The allure of the forbidden Earth Grudge Fear and even the Sharingan was undeniable… but Ryoma would never stoop to something so cowardly as abandoning his comrades.
The sea roared, pillars of water threatening to shatter the bridge. Without hesitation, Ryoma's hands blurred through seals.
"Wood Release: Tree World's Eternal Burial!"
Normally, this jutsu summoned vine-like saplings to entangle an enemy before growing into massive trees, crushing them under their weight. But Ryoma twisted its use—thick roots and trunks erupted from the wooden beams of the bridge itself, wrapping tightly around the structure until it was stabilized against the raging waves.
Rin, Mebuki, and Mikoto gasped as the trees grew tall, bracing the bridge with living strength. Their eyes shone with awe.
Sensei is so strong…
So handsome…
Even the others, shaken and pale moments ago, felt their hearts calm in Ryoma's presence. For the first time, they felt safe.
High above, the Third Mizukage watched silently, his eyes narrowing.
"Impossible… to use such powerful Wood Release in an environment with no soil? Could this boy truly be the First Hokage reborn?"
He remembered the First Five Kage Summit, standing as a guard behind the Mizukage of his youth. He had seen Hashirama Senju with his own eyes. Now, looking at Ryoma, the boy's figure overlapped with that memory.
Unease gnawed at the Mizukage's chest. But then his gaze shifted to the black-and-white figure that appeared beside him.
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu—together.
With their presence, his confidence returned. So it truly is Uchiha's scheme. As long as this child exists, Konoha will collapse into chaos.
Ryoma met Zetsu's gaze coldly. So… it's begun.
"You all go ahead. I'll hold them off," Ryoma said calmly.
Mikoto's eyes widened.
"Ryoma-kun! You mustn't! Take the children and go!"
Mebuki added, her voice trembling,
"Lord Ryoma, you're the most important. Let us stay behind instead!"
Before they could protest further, the sea erupted. Dozens of water columns twisted into serpentine forms, surging forward with crushing force.
"Water Release: Multiple Water Dragon Jutsu!"
The Mizukage's voice carried over the crashing waves. Each dragon was massive, its roar blending with the sea.
Mebuki, who had just sworn to sacrifice herself, froze in horror.
"—!"
The impact thundered against the bridge. But in a flash, Ryoma's palms struck the ground.
"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!"
A wall of interwoven pillars shot up, bracing against the dragons. The collision shook the entire bridge, waves soaking everyone to the skin.
When the spray cleared, Ryoma stood tall.
"Any of you staying behind would be meaningless. You'd die for nothing. Leave this to me—I'll be fine. If I fight seriously, I may hurt you by mistake."
Before they could argue, Ryoma's Shadow Clone appeared, ushering the group away.
"Go!"
"Ryoma—you must come back!" Mikoto cried, her voice breaking as she fled with the clone.
The Mizukage sneered.
"None of you are leaving alive!"
But in a blur, Ryoma's true body appeared right before him.
"Your opponent is me!"
The Mizukage's eyes widened—before he was blasted backwards, sent skidding across the bridge.
On the far side of the bridge, the ground writhed.
Countless White Zetsu emerged, swarming like an endless tide. Thousands upon thousands poured forth, surrounding the bridge on both ends.
Everyone froze in terror.
Rin clutched Ryoma's leg, sobbing. Even the seasoned kunoichi went pale.
Ryoma's own heart sank. How many White Zetsu are here?
But his voice stayed steady.
"Move! I'll clear the way!"
His hands flew into seals.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
"Wood Release: Tree World's Eternal Burial!"
From the bridge, titanic wooden dragons burst forth, tearing through ranks of White Zetsu. Gigantic roots snaked outward, crushing, binding, and burying them under trees until the way ahead was cleared.
"You go on! Leave this to me."
Rin shook her head desperately, tears streaking down her face.
"Sensei! Come with us! Please!"
The Sharingan-eyed boy had already sunk into the sand.
Even Kakashi urged, "Sensei, let's go together—we can still escape!"
Little Mei Terumī clutched Ryoma's sleeve, her young eyes filled with fear.
Uchiha Mikoto was about to speak, but Ryoma cut her off.
"Mikoto, Mebuki, I'll leave the others to you!"
His shadow clone's hands blurred through a storm of seals.
"Wood Release—Tree World Arrival!"
At his command, the very ground beneath the bridge split apart with a thunderous crack.
Boom!
The earth shook violently as colossal trees erupted from below, tearing apart the foundation of the steel bridge.
With a roar like mountains collapsing, half the massive structure plunged into the sea.
In mere seconds, the cliffside split open, the bridge shattered, and the landscape itself was reshaped.
White Zetsu swarms spilled into the ocean, their screeches swallowed by the waves. Those stationed on the far end could only watch helplessly as the opposite cliffside transformed into a vast forest of towering trees and blooming monstrous flowers.
...
Konoha – Uzumaki Courtyard
"Four Symbols Seal!"
Kushina pressed her palms to the belly of a rotund pink boar. Sealing marks spiraled across its body, glowing faintly.
"It worked! Grandma Mito!"
Uzumaki Mito nodded, her expression calm yet proud.
"Good. Next, undo the Four Symbols Seal from the great dolphin and try again."
The pink boar was no ordinary animal—it was a domesticated summoning beast used by the Uzumaki clan for beginners to practice seals. Its thick skin made it durable, hard to injure even under failed attempts.
Nearby, the great dolphin spirit watched with mild impatience, its smaller companion—the guinea dolphin—snuffling curiously. Both had long accompanied Tsunade and Shizune as guardians and helpers.
"Big Dolphin, let's go again!"
Kushina's eyes sparkled with excitement. She had finally succeeded in performing the Four Symbols Seal. Soon, she would master the entire sealing arts of the Uzumaki clan. At least in sealing techniques, she could surpass even Ryoma!
And Grandma Mito had said something else—once she mastered the clan's sealing jutsu, she would be ready for marriage…
Her smile softened. The thought of it warmed her chest.
When this mission ended, she would prepare for that day.
"Ryoma… please, be safe. Come back to me quickly."
...
TN:
🦊 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (+30 Chaps)