The Iron Sand World Method came crashing down from the sky, shaking the entire Hidden Grass Village.
Ninjas were horrified, while ordinary villagers screamed like madmen and fled for their lives.
But Orochimaru couldn't care less about the lives of these people.
In his eyes, nothing was more important than Senju Haruto's body.
Once touched by the Third Kazekage's iron sand, magnetic force would be generated, leaving the victim under his control. At that point, no matter how powerful Haruto was, he would be unable to resist.
Countless Grass shinobi rushed toward the site to investigate. But the Iron Sand World Method was far more terrifying than they had imagined. Before they could even identify the enemy, the spreading iron sand engulfed them, slaughtering them instantly.
Within moments, the Grass Village suffered heavy losses.
The Third Kazekage's Iron Sand World Method raged on for several minutes before it gradually subsided.
And yet, while this jutsu dealt devastating damage to the Grass Village, it failed to harm Haruto and his group.
The moment the iron sand descended, Haruto clapped his hands together and used Wood Release, forming a protective dome around himself, Karin, and Kakashi.
"The range of the Iron Sand World Method is overwhelming, but because it spreads out, the destructive force weakens," Kakashi observed after scanning the situation.
Haruto nodded. "That's true."
To be honest, Haruto actually thought that Sasori's puppet of the Kazekage was even stronger.
Although the iron sand inherently carried magnetic properties that could restrict enemies, in the end, it was still only a form of binding.
But the iron sand Sasori controlled was infused with deadly poison, making it far more lethal.
"Looks like we'll have to deal with this Third Kazekage first," Haruto said, lifting his gaze to the flying figure above.
"How?" Kakashi asked without hesitation.
He had already unleashed his strongest Raikiri against the Kazekage, but in just a few breaths, the body had regenerated completely.
Now, with the Kazekage flying through the air and his Iron Sand World Method limiting their movements, even Kakashi's quick mind found no strategy to counter it.
"You actually survived…" Orochimaru relaxed his defensive stance. He had assumed the Iron Sand World Method would at least be somewhat effective. To his surprise, it failed completely.
Still, he had overheard Kakashi's words.
"Even if you kill me, the Impure World Reincarnation will not be undone," Orochimaru said with a smile.
To him, this technique—created by the Second Hokage—had no weaknesses whatsoever.
The dead possessed infinite chakra. Even if the battle was evenly matched, with both sides constantly clashing with ninjutsu, living shinobi would eventually run out of chakra.
Orochimaru believed he held all the advantages. He couldn't even imagine how he might lose.
"True," Haruto said calmly, casting a glance at Orochimaru. "Even if I kill you right now, Edo Tensei won't be released. But… every jutsu has its weakness."
If he used genjutsu to control Orochimaru, he could force him to undo the technique himself.
Alternatively, sealing could also suppress the Third Kazekage.
"And this jutsu's weakness… is me."
Haruto's eyes sharpened as he prepared to activate his Sharingan.
But just then, a familiar voice rang in his ears.
Congratulations to the host for arriving at the check-in location. Sign-in has officially begun!
If you leave midway, the sign-in will be considered a failure!
"Hm?" Haruto frowned.
At this timing?
He glanced around. He'd been standing in the same place the whole time.
It seemed only after the Iron Sand World Method ravaged the area that the check-in system finally reacted.
Still, no matter how it triggered, sign-in was always a good thing.
After all, the reason he had come all the way to the Grass Village was precisely for this.
Karin and the others—those were just convenient gains along the way.
Noticing Haruto's rising aura, Orochimaru suddenly grew uneasy.
If it were anyone else making such bold claims, he would have dismissed it as mere bluffing.
But Haruto…
He was a descendant of the Senju Clan, inheriting the First Hokage's Wood Release, and he also possessed deep knowledge of the Second Hokage's Edo Tensei.
Could it be… that this forbidden jutsu really had a weakness?
Orochimaru's brow furrowed as unease crept into his thoughts.
While he was lost in contemplation, Haruto completed his sign-in.
Congratulations to the host for a successful sign-in!
Reward acquired: The bloodline of the Uzumaki Clan!
"What?"
Haruto blinked in surprise. He had expected something related to the Grass Village, perhaps a kekkei genkai or a regional ability.
Never would he have guessed—the sign-in directly granted him the bloodline of the Uzumaki Clan.
Looking down at his hands, Haruto felt his entire body heat up.
He could sense his cells dividing rapidly, his chakra reserves swelling even greater than before.
Along with this surge, knowledge of the Uzumaki Clan's techniques flowed into his mind.
"The Four Red Yang Formation?"
If memory served, this was the barrier ninjutsu the Hokage used during the Fourth Great Ninja War to suppress the Ten-Tails.
So it was actually an Uzumaki technique?
Wait…
"This is essentially a sealing barrier. Could it be that this jutsu originally came from the Uzumaki Clan?" Haruto speculated.
After all, Hashirama Senju himself had been tied to the Uzumaki by marriage.
In any case, this power would make handling the Third Kazekage far easier.
Haruto raised his head sharply, eyes locking onto the Kazekage hovering in the sky as if waiting for his next command.
"Sealing Technique: Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
With a thunderous shout, Haruto's chakra burst forth, manifesting into thick chains that shot from his back, whipping toward the Third Kazekage.
"That technique…?" Orochimaru froze, stunned.
If he wasn't mistaken, that was supposed to be Uzumaki Kushina's unique ability.
How could Haruto possibly know it?
Wasn't he a Senju?
Could it be… that he carried both Senju blood and Uzumaki blood?
The shock stole precious seconds from him.
By the time Orochimaru recovered, the glowing chains had already coiled tightly around the Third Kazekage.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand World Method!"
In a panic, Orochimaru tried to force the Kazekage to unleash his strongest attack.
But this time, no matter how he commanded, the Kazekage did not respond.
"Could it be… his chakra has been suppressed?"
Realization struck Orochimaru like lightning. The chakra chains—of course, they carried the power to bind and suppress chakra itself.
"Watch carefully, Orochimaru," Haruto declared coldly. "This is what I meant when I said every jutsu has a weakness!"