I will use the ninja world to aid my cultivation of immortality.

But if we're talking about what Hashirama Senju truly excelled at, it would definitely be his Sage Mode Wood Release.

After a series of battles, Naraku had actually been waiting for Hashirama Senju to use Sage Mode.

Despite being suppressed by him throughout the battle, Hashirama Senju has never used Sage Mode.

Such a performance could not possibly be due to Hashirama Senju holding back, but rather because he was simply unable to use Sage Mode.

While the sacrifices Orochimaru offered for resurrecting Hashirama Senju this time weren't exactly low-level genin, they were clearly incomparable to sacrifices like White Zetsu.

Based on Hashirama Senju's current performance, ordinary Wood Release should already be his limit.

To be honest, Naraku was somewhat disappointed by this situation.

After all, he came with high expectations when he discovered Hashirama Senju.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically summoned the Star when Hashirama Senju used Wood Release.

Isn't this all so that we can fight more freely with our opponents?

With Naraku's current strength, the regular combat power in the ninja world can no longer pose a threat to him.

If it weren't for his ambiguity regarding Hagoromo Otsutsuki's attitude, he would have already been extensively exploiting the cultivation resources of this world.

Of course, having concerns doesn't mean he'll actually be restrained.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have launched the Konoha Crush Plan.

Similarly, he was quite interested in Hashirama Senju, an extraordinary fighter who once dominated the ninja world.

This interest stems from using the other person as a tool to measure one's own strength.

If Hagoromo Otsutsuki is at the Six Paths level, then Hashirama Senju is definitely the strongest below the Six Paths level.

We use Hashirama Senju as a benchmark.

This means that only those who can defeat Hashirama Senju are qualified to challenge Hagoromo Otsutsuki.

This Hashirama Senju refers to Hashirama Senju at his peak.

Now words.

For Naraku, the resurrected Hashirama Senju was merely a rehearsal.

If even the reanimated Hashirama Senju couldn't be overwhelmed, then let alone Hagoromo Otsutsuki, even Hashirama Senju in his prime might not be able to defeat him.

This is actually why he has never used his supernatural powers.

If Hashirama Senju needed to use supernatural powers to suppress his opponent even without displaying Sage Mode Wood Release, it only shows that he is still a long way from challenging Hagoromo Otsutsuki.

Now, let's talk about this moment.

Hashirama Senju's Edo Tensei was far worse than Naraku had anticipated.

If the opponent cannot use Sage Mode, then they are far from their peak.

This immediately made Naraku lose interest in continuing the fight.

Given the opponent's current strength, it cannot be used as a tool to measure one's own strength.

"Forget it, I'll just give you a perfunctory answer!"

Disappointed, Naraku changes his mindset.

What started as a desire to assess one's own capabilities has become a mere formality.

Although he had lost interest in fighting, he knew he couldn't just leave Hashirama Senju alone.

After all, Xia Rixing and his group's evacuation would take some time.

Having sensed the evacuation of the personnel, Naraku, whose mindset had changed, began to deal with Senju Hashirama casually, merely stalling him in place.

As for why they didn't just defeat Hashirama Senju directly.

This is related to the current Konoha Crush plan.

From the very beginning, Naraku never intended to destroy Konoha in one fell swoop.

It wasn't that he had feelings for Konoha, nor that he lacked the ability to do so.

Defeating Konoha now would not be in his interest.

Destruction is never the goal; plunder is.

Just like other ninja villages, they have always coveted the Land of Fire.

The same applies to Naraku.

However, he alone cannot plunder the resources of the Land of Fire.

The current strength of the Star Ninja Village is not yet sufficient.

Even if he were to completely defeat Konoha, the resources that Hoshigakure could plunder from the Land of Fire would be very limited given the village's current strength.

After all, other forces wouldn't let Xingren Village monopolize the benefits.

Once Konoha falls, all factions will inevitably pounce on the Land of Fire like wolves.

Naraku didn't have the energy to deal with them one by one, so the real opportunity to conquer Konoha depended on whether Hoshigakure had the strength to swallow the Land of Fire.

Or at least, they need to swallow up most of the resources of the Land of Fire.

The current plan to destroy Konoha.

It was actually just to weaken Konoha's strength.

Konoha's health pool is just too high.

Just like how Sunagakure would seek his support.

Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi's death brought considerable chaos to Konoha, the village still demonstrated strong dominance in the face of war.

If left unchecked, Konoha will most likely weather the Third Shinobi World War smoothly.

This was an outcome that Naraku, who intended to conquer the Land of Fire, naturally did not want to see.

Therefore, it is very necessary to bleed out Konoha.

Once Konoha's strength is weakened, it will easily become bogged down in a quagmire of war.

Even disregarding the fact that the subsequent war will further weaken Konoha, the mere extension of the war will give Hoshigakure more time to develop.

Chapter 156 Clash of Clone Forms

Zheng!

The Thunder Sword unleashed streaks of sharp sword light, shredding all the incoming sharp roots.

While unleashing slashes, 'Naraku', wielding the thunder sword, also moved nimbly and dodged.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several arrows flew in from one side.

Some were directly targeting 'Naraku'.

Some merely brushed past Naraku.

brush!

Suddenly, one of the kunai that flew over Naraku's head was caught by Tobirama Senju, who appeared in a flash.

"Water Escape·Water Blade Slash!"

The moment he grasped the kunai, water surged from Tobirama Senju's palm, wrapped around the kunai, and slashed down towards Naraku's head.

The Flying Thunder God's teleportation speed is naturally very fast.

However, Naraku seemed to have anticipated this, and when the kunai fell, he calmly dodged it.

puff!

The kunai landed on the spot where 'Naraku' had been, splashing water and displaying astonishing sharpness, cutting deep cracks into the ground.

Bang!

When the slash missed, Tobirama Senju sensed something was wrong and tried to use the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport away.

However, Naraku was faster. The instant he dodged the attack, he immediately turned and delivered a whip kick, striking Tobirama Senju hard on the head.

With a dull thud, Tobirama Senju spun and flew into the distance, with pieces of paper flying around his head, clearly indicating that he had suffered serious injuries.

"Illusion Technique: Darkness Travel Technique!"

Just as 'Naraku' kicked Tobirama Senju away, Hashirama Senju, who was attacking 'Naraku' with Wood Release not far away, frowned and immediately formed a hand seal in front of him.

An invisible force of illusion swept out.

In an instant, Naraku's vision was taken away, and all the surrounding scenery disappeared, replaced by darkness.

The darkness lasted only a moment, and the illusion that had invaded his mind was forcefully dispelled by 'Naraku'.

"Drink!"

The figure arrived swiftly.

Hashirama Senju rushed towards Naraku the moment he activated his genjutsu.