"Is that... Wood Release?"
"And so massive?"
"Have the people from Konohagakure arrived?"
"Damn it, the Eight-Tails has appeared!"
The moment Kitagawa Minamoto unleashed his Wood Release, the Kumogakure ninjas, who had already mobilized due to the explosions across the village, immediately sensed something was wrong.
The majestic Raikage's office had collapsed in an instant, replaced by a towering tree that reached into the sky.
The surrounding streets were destroyed, transformed into a dense forest. All the Kumogakure ninjas were gripped by fear!
And with the emergence of the Eight-Tails, that fear only intensified, spiraling out of control. Everyone knew what this meant.
"Damn it, how did it come to this?"
Darui's usual laid-back demeanor was gone, replaced by shock and disbelief.
"Legendary Wood Release... What's going on here?"
"Damn it, the people from Konohagakure..."
Samui's expression was icy as her gaze shifted to Killer Bee.
"Sensei has been pushed to this point. How infuriating!"
"The people from Konohagakure must have launched a surprise attack on the high-level meeting. We need to stay calm now."
C, forcing himself to remain composed, knew that without calmness, they wouldn't be able to respond effectively.
"That battlefield isn't something we can handle. Our priority is to summon Yugito Nii immediately to assist Lord Killer Bee. And don't forget, the enemy isn't just one person..."
As he spoke, everyone's eyes turned toward the sky, where someone was still relentlessly bombing the village!
They exchanged glances, clearly understanding that they needed to bring down the person in the sky first.
"So big! Perfect for explosions, hmm!"
In the sky, Deidara looked at the massive Eight-Tails and the forest that had sprung up, showing no fear—only a hint of disappointment.
"What a pity, though. It wasn't done with my art. Tch."
"Wood Release is probably more effective against these Tailed Beasts than your so-called art, isn't it?"
Mei Terumi was also shocked by the scene before her, but she managed to maintain her composure.
"Be ready to support Kitagawa Minamoto at any moment. And don't forget to stay vigilant—battles involving Tailed Beasts are no joke."
Having experienced the events in Kirigakure, she hadn't forgotten how terrifying the Fourth Mizukage's Tailed Beast transformation was.
Every move from a Tailed Beast could drastically alter the battlefield!
Moreover, she noticed several beams of light rapidly heading their way.
"Watch out. We've been targeted as well."
"Tch, perfect!"
Deidara didn't seem to care. He noticed the crackling electricity heading their way and instead smiled.
"I've been itching for a good fight!"
Roar—
Deidara appeared somewhat maniacal, but the Eight-Tails below was equally frenzied.
Their situations, however, couldn't have been more different. Deidara's excitement was driven by thrill, while the Eight-Tails was gripped by fear.
"Wood Release? It's actually Wood Release?!"
"Don't worry, it's fine."
Killer Bee could sense the Eight-Tails' unease and tried to reassure it.
"We're in this together. No need to worry."
"No need to worry? You have no idea how terrifying Wood Release is!"
The Eight-Tails, unlike Killer Bee, had firsthand experience with the devastating power of Wood Release. Seeing the overwhelming display now, it was panicking.
"Who is this kid? Why does he give me such an intense sense of dread? What's going on with him?"
The Eight-Tails couldn't make sense of it. This feeling was even more overwhelming than when it encountered Hashirama Senju!
Especially this boy's Wood Release—it evoked a fear deep within its soul, as if it could be devoured at any moment.
"Bee, use the Tailed Beast Bomb! This guy is too dangerous!"
"No way! Using a Tailed Beast Bomb here would cause massive casualties!"
Hearing the Eight-Tails' suggestion, Killer Bee immediately shook his head. He couldn't even begin to imagine the destruction a Tailed Beast Bomb would cause in this situation.
"Are you two done talking?"
At that moment, Kitagawa Minamoto's voice rang out.
Standing on a branch that was slowly lifting him upward, he looked at the massive Eight-Tails with a smile.
