Chapter 184: 184. The Power Of One Person!
Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Seeing Nawaki's arrival, Uzumaki Kushina felt a wave of relief. "You came just in time," she said, anger evident in her voice. "That guy is tough to handle. It must be because of those eyes. I need to ask the Hyūga clan how they managed to push him to defect. It's so frustrating!"
The trees under Nawaki's feet twisted and entwined, then expanded rapidly, gradually forming a Wooden Golem, its height rising steadily.
Even with this height, he still had to look up to face his opponent. Nawaki's brows furrowed tightly.
"Let's discuss this later. For now, let's get past this obstacle. Be careful—those eyes give me a very dangerous feeling," Nawaki warned.
"I know, but are you the only one left in the village? Where are the others?"
The "others" referred to members of Ishigami Hara's faction.
Nawaki replied, "Hokage-sama has gone to Fire City. I've already sent word to him. Minato-kun is with Hokage-sama, so if he gets the message, he should be able to return quickly."
"As for the others…"
Before he could finish, more people arrived.
"What's going on here?"
The first to arrive was none other than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been retired for years. At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was clad in a black combat uniform, holding his long staff, and examining Hyūga Iroha in the sky with a serious expression.
"Is that… the Hyūga child who betrayed the village? How is he here?"
Nawaki shook his head. "I'm not sure, but his target seems to be Kushina. We must stay vigilant—those eyes give me a bad feeling."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked grim, glancing at Kushina before nodding. "Is he here for the Jinchūriki? Could the recent unrest in the ninja world be tied to him?"
As he spoke, more allies joined them. Tsunade arrived first, followed by Uchiha Shikazan's team, Uzumaki Kanao, and other shinobi from the village.
Without further explanation, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen took command, shouting, "All Chūnin and Genin, withdraw from the battlefield and help the villagers take shelter. The rest of the Jōnin, position yourselves based on your abilities!"
"Yes!"
Everyone responded and acted swiftly. Having a former Hokage present brought a sense of reassurance.
"Here it comes!"
Nawaki muttered in a low voice, his eyes fixed on the golden light descending from the sky, which exuded immense pressure.
The enormous Wooden Statue beneath him raised its hands defensively. Simultaneously, more trees sprouted from the ground, growing at an accelerated rate.
"Wood Release Secret Technique: Nativity of a World of Trees!"
Crack!
The trees sprouted wildly, transforming instantly into a massive forest.
This technique wasn't meant to attack but to provide cover for everyone present.
The next moment, the golden light descended, and the Wood Human was no match for it. From its hands to its head and down to its feet, it was sliced cleanly in half without resistance.
"Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!"
The voice echoed from the sky just as the devastating impact landed.
If Nawaki hadn't reacted swiftly, pulling Uzumaki Kushina aside to evade, she would have sustained serious injuries under the golden light.
"So strong!"
Nawaki muttered, but without hesitating, he formed another seal while in mid-air.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique!"
As Nawaki and Uzumaki Kushina fell, a wooden dragon grew beneath their feet, catching them securely before expanding and growing even larger.
Meanwhile, the forest below split apart in massive cracks, as though it had been hit by an intense explosion, with a shockwave strong enough to devastate the Wood Release forest.
"Hyūga… Iroha! You dare to come back!!!"
From below, a loud shout resounded, and three colossal Susanoo forms appeared, each rising from the ground—one light yellow, one light purple, and one blood-red. Although slightly different in appearance, all three were similarly equipped in chakra armor, fully armed.
"This…!"
Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the scene in astonishment. He was aware of the basic information regarding Uchiha Shikazan's team. He knew it was composed of members with dōjutsu bloodlines and that Hyūga Iroha was originally a member before betraying the village. But he never expected that this team would include three Mangekyō Sharingan users, and Hyūga Iroha's eyes seemed unique as well.
When did the village amass so many Mangekyō users? Wouldn't the Uchiha clan be concerned?
For a brief moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen worried about this shift, but he soon reminded himself that things were no longer as they once were.
The gap between the Uchiha and the village was gradually closing, especially under the Fourth Hokage's leadership. As a supporter of Ishigami Hara, it wasn't his place to worry about such matters.
And as he glanced around, he noticed the Uchiha shinobi standing beside him, unperturbed.
"It's just the cry of the weak."
A voice echoed from above, calm and indifferent.
"I came here solely for the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki. Hand her over, or… I will destroy Konoha before your eyes!"
Nawaki sneered and called out, "Destroy Konoha? You think you're capable, kid?"
He glanced at Uzumaki Kushina, who gave a nod and moved to stand behind him.
Suddenly, the wooden dragon beneath them raised its head and surged upward, propelling Nawaki and Uzumaki Kushina to Hyūga Iroha's height.
Nawaki raised his right hand, and a ball of chakra rapidly expanded in his palm, accompanied by a sharp, whistling sound.
"Big Ball Rasenshuriken!"
In the next instant, Nawaki hurled a massive Rasenshuriken with a diameter of over a meter toward Hyūga Iroha.
Simultaneously, Uzumaki Kushina stretched out her hands, and the blood-red chakra transformed into enormous hands, circling from both sides to grab Hyūga Iroha.
"Hah…"
A soft sigh escaped Hyūga Iroha, followed by a burst of immense repulsive force. The super-large Rasenshuriken and the chakra hands instantly disintegrated under the force, leaving no trace.
The repulsive force didn't diminish; it struck the two mid-air, giving them no time to react, and they were both thrown far back.
"Nawaki!"
"Kushina!!"
Exclamations rose from below.