Chapter 119: Flashy Tricks
"Wood Release—Wood Locking Wall!!"
Yamato slammed both hands onto the ground and let out a sharp shout.
In an instant, a Wood Release wall shaped like a snail shell rose up, firmly protecting Yamato and Hiruzen at its center.
Boom!
Shukaku's attack crashed down, producing a deafening explosion.
Everyone hurriedly looked over, only to see that the wooden defense at the original spot had completely blocked it.
Whoosh!
Yamato rushed out first, charging rapidly toward Shukaku.
Seeing that its attack had been blocked, and that the tiny human was actually charging at it, anger surfaced on Shukaku's face.
"Go die!"
Wind Release—Sand Scatter Shot!
Shukaku suddenly opened its mouth, and countless grains of sand shot toward Yamato like bullets.
Yamato's expression remained unchanged as his hands quickly formed seals, letting out a low shout.
"Wood Release—Wood Formation Wall!"
Rumble! Rumble!
Rows of defenses formed entirely from interwoven trees rose from the ground, blocking the attack in front of the Hidden Leaf ninja.
Then Yamato lightly stomped the ground, and a massive wooden pillar surged upward, instantly carrying him dozens of meters into the air.
Wood Release—Silent Killing Binding Technique!
On the thick wooden pillar, countless sturdy vines grew out, spreading forward at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Several vines pierced directly into Shukaku's body, forming a bridge-like path between them.
Yamato leapt onto the vines and sprinted swiftly toward Shukaku along them.
"Damn ant!!"
Shukaku let out a roar and slapped its hand down, snapping the vines connected to its body.
At the same time, its other hand grabbed Yamato, who was falling from the air due to the severed vines.
A violent aura radiated from Shukaku as it clenched its hand and crushed down hard.
Bang!
Yamato instantly turned into a piece of wood.
Shukaku froze for a moment—it had been tricked.
"Wood Release—Thorn Killing Technique!"
A loud shout came from beneath Shukaku's feet, and countless thick wooden pillars rose from the ground, attempting to restrain its movements.
Seeing the wood growing around it, mockery flashed in Shukaku's eyes as it twisted its body and easily broke free of the restraints.
Just as Shukaku revealed a smug expression, its pupils suddenly contracted.
At some unknown moment, Yamato had already appeared on Shukaku's shoulder.
A faint smile appeared on Yamato's face, as his true target had never been Shukaku, but Gaara above its head.
Shukaku clearly understood Yamato's intent and slammed both palms fiercely toward its own shoulder.
Yamato quickly extended his hand toward Gaara.
A palm-sized square wooden block surged out and slammed directly into Gaara's head.
Gaara, who had been under the Feigned Sleep Technique, suddenly opened his eyes.
At the same time, Shukaku's descending palm froze in midair.
Shukaku's violent aura rapidly dissipated, and its massive body visibly turned into grains of sand that fell from the sky.
Gaara gasped heavily, glaring viciously in Yamato's direction, but his body was now so weak that even moving a finger was difficult.
Without Shukaku's support, Gaara's body also fell from the air.
Yamato rushed forward and bound Gaara with Wood Release.
"Gaara!"
Temari's face changed drastically when she saw Gaara captured by Yamato.
Not only Temari, but the other Sand ninja also showed expressions of panic.
Gaara absolutely could not fall into the hands of the Hidden Leaf.
Just as Yamato was about to bring Gaara back to the Hidden Leaf's position, a cold voice suddenly sounded by his ear.
"It's really been a long time. Should I call you 'Kinoe,' or should I call you 'Tenzo'?"
In an instant, Yamato's hair stood on end as he hurriedly turned toward the figure behind him, his voice tense.
"Orochimaru!"
"The Jinchuriki can't be taken by you." Orochimaru licked his lips, then suddenly opened his mouth as the Kusanagi Sword shot out.
Yamato hurriedly dodged to the side to avoid the attack and was just about to retreat.
Suddenly, Orochimaru's head stretched out, his mouth opening wide as he bit down toward Yamato's neck.
Crunch!
Orochimaru's expression stiffened as the Yamato he bit into had already turned into a piece of wood.
Raising his head to look at Yamato who appeared in another direction, Orochimaru showed a regretful expression and reached out, pulling Gaara back.
Yamato returned to Hiruzen's side, his face filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Lord Hokage. I failed to capture the enemy's Jinchuriki."
Hiruzen shook his head with a gentle smile and patted Yamato on the shoulder.
"It's fine. Dealing with Shukaku has already solved a major problem."
Seeing that Yamato still looked guilty, Hiruzen chuckled softly.
"Lift your head and look at the people around you."
Yamato froze, only then realizing that most of the ninja from both the Hidden Leaf and the Sand were staring at him.
Their eyes were filled with shock and astonishment.
Wood Release!
As the Hidden Leaf Village's unique kekkei genkai, it carried a special significance for all of Konoha's ninja.
In a sense, Wood Release represented the hope of the Hidden Leaf, even serving as a spiritual pillar.
To other villages, however, it represented fear.
"So strong!"
Among the crowd, the Rookie Nine looked toward Yamato and exclaimed in amazement.
"He stole our spotlight, didn't he, Sasuke?"
Naruto curled his lips in disdain, though his gaze still drifted toward Yamato from time to time.
Sasuke did not speak, but his clenched fists tightened further as he increasingly felt how weak he still was.
"Tenzo, huh? Looks like you've finally stepped into the sunlight."
Kakashi looked toward Yamato and murmured in a voice only he could hear.
On the Hokage Rock.
Kisame stared blankly in Yamato's direction; although he could not see clearly, the thick wooden structures were still visible.
"Th-that… could that be the legendary Wood Release?"
Kisame glanced at Yuto and asked cautiously.
"Wood Release? Flashy tricks."
Yuto glanced toward Yamato with clear disdain in his voice.
Using Wood Release to fight Shukaku and still taking this long was simply pathetic.
If Yamato himself was weak and slow, that was one thing, but what was with that old man Hiruzen looking so smug about it?
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