Akira's arm was wrapped tightly by the vine, and at the same time, he could feel his chakra slowly being drained through it. He knew well that Hashirama's Wood Release not only allowed him to attack and control but also absorb his opponent's chakra. For instance, once a large-scale Deep Forest Emergence technique was used, not only would it trap you in a forest surrounded by enemies, but it would also continuously sap your chakra, leaving you in a weakening state.
The Uchiha clan's strength, on the other hand, primarily relied on the Sharingan, rather than raw chakra.
Perhaps that's why Madara Uchiha was always outmatched by Hashirama Senju.
Strong as he was, Hashirama's power was no less than his. Especially when chakra was being drained during a fight.
Even if Madara had borrowed the power of the Nine-Tails and used his Susano'o in combination, he still couldn't win.
The truth is, once faced with the onslaught of the True Several Thousand Hands, there was nothing he could do.
That being said, a single vine was not nearly enough to restrain Akira.
Bursting with chakra, Akira swung his arm with force, snapping the vine instantly!
He quickly formed hand signs and unleashed a blast toward Hashirama's direction.
Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!
A huge burst of flame shot from Akira's mouth, covering the area.
However, Hashirama was more than familiar with Fire Style techniques and knew exactly how to counter them.
With a clap of his hands, several more vines appeared, rushing toward Akira's position.
Fire should naturally overpower Wood Style. After all, wood burns.
But Hashirama's Wood Release, fueled by his nearly limitless chakra, completely ignored the natural weakness of wood to fire.
The vines weaved and twisted, like the claws of an ancient monster, reaching out to capture Akira.
Akira, using his Body Flicker Technique, dodged quickly, weaving and maneuvering through the overwhelming number of vines that seemed to chase him relentlessly.
The vines were incredibly strong and flexible, and the worst part was that it was impossible to tell where they would pop up next. It felt like enemies were surrounding him from all sides, leaving him constantly on the run.
"As expected of the First Hokage... and this is only a fraction of his power, and it's already this terrifying!"
Watching Akira being forced to flee and unable to fight back, Orochimaru couldn't help but marvel silently.
After running around for several minutes, Akira unknowingly moved closer to Hashirama.
"Are you trying to attack me directly? It won't be that easy!"
Seeing Akira close in, Hashirama smirked to himself.
With another movement, more vines reached out toward Akira.
But at that moment, Akira's face curved into a sly smile.
"What is he up to...?"
Seeing that Akira had been cornered with no room to counterattack, yet still wore that smug grin, caused a flicker of unease in Hashirama's mind.
But he couldn't figure out why he felt this way.
It didn't take long for Hashirama to understand, though.
Why? Because suddenly, a set of vines shot up and wrapped tightly around him!
"What is this?!"
Hashirama was stunned to find himself ensnared by Wood Release.
Not only was he surprised, but even Orochimaru, who was watching from a distance, was left speechless.
What was happening? The vines had been Hashirama's Wood Release, attacking Akira.
So why were they now binding the First Hokage?
What was going on? Had Hashirama accidentally trapped himself with his own jutsu?
It was as absurd as Orochimaru's snakes turning on him and biting him! It simply didn't make sense!
"This... this is your Wood Release?"
Despite Orochimaru's shock, Hashirama quickly realized that these vines weren't his own.
If they weren't his, then that could only mean they were Akira's.
Hashirama's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Akira, his face showing his astonishment.
During their battle, Akira had secretly used his own Wood Release to catch Hashirama off guard—a tactic almost impossible to anticipate.
"I never said I couldn't use Wood Release," Akira said with a grin.
With a wave of Akira's hand, the vines binding Hashirama began to tighten, like a snake coiling around its prey.
"I can't believe it... Akira's Wood Release has awakened, and he's already developed it to this level?" Orochimaru muttered in disbelief, staring at Akira in shock.
From his research on Akira's blood cells, Orochimaru had long suspected that Akira might have inherited Hashirama's Wood Release abilities due to how perfectly the cells had merged.
Now, his suspicions were confirmed.
Akira's body had almost fully fused with Hashirama's cells, allowing him to awaken the Wood Release kekkei genkai. Not only that, but he had developed it to this advanced level.
It was truly an incredible feat.
For the longest time, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju were regarded as legendary figures, the ones who subdued the chaos of the Warring States era and ushered in the system of villages.
At that time, even though there were five great nations, the truth was...
Even the combination of the other four ninja villages couldn't stand against both Madara and Hashirama.
But now? The power of the Sharingan and the power of Wood Release were perfectly fused within one person.
More than that, Akira had already become famous throughout the ninja world seven years ago, after cutting off the Third Tsuchikage's leg.
If word got out that he also possessed the power of Wood Release, it would undoubtedly shake the entire ninja world!
Crack!
While Orochimaru was still in shock, Hashirama, despite his surprise at Akira's Wood Release, reacted quickly.
Using Wood Release against the very person who dominated the world with that power? This was like trying to show off a sword in front of a master swordsman!
With a clap of his hands, Hashirama shouted, "Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Suddenly, the ground within a kilometer radius split open.
Countless trees erupted from the earth, growing from saplings to towering giants within seconds, as if centuries of growth had occurred in an instant.
Within this area, all Akira could see were trees, and each one of them seemed like an enemy, reaching out to ensnare him.
This was the terrifying power of Deep Forest Emergence!
Inside this forest, everything around you was an enemy. Even if you were powerful enough to destroy the trees...
Could you do it fast enough to keep up with their rapid growth?
Orochimaru's shadow clones, who were maintaining the barrier, were struggling. The barrier was trembling violently, reaching its limit.
The trees were rapidly pushing against it, about to burst through.
"So this is Deep Forest Emergence… and with only a fraction of the First Hokage's power, it's already this terrifying!"
Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine as he watched this legendary technique unfold before him.
Deep Forest Emergence had always been considered a divine technique that dominated the entire ninja world.
Whether in single combat or on a battlefield, this jutsu was practically unbeatable.
Yet, despite facing this godlike technique, Akira remained calm.
With a sense of matching power for power, Akira formed his own hand signs and shouted, "Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Suddenly, more trees erupted from the ground, and it became impossible to distinguish which trees belonged to Akira and which belonged to Hashirama.
The trees twisted and entangled with each other, battling for space to grow.
What was supposed to be a one-on-one fight between Akira and Hashirama had turned into a massive battle between two armies of trees!
"Akira… he can… use Wood Release to this extent?" Orochimaru was utterly stunned as he watched the two forests collide.
Hashirama's Deep Forest Emergence was as iconic as the Sharingan for the Uchiha, a hallmark of their legendary status.
And now, Akira could use it too?
It was as shocking as if a member of the Senju clan had suddenly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan!
Crack, crack, crack…
The first use of Deep Forest Emergence had already pushed Orochimaru's barrier to its limit. Now, with a second one in play, the barrier shattered like glass, cracks spreading across it.
Within just three breaths, the barrier collapsed entirely.
With no barrier to hold them back, the countless trees from both Akira and Hashirama's Deep Forest Emergence began to grow even more wildly.
As the barrier fell, the immense surge of chakra and the overwhelming growth of the trees quickly drew the attention of Konoha Village.
Even though they were 20 to 30 kilometers away, the disturbance was clear enough for Konoha to notice.
Several of Konoha's top shinobi turned their attention toward the scene, and as they watched the trees erupt from the ground, many of them were filled with shock and horror.
The sight of trees growing at such an alarming rate could only be the work of the legendary Wood Release technique, once wielded by the First Hokage.
One by one, Konoha's shinobi began rushing toward the battlefield.
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