"If you're done, then it's my turn. Although I must apologize—I'm not very skilled with Wood Release."
Minamoto raised one hand, and an intense surge of Chakra erupted from his body.
"But I can manage something."
Wood Release: Wood Human Technique!
As Chakra surged, the tree beneath Minamoto's feet began to twist and intertwine, growing rapidly and expanding in size.
In no time, a colossal wooden figure rose from the ground. Its immense size and the overwhelming Chakra it radiated sent chills down the Eight-Tails' spine.
"What... what is that?"
Not just the Eight-Tails, but all the Kumogakure ninjas watching were dumbfounded by the sudden appearance of the massive wooden figure.
Both the ferocious Eight-Tails and the towering wooden figure stood like mountains, dominating the battlefield.
The wooden figure's presence struck a deep fear in everyone's hearts, as they couldn't help but recall an ancient legend.
"The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, used Wood Release to bring peace to the warring era..."
"Could the stories be true?"
Their reactions were understandable. After all, exaggeration and embellishment often surrounded ancient tales.
But now, seeing this with their own eyes...
Boom—
There was no time for further thought. The wooden figure moved!
Its massive fist swung toward the Eight-Tails, and the resulting clash of Chakra sent shockwaves rippling outward.
The ground trembled violently as cracks spread in all directions under the force of the two colossal beings.
Although the Eight-Tails was caught off guard and took a direct hit, it quickly retaliated.
Its enormous tails swept toward the wooden figure, demolishing countless buildings in an instant!
However, the Eight-Tails' attack was quickly intercepted by the Wood Release, which ensnared its tails.
The Eight-Tails wasn't foolish, though. Its remaining tails lashed out ferociously toward Minamoto's position.
"Tch."
Minamoto clicked his tongue and shook his head. Unlike Susanoo, the Wood Human lacked protective barriers.
Still, he didn't mind. With a single-hand seal, his Chakra surged once more.
Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!
From the wooden figure's body, countless tree branches emerged, intertwining to form a massive wooden dragon.
The dragon coiled around the wooden figure, letting out a sharp roar that sent chills down everyone's spines.
The wooden dragon shot forward, aiming directly for the Eight-Tails' thrashing tails.
Boom—
The collision between the two was like a tidal wave crashing against a mountain, producing deafening booms.
Dust and debris filled the air, spreading outward in a suffocating cloud.
Buildings crumbled under the shockwaves, and the ground shook as if the earth itself was splitting apart.
"Run!"
Even the simplest physical clashes between the two giants were unbearable for the surrounding ninjas.
Covered in dust and debris, they scrambled to retreat, but the shockwaves were relentless.
Many were knocked over, some crushed by falling rubble, and others pierced by flying debris—meeting their end in confusion and chaos.
Roar—
Despite taking a hit from the Eight-Tails, the wooden dragon sustained little damage. Infused with Minamoto's Chakra, it quickly recovered.
In the next moment, it coiled around the Eight-Tails, tightening its grip and immobilizing the beast.
"Damn it, my Chakra..."
The Eight-Tails immediately realized something was wrong. Its Chakra was being drained at an alarming rate.
What shocked it even more was that the rate of absorption was even faster than when it faced Hashirama Senju!
"Not bad."
Minamoto had no idea what the Eight-Tails was thinking. His Wood Release, derived from the Divine Tree's essence, was something he himself felt unfamiliar with.
But having "seen" Hashirama's techniques, he had no trouble mimicking them!
"Well then..."
With the Eight-Tails ensnared by the wooden dragon, Minamoto wasted no time.
He raised his hand, and countless wooden spikes shot out. Simultaneously, the wooden figure raised its massive fist, preparing to strike the Eight-Tails' head!
The Eight-Tails struggled, but the wooden spikes pierced its body, eliciting a pained roar.
As the fist closed in, the Eight-Tails could already imagine the devastating impact it would suffer.
