Shimura Danzō's fear was not unfounded.
Among those present, only he and Orochimaru truly understood the First Hokage's cells and the terror of Wood Release.
They had studied Hashirama's cells in secret for years, creating artificial bodies capable of surviving the transplantation. Yamato was the most successful result—able to use only the most basic forms of Wood Style.
Danzō himself had also implanted Hashirama's cells into his body, granting him access to a limited and unstable form of Wood Release.
And yet—even that was already the absolute limit.
But what Namikaze Kirito had just used…
Wood Golem Technique.
This was no fragment, no imitation.
It was the complete Wood Style—something that utterly shattered Danzō's understanding of reality.
Hyūga Hiashi narrowed his eyes.
"Is this… Wood Release? That level of chakra… no ordinary shinobi could sustain it."
Namikaze Minato frowned in disbelief.
"When did Kirito learn Wood Style? That technique belongs to the First Hokage."
Uzumaki Kushina crossed her arms proudly.
"Hmph. As expected of my son."
Tsunade's lips twitched.
"So that's why he asked me for Grandfather's scrolls… I knew it wasn't just curiosity."
Nara Shikaku let out a slow breath.
"A technique this far beyond our comprehension… there's no realistic way to counter it. This is terrifying."
Yūhi Kurenai stared at the towering giant.
"Wood Release appearing again… Kirito, just how many secrets are you hiding…?"
Uzumaki Naruto swallowed hard.
"Big brother… might be way too strong."
Deep within Naruto's consciousness, Kurama snarled.
"That technique… it's his. Damn it…"
The appearance of Wood Release sent shockwaves through everyone present.
This was an era of peace.
The age when gods clashed—the Warring States Period—had long since faded into legend. Who among them had ever witnessed such a scene?
From a purely visual standpoint, the Wood Golem was an existence that bordered on invincibility. Compared to it, the One-Tail lying unconscious nearby looked almost small.
"Impossible…!"
Danzō's voice trembled as his eyes widened in disbelief. The Wood Style he had chased his entire life now stood before him in its truest form.
His hands moved rapidly.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere!"
A massive compressed blast of air erupted from his mouth, slamming directly into the Wood Golem's foot and kicking up an enormous cloud of dust.
When the smoke cleared—
The Wood Style was completely unharmed.
Not even a scratch.
At that moment, a figure appeared atop the Wood Golem's head.
Backlit by the sky, Namikaze Kirito stood there—calm, distant, overwhelming.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen. Shimura Danzō," he said quietly.
"I've been thinking about what kind of gift to give you."
His eyes sharpened.
"How about despair?"
Boom—!
With a deafening roar, the Wood Golem moved. One massive foot lifted into the air before crashing down toward Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō.
"Summoning Technique!"
"Ape King Enma!"
Hiruzen didn't hesitate. The old monkey appeared in a burst of smoke, instantly transforming into a black staff gripped tightly in his hands.
Danzō followed suit, forming seals without pause.
It had been many years since the two had fought side by side. Despite everything, a trace of old familiarity lingered between them.
Under the protection of Konoha's shinobi, civilians scattered rapidly, retreating to a safe distance. Against something of this scale, even a slight misstep meant death.
"Adamantine Prison Wall!"
Clang—clang—clang!
Hiruzen hurled the staff forward. Enma split into countless iron bars, stacking and interlocking to form a massive iron cage.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
Danzō slammed his hands into the ground. Towering earthen walls erupted upward, reinforcing the iron prison from all sides.
Then...
The Wood Golem's foot came down.
The impact shook the ground violently. The iron prison groaned under the pressure, but it held.
Just as both men began to breathe out—
The foot lifted again.
And came down once more.
They had no choice but to continue defending.
From afar, the scene looked almost absurd.
The colossal Wood Golem stomped relentlessly, while Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō hid inside an iron-and-earth coffin, completely on the defensive.
Boom—boom—boom!
The earth trembled continuously.
The violent disturbance finally stirred the One-Tail.
"Damn brat… it hurts like hell…" Shukaku muttered groggily.
"What kind of mess is this—"
His eyes snapped open.
"…What the hell is THAT?!"
The moment Shukaku saw the Wood Golem, his instincts screamed. He started to rise—
Then immediately dropped back down.
Eyes shut.
Playing dead.
Had the Tailed Beasts not all been "educated" by Senju Hashirama?
They only existed freely today because Hashirama had distributed them. If it had been Uchiha Madara instead, all nine beasts would've belonged to Konoha.
That fear was carved into their very souls.
Seeing the Wood Golem again awakened a terror Shukaku wanted no part of.
Can't see me… can't see me… can't see me…
Crack—crack—crack…
Inside the Adamantine Prison, sweat streamed down Hiruzen's forehead. That sound told him everything.
Enma was reaching his limit.
Sure enough, the staff reverted to smoke.
"Hiruzen… I can't hold any longer. Sorry."
Danzō's visible eye twitched.
Then, with a grim resolve, he tore away the bandages from his arm.
White flesh—embedded with countless Sharingan.
Revealing it here confirmed every crime he had committed.
But survival came first.
"Wood Release: Violent Spear!"
A massive tree erupted from his arm, shooting upward and forcibly halting the Wood Golem's descending foot.
Using that opening, Hiruzen launched himself upward with Body Flicker, racing along the Wood Golem's body.
"Ants should know their place."
Kirito remained calm, placing a hand against the Wood Golem's head.
Vines surged toward Hiruzen, attempting to bind him—but the Third Hokage moved swiftly.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
Five Hiruzens appeared, scattering across the Wood Golem while forming seals in unison.
"Five Style Combination Jutsu!"
Fire, wind, lightning, water, and earth merged into five devastating attacks that converged on Kirito.
"Wood Release: Hand Clap."
Clap.
Kirito brought his palms together lightly.
White light flared.
The combined ninjutsu vanished—completely erased.
"…What?"
Hiruzen stared in disbelief.
His four clones had already been shredded by the vines.
The real body was bound tightly.
There was no escape.
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 300 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.