Now, Urashiki just wanted to destroy Hashirama's massive wooden construct as quickly as possible. If he waited for the colossal form beneath it to fully emerge, it would truly be the end for him.
Unfortunately, Hashirama had already seen through his desperation.
At last, the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara beneath the giant wooden statue emerged in its complete form.
Urashiki and Uchiha Hikaru both glanced at the towering figure from their respective positions. The sheer size of the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara was already staggering—over three hundred meters tall.
But what truly stunned Urashiki was the countless giant arms stretching out behind it like a blooming lotus. Just standing still, it radiated a divine presence that made even an Ōtsutsuki feel insignificant.
"How is this possible…? I am an Ōtsutsuki."
"An invincible existence!"
From high above, Hashirama looked down at the alien invader. There was no pity in his eyes—only unyielding fury.
"The moment you thought of harming Konoha's people… your fate was sealed."
As the words left his mouth, they echoed like a divine judgment. All at once, the thousands of massive hands behind the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteśvara, imbued with Sage Art and Wood Style chakra, slammed downward at Ōtsutsuki Urashiki.
Countless fists pounded onto Urashiki's long, serpent-like form—barely a speck compared to the avalanche of wooden limbs—and crushed the monstrous oarfish that his Tensuha Ryūsei-no-Mikoto: Ryūgū had manifested. It was flattened, splintered, and annihilated.
And still, the punches didn't stop.
Still in his crane-like transformed state, Urashiki flapped his wings in frantic desperation and darted through the air, trying to flee.
But now, the once majestic, otherworldly creature looked like nothing more than a panicked, drenched bird fleeing from a storm.
There was no escape.
He could dodge one punch. Two. Maybe even three.
But not tens of thousands.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!
Urashiki, still in his crane form, was smashed to the earth by a flurry of devastating wooden fists, leaving a massive crater in the ground.
But even that wasn't enough to satisfy Hashirama's rage.
He looked possessed, his eyes wild, his expression savage and merciless.
It was difficult to believe this was the same Hashirama Senju—normally warm, kind, and compassionate.
But Uchiha Hikaru wasn't surprised. Not at all.
Without the influence of Asura's chakra, Hashirama's true self remained untouched by divine restraint. And when a gentle man like him finally snapped…
…it was always terrifying.
What lay before him now was the full wrath of a First Hokage pushed past his limit.
Minutes passed.
The earth buckled and crumbled beneath the sustained barrage. Chunks of dirt and rock split and flew. Urashiki's body was battered beyond recognition—mangled, broken, crushed into a bloodied paste of chakra and flesh.
Only then did Hashirama descend from his wooden titan, his expression distant and dazed, muttering softly to himself.
"…Tobirama…"
If not for the limitations of the Impure World Reincarnation, tears would have already fallen from his eyes.
"You were too harsh, Aniki. Way too harsh."
Tobirama's voice rang out suddenly, snapping Hashirama out of his trance. He blinked—and looked over to see Tobirama standing beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"This guy's body had immense research potential. But you… you pulped him."
"How am I supposed to study anything now…?"
He sighed dramatically.
"I guess I'll just have to work with the remaining scraps."
"What a waste."
Without missing a beat, Tobirama pulled out a scroll and unfurled it. From within, he extracted a series of strange tools and devices, then crouched down and began carefully collecting the shredded remnants of Urashiki's corpse.
He let out occasional sighs of regret, glaring at Hashirama as if he were the one who'd ruined a fine specimen.
Meanwhile, Mito released the space-time barrier and reabsorbed the Strength of a Hundred Seal back into her forehead. Without a word, she walked up beside Hashirama and gently took his hand.
"What are you moping about?"
"We've already died once, haven't we? What's death to us now?"
"Even if an Impure World Reincarnation body is destroyed, it regenerates. You do remember that, don't you?"
Only then did realization return to Hashirama. He let out an awkward laugh, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand.
"Ahahaha…"
"You're right. I wasn't thinking clearly."
"For a second… I really thought Tobirama was gone."
He and Mito sat down together atop a large slab of stone, watching the setting sun dip toward the horizon.
In the soft glow of twilight, Tobirama was still busy, hunched over, collecting bits of Urashiki with single-minded glee.
Uchiha Hikaru stood some distance away, surveying the destruction left behind by Hashirama.
The once-abandoned quarry had been utterly transformed—overrun with dense forests and absurdly large trees, enormous vines weaving through the shattered landscape. A massive crater stretched out beneath Tobirama's feet, so deep that it would probably become a lake someday.
A fishing lake.
With quality lumber growing all around.
What was once a barren, lifeless pit… was now a fully stocked forest and pond.
And best of all?
Hikaru hadn't lifted a finger.
He smirked to himself.
Fighting could be fun. But slacking off while still getting paid?
Even better.
It wasn't about the money—it was the thrill of winning without doing anything at all.
Eventually, Tobirama finished collecting the "remains" and returned to Orochimaru's lab, visibly satisfied.
The rest of the group dispersed, heading back to their homes.
Boruto walked cheerfully down the path, hands behind his head, a grin on his face.
"Finally got rid of that Urashiki creep. Guess it's almost time to head home~"
But Sasuke's expression remained somber, eyes lingering on the fading stars overhead.
"…Yeah. It's time to go back."
Everyone paused to look at him, especially Itachi, whose gaze held a quiet sadness.
"It wasn't easy defeating Urashiki."
"Why not stay a bit longer? Share a meal with your parents before you leave."
Sasuke shook his head, his eyes distant.
"…As much as I want to, I don't belong here."
"Sarada and Sakura are waiting for me."
As he spoke, a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. In that moment, the faces of his daughter and wife seemed to shimmer before his eyes.
The instant Naruto heard "Sakura," his head snapped around.
"Sakura?"
"Uncle, you know Sakura?"
"Why's she waiting for you?"
Something didn't feel right.
Sasuke just chuckled and waved dismissively.
"The Sakura I'm talking about… isn't the same one you know."
"My wife's name is Sakura. Don't overthink it."
"Let's leave it at that."
"Boruto, let's go."
With that, Sasuke turned toward the forest. Boruto hesitated for a moment, looking back at his younger father, then raised a hand in farewell.
"See ya~!"
The two figures slowly vanished into the trees.
Naruto watched them go, then suddenly blinked in confusion.
"…Wait a sec. I never asked their names!!"
His ridiculously delayed realization caused everyone around him to burst into laughter.
Uchiha Hikaru, standing quietly at the edge of the clearing, watched Sasuke and Boruto disappear—and discreetly placed a mark of Yachihoko on both of them.
When all was said and done, and the dust had settled…
Maybe another time-travel trip wouldn't be so bad
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Bonus Chapter at 150 Power Stone
Second Bonus Chapter - 300 Power Stones
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