Buzz—
Just as the fist was about to land, a massive surge of Chakra erupted.
Minamoto turned to see a deep purple sphere with blue Chakra spots hurtling toward the wooden figure.
"Tch."
Minamoto raised an eyebrow but didn't halt the wooden figure's movements.
As the fist smashed into the Eight-Tails, a massive wooden wall rose to shield Minamoto.
Wood Release: Hobi Technique!
Boom—
The fist struck the Eight-Tails, sending its massive body flying like a cannonball.
Mountains crumbled under its impact, and the resulting shockwaves reverberated through the air.
Meanwhile, the Hobi Technique stood firm, blocking the incoming sphere.
Boom—
The explosion sent a mushroom cloud soaring into the sky, with visible shockwaves rippling outward.
Buildings collapsed in waves, and the ground cracked as the towering mountain that supported Kumogakure began to falter.
Clearly, the battle had pushed the mountain to its limits.
"Damn you! Die already!"
As the Tailed Beast Bomb's aftermath faded, an enraged roar echoed in Minamoto's ears.
A blue-flamed feline leaped into the air, its claws swiping toward the wooden figure.
Minamoto raised an eyebrow, immediately commanding the wooden figure to counter with a punch.
But the Two-Tails was surprisingly agile.
Dodging the wooden figure's attack, it moved like a phantom, lunging directly at it.
"Impressive."
Minamoto nodded lightly, but the wooden figure spun around, delivering another punch aimed at the Two-Tails!
Boom—
This time, the Two-Tails didn't dodge. Its claws clashed with the wooden figure's fist, producing a muffled boom.
Despite its ferocity, the Two-Tails couldn't overpower the wooden figure's raw strength.
After all, this was a force capable of standing toe-to-toe with Susanoo!
The impact sent the Two-Tails flying. It twisted mid-air, landing on all fours and leaving deep claw marks in the ground.
Its blazing blue flames burned even brighter, reflecting its rising fury.
Roar—
At that moment, the Eight-Tails, battered but unyielding, returned to the battlefield.
Its body was covered in wounds, but its eyes burned with rage.
"Don't look at me like that. It's as if you think you're innocent."
Seeing their expressions, Minamoto shook his head lightly.
"I've always been curious—why do you act like victims? Have you ever considered what it's like for the villages you've attacked and plundered?"
"Enough of your nonsense!"
The Two-Tails roared, interrupting him. Its Chakra surged wildly.
"You'll pay for the destruction you've caused today. Starting with you!"
"Today, you won't leave here alive."
The Eight-Tails joined in, its gaze fixed on the devastated village and the fires still burning everywhere.
Even though Kumogakure was vast and evacuations had been timely, nearly half the village lay in ruins.
Such destruction was unacceptable to anyone.
"You must pay the price for what you've done!"
"Is that so? I see now—you're truly masters of self-deception."
Minamoto sighed softly as his Chakra surged once more.
He wasn't skilled with Wood Release, but as he had said before, controlling it on a massive scale wasn't an issue.
"No wonder you sent your envoy to kidnap the Hyūga Clan's heiress, then framed Konohagakure to provoke a war when you failed."
"No wonder you brazenly stole others' Secret Techniques and Kekkei Genkai, acting as if it were your right. You're nothing more than thieves."
Minamoto clasped his hands together, his Chakra intensifying as the ground beneath them began to quake.
The suffocating pressure of his Chakra spread, and the earth suddenly cracked open.
"What is this?"
The Two-Tails and Eight-Tails both sensed danger, but Minamoto's voice rang out again.
"Are two Tailed Beasts your trump card?"
"Very well. Matatabi, Gyūki—you're both too strong. I must go all out."
Amid the violent tremors, all the Wood Release vines and tendrils began to converge.
As Chakra roared like thunder, a colossal Buddha with countless arms towering into the heavens slowly took form.
Sage Art: Wood Release—True Several Thousand Hands!
(End of Chapter)
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