their speed!
Because this was…
Wood Release.
The legendary power of the First Hokage.
---
When they finally reached the battle site—
They saw two figures clashing ferociously amidst a battlefield overrun with trees and vines entangled in combat.
Both wielding razor-sharp wooden spikes.
One of them was Uchiha Obito—Konoha's most-wanted rogue ninja!
And the other…
"Haruta?!"
...