Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

Chapter 1243 1v2
"Humph!"

Seeing this, Qingming snorted coldly, then flashed away again, avoiding the cutting force of the water.

As the saying goes, it is impolite not to reciprocate.

Since Tobirama Senju had launched an attack on him, he would not remain indifferent.

He sheathed his long sword, then swiftly completed a hand seal. With a flick of his finger, a dark red line of fire, as thick as a thumb, shot out from his fingertip and pierced through Tobirama Senju's chest in an instant.

This is no other ninjutsu; it is none other than the A-rank ninjutsu he perfected and developed—Fire Release: Gathering Flame Strike!

This technique is similar in concept to 'Water Release: Water Severing Wave'.

However, unlike the cutting of 'Water Release: Water Severing Wave', it is more inclined to burn.

Then, the line of fire suddenly expanded the moment it pierced Tobirama Senju's chest, and the surging flames burned him to ashes.

While such an attack wouldn't be enough to kill it completely, it could at least temporarily disable it.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Qingming rushed straight towards the soon-to-be-restored Hashirama Senju, attempting to complete the seal that had just been left unfinished.

However, Orochimaru was extremely experienced in combat. Before Hashirama Senju could fully recover, he ordered him to use his signature ninjutsu—Wood Release: Advent of the World of Trees!
Instantly, the sand on the ground surged, and a large number of vines and tree roots appeared, like a rolling green ocean, enveloping Qingming.

For a fleeting moment, Qingming even considered activating his Mangekyou Sharingan and summoning Susanoo to shatter these vines completely.

But in the end, he held back.

He dodged the attacks of vines and tree roots with a series of quick movements. Those that he couldn't avoid were cut into pieces by the long sword he drew again.

And so, an area where he could take refuge was cleared out.

After everything calmed down, Qingming looked around.

At this moment, there was no desert left, only intertwined tree roots and vines. These twisted and gnarled roots and vines were like a cage, trapping him inside.

Wow~
A vine split open, and two figures appeared in the scene.

One of them was Hashirama Senju, who had just used 'Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees', while the other was Tobirama Senju, who was burned to ashes by him.

Clearly, Orochimaru intended for the two of them to work together against him.

Qingming released his spiritual power to sense Uchiha Inahi's condition.

Fortunately, he was unharmed and is now fighting the Third Kazekage alongside Yamato.

It's worth mentioning that Yamato's Wood Release seems to be quite effective against Magnet Release. The Third Kazekage used Magnet Release several times to manipulate iron sand, condensing it into various shapes in an attempt to break through his defenses, but he was unsuccessful.

Now, with Uchiha Inahisa's assistance, he seems to be in even greater control.

Having confirmed that the two were alright for the time being, Qingming was completely relieved and then turned his attention back to the two people in front of him.

With their willpower suppressed, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju had nothing to say to him and launched an attack immediately.

The two rushed towards him, wielding kunai and attacking his vital points.

However, just like when facing Hashirama Senju alone, with the powerful insight brought by his three-tomoe Sharingan and his superb swordsmanship, he was not at a disadvantage even when fighting two against one.

Of course, his strong physical condition also played a significant role in this.

Without the powerful reflexes brought by his 44 points of 'Constitution' and 45 points of 'Spirit' attributes, even with his three-tomoe Sharingan, he wouldn't have been able to withstand the two's relentless attacks, which disregarded their own safety.

The clanging of metal against metal rang out continuously, seemingly confirming that such attacks alone could not defeat him. Under Orochimaru's control, the two changed their tactics once again. Suddenly, Hashirama Senju pressed forward, coordinating with the attacks of the surrounding vines, temporarily restraining him.

At the same time, Tobirama Senju stepped back slightly, and the instant he put away his kunai, he immediately began forming hand seals.

However, with just one glance, Qingming guessed the method the other party was about to use—Illusion Technique: Dark Travel Technique!

That's right, it's this targeted genjutsu that can steal the target's light, rendering the Sharingan useless.

Back when they attacked Danzo, the other side used this as a trump card against him, and now they've seen it again.

Back then, when facing Danzo, he forcefully overcame him using 'Susanoo'.

But now, that's no longer necessary.

Seeing that his opponent was about to succeed in casting the spell, he immediately retreated, temporarily getting rid of Hashirama Senju's entanglement. Then, he quickly completed the hand seals and cast the spell almost at the same time as Tobirama Senju.

Indeed, faced with the opponent's blocking of his vision, he chose to respond with the same tactic.

He obtained this technique when he looted Root's collection after killing Danzo, and leveled it up to the maximum. Using it now is no problem at all.

It can even achieve a situation where those who come later arrive at the same time.

Then, a strange scene unfolded: Qingming, Senju Hashirama, and Senju Tobirama stood frozen in place, staring blankly at their surroundings, their expressions full of vigilance.

Shashasha~
A night breeze blew by, rustling the leaves in the forest.

At one point, all three of them moved at the same time.

Immediately, the clanging of metal clashing rang out again, and the three in the arena fought in complete darkness, relying solely on their senses.

However, because Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju were not afraid of getting hurt or even dying, Aomine was in a suppressed position.

Fortunately, this situation did not last long.

As the battle progressed, the illusions cast by both sides gradually disappeared.

Without the limitation of vision, when fighting, even if he is fighting two opponents at once, Qingming can suppress them.

However, it would be impossible to create an opportunity to seal the two of them using only swordsmanship.

Continuing to drag this out would not benefit him, and others might not be able to sustain it either.

So, after thinking it over, Qingming decided to reveal one of his trump cards to break the deadlock completely.

With this in mind, Qingming directly mobilized the natural energy in the sealed space in his abdomen, causing it to merge with the chakra within his body and transform into Sage Chakra.

That's right, the trump card he was referring to was 'Sage Mode'.

Although he doesn't know any sage techniques right now, his enhanced physical attributes and ninjutsu power are enough to solve the current trouble.

This way, he wouldn't expose his Mangekyou Sharingan, and he could also reassure the village, letting them know why his true form had been away from the village for so long, thus preventing them from having any wild thoughts.

At the same time, it can also slightly reduce the attention that the village's higher-ups are paying to him.

This can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

With this in mind, Qingming entered 'Immortal Mode'.

(End of this chapter)