Chapter 4: Serious Matters
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
The pressure inside the barrier continued to rise.
It wouldn't have had as much effect without this barrier and effectively forming a sealed container.
The terrifying chakra pushed all the air away from around Hashirama.
Crack!
Crack!
The sounds of explosions continued, and almost no intact tiles were left on the ground, and dust swirled around.
The entire scene was in shock.
The Third Hokage and Orochimaru were inside the barrier, the Four Otogakure shinobi controlled the barrier, and the Anbu and other shinobi were outside.
Everyone was stunned.
They were all captivated by the sudden disruption inside the barrier.
Is this the First Hokage?
An incredible thought appeared in everyone's mind.
Their impression of the First Hokage had always been based on stories passed down and the statues on 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 had surpassed their understanding.
Kakashi stood in the stands of the venue.
He pushed aside his forehead protector, revealing his red three-tomoe Sharingan, and looked towards the barrier.
"This…"
Through Sharingan, he could clearly see that the entire space within the barrier was filled with nearly tangible chakra.
The terrifying pressure made him sweat even from behind the barrier.
...
Inside the barrier.
Hashirama felt the chakra surging throughout his body.
The amount of chakra was certainly present, but his entire body felt as if it were made of paper, lacking any real sense of substance.
This greatly diminished the quality of the chakra.
There's no warmth or breathing, and the sensation is extremely uncomfortable!
Hashirama finally understood why Madara in the anime appeared so displeased when he was first resurrected with Edo Tensei and why he was so thrilled when he tasted his own blood again.
The meaning of life.
It is only after death that it becomes more vividly felt!
It's like how the living experience each day as routine, but for those who are nearing the end, each day becomes especially precious.
Hashirama's right foot slightly moved.
Crack!
The tiles beneath his feet shattered.
The pressure within the barrier drastically decreased when he retracted his terrifying chakra.
Clatter clatter clatter clatter…
There is debris rained down onto the roof, creating a sound like hail as it collided with the broken ground.
"Phew~"
The Third Hokage and Orochimaru both exhaled in relief.
They had both felt as though they were suffocating moments ago, their hearts almost stopping.
It was overwhelming!
That terrifying pressure lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity to them.
"This terrible warm-up."
Hashirama shook his head from side to side, creating an incredibly uncomfortable sensation.
"..."
The entire scene fell silent.
Orochimaru's mouth twitched, his narrow snake-like eyes widened into slits of shock.
This is truly a disaster!
Orochimaru felt regret in his heart, clearly understanding the implications of forbidden jutsu.
Sarutobi's expression completely collapsed, staring blankly at Hashirama with tears still in his eyes.
This is the sense of a pillar!
He deeply missed the era when the First Hokage dominated the ninja world and forced all nations to sign that fragile peace treaty.
The current Konoha.
It is different now!
The expressions of the Anbu ninjas outside the barrier changed when they looked at Hashirama.
"Come on."
Hashirama slowly spoke, bringing his hands together and interlocking his fingers to form a hand seal.
Why this hand seal? Even he himself does not know.
It feels almost innate.
"Mokuton: Deep Forest Bloom!"
Hashirama's deep voice resonated throughout the barrier, and a torrent of terrifying chakra flowed from his feet into the debris below.
In an instant, vines sprung up from the ground and quickly covered the whole barrier.
The vines grew at an astonishing speed!
They constantly whipping and entangling towards the Third Hokage and Orochimaru!
This attack was indiscriminate!
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
A huge number of vines grew out of the ground and wrapped around and whipped around tall trees.
This vibrant scene.
The eyes of the Third Hokage and Orochimaru were filled with murderous intent.
"Puck"
Puck flapped her wings and looked on with her adorable big eyes, finding the unfolding script increasingly interesting.
Originally, she planned to bind a young lady for a grand adventure in the ninja world.
Nevertheless, it has become just enjoying the victory while following a max-level character.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
The Third Hokage and Orochimaru moved quickly, dodging and maneuvering through the vines and branches.
They were feeling quite uneasy.
This was an unusual situation for anyone.
It was as if the plants growing on the ground were alive, growing at an incredible speed, and being extremely tough to deal with.
Hashirama stood there, and his hands remained in the position of interlocking fingers, continuously using and increasing the intensity of the jutsu.
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
The once open barrier turned into a crowded area full of terrifying plants as they kept growing out of the ground.
A few moments later.
The vines had completely bound the Third Hokage and Orochimaru, restraining their hands and feet, thoroughly entangling them.
Hashirama separated his hands, and the trees stopped growing.
He took a step forward.
"Just as expected of the First Hokage!"
Orochimaru was tightly bound, feeling thoroughly frustrated, and the carefully planned destruction of Konoha had failed miserably.
He suddenly opened his mouth, releasing a snake, which then opened its mouth to reveal a sword.
The Kusanagi Sword.
Swish!
The blade sliced through the vines.
Orochimaru freed himself from the bindings and landed on the ground, carefully observing the First Hokage standing a short distance away.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
At the same time, Sarutobi's voice was heard, and the Summoning Beast, Enma, appeared on the branches in front of him.
Enma stared at Sarutobi on the ground nearby, then turned to look at the bound Third Hokage.
"What's going on?"
Enma's thoughts were filled with question marks.
"I can't explain it at the moment. Just transform and release me."
Sarutobi said in a deep voice.
"Understood!"
Enma transformed into the King Kong staff and directly cut through the vines restraining the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage landed on the ground with the King Kong stick in his hand and looked at the First Hokage.
Hashirama stood quietly.
The Third Hokage was to his right, and Orochimaru was to his left.
'If I had more of the Hashirama cells, they wouldn't have been able to break through my Birth of the Trees so easily.'
Hashirama thought to himself.
"Gentlemen."
Hashirama glanced at Orochimaru on the left and the Third Hokage on the right.
"It's time for us to discuss serious matters."