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As Tobirama's words fell, the battle commenced without further ado.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, and the Fourth Hokage, Minato, moved simultaneously:
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
In an instant, countless shuriken shadow clones shot towards Gensou like a torrential downpour.
It didn't end there. Tobirama clapped his hands and added:
"Ninjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!"
A shroud of impenetrable darkness swiftly enveloped Gensou, blinding his vision entirely.
However, unlike the first battle in the Valley of End, Gensou, now fortified with the Death God's arm and a greatly enhanced soul, simply shrugged off the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique. His vision remained clear as he calmly faced the barrage of shuriken shadow clones.
"Lava Release: Protective Gum!" (Hahaha, Condom no Jutsu~)
A rubber-like, highly elastic protective membrane quickly encased Gensou. The first wave of shuriken shadow clones struck, unable to penetrate the Protective Gum.
Yet, the sheer number of shuriken shadow clones launched by the two Hokage proved overwhelming. With one wave after another of these deadly projectiles, the Protective Gum eventually gave way.
Still, a considerable number of shuriken shadow clones pressed forward, targeting the now-exposed Gensou.
Just as Gensou began intercepting the incoming shuriken shadow clones, Minato appeared behind him in a flash, one hand gripping the Hiraishin kunai concealed among the shuriken, the other hand holding a Rasengan aimed directly at Gensou's back, giving no time to react.
"Flying Thunder God…"
Gensou glanced calmly over his shoulder.
In the next moment, struck by the Rasengan, his entire form crumbled into dirt, falling to the ground.
"A Mud Clone?"
Minato's eyes narrowed, and in less than a breath, he vanished from his spot.
Bam!
Almost simultaneously, a hand shot up from the ground but grasped at nothing.
Gensou emerged from the ground, having missed his chance to eliminate one early target, but he remained unfazed. His eyes immediately tracked Minato, who had returned to his original position.
"You, Minato, should be known as the fastest shinobi," Gensou acknowledged.
Even Gensou had to admit he was impressed by Minato's reaction speed.
In response to the recognition, Minato, clutching several more Hiraishin kunai, merely shook his head calmly.
But it was Tobirama who, ending the ineffective illusion and dismissing the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique, spoke:
"Fourth, your Flying Thunder God is indeed faster than mine."
"I am merely standing on the shoulders of the Second," Minato replied humbly.
Gensou, uninterested in their modest exchange, clapped his hands:
"The warm-up is over. It's time to get serious."
"Lava Release: Lava River!"
Like a volcanic eruption, a massive river of molten lava surged towards the four Hokage.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Tobirama stepped forward, pressing his hands together. A towering wall of water surrounded the four Hokage, spinning rapidly to form an impenetrable barrier.
Sizzle…
The lava river collided violently with the Water Formation Wall, generating a massive cloud of steam.
Maintaining the Water Formation Wall, Tobirama soon frowned.
"Has Gensou grown even stronger?"
Though his current strength was significantly limited, Tobirama judged that his Water Release should have held longer. However, seeing the Water Formation Wall thinning rapidly, he realized that unlike them, Gensou, reborn and gifted with immense talent, had continued to grow stronger.
"If we still can't…"
Recognizing the futility of prolonging the Water Formation Wall, Tobirama withdrew, allowing the lava river to break through and surge towards the Hokage.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
At Hiruzen's command, a massive earth wall shot up from the ground, lifting him, Tobirama, Minato, and Hashirama several meters high.
The four looked down at the oncoming lava river and the cracking Earth-Style Wall.
A nostalgic voice spoke:
"Ninja cannot escape the fate of battle."
Hashirama shook his head, and as the Earth-Style Wall finally crumbled, he clapped his hands:
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu!"
A majestic, towering wood dragon rose, its lantern-like eyes glowing brightly. With a mighty roar, it lunged at the lava river.
The lava, capable of melting rock, did nothing to the wood dragon; instead, the chakra constituting the lava was absorbed completely.
The lava river quickly vanished.
The wood dragon raised its majestic head, and atop it stood the familiar figure of Hashirama, who gazed calmly at Gensou with countless words, finally distilled into two:
"Gensou."
It felt as though time had transported them back to that place, now known as the Valley of End. However, Gensou was no longer the Gensou of old, and Hashirama was no longer the Hashirama of the past.
"Again!"
Gensou gestured invitingly with a smile.
Hashirama firmly stomped his foot.
With a resounding roar, the wood dragon, seemingly remembering the one who had once tormented it, charged at Gensou with immense force.
The fierce winds stung as they rushed forward.
Gensou, his hair blown back, watched it all calmly.
"I am no longer who I once was."
Gensou extended his right hand.
"Forbidden Medical Ninjutsu: Cell Activation!"
His right arm's muscles swelled.
"Steel Release: Steel Skin!"
An iron-like sheen spread across his skin.
"Chakra Precision Control: Monster Strength!"
Combining all three techniques, Gensou faced the incoming wood dragon head-on, reaching out to grasp it.
Boom!
Dust and debris flew, the ground quaked, and the powerful winds roared outward.
"What happened?"
Hiruzen, who had just summoned his Adamantine Staff, squinted forward.
The next moment, he saw the enormous shadow of the wood dragon, barely obscured by the dust cloud. But the wood dragon seemed to have stopped advancing. Moreover, it appeared to struggle, its once mighty roar now subdued.
Seconds later, the thick dust settled, revealing a sight that made Hiruzen's eyes widen in disbelief.
"How is this possible?"
(End of Chapter)