Chapter 206

Though Hashirama Senju always hid behind his Wood Release, he remained vigilant against Kaito's assaults at every moment.

Although there was some time since their last battle, for Hashirama, it felt as if it had just occurred a moment ago.

However, such continuous battles weren't much to him. Remember the long-lasting battle he had with Uchiha Madara back in the day?

Moreover, now that he was reincarnated through the Impure World Reincarnation technique, he didn't need to worry about external factors like fatigue affecting him.

"This young man's strength is truly formidable. Even if he existed in our era, he would undoubtedly be top-tier.

Whether it's taijutsu or ninjutsu, his skill level is remarkably high, and the techniques he possesses are formidable.

Apart from a slight lack of experience, which might put him at a slight disadvantage, his learning and analytical abilities are impressive.

I don't know how much time has passed, but I can sense that in addition to a significant improvement in his physical prowess, his combat awareness has also enhanced."

Hashirama quickly analyzed the information about Kaito. However, when he assessed, he unconsciously saw Kaito through the lens of an elder observing a junior.

Moreover, as of now, the information he had on Kaito was quite scarce.

But it didn't really matter to him. Being reincarnated through the Impure World Reincarnation technique granted him a higher margin for error. And after all, he was Hashirama Senju.

If there was someone in this world most familiar with battling the Uchiha, it had to be him.

His younger brother's understanding of the Uchiha came through comprehensive research, while his understanding was forged through punches and kicks!

"And this youngster possesses both flight and space-time abilities. I need to be even more cautious!"

Hashirama pondered rapidly, and at the same time, his chakra began to surge wildly.

Suddenly, he swiftly raised his head to look towards the sky, sensing intense chakra fluctuations from above.

Unsurprisingly, Kaito remained hovering above, spewing vast black and white intertwined flames!

Such a Fire Release technique bypassed his defense zone, descending from the sky targeting his hiding spot.

"Great Fire Annihilation, huh? Truly a bad habit just like Madara's."

Hashirama sighed internally. He was all too familiar with such techniques.

Back in the day, Uchiha Madara unleashed countless Fire Release techniques against him, so many that he'd become familiar with most of them.

The Great Fire Annihilation was undoubtedly one of Madara's most formidable Fire Release techniques, and its power was not to be underestimated.

The best way to counter such a Fire Release was with Water Release, or a broad-scale Wood Release that could fend off the flames!

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

As Hashirama Senju brought his hands together in a seal, his unique and powerful chakra surged wildly.

Suddenly, the ground trembled. Plants imbued with Yang Release energy burst forth from the earth.

Boundless giant trees, vines, and tendrils grew rapidly, their vastness overshadowing everything like the sky pressing down.

"Boom!"

At that moment, Kaito's Great Fire Annihilation, resembling a falling meteorite, brutally struck the forest.

Normally, upon impact, flames meeting trees would quickly spread, forming a sea of fire, even instantly igniting an entire forest.

However, against Hashirama's Wood Release, Kaito's fierce flames were completely halted at the treetops.

But this time, Hashirama's Wood Release couldn't entirely evade being set ablaze.

Flaming wooden spikes shot straight towards the sky-bound Kaito.

Kaito lost sight of Hashirama amidst the scene; all he could see were the entwining vines, with no trace of a human figure.

"Hmph!"

With a cold snort, Kaito slashed with his ninja blade. Under the empowerment of his chakra, the blade revealed a blue gleam, severing the massive burning wooden spike before him.

As the wood splintered, new buds sprouted from the break.

In the blink of an eye, these buds grew astonishingly, transforming into thick wooden spikes once more, still rushing at Kaito.

And that wasn't all. As time passed, flaming wooden spikes emerged from all directions, besieging and attacking Kaito in a coordinated manner.

"How troublesome."

Kaito swiftly dealt with the wooden spikes, pondering how best to counter them.

The Deep Forest Emergence technique, which is akin to a devastating map-wide jutsu, really defies all logic. Seeing the crazily growing tall plants in the arena, Kaito couldn't help but shake his head in frustration.

