AN: Sorry for the delay guys, been a bit busy the past few days, but here is your long awaited bonus chapter. Hopefully it makes up for the delay!
All the wood clones created large wooden dragons. Interestingly, 5 were long eastern dragons just like Hashirama's, but another 5 were more
All the dragons flew out into the ranks of the Iwa shinobi like unstoppable forces. The Eastern dragons slipped through draining the chakra of anyone it caught and crushing them beneath its long body. But the Western dragons did not have the same ability, instead they were larger and more destructive using their claws and wings like beasts to deal as much damage as possible.
By this point Katsuro was thoroughly gassed, and only regained a small amount of chakra (relative to him) as his wood clones were dismissed. He watched on like a proud father as his dragons killed hundreds. Eventually they were dealt with, suffering enough damage that they collapsed. The bigger western dragons were wider targets and were causing the most destruction, hence were targeted first. One was obliterated by Onoki's Atomic Dismantling Jutsu, as the other was burned by a sluggish and injured Roshi. The Eastern dragons were more slippery, but through their chakra suppressing effect, weakened Iwa shinobi for the Western Dragons and themselves to rip apart. But as the heads were destroyed, they lost the ability and those caught up within them were able to use their chakra once more.
But by then the damage was done, Katsuro was able to retreat comfortably not even using the Flying Raijin or any enhancements. His natural speed was more than enough with the distance and distraction he had created to leave comfortable. Even when some Iwa Shinobi tried to escape through the wooden obstacles to chase him, the dragons with minds of their own blocked them as much as they could.
As he disappeared, it was obvious Iwa had failed spectacularly. They had allowed Kumo to retreat in favour of dealing with the bigger threat, but Konoha had escaped, and even their largest target, Katsuro, was leaving without even a scratch on him.
—
"LORD KATSURO!" Shinobi yelled in joy, seeing their leader arrive not too long after they had arrived at the now overcrowded base. He was fatigued visibly, and out of chakra looking somewhat vulnerable for the first time for many.
The smile on the Senju Patriarch's face and then him raising his arm, indicating the victory that was so desperately needed. A victory that was grasped from the jaws of defeat right when things seemed they would go desperately wrong. When plainly looking at the numbers and what happened, most would struggle to call it a victory, especially as they retreated. At most a draw, Konoha had suffered many deaths afterall, a total numbering over 1500. But you could not tell that from their reaction and atmosphere. It seemed all but assured that those deaths would be honored.
Kakashi, Minato, Kaito, Orochimaru and the Hyuga brothers approached him, with the rest of the Leaf shinobi hurriedly following behind them.
"Are you alright?" Kakashi asked, raising an eyebrow, slightly concerned about his teacher.
"Of course I'm alright, Kakashi!" Katsuro replied, cheerful, "Just a little tired."
"Lord Katsuro!!!" From behind the group, a loud, crying, joyous Might Duy, along with his son, appeared, wiping away his tears.
"I'm so very glad you're okay! Then again, I knew a shinobi like yourself would prevail in such a situation! Your youth is simply astounding, even for me!"
Katsuro laughed, "There, there, Duy, thank you! Honestly, I didn't think I'd have to use a Jutsu like that any time soon! But it seemed like I couldn't afford to be too careless."
"How did you even learn Wood Style, Lord Katsuro?" a small Uchiha boy asked. It was Uchiha Shisui. Even at such a young age, he, like Kakashi, was ranked as one of the promising ninja in the Leaf, even amongst the Uchiha. Normally a young Uchiha like him wouldn't be able to get so close and question a figure like Katsuro, but recent experiences put him in a unique group of people.
"I trained, young Shisui, just as you do, and should continue to do, but I will not deny that there is some luck involved as well," Katsuro replied, smiling, before turning his attention to the high ranking Shinobi present.
"Well, now it seems like we have the clear advantage," Orochimaru stated.
"Orochimaru is right. We do, but that doesn't mean the battle's over. I suspect there won't be another significant fight for a few days." Katsuro nodded.
"That means they'll be planning something big, both the Stone and the Cloud." Hiashi declared.
"That's right." Katsuro agreed, "They might decide to invest fully here, using every resource they can, and might even ally with each other if they think it is necessary." Katsuro said it somewhat seriously, and those high calibre shinobi took it as such. With their experience, they knew that even something that was so improbable before, may be likely now. The Stone and Cloud allying seemed like an impossibility given their feud, but recent events changed things. It forced the joy of what looked like certain victory to be subdued for a healthy amount of wariness. Regardless, let's head back to our camp for now."
—
News of the reveal of Katsuro's use of Wood Style spread across the world like a wildfire. Such a thing was given priority by almost everyone in the world, it wasn't just typical news, not it marked the second coming of a God of Shinobi. All Shinobi were shocked, fearful and even inspired by the Stormbreaker's achievement, which clearly outshone the rest. If the rumours that Senju Katsuro wasn't the strongest Shinobi alive weren't true before, they certainly were now.
Each battle front had also received the news, as well as the rest of the nations.
At the Suna front…
"WOOD STYLE?!" Tsunade exclaimed, dropping a box of supplies. She couldn't believe what her husband had achieved.
"That's right, I couldn't believe it myself when I first heard!" Sakumo grinned, brimming with pride, "The same as your grandfather, the God of Shinobi."
"Katsuro, I can't believe it!" Tsunade was overwhelmed with joy, but then a flash of anger as she thought of something, "You idiot, why did you keep it from me?!"
At the Iwa front …
"HE'S - HE'S USED WOOD STYLE?!" Hiruzen stammered.
How!? How could that be possible? The only Shinobi, even amongst the Senju, to use Wood Style was the First Hokage - not even Sensei could use it! And you're telling me he can? Just how long has he had it for?? Was Danzo right, should I have been more cold to prevent this? - No, there's no point thinking about the past now…
Hiruzen paused his thoughts for a moment, his blood running cold.
When we battled… if he had chosen to use Wood Style there, I'd be a dead man, through and through.
But even still, I can hardly believe it.
The genius of Sensei, combined with the raw talent of the God of Shinobi.
Could Senju Katsuro really become the strongest Shinobi ever?
"WOAH!" Jiraiya exclaimed. That's Katsuro for you. But Wood Style's insane, even for him!
Others present seemed to share his reaction and thoughts, including Fugaku, who, as the leader of the Uchiha, tried not to show any reaction - but even he couldn't help but let out a small smile. They were friends, after all. Even if some of his clans insisted they were rivals, even enemies.
"It seems like Lord Katsuro has Kumo, and now Iwa as well, under control. Last we heard was that Iwagakure suddenly appeared with a huge army, but he's somehow turned the tables yet again," Shikaku smiled, before continuing in a more serious tone.
"But it's not all good news, Onoki too will have felt his power, and may take drastic measures."
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