Chapter 111: The Present Me is No Longer the Past Me

Chapter 111: The Present Me is No Longer the Past Me

As Senju Tobirama's words fell.

Without any further ado, the battle officially began.

The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato moved simultaneously:

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

In an instant, countless shuriken shadow clones shot towards Hagoromo Gengetsu like a storm.

But that wasn't all. Senju Tobirama clapped his hands and followed up with:

"Ninja Art: Darkness Technique!"

A pitch-black curtain quickly enveloped Hagoromo Gengetsu's entire field of vision.

However, unlike the first battle at the Valley of the Fallen God, Hagoromo Gengetsu, now with the power of the Shinigami's arm and an unprecedentedly strengthened soul, easily ignored the Darkness Technique. His gaze remained clear as he looked at the flying shuriken shadow clones and calmly said:

"Lava Release: Rubber Shield!"

A rubber-like, highly elastic protective membrane swiftly enveloped him.

The first batch of shuriken shadow clones struck but couldn't penetrate the Rubber Shield.

However, the sheer number of shuriken shadow clones from the two Hokages was overwhelming.

Under the relentless assault of wave after wave of shuriken shadow clones, capable of slicing through Earth Release techniques, the Rubber Shield finally broke.

Several remaining shuriken shadow clones continued towards the now-exposed Hagoromo Gengetsu.

As Hagoromo Gengetsu intercepted each incoming shuriken shadow clone, Namikaze Minato's figure instantly appeared behind him. One hand grasped a sword hidden among the shuriken, while the other carried a Rasengan, striking Hagoromo Gengetsu's back with no chance for him to react.

"Flying Thunder God!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced calmly behind him.

In the next second, as the Rasengan hit, his entire body turned to earth and crumbled.

"Earth Clone?"

Namikaze Minato's eyes narrowed, and in less than a second, he vanished from the spot.

Bang!

Almost simultaneously, a hand shot up from the ground, but grasped nothing.

Their early attempt to take down one target failed.

Hagoromo Gengetsu nonchalantly rose from the ground, immediately looking at Namikaze Minato, who had returned to his original position, and praised:

"Compared to Senju Tobirama, Namikaze Minato, you should be called the fastest in the ninja world."

The speed of Namikaze Minato's reaction had impressed even him.

Faced with Hagoromo Gengetsu's recognition, Namikaze Minato, drawing a few more swords, simply shook his head calmly.

On the other hand, Senju Tobirama, seeing his genjutsu ineffective, didn't waste any more effort. Ending the Darkness Technique, he casually said:

"Fourth Hokage, your Flying Thunder God is indeed a bit faster than mine."

"I'm not worthy of such praise. I'm merely standing on the shoulders of the Second Hokage," Namikaze Minato humbly replied this time.

Hagoromo Gengetsu wasn't interested in hearing the two Hokages exchange compliments.

"The warm-up is over. Now, it's time to get serious."

Hagoromo Gengetsu clapped his hands:

"Lava Release: Lava River!"

Like a volcanic eruption, a massive river of high-temperature lava surged towards the four Hokages.

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"

Senju Tobirama stepped forward, pressing his hands forward. A tall water wall, which only he could create, surrounded the four of them, spinning rapidly to form an impenetrable defense.

Sizzle~~~

The Lava River collided violently with the Water Formation Wall.

A large amount of steam rose as the water vaporized.

Maintaining the Water Formation Wall, Senju Tobirama soon frowned.

"Hagoromo Gengetsu has improved again?"

Though his own power was significantly restricted in this state, in his judgment, his Water Release should have been able to hold out longer.

But now, seeing the Water Formation Wall thinning, Senju Tobirama suddenly realized that, unlike them who were resurrected and limited, Hagoromo Gengetsu, with his immense talent, had continuously been improving.

"If we can't this time..."

Senju Tobirama didn't waste any more chakra. Stepping back, the remaining force of the Lava River broke through the Water Formation Wall, swiftly closing in on the four Hokages.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

A massive earth wall, formed by Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand seals, rose rapidly, lifting him, Senju Tobirama, Namikaze Minato, and Senju Hashirama to a height of over ten meters.

The four of them watched the surging Lava River below and the cracking Earth Flow Wall.

A voice tinged with some emotion rang out:

"Ninja, after all, cannot escape the fate of battle."

With that, Senju Hashirama shook his head. Seeing the Earth Flow Wall completely melt away, he didn't hesitate any longer. The posture of the God of Shinobi finally emerged as he clapped his hands:

"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"

A majestic and long wood dragon rose, its lantern-like eyes glowing brightly. With a roar, it lunged directly at the Lava River.

As if bathing in a hot spring, the lava, which could melt solid rock, struck the wood dragon's body but didn't harm it. Composed of chakra, it instead absorbed the lava completely.

The Lava River soon disappeared.

The wood dragon raised its majestic head.

And atop the dragon's head, Senju Hashirama, with a familiar yet calm gaze, looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu. Though he had a thousand words to say, they ultimately condensed into two:

"Gengetsu."

It was as if time had returned to the days before this place was called the Valley of the Gods.

However, the current Hagoromo Gengetsu was no longer the past Hagoromo Gengetsu, and the current Senju Hashirama was also no longer the past Senju Hashirama.

"Let's go again!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu raised his hand, smiling invitingly.

Senju Hashirama resolutely stomped his foot.

Roar~~~

As if remembering the one who had tormented it before, the long wood dragon, with a resounding cry, charged mightily at Hagoromo Gengetsu.

The fierce wind from its approach stung as it whipped across his face.

Hagoromo Gengetsu, his long black hair blowing back, calmly watched it all.

"I'm different from before now."

Hagoromo Gengetsu extended his right hand.

"Medical Forbidden Technique: Cellular Activation!"

The muscles in his right arm swelled.

"Kekkei Genkai: Steel Release!"

Iron-like skin quickly spread.

"Chakra Precision Control: Monster Strength!"

Combining all three.

Facing the approaching wood dragon.

Hagoromo Gengetsu unflinchingly reached out and grabbed it.

Boom~~~

Dust flew.

The ground shook.

Fierce winds, as if tangible, swept out in all directions.

"How is it?"

Just having summoned the Adamantine Staff, Sarutobi Hiruzen squinted ahead.

In the next second, he saw the huge black shadow unmistakable even through thick smoke.

But the huge shadow, the wood dragon, didn't seem to be advancing.

Not only that, but as if encountering some severe trouble, its dignified roar ceased, and it even appeared to be struggling.

A few moments later, the thick dust settled.

Seeing it again, Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils contracted sharply, disbelief evident:

"How could it be???"