Naruto: The Age of Ninja Swords Begins in Kumogakure

Chapter 274 True Thousand Hands

Before the trees could sweep over, Tamura Hao's figure suddenly disappeared, and the next moment he appeared beside Orochimaru, decapitating him with Masamune in his hand.

Unfortunately, that wasn't Orochimaru's true form, but just a wood clone.

At the same time, a huge barrier enveloped the area, from which bursts of blazing white light erupted. This was Jiraiya's Dust Release, and it was a Dust Release enhanced by Sage Mode, making it even more powerful and with a larger range.

This is the result of Jiraiya and Orochimaru's years of tacit cooperation; they know how to fight better even without words.

The next moment, a flash of light appeared, and Jiraiya's body was taken to a short distance by Minato Namikaze using the Flying Thunder God Technique.

"Too fast!"

Jiraiya frowned. That was already his fastest casting speed, and the Dust Release barrier was fifty meters long and wide, yet his opponent still managed to dodge it.

"He was indeed very fast, much faster than the last time we met."

Orochimaru's figure emerged from the ground, watching the boy move effortlessly through the trees, and he was quite amazed by the speed.

The Third Raikage was fast enough, but they could still keep up. However, Hao Jun's speed was almost twice as fast as the Third Raikage's, and judging from his relaxed demeanor, it seemed that this was not his limit.

Faced with this speed, any ninjutsu is futile; the opponent can easily dodge it before it even arrives.

Moreover, they also possess the Mangekyou Sharingan, which they acquired from the Uchiha clan chief, and have spatial eye techniques, making it impossible to restrict them even with the Four Red Yang Formation.

"Only lightning and light can keep up with his speed."

Minato Namikaze said solemnly, his original three-tomoe Sharingan transforming into a strange pattern, which was the Mangekyou Sharingan he had awakened.

With the help of Lord Orochimaru, he awakened from an illusion—an illusion he desperately wanted to recall.

"Don't be impulsive, that speed has already exceeded the limits of your eye technique."

Jiraiya reminded him in a deep voice, knowing that although his disciple's two eye techniques were very powerful, they were still not enough compared to that kid's speed.

That's so fast!

"Therefore, we need the help of the Hokage and Jiraiya."

Minato Namikaze knew that his eye technique had its limits, but he had no choice but to force it.

Only I can hold that guy back now. Otherwise, if he continues to charge at that speed, Jiraiya and the others won't be able to escape and will be killed.

I really don't understand how that guy got such speed.

However, he also had his own confidence. Although his own strength was not enough to kill that guy, he still had the Nine-Tailed Fox.

If Kurama could provide that perfect chakra mode again, I would definitely be able to keep up with that guy's speed and then kill him with the help of Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

It's a pity that the opponent can sense and destroy my Flying Thunder God Technique, so I can't imprint it on them; otherwise, it would be much simpler.

"That should be a bloodline limit, similar to Swift Escape, but also very different. It is very likely a bloodline limit elimination with three attributes."

Orochimaru stared intently at the bright silver chakra emanating from the boy. He had noticed Haojun's unusual behavior last time; the boy seemed to possess Swift Release.

He was no stranger to Swift Release; the first arm he transplanted to Shimura Danzo came from a Swift Release ninja, and he also studied the Swift Release bloodline limit.

That kind of bloodline limit is relatively ordinary in essence, but it becomes quite terrifying when combined with swordsmanship and taijutsu. Back then, Danzo Shimura used it to enhance his swordsmanship and fought against the Third Kazekage many times.

He once suggested that Sakumo Hatake cut off his limbs and transplant them with the limbs of a Swift Release ninja, but this was rejected.

Hao Jun seems to have mastered Swift Escape, and according to previous information, Hao Jun has indeed been focusing on the transformation of lightning and wind chakra natures.

However, it now seems to be more than just Swift Escape; it's a stronger form of Bloodline Limit Break.

Is it a special light escape technique developed based on the information from last time?

As expected of Hao Jun!

"Light escape?"

Minato Namikaze was startled and finally realized what was strange. When he saw that guy before, he felt something was off and there was a sense of familiarity about him. Now, after Orochimaru reminded him, he realized that the bright silver chakra emanating from the other party was very similar to his own light release chakra.

That must also be a light-escape technique, but unlike my own main attack light-escape technique, the opponent's light-escape technique seems to be specifically designed to amplify speed. No wonder it has such terrifying speed.

