svetikya Chapter 27 Wood Release
Chapter 27 Wood Release
Hearing Zeref's evaluation of the Impure World Reincarnation, Orochimaru's momentary displeasure vanished instantly, and he even revealed a hint of pleasure in his smile.
Orochimaru increasingly felt that Zeref and he were essentially the same kind of people, daring to cross the line between life and death, and possessing considerable talent and understanding in knowledge and research.
Orochimaru agreed with Zeref's assessment of the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
He was obsessed with the research of forbidden techniques, fantasizing about achieving immortality, which was the most important reason why he studied the Impure World Reincarnation ninjutsu.
However, he did not have the idea of having someone resurrect him through Edo Tensei to achieve immortality. As Zeref said, the resurrection through Edo Tensei is nothing but a mirage.
With his mood improving, Orochimaru decided to reciprocate by showing Zeref the legendary ninjutsu of the ninja world, which was also a great gift he had prepared for Hiruzen Sarutobi and Konoha.
At this moment, Hashirama Senju, who was locked in combat with Hiruzen Sarutobi, suddenly felt a surge of increased control over his body. His hands involuntarily clasped together in a hand seal. This was… Hashirama Senju immediately sensed something was wrong. There was no mistake, this hand seal was…
"Wood Release: Advent of the World of Trees!"
As Hashirama Senju gave a low shout, countless trees sprouted from the ground and instantly spread out, attacking Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya.
Some of the trees even moved closer to Mavis, and Zeref glanced at Orochimaru when he saw this.
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, smiled enigmatically, and controlled Hashirama Senju to deflect the trees that were originally heading towards Mavis, directing them towards Jiraiya who was nearby.
Realizing that Orochimaru had controlled him and changed the direction of his Wood Release, Hashirama Senju was taken aback. He glanced at Mavis and Zeref without making a sound, silently wondering if Orochimaru hadn't attacked Mavis because of the boy named Zeref.
Although he may seem carefree and even a bit oblivious, and he is indeed somewhat so, if anyone truly believes that Hashirama Senju was a fool, then his opponents who were defeated by him must have a lot to say.
Hashirama Senju sensed that Orochimaru's unusual behavior towards Mavis might be related to the black-haired boy beside him.
After all, Orochimaru just mentioned that the black-haired boy and Mavis are both from another world, and the two seem to know each other quite well...
"Spirit Summoning Technique, Ape Demon!"
Upon seeing Hashirama Senju activate Wood Release, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a chill and quickly summoned his summoning beast.
The monkey demon transformed into a weapon and destroyed all the trees surrounding Hiruzen Sarutobi, but new trees kept emerging after the trees were destroyed.
As his chakra was being constantly depleted, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been fighting for some time, began to tire.
"I'm getting old," Hiruzen Sarutobi thought with a wry smile.
On the other side, Jiraiya faced an even more perilous situation. He had to deal with Tobirama Senju's ninjutsu while also guarding against Wood Release attacks. Fortunately, he was strong enough to continuously use Fire Release to defend against Wood Release.
As Jiraiya surveyed the Wood Release technique that almost completely filled the barrier space, his expression grew increasingly grim.
In this confined space, the advantage of Wood Release is very obvious. If they continue to wear each other down like this, their chakra will only be continuously depleted.
Furthermore, within the barrier, it was inconvenient for him to use summoning techniques to summon the enormous, powerful toads. Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, unsure which ninjutsu to use to break the deadlock.
"Jiraiya, come here!"
Having also clearly seen the situation on the scene, Hiruzen Sarutobi made a decisive move, finding the right moment to arrive at Mavis's side and shouting loudly at Jiraiya.
Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice, Jiraiya rushed to Hiruzen's side without hesitation. At the same time, an overwhelming wave of Wood Release techniques enveloped the three of them.
……
The commotion from the Wood Release gradually subsided, and Tobirama Senju arrived beside Hashirama Senju, frowning as he stared at the grove of trees that had been created by Wood Release in a short time.
Tobirama Senju's voice was filled with anger: "I never expected to see your Wood Release again, brother, only to use it against Konoha. That despicable Orochimaru, how dare you abuse the ninjutsu I created against Konoha!"
Orochimaru didn't seem to care at all, and even laughed as he replied, "Compared to the First Hokage, I admire you even more, hehehe, especially your forbidden techniques, which I truly admire, Second Hokage..."
Tobirama Senju's face darkened further. He turned to his elder brother and asked, "Were they captured by Wood Release?"
Hashirama Senju shook his head, a hint of satisfaction on his face: "Don't underestimate the younger generation, Tobirama."
