Nawaki suddenly manifesting Wood Release truly surprised Haseo, yet a brief analysis in his mind quickly clarified where this ability had originated.
That kind of power could never have been obtained by Nawaki on his own.
[Wood Release: Wooden Construct Technique]—Haseo certainly didn't intend to belittle the jutsu; in fact, it was an exceptionally powerful technique. The issue, however, was that not all "Wooden Construct Techniques" were created equal. The First Hokage's Wooden Construct could easily catch a fully matured Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball with one hand and withstand the direct explosion of another without trouble.
What about Nawaki? The current wooden construct looked flashy enough, but if his wood construct could really achieve the same feats, then Haseo would dare drink and take a piss while standing upside down on the Hokage Cliffs… Not that there was much need for such a curse—if Nawaki's Wood Release possessed such strength, then there'd be no need for any underhanded tricks; the Senju name would naturally reclaim its place at the center of Konoha.
Considering the time frame during which Nawaki had disappeared, a month wasn't particularly long or short. Yet Haseo would sooner believe someone could master Sage Art within that period than believe anyone could properly learn Wood Release Secret Arts in such a short span.
Haseo's figure dashed swiftly across rooftops of Konoha, and soon he reached the village's outskirts, halting atop the canopy of a tall tree. From this height, his gaze met levelly with Nawaki, who stood atop his wooden titan.
Nawaki stood his ground, calmly waiting for Haseo to arrive. So this was what it meant to carry oneself like a true master.
"Did you see? This is the power of the Senju."
Controlled by Nawaki, the wooden colossus didn't immediately launch an attack.
Haseo nodded slightly—what else could he do at this moment except acknowledge?
"Nawaki, from beginning to end I've taught you nothing. Still, let me tell you just one truth now—I've never been particularly fond of life as a ninja. But tell me, how can you possibly think that power gained hastily could surpass my experience, accumulated over twenty years of battlefield survival and countless brushes with death?
You're seriously underestimating what it means to be a ninja."
"You mentioned fairness earlier. But ninjas themselves are inherently unfair. As for your words, I'll refute them with just one sentence—I am a Senju."
"Since that's how it is, then this time, I'm changing tactics entirely."
Haseo knew exactly where his strengths lay, but Nawaki did not—and therefore couldn't even begin to measure the gap between himself and Haseo.
Methods for fighting such large yet superficial targets? Haseo had more than enough options. Yet this time, he chose to abandon the most efficient approach, instead opting for a straightforward, overwhelming assault—one that would crush his opponent entirely into the ground.
Long ago, Haseo had shown his talent as a masterful figurine artisan. Now, he was going to do it again—with just one change: this time, the figurine would be a little larger.
Facing the [Wooden Construct], Haseo began forming hand seals with both hands.
Nawaki didn't have the ability to interrupt Haseo's hand seals, but now he wasn't even trying to stop them… his meaning was clear—he was telling Haseo to bring it.
Haseo completed his first hand seal. The earth surged toward his feet like waves, and in an instant, an Earth Release statue of equal height to Nawaki's Wooden Construct rose beneath him.
"Earth Release: Uka no Mitama no Kami."
Facing Nawaki, Haseo deliberately announced the name of his technique.
Uka no Mitama no Kami—the deity of rice paddies, Inari the god of prosperity… yes, essentially the god of earth.
The earth god—also a clay god—which meant this was the "action figure god."
Of course, visually speaking, this Earth Release statue had to be a goddess… Haseo only sculpted beautiful girl action figures.
This Earth Release technique instantly made Nawaki wear an expression of contempt. He thought Haseo would pull out something truly Massive Trap, but this was all?
"What's the point of such a pathetic imitation? How can mere dirt compare to the Wood Release Secret Arts?"
Haseo merely shook his head and explained seriously, "I've always been good at two things: sculpting clay action figures, and Russian nesting dolls."
