Kazuku relentlessly punched, using Morning Peacock to counter Hashirama's World of Trees.
Though he'd mastered Wood Release via check-in rewards…
He only knew three Wood Release techniques.
One, Four-Pillar House, had little combat utility.
Wood Human and Wood Dragon weren't ideal against World of Trees.
But Kazuku didn't plan to destroy the entire tree sea with Morning Peacock.
He focused on clearing a radius around himself, shattering the trees.
After five or six breaths, Kazuku stopped punching, landing.
"Compared to fighting Chikusho, I can handle Morning Peacock's strain, but if I keep going, my seal-less healing might not keep up."
If healing lagged behind damage…
Pain would expose a flaw.
Against Hashirama…
Even a second could lead to countless possibilities.
Kazuku crouched, surrounded by Hashirama's Wood Release.
He pressed two fingers to the ground, closing his eyes, activating Kagura Mind's Eye to sense Hashirama.
"This is…"
"Wood Dragon Technique?"
Suddenly, Kazuku's eyes widened, sensing a massive chakra surge.
Hashirama's tree sea was flattened by this force.
A lifelike Wood Dragon, claws bared, writhed, charging at Kazuku.
"Fine, I'll match you."
Seeing this, Kazuku opted to clash ninjutsu.
Clap!
Kazuku clapped, unleashing his Wood Release.
"Wood Release: Wood Human Technique!"
The ground rumbled, cracking, as a Wood Dragon soared.
As Hashirama's dragon neared, Kazuku's dragon opened its maw, biting its neck, soaring upward.
The two dragons intertwined, grappling, trying to overpower each other.
The flattened tree sea revealed Hashirama's position.
Kazuku glanced, ignoring the battling dragons.
He saw Hashirama frozen, a flicker of shock in his eyes.
Clearly, Hashirama was stunned by Kazuku's Wood Dragon.
"Tobirama said Kazuku inherited my Wood Release, but I didn't expect it to be this strong."
Hashirama marveled internally.
Kazuku's dragon matched his own.
Neither could overpower the other.
"At seven, I didn't even know what Wood Release was."
"No…"
Hashirama shook his head.
Forget seven.
At fifteen, he was clueless about Wood Release.
Otherwise, he'd have bragged to Madara daily.
Madara, look, I made a dragon with Wood Release.
I made a tree.
I made a flower.
I made… you.
Thinking this, Hashirama felt nostalgic.
If Madara were alive, unconflicted with his ideals…
How great would that be?
"If Madara were here, he'd see hope for peace in Kazuku."
"He's a better ninja than Madara or me."
"Maybe Kazuku will change the world."
"Bring true peace."
Hashirama looked skyward at a 45-degree angle. "Madara, do you see Kazuku now?"
"Only seven, yet already a standout ninja."
"In ten—no, five years, he'll be Hokage."
"The answer we couldn't find, Kazuku will."
Hashirama wished Madara could appear, hear him.
Witness Kazuku's growth.
At seven, mastering Wood Release so brilliantly!
Sadly…
Madara was gone.
He'd never know how exceptional his grandson was.
But…
As Hashirama reflected…
Kazuku acted.
Since Hashirama was clashing ninjutsu, Kazuku wouldn't hold back.
"Wood Release: Wood Human Technique!"
Kazuku clapped, injecting chakra into the ground, forming Wood Release.
Countless vines sprouted, growing thick, converging.
Forming a ferocious, towering Wood Human.
Under Kazuku's control, it grabbed Hashirama's Wood Dragon by the neck, then its tail.
With a fierce tug, it shredded the dragon.
Kazuku's Wood Dragon then coiled around the Wood Human's waist, roaring at Hashirama.
Kazuku leaped onto the Wood Human's shoulder, looking down at Hashirama.
"If it's just Wood Release, my odds are slim, but…"
"I'm not limited to Wood Release!"
As he spoke, Kazuku gathered chakra in his palm, spinning it irregularly.
Pale blue chakra appeared, like swirling air.
In two or three breaths, it compressed into a chakra ball.
The…
Rasengan!
"And…"
Kazuku's eyes narrowed. During their taijutsu clash, he'd secretly placed a Flying Thunder God mark on Hashirama.
Meaning he could use Flying Thunder God's instant teleportation…
For an unexpected attack.
But first, he needed to distract Hashirama's attention.
Otherwise, Hashirama's reaction speed would likely counter.
This was Kazuku's strategy.
Though his opponent was his grandfather…
The God of Shinobi, strongest under the Sage.
Kazuku wouldn't lose easily.
Hashirama looked up, meeting Kazuku's gaze, seeing him stand impressively on the Wood Human.
Hashirama's heart swelled with joy. "Wood Human, huh."
Then, he clapped.
Using Wood Human Technique too.
After a tremor…
A massive head broke the earth, lifting Hashirama.
Another towering Wood Human appeared!
"Kazuku!" Hashirama called, urging his Wood Human forward.
"Hashirama!" Kazuku matched his volume, charging his Wood Human.
(End of Chapter)