"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
With Hashirama Senju's thunderous roar, countless towering trees erupted from the ground, shooting straight toward the heavens. Fortunately, the examination arena was built on the outskirts of Konoha—otherwise, this single Deep Forest Emergence would have been enough to make the entire village follow in Sunagakure's footsteps.
The roots of these massive trees writhed frantically toward Kai, instantly wrapping him in an enormous sphere of intertwined roots.
"Wood Release: All-Covering Bags Technique!"
From within the root sphere, Kai's voice suddenly rang out. Five gigantic hands burst upward from the ground, gripping the massive root ball and tearing it apart with raw force. Kai leaped free from the wreckage.
"Since this is Deep Forest Emergence, you probably haven't seen this technique before," Kai said with a sudden smile at Hashirama.
As confusion crossed the First Hokage's face, Kai called out in a low voice:
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Binding Slaughter!"
Kai infused Yang Release chakra into Hashirama's Deep Forest Emergence, instantly seizing control of the entire technique.
The roots that had been exposed to bind Kai, along with the thicker branches, all transformed into sharp wooden spikes that surged toward Hashirama with manic intensity.
Already positioned within the Deep Forest Emergence, surrounded by tree roots and branches covering every inch of ground, even someone with Hashirama's exceptional agility couldn't help but suffer a cut on his arm due to a moment's carelessness.
"I can't let this continue!" Hashirama gritted his teeth and suddenly roared:
"Wood Release: Ranking Technique!"
A fierce, demonic mask suddenly enclosed Hashirama within its protection. No matter how the wooden spikes attacked, they couldn't inflict even the slightest damage on the Ranking, let alone harm Hashirama sheltered within.
Of course, Hashirama's offensive didn't cease either. His voice echoed from within the Ranking:
"Wood Release: Flowering Tree World!"
Throughout the entire Deep Forest Emergence area, countless giant trees sprouted vibrant flower buds that slowly bloomed, releasing pollen into the air. Anyone who inhaled the pollen would collapse from paralysis.
However, Kai possessed the perfect Sage Body bloodline inherited from Asura—incomparably stronger than Hashirama's own Sage Body heritage. The pollen that could incapacitate even the Five Kage only weakened Kai's body slightly before he instantly adapted to the pollen-filled environment.
"Truly worthy of being called the 'God of Shinobi,' Hashirama Senju! Your Wood Release techniques are incredibly powerful," Kai couldn't help but marvel. "Now let's continue!"
"Wood Release: Roaring Dragon Fist!"
Torrential Wood Release chakra surged from Kai's fist, condensing into a massive golden dragon head in mid-air that roared as it charged toward Hashirama.
Hashirama's expression grew grave—he dared not show the slightest carelessness. Every Wood Release technique Kai had displayed was something he'd never seen before. Yet rather than fear, his face showed pure battle spirit:
"Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique!"
A colossal wooden figure rose from within the Deep Forest Emergence. Seeing the approaching golden dragon head, its face contorted with fury as it let out a mighty roar, swinging its massive palm to meet the attack.
BOOM!
The enormous wooden golem and golden dragon head collided! The golem was forced back several hundred meters before barely managing to stabilize itself.
Though the golden dragon's momentum was halted, the golem's body was left battered and broken. However, under Hashirama's infusion of Wood Release chakra, it quickly regenerated.
"The Wood Golem Technique? Quite a troublesome Wood Release jutsu. In that case, I'll seal you away directly!" Kai declared coldly.
"Wood Release: Sage Art: Gate of the Great God!"
With a thunderous crash, a red torii-style wooden structure descended from the sky, shaking all of Konoha. The Gate of the Great God slammed directly into the wooden golem standing on the ground. The golem didn't even have a chance to resist before being smashed deep into the earth.
A trace of surprise crossed Hashirama's face. "To think you can even use Sage Art Wood Release—it seems your relationship with little Tsunade is quite good."
Hearing Hashirama's words, Kai smiled and replied: "Of course, old man."
"Nani?!" Hashirama was clearly stunned by the address, then his face broke into a meaningful smile. "Oh ho ho... I never expected Tsunade to find such a capable husband. Excellent, excellent."
Seeing Hashirama's expression, Kai's face darkened with embarrassment, unsure what the old man was thinking.
However, after a moment, Hashirama's expression gradually grew serious—more earnest than ever before. He stared intently at Kai and spoke: "I can sense that this ninja world is about to face the crisis of war again. I wonder if you have the strength to protect little Tsunade in such chaotic times. So, let me test you..."
"Wood Release: Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands!"
A Buddha statue of earth-shaking proportions appeared at the edge of Konoha, its massive form rivaling half the village in size.
Suddenly, the Buddha statue's eyes snapped open!
"Wood Release: Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands - Top Transformed Buddha!"
The strongest Wood Release technique, carrying unmatched power, struck toward Kai!
But Kai was prepared. As Hashirama formed the seals for True Several Thousand Hands, Kai's hands formed identical seals.
At almost the same moment, two Buddha statues crashed together!
The fists and arms of the Buddha statues struck each other in a chaotic exchange! Countless wooden limbs flew from the colliding statues, scattering toward nearby Konoha. Fortunately, Konoha's ANBU were now under Shishio Mitarashi's control, with all ANBU ninja deployed to protect the village, keeping casualties minimal.
For a full quarter-hour they battled! Suddenly, Hashirama's True Several Thousand Hands began to fracture! Its entire upper body was blasted skyward by Kai's True Several Thousand Hands!
Witnessing this scene, Hashirama's face showed a trace of melancholy, but he quickly smiled with good humor: "It seems I've lost. You're quite impressive, young one. Take good care of Tsunade."
With those words, Hashirama's body gradually began to disintegrate!
Kai froze momentarily, then understanding dawned on his face. With Hashirama's immense power, breaking free from the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation was child's play—he had probably only stayed to enjoy an unrestricted battle with Kai!
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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