As he spoke, Haseo brought both hands together in front of his chest, and at the same time, the First's chakra within the pendant around his neck began to seep out—this time, he released every bit of the First's chakra to ensure a successful entry into Sage Mode.
Though it was an incredibly rare resource, the Hokage would certainly approve of the First using his own chakra to teach his grandson a lesson… especially since his grandson really was a useless brat, completely unworthy of the name.
A massive amount of natural energy gathered upon Haseo's body, and soon, the facial markings symbolizing "Sage Mode" appeared on his face.
"Next, Sage Art: Earth Release: Uka no Mitama no Kami."
Once Haseo started forming hand seals, his hands rarely ever stopped. The so-called "nesting doll" concept really was nothing more than literal layering—no technical finesse at all.
"Next, Sage Art: Earth Release: Uka no Mitama no Kami – Grand Heavenly Phenomenon."
In an instant, the Earth Release statue under Haseo's feet expanded to over one hundred meters tall. In sheer height alone, it had already become four or five times taller than Nawaki's Wooden Construct.
Comparatively speaking, the difference in overall size was even more absurd—an enormous giant versus a dwarf—but Haseo's nesting still wasn't finished yet.
[Sage Art: Earth Release: Tenson Seichū – Uka no Mitama no Kami: Shattered Reflection of Water and Moon – Grand Heavenly Phenomenon]
Amplified by Sage Techniques and Kinjutsu, Haseo's Earth Release statue now exuded a deep, iron-like texture, as tough and solid as steel—not some fragile pile of junk that could collapse with a single squeeze.
"I'm ready, Lord Nawaki.
Now you may justify yourself… Show me why the Senju deserve their legacy."
Haseo murmured softly, though from where he stood, Nawaki absolutely couldn't hear his voice.
A drizzle continued to fall, but the sky was beginning to brighten.
Atop the colossal statue where Haseo stood, morning light pierced through the clouds, casting golden rays across his silhouette. Yet Nawaki remained cloaked in shadow, still caught in the fading embrace of night.
Nawaki thought the Wooden Construct was the strongest thing around? Then let him witness something even bigger and truly broaden his horizons. Haseo calling Nawaki conceited and full of himself? Not even slightly off.
"Why… why is this happening?"
Why? The Senju were supposed to be the strongest, right? Now, no matter how hard he looked up, Haseo was nowhere in sight.
But who cared about his confusion now?
With a deafening rumble, the Earth Release statue lifted one massive leg and came crashing down on the Wooden Construct without hesitation.
The angle Nawaki was standing at gave him an unexpectedly lucky view—straight up the skirt of what looked like a cute doll figure. Yet at that moment, his only hope was that this Earth Release statue would burst like a balloon at the slightest touch.
"Come on!"
The Wooden Construct threw up its arms, bracing itself for the direct hit.
So...
*BOOM!*
A deafening explosion rang out, scattering birds from the forest. It sounded like the blow punched straight through the soil and slammed into the bedrock itself!
With the shockwave, the ground rippled like water, and surging waves of earth, uncaring for the dense forest roots anchoring the terrain, rushed outward in all directions.
[Rolling torrent] slammed into Konoha's outer wall, instantly bending it inward. Then, riding along the sloped surface of the collapsing wall, the debris shot skyward before gravity dragged it back down, pelting the entire village with a storm of dirt and debris.
Both gates at Konoha's main entrance were torn straight from their hinges, allowing soil to pour directly into the village streets, clogging the roads and completely sealing the front entrance shut.
Haseo's Earth Release statue slowly raised its leg once more.
Looking back at the Wooden Construct below, it was now utterly destroyed. Clearly, Nawaki's Wooden Construct didn't have a thousand arms—it only had two.
And then…
*BOOM!*
The second strike.
*BOOM!*
The third.
The ground shook repeatedly beneath them.
Judging by appearances, the Wooden Construct was already shattered beyond recognition.
But without a doubt, Haseo still felt it wasn't crushed enough.
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