By theory, Hashirama Senju's Wood Release was a bloodline limit born from fusing the nature transformations of Earth and Water chakra. (Official "Book of Formation" explanation.)
Jinghang's Magnet Release, on the other hand, was a bloodline limit combining Wind and Lightning chakra. If you break down the chakra affinity chart: Wind beats Lightning, Lightning beats Earth, Earth beats Water. Both bloodlines are "twisted" combos, but when handled with the right technique, their power is jaw-dropping.
So, which is stronger?
According to classic Five Elements theory, Magnet Release is "Metal," the natural nemesis of Wood Release. (Metal beats Wood, no question.) But here's the catch: power isn't just about elemental matchups—it's about scale and the user's strength. A kid with a box cutter won't beat a grown man wielding a club.
Of course, in this fight, Jinghang isn't a kid and Hashirama isn't just a brute. Xuanyuan Tomb Sage Mode and Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode each have their specialties, and the "weapons" in hand have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Hashirama's strategy was spot-on. The Wood Human Technique was the strongest move he could muster in his current Edo Tensei plus cheat-mode state. If even this couldn't bring down Jinghang, nothing else would matter.
This move was a classic "all-in"—the kind of gamble you take when your opponent seems to have the upper hand and more chips. Hashirama could feel it: if he let the fight drag out, this young man would slowly unravel all his secrets and grind him down. He had to seize the initiative, press hard, and keep control.
Sure, Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode had stamina, but it wasn't infinite. Their earlier skirmish told Hashirama everything—Jinghang's tactics were unlike any he'd faced before: flexible, unpredictable, deeply layered. His style was reminiscent of Tobirama, but even more… underhanded.
No more hesitation—the Wood Human charged, giant legs pounding the earth, swinging a colossal fist straight for the Iron Man's face.
Jinghang didn't try to block. He dipped low, dodging the gust from the punch, and swung his short-handled axe right at the Wood Human's waist.
This kid's got a mean streak, Hashirama thought.
"Wood Release Secret Art: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!"
Just as the axe was about to connect, the ground split open and massive vines erupted upward.
The vines writhed like living pythons, wrapping tightly around the Iron Man's axe arm. But they didn't stop there—vines raced up the arm, trying to cocoon the entire Iron Man in wood.
"Nice! That's Lord Hashirama for you!"
Danzo clenched his fist, excitement surging. He still respected Jinghang's raw power—one-on-one, Danzo knew he couldn't win. In all of Konoha, only Hiruzen Sarutobi could fight Jinghang to a draw. Jinghang's Magnet Release made every Konoha ninja wary of iron weapons; the whole village respected—and feared—him.
But seeing Hashirama flex his legendary power, dominating the battlefield, Danzo couldn't help but get fired up.
If he could catch Jinghang off guard and land a sneak attack, it'd be perfect. Two Kazekage in a row—he might go down as the most decorated Hokage ever. (Second Kazekage Sammon died to Danzo's sneak attack—see Volume 1, Chapter 3.)
Danzo didn't see this as underhanded. In the underworld, it was standard: when the underlings beat the enemy boss to a sliver of life, the big boss steps up and finishes him off. Whose victory is it? The boss's, obviously. Who cares about the details?
A rough shout snapped him out of his daydream.
"Hey, Danzo! You stay put. One-on-one means one-on-one. If you break the rules, so will I!"
Danzo looked up—when had the Third Raikage returned to the battlefield? Two young ninja flanked him, clearly there to back up Jinghang.
"I'll be watching you!" The Third Raikage pointed two fingers at Danzo, then at his own eyes, his tone and body language pure provocation.
Damn!
Danzo's face turned purple.
That old bastard's faster than me.
If he rushes me…
Danzo glanced back at his own side.
Useless—no one's paying attention. Can't they see the Third Raikage brought backup? If things get ugly, am I supposed to fight three-on-one?
But right now, every ninja's eyes were glued to the Gundam-level clash at the center. No one cared about Danzo's silent signals.
In a flash, the Iron Man's axe-wielding arm scattered, dissolving into a cloud of iron sand that zipped back to the Iron Man's body. The vines grabbed only empty air.
Facing a swarm of attacking vines, Jinghang stayed cool. He commanded the Iron Man to transform.
"Wax and wane—eight-arm tree-chop! Let's go!"
The Iron Man "Wu Gang" slimmed down visibly, sprouting eight iron arms from his sides. Each hand gripped a sharp short axe. The arms whirled like a buzzsaw, hacking and slashing, forming an iron curtain in front of him. Wood chips flew, vines shredded—no matter how many or how dense the vines, none could get close.
When it comes to chopping trees, my "Wu Gang" Gundam is built for this.
Hashirama, standing atop the Wood Human, was genuinely impressed.
This kid knows his stuff—axes are way smarter than Madara's sword. (Short-handled axes are faster and easier to handle than swords.)
But controlling iron sand burns chakra, too.
Fine, chop away. Let's see how long you can keep swinging those axes!
Jinghang stayed steady, guiding "Wu Gang's" eight arms to hack at every vine that tried to entangle him.
If memory serves, all these Wood Release vines drain chakra. My Gundam's tailor-made for this matchup.
Alright, bring it on. Let's see how many vines you've got for me to chop!
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