Surrounded by trees using Wood Release, the Monkey King transformed into a cage, enveloping the three and blocking the Wood Release attack. Inside the cage, the toad tongue that had been encasing the three slowly retracted.
At the critical moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya simultaneously unleashed their most suitable ninjutsu to protect their side.
After Jiraiya withdrew his summoning jutsu, the three of them peered cautiously out through the gaps between the trees.
"Drink...drink..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but breathe heavily; he had already exhausted a lot of his strength in the battle just now.
Jiraiya glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, stepped forward slightly, his expression serious, but his tone as casual as ever.
"Old man, you still have to admit you're getting old. This time, I'll show you the power of this Toad Sage!"
Seeing his disciple, who had been reckless since childhood, now grow into a reliable ninja, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a little comforted by the wounds Orochimaru had inflicted on his heart.
He glanced at Jiraiya, a slight smile playing on his lips, but said, "Stop showing off. And don't underestimate the Hokage, you brat."
As an elder and the Hokage of Konoha, he would always stand at the forefront no matter what!
Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi looked visibly exhausted, Mavis asked worriedly, "Hokage-sama, are you alright?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi reassured him, "It's alright. I will fight with all my might to prevent them from harming Konoha!"
Jiraiya scratched his head, sighed, and said, "I didn't expect even Wood Release to be used. It's rather ironic that the ninjas of Konoha are enemies of the Wood Release of the legendary First Hokage who pacified the world and founded Konoha. Orochimaru dared to disrespect the First and Second Hokage; Tsunade won't let him get away with it if she finds out..."
After Hashirama Senju finished speaking, the other three were not surprised. If they were defeated so easily, then the title of Third Hokage of Konoha would be far too trivial.
Forced to unleash Wood Release on his Konoha comrades, Hashirama Senju was in a truly foul mood. He turned slightly to Orochimaru and Zeref, his expression cold and grim, and demanded, "What exactly is your purpose?!"
"Of course, we'll destroy Konoha, hehehe—"
Orochimaru lowered his hands from the hand seals and was about to continue his threatening remarks when Zeref interrupted him.
"Orochimaru, I've witnessed your methods, and they are indeed quite interesting. In return, let me show you something interesting as well."
Zeref, who had been standing quietly to the side without participating in the battle, suddenly spoke, his tone light and casual.
Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation technique truly impressed Zeref. The fact that he could summon the souls of the dead through so-called ninjutsu was almost impossible in the magical world.
Jelf speculated that this might be related to the power system of this world.
After a ninja dies, due to the special power of chakra in this world, the dead can return to the human world.
Since it seems I'll be staying in this world for a while longer anyway, I might as well study the power of chakra.
Jelf thought with great interest that his long-lost enthusiasm for research had been rekindled.
Orochimaru, hearing Zeref's words, was more interested in Zeref's magic than the battle itself, even though he wasn't quite done fighting yet, and readily agreed: "I really can't wait to see it, Dark Mage, hehehe—"
Seeing that Zeref suddenly spoke up, and Orochimaru seemed to have a slight tendency to obey, the Senju brothers exchanged a glance and became wary at the same time.
This rogue ninja named Orochimaru is quite strong and has mastered the Impure World Reincarnation technique. Surprisingly, he seems to be quite obedient to Zeref.
Are they people from another world?
Tobirama Senju pondered, raising his eyes to look directly at Zeref.
Zeref raised his hand, and dark purple magical light gathered in it. The light burst outward in an instant, shattering the Four Purple Flame Realms in a flash.
The three people deep in the Wood Release forest also sensed the shattering of the Four Purple Flame Realms, and their expressions changed simultaneously.
While the Four Purple Flame Realms trapped them within the barrier, preventing them from receiving support from Konoha, they also trapped Orochimaru and his enemies.
In a battle between ninjas of Hiruzen Sarutobi's caliber and Orochimaru, it would be pointless for ordinary ninjas to participate.
But now the barrier has been shattered. What is Orochimaru up to now?
Hiruzen Sarutobi instantly recalled Enma and charged out with Jiraiya and Mavis, thinking angrily.
"No, it wasn't Orochimaru, it was Zeref who made the move!" Mavis's expression shifted slightly, and she spoke with a serious tone.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Jiraiya felt a pang of unease upon hearing this, and their expressions grew even more somber. Had Zeref finally made his move?
After breaking through the obstructing barrier, Zeref stretched out his hands forward, and a black magic circle suddenly condensed in front of him. The circular magic circle slowly rotated, complex and exquisite.
At the same time, several identical magic circles appeared around the border of Konoha, a preemptive move set up by Zeref.