"Didn't he only have one lightning attribute? How come he also has the wind and fire attributes needed to fuse with Light Release, and even fused it into Bloodline Limit Light Release?"

Jiraiya suddenly felt a headache coming on. How could it be a bloodline elimination?

"There are many methods, the simplest being surgical transplantation of the flesh and blood of other ninjas."

Orochimaru wasn't surprised by this. He knew the boy better. Increasing physical attributes wasn't difficult, and the boy was a Samehada Jinchuriki. Samehada had great potential and could even acquire the bloodline power of others.

It's likely that Hao Jun quickly mastered the Swift Escape technique through this, but this kind of light escape technique must have been cultivated and fused by Hao Jun himself. Such talent is truly enviable.

How could that old man Danzo cultivate such outstanding talents?

"The Mangekyou Sharingan!"

Across from him, Tamura Hiroshi stared into Namikaze Minato's eyes, intrigued by the kaleidoscope pattern within.

What kind of pupil technique is it?

As he was pondering, a golden light flashed behind him, and Minato Namikaze appeared, holding a golden lightsaber in his hand.

While dodging Minato Namikaze's lightsaber attacks, Tamura Hiroshi used Kaguya's Tenseigan to observe the surroundings and found that there were no Flying Thunder God Kunai or jutsu marks.

"Minato-kun has also fused with the Kekkei Tota, and with this Mangekyou Sharingan, can it make up for the Flying Thunder God Technique's need for a formula as a trigger? A very good combination, congratulations!"

Tamura Hiroshi maintained his acting posture, displaying a surprised expression.

This lightsaber is pretty good; it can switch freely between the real and the virtual, making it impossible to block with a physical blade, only to dodge.

Congratulations to you too!

Seeing that the guy still maintained his calm and elegant demeanor, Minato Namikaze reluctantly offered his congratulations.

He was initially quite pleased with the light escaping technique he had created, and with his Flying Thunder God Technique and Nine-Tails Chakra Mode combined, he was confident that he could suppress all the strongmen in the village.

He can maintain his strength at least until the chakra within his own Yin Seal is exhausted. If he can get Kurama to unleash that power, he will be even more confident in killing it.

But now, facing this guy, I felt a sense of powerlessness. His speed was too fast, surpassing the Flying Thunder God Technique. Even when I used my eye technique in conjunction with the Flying Thunder God Technique, he was still caught off guard.

No matter how powerful the attack of Light Escape is, it's useless if it can't hit anyone.

Unfortunately, the Nine-Tails' hatred runs too deep, and it won't unleash its power unless it's a true life-or-death crisis.

Now we have no choice but to take a gamble.

After getting used to the characteristics of the lightsaber, Tamura Hiroshi switched from defense to offense and chased after Namikaze Minato.

Even though Minato Namikaze had a similar eye technique to Hikaru Uchiha, he still couldn't effectively restrain Tamura Hiroshi, and he couldn't even react to the speed of his opponent unless he created some distance.

Tamura Hao had already adapted to this combination of eye techniques and Flying Thunder God Technique from Uchiha Hikaru. Moreover, compared to Uchiha Hikaru's Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, which could cut through space, Namikaze Minato's Light Release was still far inferior in terms of sharpness.

Jiraiya, standing to the side, looked anxious but couldn't get anything done.

The two were too fast, far exceeding his ability to react. Even if he used the Dust Release technique, he couldn't hit them.

"Orochimaru, think of something quick!"

Seeing his disciple being suppressed, Jiraiya grew increasingly anxious.

"Please call me Hokage-sama!"

Orochimaru said seriously, "In the entire Hidden Leaf Village, this idiot is the only one who hasn't called me Hokage-sama yet."

He really wanted to hear it.

"What time is it for you to bring this up?"

Jiraiya was stunned for a moment, then became even more annoyed.

"Please call me Hokage-sama!"

Orochimaru insisted that there wouldn't be many opportunities to subdue this idiot.

"Lord Hokage, if you have a solution, please use it quickly."

Although he felt resentful, Jiraiya had no choice but to submit, while also wondering what kind of methods this guy would use.

"This move was originally intended for the Raikage and the others, but who would have thought it would be used on you, Hao-jun, now."

"Haojun, please don't die!"

Orochimaru was quite satisfied. His gaze then fell on the silver light. He murmured something and clasped his hands together. His Sage Art Wood Release chakra erupted, and he released the ball of Heroic Water that had been bound in his stomach.

