Orochimaru didn't take Haku, Karin, Ryuzetsu, or Chino seriously.
Even Chino, who had shown remarkable prowess, was in his eyes merely a prodigy with some exceptional talent in taijutsu. On any other day, he might've been intrigued, but right now, he had no time for distractions. Kidnapping Sasuke and escaping Hidden Leaf was his top priority.
Sasuke, still carried on Naruto's back, spoke up. "Naruto, put me down. You guys are no match for him!"
Naruto shook his head repeatedly. "This guy's after you! I'm not handing you over!"
Hmph!
Orochimaru let out a cold snort and launched another attack.
If he didn't act now, while the First's tree sea was forcing back the Hidden Leaf elite shinobi team, he'd lose his chance once reinforcements arrived.
Swish swish.
But before Orochimaru could reach Naruto, Ryuzetsu and Chino flanked him from both sides, launching a coordinated assault.
Not only were they incredibly fast, but their teamwork was seamless. Their flurry of attacks forced Orochimaru to scramble, faintly struggling to keep up.
"How is this possible!?"
Orochimaru was shocked.
A kid like Chino, with such strength, was already one in a million in his eyes. The Sound Four, his carefully chosen elite, paled in comparison.
So he never expected Ryuzetsu to possess strength on par with Chino—an utterly surprising development.
Heh.
"Didn't expect to be held up by a bunch of brats," Orochimaru said as he formed hand seals. "If I had time, I'd love to play with you properly, but unfortunately, I don't!"
As he completed his seals, the First Hokage, no longer holding back, clapped his hands together with a pa. "Wood Release, Advent of a World of Trees!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
In an instant, the already vibrant tree sea erupted into a frenzy. Every vine and branch moved as if alive, lashing out at all enemies with ferocious intent.
In that moment, everyone within the tree sea's range felt immense pressure—even Shinji was no exception.
Swish swish!
After slicing through a few incoming vines with a kunai, Shinji realized the surrounding area was completely engulfed by the tree sea, leaving no foothold. He had no choice but to retreat.
…
Outer Perimeter.
After the elite shinobi team broke out with the injured Darui and Ringo Yuyuri, they rested while glancing back at the battlefield.
Kurenai said, "This is bad—Naruto and Sasuke haven't made it out!"
While treating Darui and Ringo Yuyuri's wounds, Shizune asked urgently, "Where's the backup?!"
Before her words could settle, several figures landed nearby.
It was none other than Yamato leading another elite shinobi team, consisting of Hayate Gekkō, Genma Shiranui, and Aoba Yamashiro!
Staring at the roiling, terrifying tree sea in the distance, Yamato's face was full of shock. "What's going on? Is Yakumo fighting over there?"
Kakashi shook his head.
Asuma gritted his teeth. "It's Orochimaru! He used Impure World Reincarnation to summon the First and Second!"
"What!?"
Hayate and the others exchanged stunned glances.
Yamato pointed into the distance. "The one using Wood Release is the First!?"
Kakashi took over. "No time to be shocked. Orochimaru's target seems to be Sasuke, and Naruto's trapped in the tree sea right now. We have to rescue them! Yamato, your timing is perfect—with you here, our chances of saving them are much higher!"
Yamato opened his mouth, but swallowed his words and nodded.
Sasuke aside, Naruto was the village's Jinchuriki. Whether he was kidnapped or triggered into a rampage, neither could be allowed. Yamato had no choice but to steel himself and dive in!
Soon, leaving Shizune and a few Anbu to tend to the wounded, Kakashi and the other elite shinobi charged back into the tree sea.
As soon as they entered its range, the shinobi were met with an all-out assault.
Fire Release, Water Release, Earth Release—various ninjutsu were unleashed in a dazzling array, but against the surging tree sea, they had little effect.
Fire Release techniques ignited the trees, but new growth instantly replaced them, outpacing the flames. Water Release techniques crashed against the tree sea, only splashing harmlessly. As for Earth Release techniques, they crumbled like sand sculptures before the forest's might.
"Yamato!" Kakashi called urgently.
Yamato, grimacing, formed seals. "Wood Release, Tree Wall!"
With one hand pressed to the ground, wooden barriers sprouted, forming a defensive wall in front of the shinobi.
Asuma asked, "Is this the best you can do?"
Yamato tried to explain, "I—"
Boom!
Before he could finish, his Tree Wall was pierced by the advancing trees, collapsing entirely within moments.
The bitterness on Yamato's face deepened as he shouted, "Everyone, get close to me!"
Hearing this, Kakashi and the others quickly gathered around him.
Yamato formed seals again. "Wood Release, Wooden Ingots Wall!"
Thud thud thud.
Thick wooden pillars closed together, forming a semi-circular shield over the ground, protecting the shinobi inside.
The tree sea outside didn't stop its assault, relentlessly crashing against Yamato's Wooden Ingots Wall.
Listening to the violent collisions outside, the shinobi inside the shield grew grim.
They'd known this rescue would be tough, but they hadn't expected it to be this difficult. Forget saving anyone—they could barely protect themselves in the tree sea.
And Yamato, whom they'd pinned their hopes on, was now panting heavily beside them, looking utterly exhausted.
After catching his breath, Yamato said, "My Wood Release can't compete with the First's!"
Kakashi's face was filled with worry.
If even the elite shinobi were struggling like this, he couldn't imagine what Naruto, Sasuke, and the others, trapped deeper in the tree sea, were going through.
…
Deep in the Tree Sea.
Haku turned to the group. "Rest for a bit. My jutsu should hold for a while."
Looking at the ice crystals keeping the tree sea at bay, Naruto's face was full of awe. "Haku, you're amazing!"
"Totally!"
Ryuzetsu and Chino, lightly touching the ice crystals, marveled in admiration.
Haku shook his head. "It's nothing special—just an ice wall infused with Ice Release chakra."
At the critical moment earlier, Haku had activated his Ice Release, creating a massive hollow ice crystal that shielded everyone, including Shinji, inside.
Crack.
At that moment, a sharp sound rang out as the trees outside tightened their grip, cracking the ice crystal.
Haku glanced at the fractures, and in an instant, the cracks smoothed over, the shattered ice becoming whole again.
Then, Haku said calmly, "Looks like it won't hold for long. Rest up, everyone, and prepare to break out!"