The magic circle at the edge of Konoha and the magic circle in Zeref's hand simultaneously erupted with a soaring black-purple light, connecting with each other to form a huge rectangular magical barrier that enveloped the entire Konoha.
Seeing the situation spread from the Four Purple Flame Realm to the entire Hidden Leaf Village, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju could no longer maintain their composure.
Even though they were well aware that they had been dead for a long time and that the village had long been entrusted to those who came after them.
But now that they have been summoned, they cannot simply sit idly by and watch Konoha face a crisis.
At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Mavis arrived at the scene, glaring angrily at Orochimaru and Zeref.
"Zeref! What do you want to do!" Mavis clenched her fists and demanded, "Attacking the entire Hidden Leaf Village will do you absolutely no good, will it? Stop it, please... You shouldn't be this kind of person..."
The Konoha members present remained silent for the time being. Mavis was the one who knew Zeref best. Although she knew the hope was slim, even the slightest possibility that Zeref would stop on his own would be the best outcome for Konoha.
After all, apart from Orochimaru, the rogue ninja, everyone else present in Konoha was willing to sacrifice everything for Konoha.
Zeref lowered his head slightly, his fine black hair obscuring the emotions in his eyes, while the magic circle in his hand continued to operate.
"As expected, you and I are completely different, Mavis. Even though we share the same pain and can empathize with each other, after four hundred years of reflection, I have become utterly disillusioned with humanity. I will no longer care about anything!"
While Hiruzen Sarutobi and his companions, along with Orochimaru and Zeref, were fighting, those in Konoha who didn't know ninjutsu, as well as children and the elderly, had already been moved to shelters.
Meanwhile, the ninjas of Konoha are fighting against the ninjas of Sunagakure and Otogakure.
"Kakashi, it looks like the situation is almost under control. I've defeated one more enemy than you, so it seems like this time it's my victory!"
Might Guy, having kicked away a Sound Ninja, gave a thumbs-up with one hand on his hip and flashed Kakashi his signature bright smile.
Kakashi glanced at Might Guy indifferently before turning away, as if he was already used to it, since Guy still had the mind to bring up a match with him at a time like this.
Devastated by Kakashi's indifference, Might Guy clenched his fist, tears streaming down his face: "As expected of my opponent, Kakashi! Unperturbed in victory, undeterred in defeat. Let's have another match, Kakashi!"
Ignoring Might Guy's declaration of war, Kakashi frowned as he looked up at the Four Purple Flame Realm above the Chunin Exams venue, his thoughts drifting back to the previous night.
……
The night before the Chunin Exams finals, in the Hokage's office.
After hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's plan, Kakashi couldn't help but say, "Hokage-sama, let me join too. With Orochimaru and Zeref, no matter how many more people we have, it's not too many."
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could speak, Jiraiya jokingly said, "Kakashi, don't worry. Even though this old man is getting on in years, with this Toad Sage here, when he can't fight anymore, I'll take care of him, hahahahaha..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing to the side, listened to Jiraiya's disrespectful and nonsensical ramblings, his forehead veins throbbing, but he ultimately held back.
If he can get through this crisis, he will definitely give his unreliable apprentice a good talking-to and send him back to school to start over!
Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth inwardly, but quickly regained his composure.
If this really comes down to a life-or-death situation, he'll have no choice but to use that technique—the strongest sealing technique that Minato used to seal the Nine-Tails!
Having silently made up his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind the table and stared at Kakashi solemnly, saying, "Kakashi, your mission is to protect the village. Orochimaru and Zeref will be kept in check by me, Jiraiya, and Mavis."
"We can handle Orochimaru's methods, but we don't know what methods Zeref will use. Please protect everyone in the village then, Kakashi."
Faced with the trust and entrustment in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, Kakashi had no choice but to obey orders.
Just as Kakashi finished recalling the Hokage's instructions and was about to continue quelling the chaos in the village, he suddenly stared in shock at the barrier that had enveloped Konoha in an instant.
Might Guy stood solemnly beside Kakashi and said, "What is this, Kakashi? This is a barrier I've never seen before."
Before Kakashi could react, a huge circular pattern appeared above the barrier.
Based on Mavis's previous introduction, Kakashi knew that this was something called a magic circle, somewhat similar to the hand seals a ninja performs before casting ninjutsu, and was a manifestation of casting magic.
This magic circle looked even more mysterious and exquisite than Mavis had described, even possessing a neat and mysterious beauty.
However, when it appeared in the sky above Konoha, Kakashi couldn't muster any appreciation whatsoever.