To Kazuku, their Wood Humans were like Wood Release mechas, shaking the earth with each step.
Instantly…
Both Wood Humans swung fists, hammering each other.
Boom!
Boom!
Fist met flesh, neither yielding.
But Hashirama noticed Kazuku's right hand.
"That's the Rasengan, huh."
Hashirama's eyes narrowed, studying it.
He'd heard from Tobirama about Kazuku's remarkable ninjutsu.
Immensely powerful, seal-less.
Paired with Flying Thunder God, it'd terrify enemy ninja.
Back then, Hashirama thought Tobirama was exaggerating.
Mythologizing Kazuku.
Now…
Tobirama hadn't overestimated Kazuku; Hashirama had underestimated him.
"At seven, Kazuku developed such a terrifying technique?"
Even to Hashirama…
The Rasengan was fearsome.
"It's like a Tailed Beast Bomb."
Observing closely, Hashirama realized the Rasengan was a Tailed Beast Bomb replica.
"If Tobirama developed it, I wouldn't be this shocked."
"But a seven-year-old did."
Hashirama's understanding of ninjutsu development wavered.
What was Kazuku's brain made of?
While other kids at seven pondered lunch…
Kazuku…
Created the Rasengan!
"And it has huge potential."
Hashirama noted the Rasengan lacked chakra nature transformation.
It was pure chakra compression.
With a nature transformation, its destructive power…
Could multiply!
No…
Dozens of times!
"Remarkable."
To Hashirama, Kazuku found a unique way…
For ninja without Tailed Beast power to wield Tailed Beast Bomb-like strength.
Though Hashirama seemed carefree, his analytical skills were sharp.
One glance, and he understood the Rasengan thoroughly.
"But creating it requires precise chakra control."
"And its demands exceed monstrous strength."
No exaggeration…
Even Senju mastering monstrous strength…
Might not learn the Rasengan!
Hashirama's heart surged with awe.
He wanted Tobirama to reincarnate Madara to see…
How terrifying Kazuku was!
Of course, he only thought it.
Impure World Reincarnation, to him, desecrated the dead…
And was cruel to the living.
But…
Not every ninja had Hashirama's analytical prowess.
To Hiruzen, Kagami, Danzo, Koharu, and Homura…
Kazuku's Wood Release was more shocking than his Rasengan!
"Kazuku's matching Lord Hashirama?" Kagami's Sharingan widened, incredulous.
He knew Kazuku was strong, but…
Matching the First Hokage was beyond his expectations, his understanding.
"How…" Danzo swallowed, unwilling to accept reality.
Kazuku…
Was only seven, right?
Strength, speed, stamina, chakra, ninjutsu execution.
His fundamentals should be far below Hashirama's.
This should be a one-sided fight!
How was it evenly matched?
Unthinkable.
Unbelievable!
"Uzumaki blood…"
Suddenly, Danzo realized something.
Yes.
Uzumaki blood.
It had to be.
Uzumaki were known for long lifespans and vast chakra.
A quarter of Kazuku's blood came from his grandmother, Mito Uzumaki.
"Mito, princess of the Land of Whirlpools, has the finest Uzumaki blood."
Her status as the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki…
And the Nine-Tails never rampaging proved…
Mito was no pushover.
Kazuku perfectly inherited Hashirama and Mito's strengths.
A double dose of exceptional genes.
Letting him match Hashirama!
"That's it!"
Danzo clenched his fists, convinced he was right.
Otherwise, how could Kazuku's Wood Release rival Hashirama's?
"Any ninjutsu grows stronger with battle experience and training." Hiruzen spoke slowly.
His eyes were filled with shock.
"Having lived through the Warring States, Lord Hashirama has unmatched combat experience and versatile tactics."
In Hiruzen's view, he couldn't fathom Hashirama's Wood Release being inferior.
Yet…
Hashirama's Wood Release couldn't overpower Kazuku!
Not even slightly!
Too exaggerated!
Kazuku was seven!
And only recently awakened Wood Release. How was it so strong?
Utterly unscientific!
"No…" Tobirama frowned. Having walked from the Warring States to the ninja era with Hashirama…
He knew his brother well.
Hashirama's Wood Release had no equal.
He'd mastered it to perfection.
It couldn't be suppressed by Kazuku.
What…
Was happening?
"Could Kazuku's Wood Release have surpassed Big Brother's?"
"But how…"
Even Tobirama was reluctant to believe.
Or rather, couldn't believe!
Hashirama was the god in his heart!
The ninja world's strongest!
Even Madara lost to him!
Now, a seven-year-old…
Matching him?
What a joke!
Didn't that mean…
With more time, Kazuku could surpass Hashirama?
"Big Brother's decades of mastery, surpassed by Kazuku in months?"
Too absurd!
(End of Chapter)