He obtained it from Fugaku Uchiha; it could stimulate the body's potential to the extreme and unleash an even greater amount of chakra.

Although the side effects are severe, and the person is basically ruined after using it, the effect is indeed very good, enough to make me use that trick.

"Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!"

An unimaginably vast amount of Sage Chakra surged into the earth, and then a colossal figure rose from the earth.

It was a wooden Buddha statue seated in a folded position, with countless arms behind it, but the Buddha statue was so huge that it was hundreds of meters tall even when seated.

A wooden figure sat cross-legged on its head, but the wooden figure was not even as big as the head of the wooden Buddha, and looked like a pendant.

Such a massive creation instantly drew the attention of everyone on the battlefield, even the three members of the Uchiha clan fighting in Kikyoyama Castle looked over, and Senju Tokisui's expression became even more unpleasant.

That move was also his trump card, and he had made many preparations for it. But who would have thought that Orochimaru would use it first, and it seemed that he used it with his own strength.

Could it be that Orochimaru has reached the level of his great-grandfather?

How is that possible?

"Hashirama Senju!"

Inside the sealed space, Kurama, through Minato Namikaze's gaze, saw the giant wood-style Buddha and immediately felt terrible, recalling the experience of being brutally beaten back then.

It was only because Madara Uchiha's Susanoo was outside that he was able to stop him; otherwise, he would definitely have been killed.

Finally, it was caught and sealed by the giant wooden Buddha as if it were a chick; that thing was not something a human could create.

Even so, Hashirama Senju said back then that he was too dangerous and had to be sealed away, and he even captured his younger siblings and sold them to the four great ninja villages and Takigakure.

Listen to that, is that even human language?

"What an excellent junior!"

Mito Uzumaki's chakra projection also saw the giant Buddha of Wood Release and looked pleased.

"He's dying soon too!"

Kurama sneered. Back then, Hashirama Senju severely overdrawn his body and life force when he used that move. Orochimaru had only stolen Hashirama Senju's power, and if he used that move, he would surely die.

"The line between life and death has long been blurred in this era, and I have done enough for the Senju and Konoha. Even if Konoha is destroyed in this battle, I have no regrets."

Mito Uzumaki's chakra projection appeared calm. She didn't care about the outcome of this battle. Whether Konoha won or the four-village alliance won, it was all the same to her. In fact, she even hoped that the four-village alliance would win.

Since Uzumaki and his granddaughter Tsunade are both in Kumogakure at the moment, the four-village coalition will win, and the clan and granddaughter will be able to live well in Kumogakure.

As for the Senju family, they'll just have as many children as they can get.

Since the original body is dead, I am just a thought wrapped in chakra, and I shouldn't worry about real-world matters.

"snort!"

With a cold snort, Nine-Tails fell silent.

He disliked neither Konoha nor the Four Great Ninja Villages; he preferred them all to be wiped out.

"You've even mastered this move?"

Jiraiya was shocked as he looked at the wooden figure and the wooden Buddha beneath him.

He learned about Wood Release from his teacher and knew that it was the First Hokage's strongest ninjutsu, and that the Valley of the End was supposedly won with this move.

It's truly unbelievable that Orochimaru also possessed such a ninjutsu.

Orochimaru, what's wrong with you?

Suddenly, I noticed that my friend's hair had turned white and dry, and even his face had aged. He was also breathing heavily, looking like he was about to die.

He rushed forward to help her up, feeling very worried and guilty.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't risk your life as Hokage?"

He could see that Orochimaru was risking his life to unleash this move; he was truly fighting for his life.

If he had known it would be this desperate fighting style, he would never have asked Orochimaru to intervene.

At the same time, he was completely convinced by this close friend, whose will to fight was even more intense than his own and who was more willing to sacrifice himself.

"It's still too much of a stretch. No wonder even the first generation died after that battle."

Orochimaru, having recovered somewhat, remarked that this move was truly powerful, but its energy expenditure was also incredibly high.

Even after exhausting the body's potential and life force with the Hero's Water, it was still barely usable.

"Haojun, can you still handle this?"

Looking down at the silver light that had stopped, Orochimaru was filled with anticipation. He then manipulated the countless arms behind the Wood Release Buddha to extend and attack, tilting the Buddha and using its own weight to amplify the power of his wooden fists.

"I knew Hashirama Senju was definitely cheating."

Looking at the countless wooden fists that blotted out the sky, Tamura Hao couldn't help but complain that this kind of creation was truly unfair.

