"Minato, let's talk about what's going on."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
So, Minato explained everything. By the time he arrived, the battle had already ended.
Everyone was left in disbelief.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were defeated—by Ryoma alone?
And Might Duy, just a genin, had opened the Eight Gates and managed to take down members of the Seven Swordsmen too?
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in a low, steady voice.
"Very good. Might Duy's talent is something we have clearly overlooked. When I return, take me to see him."
But for now, the Third Hokage had more urgent matters to deal with—he needed to intercept the Raikage and ensure Danzo's safe return.
With that, Hiruzen strode off, Orochimaru following silently at his side.
Not long after, another Anbu hurriedly appeared.
"What is it?"
Homura Mitokado stood up first. "The Hokage is occupied. What's wrong?"
"Lord Homura, urgent news from Kirigakure!"
"What happened?"
"Lord Jiraiya has lost contact, and the Third Mizukage suddenly attacked Ryoma!"
Hearing this, both Homura and Koharu Utatane froze for a moment, before smirks tugged at the corners of their lips.
So Ryoma was unlucky enough to face the Mizukage himself. This time, he was surely doomed.
Homura asked sharply, "When did this happen?"
"About half an hour ago."
Mitokado quickly replied, his voice heavy with false regret:
"That's unfortunate. The Hokage isn't here, the other jōnin are away on missions, and Konoha's strength is stretched thin. We can only hope Ryoma escapes on his own. Let's return and… prepare for a rescue."
The Anbu's eyes went wide in disbelief.
"Then why aren't you moving already?" Koharu added coldly.
"Y-Yes… understood…"
The Anbu nearly cursed aloud. A battlefield like that, and they expected him to charge in headfirst? These two advisors were venomous beyond belief.
Both Homura and Koharu exchanged satisfied smiles.
With the Mizukage himself taking the field, and countless White Zetsu surrounding him, Ryoma's fate was sealed.
Perfect. Once Ryoma, that troublesome thorn, was gone, Danzo could return and guide Konoha back onto its "proper path."
Meanwhile, at the border between the Land of Water and the Land of Fire—
Half the bridge had collapsed into the sea, waves crashing violently below.
Countless White Zetsu swarmed toward Ryoma, who stood within the center of the Tree World.
The outermost trees groaned and splintered before collapsing under the overwhelming pressure. Soon after, even the roots and vines of the inner circle were torn apart by the sheer numbers of White Zetsu.
On the other side, the Third Mizukage was in no better state. After taking several heavy punches from one of Ryoma's clones, his once-handsome face was swollen and battered.
Still, he had managed to put some distance between himself and the clone. Forming hand seals rapidly, he unleashed wave after wave of Water Release. The endless sea churned as massive water dragons roared forth, slamming into Ryoma's clone.
Boom!
The clone was obliterated instantly.
But before the Mizukage could breathe, Ryoma split into three more clones again!
He didn't create more because the chakra would be spread too thin. Three clones meant each one retained a third of his current power—enough to fight on par. Any more would be wasteful.
Ryoma's hands folded together into a solemn seal. His chakra surged like a raging torrent, his eyes gleaming with a strange light.
"Wood Release—Wooden Golem Technique!"
Rumble!
The ground beneath Ryoma erupted violently, and from it, the massive head of a wooden Buddha statue emerged.
Ryoma stood calmly atop the colossal statue's head.
The rest of the construct followed, rising with earth-shaking tremors. The gigantic wooden figure surfaced completely, towering into the heavens, its sheer size overwhelming the battlefield.
Behind the statue's back, a vast ring of hands spread outward, countless palms layered in rows like a wall of divine might.
Not far away, a single Sharingan glinted beneath a mask.
This was an Uchiha clone—sent out while the real body remained connected to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path. Though limited in power, it was enough to observe Ryoma in person.
This time, not only Black Zetsu and White Zetsu were present, but also Uchiha's doppelganger, watching in secret.
The masked figure's eyes narrowed in disbelief.
"This… this is Hashirama's Wood Release—True Several Thousand Hands?!"
He stared at the enormous Buddha that pierced the clouds, hands folded in front as countless giant arms fanned out behind its back.
"This is impossible… absolutely impossible! He doesn't have a Sage Body—how could he use the Senjutsu-enhanced Wood Release?!"
Then, after a closer look, his tone shifted.
"No… this isn't True Several Thousand Hands… it's the Wooden Golem Technique!"
Madara's shadow clone was reminded of the First Hokage—Senju Hashirama. The resemblance was undeniable.
But in truth, what Ryoma had unleashed was indeed the Wooden Golem Technique. Not the fabled True Several Thousand Hands.
The difference was critical—True Several Thousand Hands required a Sage Body and perfect Sage Mode to sustain, something Ryoma did not yet possess. His fusion with Wood Release wasn't complete—far from the 100% necessary to wield Hashirama's full power.
Even so, it was enough to shock Madara's clone to the core.
"Could it be… Hashirama faked his death, just like I did?"
The Sharingan burned, blood-red and hateful. No matter how he looked, Ryoma was not Hashirama—yet his presence was enough to stir Madara's killing intent.
"He's not Hashirama. All the more reason to eliminate him before he matures…"
The masked figure prepared to strike—
Rumble!
The ground quaked again, more violently than before.
From the earth, a second colossal Wooden Golem rose, another Ryoma clone standing upon its head.
But the tremors didn't stop.
They grew even stronger.
A third thousand-armed giant burst forth from the ground, shaking the battlefield to its core.
Three towering Wooden Golems now stood together—each bristling with countless arms, each bearing Ryoma's presence.
The sight left every onlooker in utter shock.
...
TN:
🦊 Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin (+30 Chaps)