Within a cage of swirling smoke,
Hashirama and Tobirama turned their eyes toward Shigure.
"Kid, your technique is quite unusual," Hashirama remarked, observing the prison of smoke around them.
"It looks soft, like a cloud, yet it has incredible hardness and durability. If I tried to break it by brute force, it'd take me a long while."
With just a glance, the First Hokage had already gauged the level of the Smoke Prison.
Tobirama, standing beside him, was more intrigued.
"I've never sensed a chakra transformation like this before. Is this some sort of special kekkei genkai?"
Shigure only smiled at their sharp insight.
"As expected of the First and Second Hokage! You saw through my smoke prison so quickly. Yes… with the First Hokage's chakra, it would take at least half an hour to break free—assuming I didn't keep reinforcing it. If I continue supplying chakra, though… you might never break it."
He then turned to Tobirama.
"And the Second Hokage's perception is just as sharp. This is my original technique—Cloud Release!"
"Cloud Release?"
Both Hokage were momentarily stunned. Neither had ever heard of such an elemental style before.
They couldn't determine what unique chakra fusion had birthed it. Still, since it truly resembled a cloud, the name fit.
Hashirama grinned broadly.
"Impressive! You're truly a shinobi of Konoha—to develop such a rare nature transformation! Hahaha!"
Watching his brother's hearty laughter, Tobirama's expression soured with distaste.
"Boy, what's your name?"
"Moonlight Shigure!"
Tobirama gave a curt nod. "Your ninjutsu is remarkable, but there's a flaw. You've trapped us here… yet you've also trapped yourself. Don't tell me you can't leave either?"
Shigure admitted with a nod. "That's right. Once this technique is cast, even I can't escape unless I dispel it myself."
Tobirama's face darkened.
"Then what was the point of this? You've confined yourself with us. Why not call for reinforcements instead? Did you really think a mere brat could hold us down?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"If I'm not mistaken, the jutsu will end the moment you die."
Shigure smiled.
"Exactly, Second-sama. If you kill me, the prison will vanish."
At that, Hashirama shook his head, his tone heavy.
"Kid… I understand your will to protect the village, but there's no need to throw your life away like this."
Tobirama added, voice sharp:
"You're barely more than a fresh Genin. How long do you think you can stall us with just this one ninjutsu?"
Both Hokage seemed almost regretful, as if the boy's actions were nothing but reckless self-sacrifice—pointless, and of little help to the village he sought to protect.
Yet Shigure's expression remained calm, a quiet smile tugging at his lips.
"Don't worry, First and Second Hokage. I know I can't defeat you… but I am confident I can stop you."
He grinned, steady and unyielding.
At the same time, the Great Sage had begun analyzing the two Hokage.
The process wasn't fast—calculations showed it would take about three minutes to complete.
Three minutes.
Not long, but far from short in battle.
Suddenly, Hashirama's body shifted.
"Looks like our conversation is over. Are you truly confident you can stop us?"
Tobirama snorted coldly.
"Confidence is fine, but excess confidence… that's arrogance."
So even with two Hokage before him, they still didn't believe he could hold them back.
"Then come and see for yourselves!"
Cloud Release: Mist Solidification Jutsu!
Shigure's eyes sharpened, and the smoke beneath his feet surged upward, twisting into more than a dozen pale-white serpents, each as thick as a python, which lunged toward the two brothers.
Seeing this, both Hokage made a small sound of surprise.
Shigure hadn't formed a single hand seal—yet the ninjutsu activated instantly.
Swish!
Both Hokage dodged with blinding speed, evading the serpents' coils and counterattacking in the same breath.
Water Release: Water Shockwave!
A thunderous roar filled the air as Tobirama's technique tore forward like a tidal blast.
Hissss—!
Smoke surged up and solidified into a barrier before Shigure. The Cloud Wall absorbed the crashing torrent, halting its advance.
Tobirama's eyes gleamed.
"A formidable ninjutsu… completely impenetrable!"
"Be careful, kid!" Hashirama's voice rang out as he clapped his hands together.
Wood Release: Advent of the World of Trees!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
From the earth, colossal vines erupted, racing toward Shigure like living serpents.
He waved his hand, and smoke answered his call, spreading outward in equal measure.
In an instant, pale-white serpents of smoke and towering vines clashed midair, intertwining and tearing at each other.
Though the mist appeared light and ethereal, its strength was undeniable. The vines were crushed and broken against the white serpents' hardened coils.
"That's right," Tobirama muttered. "Even my brother's Wood Release can't restrain your mist."
"But don't get overconfident, boy. You may block our attacks for a while, but it won't last!"
Water Release: Severing Wave!
Boom!
The water blade cut sharply from the side, tearing through the mist barrier with precision.
For a brief moment, the thick fog blocked vision, but within seconds it was shredded apart.
Shigure's eyes narrowed in surprise. As expected of the Second Hokage's Water Release… this cutting power is overwhelming!
Even the remarkable resilience of his Cloud Release had been pierced through—
—but only because he hadn't reinforced that section in time.
The mist shifted instantly, condensing into a reflective shield.
Crackle! The Water Severing Wave slammed into the shield, the impact ringing with a metallic sound.
"Well done!" Hashirama cheered, genuinely impressed.
Though Tobirama shared the sentiment, he couldn't help but feel as though his brother was mocking him.
The next instant, the mist surged high into the sky, condensing into a colossal fist. It plummeted down with crushing force.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The Hokage dodged rapidly as blow after blow shook the ground.
"Hahaha! Incredible! I never imagined ninjutsu could be used this way!" Hashirama laughed heartily as he evaded.
But Shigure anticipated his movements. Two more white fists closed in from left and right, aiming directly at his position.
Hashirama raised his hands calmly—
Bang!
Bang!
The twin fists collided with his palms and were stopped cold.
"Mm. The force is still a bit weak," Hashirama said with an encouraging smile, "but that doesn't matter. You're young. As you grow, so will your jutsu. In time, this Cloud Release may even rival my Wood Release."
...
TN:
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