Chapter 4: Wood Release - Birth of the Tree Realm!

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Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The pressure within the barrier continued to increase steadily.

Without this barrier, such an effect wouldn't have been achievable; it formed a perfectly sealed container.

The terrifying chakra directly displaced all the air around the pillars.

Crack!

Crack!

The sound of explosions continued, with hardly any intact tiles left on the floor, and dust scattered all around.

For a moment.

The entire venue was stunned.

Whether it was the Third Hokage and Orochimaru within the barrier, the four from Otogakure controlling the barrier, or the ANBU and other ninja standing outside.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Their attention completely drawn to the sudden turn of events within the barrier.

Is this the First Hokage?

An unbelievable thought sprouted in everyone's minds; their impression of the First Hokage was solely based on stories passed down and the statue in the Hokage Rock.

At the Chunin Exam venue.

Sasuke and the other genin looked up at the roof, their eyes filled with horror. The scene inside the barrier surpassed their understanding.

Kakashi stood in the audience stands.

He pushed up his forehead protector, revealing the blood-red Sharingan, and peered into the barrier.

"This..."

Through Kakashi's Sharingan, it was clear that the entire barrier space was filled with almost tangible chakra, the terrifying pressure making him break into a cold sweat even from outside the barrier.

Within the barrier.

Hashirama felt his body brimming with chakra.

While the quantity of this chakra was indeed substantial, his entire body felt like it was made of paper, devoid of any sense of reality.

This greatly diminished the quality of his chakra.

No warmth.

No breath.

This sensation was extremely uncomfortable!

Hashirama finally understood why, in anime, when Madara was brought back with Impure World Reincarnation, he looked so displeased, yet so excited when he tasted his own blood.

The meaning of life.

It's felt more keenly after death!

It's like how everyday life is mundane for those who are alive, but every day is precious for those with little time left.

Suddenly.

Hashirama's right foot twitched slightly.

Crack!

The tiles under his feet shattered.

Instantly suppressing the terrifying chakra, the pressure inside the barrier plummeted.

Clatter, clatter, clatter, clatter...

Debris rained down on the roof, colliding with the shattered tiles and bricks, creating a hailstorm-like sound.

"Phew~"

The Third Hokage and Orochimaru both breathed a sigh of relief simultaneously. Just now, they both felt like they were suffocating, their hearts on the verge of stopping.

Too powerful!

That terrifying pressure lasted only a few seconds, yet in their hearts, it felt like countless hours.

Long!

Powerless!

Unstoppable!

"This is a terrible warm-up."

Hashirama shook his head from side to side, his body devoid of any joint sounds, feeling extremely uncoordinated. There was a compactness, as if drenched paper was sticking all over him, which was very uncomfortable.

"..."

For a moment.

The entire venue fell silent.

Was this just a warm-up?

Orochimaru's mouth twitched, his narrow snake-like eyes now mere slits of astonishment.

This was really going downhill fast!

Orochimaru regretted; he now understood the significance of certain forbidden techniques, that one shouldn't easily summon uncontrollable entities.

The expression on the Third Hokage's face completely collapsed, staring blankly at Hashirama, with tears still lingering in his eyes.

This feeling of the backbone!

The Third Hokage particularly missed the era when the First Hokage dominated the ninja world, forcing various countries to sign that fragile peace agreement.

Today's Konoha.

It's different now!

The ANBU ninjas outside the barrier looked at Hashirama with changed expressions.

If before it was due to reputation, now it was about power.

"Come."

Hashirama spoke slowly, clasping his hands together, fingers intertwining to form hand seals.

Why this hand seal?

Even he didn't know.

It seemed innate.

"Wood Release - Birth of the Tree Realm!"

Hashirama's deep voice echoed throughout the entire barrier, and waves of immense, terrifying chakra flowed into the rubble beneath his feet.

Instantly.

Vines rapidly grew from the ground, densely covering every inch of the barrier.

The vines grew at an incredible speed!

Continuously lashing and entwining towards the Third Hokage and Orochimaru!

This was a full-on indiscriminate attack!

Or rather...

Both of them were enemies!

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Countless vines shot up from the ground, transforming into towering trees between lashes and entanglements.

This vibrant scene.

In the eyes of the Third Hokage and Orochimaru, it was filled with murderous intent everywhere.

"Ying~"

The little elf fluttered its wings, blinking its adorable big eyes, finding the plot even more interesting now.

Initially, it intended to bind a young lady for a grand adventure in the ninja world.

But now, it turned into following a max-level character for a walkover.

With things having come to this point.

Might as well enjoy the VIP front-row seat to the fullest!

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

The Third Hokage and Orochimaru swiftly maneuvered through the branches and vines, feeling quite uneasy now.

This was a situation neither of them had ever encountered.

It seemed like all the plants growing on the ground were alive, not only growing rapidly but also resilient and powerful, making them extremely difficult to deal with.

Hashirama stood still.

His hands remained in the interlocked position, continuously exerting the Birth of the Tree Realm jutsu, increasing its intensity.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Terrifying vines kept emerging from the ground, transforming the once spacious barrier area into a crowded space filled with robust vines.

After a moment.

The vines wrapped around the Third Hokage and Orochimaru, binding their hands and feet, completely immobilizing them.

Hashirama released his hands.

The growth of trees halted.

Taking a step forward.

He still felt slightly uncomfortable.

"The First Hokage is truly worthy of his name!"

Orochimaru was tightly bound; this time he had hit a snag, feeling particularly sour about it.

After planning to destroy Konoha for so long.

All his efforts went down the drain!

Suddenly.

Orochimaru opened his mouth, spitting out a snake, which then opened its mouth and spat out a sword.

The Kusanagi Sword.

Swish!

The sword's edge sliced through the vines.

Orochimaru broke free from the restraint, his feet landing on the ground, cautiously watching the First Hokage nearby.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

Simultaneously, the Third Hokage's voice resounded, and his summoning beast, Enma, appeared on the branches in front of him.

Enma stared blankly at the First Hokage on the ground nearby, then glanced at the bound Third Hokage.

"What's going on?" Enma's head was filled with question marks.

"I can't explain for now. Transform and release me first," the Third Hokage said solemnly.

"Alright!" Enma's body spun, transforming into the Kongōrikishi staff, directly breaking the vines binding the Third Hokage.

Thud.

Immediately after.

The Third Hokage, wielding the Kongōrikishi staff, landed on the ground, his eyes fixed on the First Hokage.

Hashirama stood silently.

Not far to his left was Orochimaru, and not far to his right was the Third Hokage.

"If I had more Hashirama cells, they wouldn't have broken my Wood Release jutsu so easily."

Hashirama pondered in his mind. Just a simple use of ninjutsu allowed him to gain a preliminary understanding of his body's condition.

"Both of you."

Hashirama glanced to his left at Orochimaru, then turned to the right to look at the Third Hokage.

"Now, let's talk business."

(End of Chapter)