The First Hokage revived through Edo Tensei naturally could not be so powerful that he reached the level he had in life, when he could play a one-versus-two match against Uchiha Madara and the Nine-Tails. Not only that, Uncle Snake, who was currently controlling him, was constantly suppressing his strength. For the sake of this "control," Orochimaru's forehead was already covered in cold sweat.
Although it looked like he was merely "watching the show," Uncle Snake, hidden behind the scenes, was absolutely not relaxed. If his spirit failed to hold, the First Hokage could break free from Edo Tensei's restraints at any moment. This half-liberated state already counted as playing with fire. If things went badly, the Hokage might turn around and team up with Hagoromo to deal with him.
Although either one of these two could deal with him without needing to "team up," if they did join forces, it meant he was finished no matter what.
In reality, Orochimaru's current actions were naturally not because he wanted to do anything to Hagoromo. After all, there was no real grudge between them. His objective still could not escape its essence: Orochimaru simply wanted to force Hagoromo to use his "dōjutsu." Especially after repeated investigations had allowed Uncle Snake to learn that Hagoromo's eyes had once opposed the Rinnegan, he cared even more.
So, since the opportunity was rare and he had nothing better to do, he might as well try fighting.
There was also one more point that Orochimaru was extremely concerned about: what exactly had Hagoromo's purpose been when he went to Ryūchi Cave in the past? The White Snake Sage had never explained this to him.
Essentially, Orochimaru was still doing this for research. For certain people, the three words "thirst for knowledge" were the most irresistible instinct.
The current First Hokage, even at this level, was in fact already enough to be called "unbeatably strong." Moreover, when the First Hokage said he had no obvious weaknesses, that was not an exaggeration at all. Aside from occasionally having holes in his brain, whether it was mid-range, long-range, or close-range attacks; whether it was large-scale or small-scale attacks; or even distinctions between ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, and sealing techniques, this man was super proficient in all of them. His strength was so balanced that he had no friends.
At this moment, although Hagoromo's defense was as steady as a mountain, he was in fact within the range of Deep Forest Emergence, which was equivalent to being surrounded on all sides. These trees, brimming with chakra and vitality, would continue growing until they completely bound him.
Although Hagoromo looked as if he were cutting through melons and chopping vegetables amid sparks and lightning, in reality, it seemed no matter how much he cut, he could not cut through all of it.
More importantly, while he was inside this range, Hagoromo felt that Wood Release chakra exerted a certain suppressive effect on him, to the point that he began to wonder whether Senju Hashirama could use Wood Release secret techniques similar to chakra absorption.
Therefore, he had to break out as quickly as possible.
In reality, Hagoromo had guessed correctly. The First Hokage could indeed use a spore technique like White Zetsu's.
He could not keep blindly trading cuts. Hagoromo's Chidori Sharp Spear avoided a vine charging diagonally toward him. Then his body leaped with force, and after landing steadily on the vine, he used that momentum to launch himself into the air.
Once the forest thinned out slightly, Hagoromo used the Summoning Technique in the gap.
Yatagarasu's enormous figure appeared in midair… It had only just returned to Shikkotsu Forest and had not even had time to rest its feet before being summoned out again.
However, Hagoromo's attempt to use the aerial route to move failed before it could even be carried out. Yatagarasu had not flapped its wings more than a few times before it was restrained.
A special vine hidden within Deep Forest Emergence moved as flexibly, accurately, and swiftly as a swimming snake, wrapping Yatagarasu up tightly.
This was the ninjutsu the First Hokage used to deal with the Nine-Tails: Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique. Using it against an ordinary summoned beast was completely like firing a cannon at a mosquito.
However, that instant of pause was enough for Hagoromo to readjust his posture in the air. He jumped down from Yatagarasu again… What Hagoromo needed was to close the distance between himself and the First Hokage.
At this moment, Orochimaru, who was hidden who-knew-where, was about to cry. The power of the techniques used by the First Hokage was growing stronger and stronger. His chakra level was also rising continuously and had already begun showing signs of going out of control… A child swinging a sledgehammer was very likely to smash his own foot. Orochimaru realized that he might have played the wrong card. He should not have opened up the First Hokage's consciousness from the very beginning. Now, the other party's resistance against him, the caster, was becoming stronger and stronger.
