Shigure didn't know if his Cloud Release would ever surpass Wood Release, but he was certain of one thing—Cloud Release was not weak.
The reason he had chosen it to confront the First and Second Hokage wasn't arrogance. He wanted to test himself against them and refine Cloud Release's offensive potential. Until now, he had only used it as a supplementary technique.
But now… he could see its true possibilities.
"Where are you looking, boy?"
"You have more than one opponent!"
Bang!
Tobirama's voice came from behind. He appeared in an instant, driving a fist toward the back of Shigure's head.
But Shigure raised his hand without even turning around.
The smoke he had prepared in advance surged up, condensing into hardened cloud that instantly enveloped Tobirama.
The Second Hokage froze, his fist halting less than two centimeters from Shigure's skull. His eyes narrowed.
So… he was waiting for me? This kid is confident—does he really trust his jutsu that much?
If Shigure had been a moment slower, or if the barrier hadn't formed, he would already be dead. But he wasn't reckless—he was daring.
Tobirama couldn't help but feel a spark of admiration. This level of composure and innovation was rare, even among Konoha's gifted.
In the next instant, Shigure spun, raising his palm toward Tobirama's head.
"Cloud Release: White Vine Seal!"
Sealing runes flared across the mist, binding into place—
Crack!
The air exploded. Tobirama twisted free, his speed breaking the seal's hold, and Shigure was sent spinning midair from the counterforce.
Before he could recover, the surrounding smoke thickened, catching him like a net and stopping his fall. He wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and looked up—only to see Hashirama closing in.
"As Tobirama said, you can't afford to focus on just one opponent. That last move was clever, but you should've used a clone to delay me. If you had… I wouldn't have been able to save him."
Hashirama's words were followed by a barrage of strikes. His fists rained down like hammers, each blow backed by the raw strength of a Senju.
Shigure twisted and dodged, weaving his mist to block where he could. Even restrained, Hashirama's power was terrifying—his strange strength wasn't something Shigure could take head-on.
Then, from the other side—
Swish!
Tobirama's form flickered into view, using the Body Flicker Technique. His body spun midair, a sharp kick driving straight into Shigure's chest.
"—Tch!"
Shigure crossed his arms to guard, but at that exact moment, Hashirama's fist slammed down onto his shoulder, breaking through the mist's defenses and striking him directly.
The combined force of their blows sent Shigure flying backward.
Crash!
He smashed into the Smoke Prison wall, then bounced off before managing to steady himself in the air. His chest and arms throbbed with pain, his clothes torn into ragged strips.
Both Hokage frowned slightly. For all their strength, they couldn't help but feel concern for the boy before them.
"Be careful, brat! You're facing not one—but two Hokage!" Tobirama said, his voice stern, tinged with disappointment.
But Shigure only smiled faintly.
The next moment, green chakra flared around his body.
Medical Ninjutsu: Healing Technique!
The injuries across his chest and arms mended rapidly, torn flesh knitting together before their eyes.
Seeing Shigure's body rapidly heal, Tobirama's eyes narrowed in surprise.
"Not bad… he's even mastered medical ninjutsu!"
Hashirama studied the technique carefully.
"It's somewhat similar to my self-regeneration without hand seals… but it looks like you've woven it together with a secret technique, right?"
Shigure nodded.
"That's right. I've done in-depth research into chakra nature. When combined with medical ninjutsu, it enhances the healing effect."
For a moment, Hashirama was stunned—then he laughed heartily.
"Haha! Amazing! Tobirama, this boy reminds me of you. He has unparalleled talent in ninjutsu, even creating healing techniques on his own!"
Tobirama's stern features softened with a faint smile.
Looking at Shigure was like glimpsing his own younger self: a genius driven by obsession, who had once created countless new techniques.
"Boy," Tobirama said, his voice carrying both warning and sincerity, "you have great talent. But take care not to leave behind dangerous legacies for future generations."
It was advice born of regret. Many of his own jutsu had been twisted into forbidden arts, harming the world long after his death.
Shigure met his gaze calmly.
"Don't worry, Lord Tobirama. My techniques are unique to me. Only I can use them."
Tobirama frowned at that. While he always feared forbidden techniques falling into the wrong hands, it seemed selfish to hoard knowledge and deny future generations. He found himself with no reply.
But before more could be said, their bodies moved involuntarily under Edo Tensei, and the battle resumed.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive dragon of water roared toward Shigure.
"Cloud Release: Mist Shield!"
A towering wall of condensed cloud rose up, halting the attack. As he watched the shield hold firm, an idea flashed in Shigure's mind: if clouds could defend with such durability, then surely they could also be sharpened for offense.
Channeling Yin chakra into his Cloud Release, he willed the mist to transform—
In the next instant, countless spikes of hardened cloud burst forth like a storm of spears, surging toward the two Hokage.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Crash! Crash! Crash!
The torrents of water clashed against the spikes, deflecting them all. Shigure clicked his tongue.
Too focused on piercing power… the strength isn't enough.
His thoughts shifted again. Then I'll adapt—like Gaara.
"Cloud Release: Coffin Bind!"
Mist coiled around the First and Second Hokage, trying to entomb them before sprouting spikes from within. The idea was sound, but the execution lagged—the Hokage's instantaneous speed shredded through the cloud prison before it could fully close.
Too fast… far too fast.
The two closed in from opposite sides. Shigure inhaled deeply, his lungs swelling.
"Cloud Release: Acid Mist!"
A thick cloud of corrosive vapor spread across the battlefield, dissolving everything it touched. The moment Hashirama and Tobirama entered the mist, their bodies began to melt.
But even as their flesh corroded, their fists still drove Shigure back, forcing him to halt the technique.
Hashirama glanced down at his rapidly dissolving arm before it regenerated.
"What incredible corrosive power… if I were alive, that attack would've killed me outright."
The same was true for Tobirama—his Edo Tensei body simply regenerated from the acid's damage.
"Boy!" Tobirama barked, his voice sharp.
"If you want to stop us, you'll need more than that. First restrain us—then try your sealing technique again!"
Hashirama nodded in agreement.
"He's right. Melting us won't work. We're already dead. If you want victory, bind us first."
The suggestion planted itself firmly in Shigure's mind. It was difficult, but not impossible.
He inhaled again, gathering his chakra.
Hashirama chuckled.
"Silly boy, haven't you been listening? We're not living beings. No matter how many times you corrode us, Edo Tensei will restore us!"
But Shigure only smiled faintly.
"Of course. Which is why this time… I won't use acid mist."
His eyes sharpened, the battlefield trembling with his intent.
"This time, I'll freeze you—Cloud Release: Snow Mist!"
...
TN:
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