Since the First Hokage Senju Hashirama's departure, the Wood Release Kekkeigenkai had already become a legend within Konoha Village, and it was difficult for anyone to imagine the power of Wood Release.
As the ancient forest grew dense…
As the massive Wood Dragon hovered in the sky above the forest…
The people within Konoha Village finally recalled the legend of the First Hokage.
The First Hokage Senju Hashirama used the power of Wood Release to defeat Uchiha Madara, united numerous ninja clans, and founded the most prosperous ninja village, thus ending the ongoing chaos of the Warring States Era.
"Wood Release… how can it be this powerful?"
A member of the Uchiha Clan couldn't contain his fear any longer, his lips trembled as he spoke, "Did the First Hokage really use this jutsu to defeat our ancestors? How did they even contend with the First Hokage…"
"..."
Uchiha Fugaku remained silent without speaking.
As the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Fugaku knew many secrets and understood the immense power of the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan bloodline.
"Itachi…"
Uchiha Izumi looked with terror at the Wood Dragon on the exam field.
At ten years old, Uchiha Izumi had experienced the Chaos of the Nine-tails in Konoha and witnessed the horror of those massive creatures. The size of this Wood Dragon even rivaled the Nine-tails!
"..."
Uchiha Shisui's eyes also couldn't hide his concern.
No one in Konoha understood Uchiha Itachi's strength better than Uchiha Shisui.
Even though Uchiha Shisui had taught Uchiha Itachi some powerful jutsu, the enormous gap still made it impossible to turn the tide of defeat.
"So this is the power of Wood Release?"
Kakashi Hatake looked on in disbelief at everything in front of him.
Since the end of the Nine-tails' chaos, Kakashi Hatake thought there wouldn't be many things in the ninja world that would shake his emotions. But seeing the massive Wood Dragon with his own eyes finally stirred a ripple in his heart.
While researching, Kakashi Hatake discovered that there was data mentioning that Wood Release was powerful enough to suppress the Nine-tails...
However, after encountering Tianzang, Kakashi Hatake felt that there might have been a problem with that data. Now Kakashi Hatake realized that the data wasn't the problem!
"Tianzang…"
Kakashi Hatake glanced over at Tianzang beside him.
"I can't possibly do it…"
Tianzang slowly shook his head and said in a deep voice, "This jutsu requires an enormous amount of Wood Release Chakra to initiate. My chakra is simply not enough to activate this jutsu…"
"..."
Kakashi Hatake silently nodded.
On the main platform of the spectators' stands.
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a hat, using it to conceal his expression as he observed the fearful looks on the faces of leaders from smaller ninja villages in other areas, and he nodded in secret satisfaction.
The primary purpose of this Chunin exam had been achieved.
The only trouble left now was to quickly sever Akihara Kagura from Shimura Danzo and have this young one accept the inheritance of the Will of Fire.
Otherwise…
An uncontrolled power…
Would still be too dangerous.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze focused on the figure stepping up onto the Wood Dragon, his expression gradually becoming serious; he could not let such powerful forces be influenced by Danzo.
As an old friend of Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen was well aware of Shimura Danzo's narrow-mindedness, knowing he could not control it, and it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong.
In a dark corner.
A mysterious masked man in a gray robe leaned against the wall, with the lower half of the Venus Flytrap Monster hidden beneath the ground, revealing only half of his body above.
"Quite a frightening child indeed…"
The half-black face of the Venus Flytrap Monster looked at the scene within the exam field and said eerily, "For this kid to have mastered Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, it's unimaginable that someone in this ninja world could reach this level by transplanting Hashirama's cells…"
"A useful pawn indeed."
The mysterious masked man nodded slowly and continued, "We can almost proceed with the plan to have this kid betray Konoha."
The mysterious masked man was indeed shocked upon seeing the Wood Dragon Jutsu but soon calmed down, as he did not fear this jutsu.
"Your seed is about to be killed, y'know…"
The half-white face of the Venus Flytrap Monster chuckled as it spoke, "Faced with a Wood Release jutsu of this magnitude, that little Uchiha Itachi stands no chance of winning…"
"It doesn't matter."
The mysterious masked man shook his head nonchalantly and continued, "If Uchiha Itachi dies, it might just make our plan proceed more smoothly…"
"Seems like he still wants to fight back…"
"Clearly, one strike from the opponent would end it all…"
In the exam field.
Within the dense forest.
Uchiha Itachi raised his head to look at the Wood Dragon above. He stepped hard on a tree trunk, raised his hand, and shot a shuriken that stuck tightly into a giant tree!
Uchiha Itachi glanced at his own palm, a wire was in his hand, and there was a wire wrapped around that shuriken as well. His body leaped up, swinging in a large arc, soaring towards the sky!
Clearly.
This young man still had not given up the fight!
In the air, Uchiha Itachi quickly formed hand seals, and using his airborne height, he exhaled a blaze towards the Wood Dragon's head!
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The rising young man was so fragile!
The Wood Dragon in the sky was so massive!
At this moment, it formed a breathtaking scene, and regardless of the exam's outcome, people could see the tragic magnificence of Uchiha Itachi!
"Futile resistance."
Akihara Kagura, controlling the Wood Dragon like a ruler, leisurely turned its head and collided with the oncoming fireball, reducing it to a fading spark.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi stopped on a huge tree, staring intently at the Wood Dragon above, cold sweat beading in his palms, a tension he had never before experienced.
"Farewell."
Akihara Kagura rode the Wood Dragon as it swooped downward!
The massive Wood Dragon charged towards Uchiha Itachi, unstoppable, as if to crush a small insect, and it seemed nothing could prevent this from happening!
"Nii-san!"
Young Sasuke nearly screamed!
"Itachi!"
Uchiha Mikoto nervously watched the exam field, her gaze involuntarily turning to her husband, as if hoping he would do something.
"..."
Uchiha Fugaku's eyes were blood red, with three black tomoe slowly rotating in his eye sockets before gradually fading.
Uchiha Fugaku quickly calmed down because he wasn't just Uchiha Itachi's father; he was also the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan.
"Hey, stop…"
Shiranui Genma couldn't help but shout.
As the proctor of the third round, when the examinees appeared to be in danger, he was obliged to intervene to prevent casualties…
But at this moment, facing such a powerful jutsu, he felt even sticking his head in wouldn't stop it, only hoping the proctor's order could make that kid cease the attack!
However…
The Wood Dragon only paused for a moment…
Then the massive Wood Dragon charged towards Uchiha Itachi again!
In the forest, countless giant trees were smashed to the ground, dust clouds quickly spread, obscuring the audience's view of the field!
The smoke eventually slowly dissipated.
The crowd looked on in shock at the scene within the exam field.
A gigantic verdant figure, holding a conical spiral sword, had pierced straight through the Wood Dragon's head, like a demon god slaying the dragon!