When the roar finally faded…
In the ruins left behind after Wood Style's devastation—
a lone ninja crawled out from beneath the rubble.
Another ninja, who had managed to free himself earlier, rushed forward and pulled him out.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
The two supported each other, finding a place to rest on the massive branches born of Wood Style.
Looking around, both Konoha shinobi were struck with shock.
Ten minutes ago, this place had been full of towering buildings—the bustling heart of Konoha.
Now, as far as the eye could see, enormous Wood Style roots rose into the sky, blotting out the sunlight.
The village they knew had completely transformed into something unrecognizable.
"Is this… still Konoha?"
"Y-Yeah… it should be."
"Then what the hell is…"
Boom!
A violent gust of wind tore through the air.
The two of them looked up just in time to see a shadow drop from above.
The speed was so terrifying that the air itself shrieked, like a cannonball ripping the sky apart.
Buzzing!
In the next instant, the enormous shadow swooped past them, brushing over their heads.
And in that brief moment—
they saw it.
A massive serpent, forged from tightly woven wood, covered in spikes with a long, fanged snout.
"What kind of monster is that?!"
"I-I don't know…"
The two exchanged a glance, then turned to follow the direction the creature had flown.
Leaping across thick vines, they finally reached higher ground—
and froze in place.
"That's… that's no snake."
What had flown over them was a wooden dragon.
Suddenly, the wooden dragon slammed into the ground with thunderous force.
Dust exploded outward, swallowing the area.
From the ground, countless vines shot up, trying desperately to bind the dragon—
but it merely twisted its colossal body, shattering them as if they were nothing.
Each swing, each crash of its frame shook the earth and rattled the sky.
Then—out from the smoke—
a figure was thrown violently across the battlefield.
The two shinobi's eyes widened.
"Is that… the First Hokage?!"
"No doubt! He's wearing the red armor!"
"Then this wooden dragon must be… Yuichi's doing?"
"It has to be. Third Hokage's death pushed Yuichi into a frenzy… Orochimaru must be here too."
All around, countless ninjas watched, wide-eyed, as the wooden dragon rampaged.
On its head stood Yuichi, his gaze icy and unyielding as he looked down upon Orochimaru—
and the reanimated Hashirama and Tobirama below.
He lowered his eyes, glancing at his right hand.
[Congratulations to the Host. Konoha has been destroyed by more than 50%. Reward granted: random Escape Technique series upgrade. Wood Style enhanced—advanced to Special Wood Style: Diamond Wood.]
Diamond Wood?
Yuichi didn't know exactly what it meant.
But he did know the jutsu Diamond Tree Burial, capable of calling forth massive, crushing trunks from the ground.
Could this mean that both his offense and defense had now become stronger… and far more terrifying?
As the thought crossed his mind, the dragon beneath him began to change.
Its wooden body shimmered, gradually taking on a faint silver sheen.
The sudden shift made Tobirama scowl.
"Brother… what's happening to his Wood Style?"
"I'm not entirely sure." Hashirama's expression hardened. "But it seems… it has evolved."
"Evolved? Wood Style can change like that?"
"Of course it can. You should know better, Tobirama—chakra and ninjutsu are filled with variables!"
Tobirama's jaw tightened.
Indeed, Wood Style changing wasn't impossible—
but this wasn't a weakening.
It was clearly growing stronger.
Suddenly, the silver dragon lunged again, its speed so explosive Tobirama barely reacted in time.
Hashirama quickly summoned a Wooden Wall to defend—
but the dragon crashed through it with overwhelming force, clamping its fangs down on both brothers at once.
"What insane power…!"
Even Hashirama felt uneasy.
Normally, Wood Style was known for suppressing chakra and restraining tailed beasts.
But Yuichi's silver Wood Style—
not only absorbed chakra, but its strength felt like solid steel.
"This… I can't break free!" Tobirama strained, but the dragon's coils drained his chakra rapidly—so fast it shocked even him.
From a distance, Orochimaru's lips curled, eyes gleaming with fascination.
This brat's Wood Style rivals the First Hokage himself…
To subdue the First and Second so easily… this kind of power could…
…turn the world upside down.
Yuichi, standing atop the dragon, turned his gaze onto Orochimaru.
His right hand slowly extended.
Seeing the motion, Orochimaru's body instinctively stiffened—cold dread creeping down his spine.
He leapt away immediately.
But Yuichi clenched his fingers into a fist.
In an instant, silver wooden spears erupted from every direction, tearing through the air to hunt Orochimaru like a pride of lions.
He glanced back in disbelief.
He's casting Wood Style without even weaving signs?!
There was no time to ponder.
Orochimaru bit his thumb, slammed his palm into the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
Bang!
White smoke exploded outward.
And from it—appeared the great serpent, Manda.
The colossal snake glanced around in irritation.
"Tch. This place feels familiar… Orochimaru, why summon me here?!"
"Manda, ahead of us—watch out!"
"Front?"
Manda turned his head—
BOOM!
The silver dragon crashed into him instantly.
The mighty serpent's eyes rolled back, his head slamming to the ground.
"What… what the hell is that thing…?!"
Orochimaru steadied himself atop Manda's skull, chakra surging to his soles.
Ahead, a blinding light of chakra flared.
The pressure it radiated made the air quake.
Yuichi's pale face emerged through the haze.
Calm, expressionless—
not an ounce of anger visible.
And yet—
Orochimaru's eyes bloodshot, heart pounding, realized the truth.
Pretending to lose control, forcing Konoha's forces to scatter… was this your plan all along, Yuichi?