Now he truly understood the helplessness Uchiha Madara must have felt back in the day. Being worn down without even seeing your opponent's face – he deeply related to that experience now.

"However, these continuously sprouting buds contain a not-so-high Yang Release. They might be annoying, but they are manageable."

Kaito's figure danced about, and the attacking vines were instantly shattered.

With a subtle manipulation of his chakra, his figure instantly transformed into a shadow, evading a new round of onslaught from all sides. The next moment, he spewed out a massive fireball, turning the pursuing huge vines into ashes.

His instantaneous response was almost perfect, but it seemed to be of no avail. In just a breath's time, even more plants crazily assaulted him.

Such a battle was making him slightly irritated, but he maintained his cool throughout.

After all, he had partially activated and restored a portion of the power belonging to Hashirama Senju. His perception was no joke.

He had been trying to pinpoint Hashirama's location, knowing that only by capturing him could Kaito launch a more aggressive ambush.

"Found you!"

Suddenly, Kaito's expression shifted slightly. In the next second, his chakra vibrated rapidly, and he disappeared from the spot.

Deep within the dense woods, Hashirama had been constantly on alert, keeping his senses trained on Kaito at all times.

When he distinctly felt Kaito's peculiar chakra movements, he knew that Kaito must have initiated some countermeasure.

The moment he sensed that eerie chakra surge nearby, he immediately leaped hard in another direction without hesitation.

"Boom!"

As expected, right when he made his move, Kaito, charged with roaring chakra, appeared right above where Hashirama had just been.

Kaito slashed fiercely, and the terrifying blade edge aimed mercilessly at Hashirama.

It was a space-time ninjutsu after all. Even though Hashirama had anticipated and reacted in advance, it was truly challenging to avoid completely.

When the blade slashed down ferociously, one of Hashirama's arms was cleanly severed.

However, since Kaito lacked the power of Yin-Yang Release, it wouldn't take long for Hashirama to recover from such an attack.

Hashirama Senju was clearly prepared. The moment Kaito appeared, terrifying tree vines lunged at him aggressively.

Here, there wasn't the constant harassment of Kaito's flames; these vines were filled with the power of Yang Release.

Each of those thick tree vines looked even more daunting. Being ensnared by them would surely lead to a grim outcome.

Not only would the entwined vines suffocate the victim, but they would also absorb Kaito's chakra.

Yet, facing such entanglement, Kaito didn't hide even a bit.

His eyes, both bearing the Mangekyou Sharingan, spun wildly, and a wickedly potent chakra radiated from within him. 

"The power my older brother possesses this time is stronger than before," commented Tobirama Senju, standing outside and looking at the dense forest formed by the Deep Forest Emergence technique. He nodded in silent acknowledgment.

By now, he himself had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. It was only natural that his older brother's power would further advance.

As for the extent of this increase, Tobirama had been pondering over it.

Perhaps it was reaching a level where one could control multiple Wood Dragons simultaneously or maybe even execute the Deep Forest Emergence technique? 

Regardless of the extent, it was still a vast difference from when Hashirama was at his peak.

And truly, using their current strength against Uchiha Kaito would be quite challenging.

Tobirama's sensory abilities weren't to be underestimated; he had keenly sensed the increase in the Yang Release within Kaito.

Yet he hadn't mentioned this, uncertain if his elder brother had felt it.

What was clear to him was that this fellow seemed to possess a terrifying natural energy similar to what Hashirama had at his peak!

He knew all too well what natural energy meant, having even researched his elder brother's abilities. 

He was fully aware of how fearsome such power was, considering it was the ultimate trump card of his elder brother.

Without such strength, his brother wouldn't have been able to deploy techniques like True Several Thousand Hands, or Buddha atop – techniques capable of world destruction!

Hashirama had worked hard to gain such power. Why did this young one possess it as well?

"How long has it been since you last summoned us?"

//

if you are interested, you can get early chapters on my p atreon, p atreon.com/softcrow

Vote with your Power Stones ⬇️