Hagoromo charged straight toward the First Hokage's position, then smashed directly down in front of him.
The First Hokage separated his hands, then brought them together again. Immediately afterward, what greeted Hagoromo was darkness.
He was very familiar with this move. Without a doubt, it was Ninja Art: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique. However, this time, Hagoromo had run into the truest original user.
Fortunately, Hagoromo was also very skilled at using this vision-stealing genjutsu. He understood the technique's principle and method of use. What remained was to disturb his own chakra and break free from the genjutsu.
Hagoromo did indeed possess another kind of chakra, but that meant he had to use that move ahead of schedule… Sage Mode.
The greatest advantage of Hagoromo's senjutsu was that he could use it at any time. He did not need the process of drawing in natural energy.
The mark between his brows dissolved, and the markings representing Sage Mode instantly appeared on his face.
What Sage Mode brought was the ultimate enhancement of physical ability and sensory perception. In the instant before his vision recovered, he had already struck in one direction.
Something snapped in response… What Hagoromo's palm destroyed was the Wood Release: Cutting Technique that had come within a hair's breadth of piercing into his body.
"It seems my warning was unnecessary. You are a shinobi with considerable strength," the First Hokage said. Naturally, he recognized what Sage Mode was.
"No, I think you should still warn me. If I'd been 'caught off guard' just now, I would already have been stabbed to death by your wooden stake." Hagoromo's line was… in a certain sense, extremely terrible. But this was indeed the truth. Using the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique for a surprise attack was simply perfect. If someone who could not quickly break free from the technique had faced this situation, they would already be dead beyond dead.
All of the First Hokage's actions were "involuntary." At this moment, he rapidly retreated again, while the forest also moved once more toward Hagoromo's location.
This was also a continuous control technique.
"Too troublesome!"
Deep Forest Emergence was indeed an extremely troublesome ninjutsu. Even more troublesome were the various impossible-to-guard-against tricks hidden within it, especially in terrain like this. So Hagoromo decided to…
Burn it.
Burn all of it.
The forest wrapped toward Hagoromo like enormous pythons. Very quickly, his figure disappeared among the dense branches and trunks.
The atmosphere seemed to freeze for an instant. However, the battle would not end because of that. In the next moment, a scorching wave of fire erupted from that knot of wood. A crimson tornado, carrying a massive explosion and searing heat, instantly shot straight into the sky. Nearly half of the exam grounds were affected by this Fire Release.
Uncle Snake was still suffering, but at this moment, the ones who most wanted to say "what the hell" were actually the Chūnin Exam candidates. Damn it, could you two gods go fight somewhere else?
Fortunately, any examinee with a brain had already run far away by now.
Sage Art: Fire Release: Kirin. This was one of Hagoromo's rare super-wide-range ninjutsu. However, when using this composite ninjutsu in an environment without water, aside from Fire, Lightning, and Wind, he needed to add a clone to use Water Release.
When the Third Hokage received the report and arrived here, what he happened to see was that burning, mimetic qilin head plunging down. Then half of the mountainside caught fire.
Hagoromo had definitely never heard this saying: set a mountain on fire, and you'll sit in prison until the end of time! Fortunately, he had a reason for what he was doing. Under these circumstances, the Hokage would naturally forgive him.
However, something even more shocking happened, leaving the Third Hokage unable to close his legs in astonishment:
Amid the scorching waves of fire, accompanied by creaking and groaning sounds, an enormous figure rose from the ground. Although flames clung to its body, it was not seriously affected. Instead, the fire gave it an aura of destruction.
The Third Hokage naturally knew exactly what this technique, and the towering figure before him, was. He was all too familiar with this move.
This was the First Hokage's Wood Release secret technique: Wood Human Technique!
Senju Hashirama had finally brought out his Gundam (giant construct).
At this moment, Hagoromo and Hagoromo's clone were also shocked. Never in a million years had they expected that such a move was really possible.
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