"Wood Release—Wood Locking Wall!!"
Yamato clapped his hands on the ground, letting out a loud cry.
Instantly, a Wood Release wall, like a snail shell, firmly protected Yamato and Hiruzen Sarutobi in its center.
Boom!
One-Tail Shukaku's attack landed, producing a huge explosion.
Everyone quickly looked up, only to see that the wooden defense in place had completely blocked it.
Whoosh!
Yamato's figure was the first to rush out, quickly charging towards One-Tail Shukaku.
Seeing his attack blocked, and that little guy even charging towards him, One-Tail Shukaku's face showed a hint of anger:
"Die!"
Wind Release—Sand Bullet!
One-Tail Shukaku suddenly opened his mouth, and countless grains of sand, like bullets, all shot towards Yamato.
Yamato's expression remained unchanged; he quickly formed hand signs and let out a soft shout:
"Wood Release—Tree Binding Wall!"
Rumble! Rumble!
Rows of defenses made entirely of intertwined trees rose from the ground, blocking in front of the many Konoha Ninja.
Then Yamato lightly stepped on the ground, and a huge wooden pillar rose from the ground, instantly carrying Yamato dozens of meters into the air.
Wood Release—Silent Assassination Jutsu!
On the thick wooden pillar, countless thick vines grew from the wood, spreading forward at a visible speed.
Several vines directly pierced into One-Tail Shukaku's body, forming a bridge-like path between the two.
Yamato directly jumped onto the vines, quickly running along them towards One-Tail Shukaku.
"Damn ant!!"
One-Tail Shukaku let out a roar, extended his hand, and directly snapped the vines connected to his body.
At the same time, his other hand grabbed Yamato, who had fallen from the sky because the vines broke.
One-Tail Shukaku exuded a violent aura, clenched his hand around Yamato, and squeezed hard.
Bang!
Yamato directly turned into a block of wood!
One-Tail Shukaku was stunned; he had been tricked!
"Wood Release—Thorn Killing Jutsu!"
A loud shout came from under One-Tail Shukaku's feet, and at the same time, countless thick wooden pillars rose from the ground, attempting to restrict One-Tail Shukaku's movements.
Seeing the wood growing around him, a hint of mockery flashed in One-Tail Shukaku's eye; he twisted his body forcefully, easily breaking all the wood that was restraining him.
Just as One-Tail Shukaku showed a triumphant expression, his pupils suddenly contracted; he saw that Yamato had somehow appeared on One-Tail Shukaku's shoulder.
A smile appeared on Yamato's face; his goal, from beginning to end, was not One-Tail Shukaku, but Gaara, who was on top of One-Tail Shukaku's head.
One-Tail Shukaku obviously understood Yamato's purpose and immediately slammed his palm down towards his shoulder.
Yamato quickly extended his palm, aiming at Gaara.
A palm-sized square wooden pillar rapidly emerged, directly striking Gaara's head.
Gaara, who was originally in a state of fake sleep, suddenly opened his eyes.
At this moment, One-Tail Shukaku's descending palm also froze in mid-air.
One-Tail Shukaku's violent aura quickly dissipated, and his massive body rapidly turned into sand at a visible speed, falling from the air.
Gaara gasped for breath, glaring fiercely in Yamato's direction, but his body was now so weak that he could barely move a finger.
Without One-Tail Shukaku's support, Gaara's body also fell from the air.
Yamato quickly moved forward and bound Gaara with Wood Release!
"Gaara!"
Temari's face changed drastically when she saw Gaara captured by Yamato.
Not only Temari, but the other Sand Ninja also showed panicked expressions at the same time.
Gaara must not fall into Konoha's hands!
Just as Yamato was about to take Gaara back to the Konoha formation, a cold voice suddenly sounded beside Yamato's ear:
"It's been a long time, should I call you 'Kinoe,' or should I call you 'Tenzo'?"
In an instant, Yamato's hair stood on end; he quickly turned his head to look at the figure behind him, his voice tense:
"Orochimaru!"
"You can't take the One-Tail Jinchuriki," Orochimaru licked his lips, then suddenly opened his mouth, and the kusanagi sword shot out from Orochimaru's mouth.
Yamato quickly dodged Orochimaru's attack, and at the same time, was about to retreat.
Orochimaru's head suddenly elongated, and he opened his mouth to bite Yamato's neck.
Creak!
Orochimaru's face stiffened; the Yamato he bit had turned into a block of wood.
Looking up at Yamato, who appeared in another direction, Orochimaru showed a regretful expression, reached out, and pulled the bound Gaara back.
Yamato returned behind Hiruzen Sarutobi, a hint of shame on his face:
"I'm sorry, Hokage-sama, I didn't capture the enemy's Jinchuriki."
Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, a smiling expression on his face, and patted Yamato's shoulder:
"It's alright, solving One-Tail Shukaku has already solved a big problem."
Seeing Yamato still looking ashamed, Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and said:
"Look up and look at the people around you."
Yamato was stunned; it was only then that he realized that most of the Ninja, both from Konoha and the Sand Ninja, had their eyes on him.
Everyone's eyes were filled with surprise and shock.
Wood Release!
As Konoha Village's unique Bloodline Limit, it held a special meaning for all Ninja in Konoha.
In some respects, Wood Release represented Konoha's hope, and even served as a spiritual pillar.
And for other villages, it represented fear!
"So amazing!"
Among the crowd, the genin looked in Yamato's direction, letting out exclamations of shock.
"He stole our thunder, right, Sasuke?"
Naruto pouted, a look of disdain on his face, but his gaze still occasionally drifted towards Yamato.
Sasuke didn't speak, but his fists clenched tighter; he was increasingly realizing how weak he was.
"Tenzo, huh? It seems you've finally stepped into the sunlight."
Kakashi looked in Yamato's direction, muttering to himself in a voice only he could hear.
On Hokage Rock.
Kisame Hoshigaki stared blankly in Yamato's direction; although it was a bit blurry, those thick wood-style techniques were still visible.
"That… that, is that the legendary Wood Release?"
Kisame Hoshigaki glanced at Yūto and asked cautiously.
"Wood Release? Flashy."
Yūto glanced in Yamato's direction, his voice filled with disdain.
Using a Ninjutsu like Wood Release to fight One-Tail Shukaku still took so long.
It's one thing to be weak and take a long time, but what's with that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi's smug look?