I reckon even if the complete Ten-Tails were to face this thing, he would be completely crushed. If Naruto Uzumaki knew this move in the future, he would definitely be able to crush Isshiki Otsutsuki.

As for not being able to hit anyone, with Sasuke Uchiha's Amenotejikara power, who can't be hit?

Against Otsutsuki, this kind of substantial physical attack is far more effective than the Rasengan.

However, this move is relatively easy to counter, especially since Orochimaru managed to execute it with difficulty.

With a flash, he appeared at the neck of the Wood Release Buddha in the next second.

"Forty-eight swords!"

In an instant, forty-eight crescent-shaped blades of energy slashed out, severing the neck of the wooden Buddha, which was tens of meters in diameter.

In addition, the wooden Buddha was already tilted, and the huge Buddha head and the wooden figure on top, which had lost their connection, fell down.

"They actually cracked it using this method!"

Orochimaru, hidden inside the wooden figure, sensed the loss of connection with the Wood Release Buddha body and couldn't help but feel a little depressed.

Haojun, your simple and crude solution makes me look stupid!

The Wood Release Buddha lost control, and its extended arms naturally stopped, allowing the four-village allied forces and Konoha ninjas within the attack range to breathe a sigh of relief before quickly moving away from the Wood Buddha.

Meanwhile, Tamura Hao continued to dismantle the wooden Buddha, first severing the connection between the wooden Buddha and the rear arm to prevent Orochimaru from returning to continue controlling it.

"Not just anyone can imitate the First Hokage."

Ōnoki, who had been worried in the sky, saw that the Wood Release: Giant Buddha was easily broken, and sneered as he continued to fight against Shimura Danzo.

He had never seen the First Hokage use this technique, but he understood Madara Uchiha's power. Even Madara Uchiha was killed by the First Hokage, so his strongest ninjutsu must not be so easy to break.

However, that kid's speed is really fast. Even from a distance high in the air, I could only see a silver streak. The Hidden Cloud Village really does produce a lot of talented people!

"I've done my best. The rest of the war is up to you."

With a sigh, Orochimaru's body disappeared into the ground, simultaneously withdrawing the Wood Release chakra from the wooden body and heading towards the Wood Release Giant Buddha, preparing to withdraw the chakra within as well.

Although only a small portion can be recovered, it is enough to sustain this body for a little longer.

Although he had already decided to abandon this body and take over the perfect body cultivated with Mito Uzumaki's cells, this war was still very interesting, and he wanted to see it all.

Especially Hao Jun's performance. Among the four villages' allied forces, the only ones he couldn't figure out were Hao Jun and that Thor. They were both very interesting people.

"Jiraiya-sensei, is the Hokage alright?"

A flash of golden light appeared, and Minato Namikaze appeared beside Jiraiya, looking worriedly at the collapsed wooden figure.

He had seen Orochimaru's transformation; clearly, that move was deadly.

"He's alright for now, but we're in trouble."

Suppressing his sadness and self-blame, Jiraiya looked at the silver ray of light that had severed the arm of the Wood Release Giant Buddha. Now, all he could see was the shape of the silver ray.

As expected, the opponent had been holding back, and now their burst of power is even faster.

That kid's strength was understandable, but his speed was too fast, not just his movement speed, but also his attack speed.

Relying on its extremely fast attack speed, attacks can be stacked up rapidly, which is equivalent to increasing attack power dozens of times. No one can withstand dozens of slashes in an instant.

"Are you going to stop now?"

Seeing the chakra in the Wood Release: Giant Buddha rapidly surging into the earth below, Tamura Hao understood that Orochimaru was about to stop.

Ignoring the giant Buddha, he flashed back to the opposite side of Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze, continuing to restrain the two.

He was also slightly out of breath, and the silver radiance on his body had dimmed a bit, indicating that his previous burst of energy had taken a toll.

Minato Namikaze keenly noticed the suppressed breathing and the slightly dim silver glow, which brought him a slight sense of relief.

Fortunately, the opponent is not too overpowered and still has weaknesses.

Back during the Chunin Exams, he knew that this person's weakness was his chakra reserves. He had been relying on sealing techniques to build up his reserves in advance. Once the chakra sealed within him was depleted, it would be difficult for him to unleash such power again.

This is similar to his own; he also relies on the chakra within the Yin Seal to guide and maintain the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.

(End of this chapter)