Uchiha Itachi did not hesitate, instantly activating the Mirage Body Flicker Technique. Six figures shot out like lightning, each holding the Chixiao Sword, charging fiercely towards Hashirama Senju.
Facing this sudden attack, Hashirama remained exceptionally calm. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, and he clapped his hands together, uttering softly, "Wood Release, Wood Dragon Technique!"
Instantly, the earth shook violently. A massive wooden dragon burst forth from the ground. Baring its fangs and brandishing its claws, it roared as it soared into the air. Hashirama stood steadily atop the dragon's head, looking down from above at Uchiha Itachi below.
Among Itachi's many figures, one suddenly shot forward like a meteor. The Chixiao Sword in its hand drew a dazzling arc in the air, accompanied by the sounds of startling thunder, like a burning meteor streaking directly towards Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama's pupils constricted sharply. He immediately sensed this sword strike's power was extraordinary.
Without hesitation, he manipulated the wooden dragon to dodge sideways. However, the Chixiao Sword was too fast. Despite Hashirama's best efforts to evade, the sword still grazed the dragon's scales.
A crisp "crack" sounded. The wooden dragon's scales shattered, and the dragon was instantly split in two. Its massive body crashed to the ground with a thud, emitting a pained howl.
Losing the dragon's support, Hashirama also performed a mid air somersault and landed steadily.
This caused a slight upturn at the corner of Uchiha Itachi's mouth. Simultaneously, his gaze, sharp as torches, fixed tightly on the Chixiao Sword, as if he could see its intrinsic essence through the blade. He praised softly, "What a fine sword!"
Uchiha Izuna's pupils brightened in an instant. His mastery of the way of the sword was profound, so he could naturally see at a glance the extraordinary nature of this Chixiao Sword.
He marveled inwardly. This sword was undoubtedly a rare treasure, its quality and power both top tier.
However, what was even more shocking was that what everyone had just witnessed was merely one of Uchiha Itachi's clones.
If it were his true self wielding this Chixiao Sword, executing that move with full power, the power would likely be even greater, possibly even injuring Hashirama Senju directly!
Thinking of this, Hashirama Senju could not help but feel a chill run down his spine. His expression became exceptionally grave, and a fine layer of sweat even broke out on his forehead.
He stared wide eyed, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Itachi, thinking to himself, "Have I really grown so old? My reactions have slowed this much..."
"First Hokage sama, do not lose focus during a shinobi duel!!!" Uchiha Itachi reminded him. Immediately after, four figures charged towards Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama's eyes turned serious. He clapped his hands together once more. The terrain began to tremble, and then countless large trees burst forth from the earth, instantly altering the landscape.
Such terrain was practically tailor made for Hashirama. It would allow Hashirama's strength to be exerted to its utmost, while simultaneously imposing great restrictions on Uchiha Itachi.
Under the formidable power of Wood Release, Advent of a World of Trees, countless thick trees rapidly grew like bamboo shoots after rain. These trees were not ordinary plants. They obeyed Hashirama Senju's commands completely, like an army in his hands.
At that moment, a staggering scene unfolded.
The seemingly stout and sturdy vines now appeared as fragile as paper. With a mere swing of the Chixiao Swords in the hands of Uchiha Itachi and his Mirage Body Flicker clones, the vines were cleanly severed, cut in two.
This scene shocked not only Uchiha Itachi himself but also Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna, who were watching from a distance.
As Hashirama Senju's rival from the Warring States period, Uchiha Madara knew full well how hard and terrifying Hashirama's Wood Release could be. Yet now, before the Chixiao Sword, it was like clay oxen and pottery dogs, shattering at a touch!
However, Uchiha Itachi had no time to marvel at this unbelievable sight. He knew he was in extreme danger and had to break through this fearsome forest world as quickly as possible.
Therefore, without hesitation, he continued to swing the Chixiao Sword wildly, hacking at the surrounding trees.
Under Itachi's ferocious assault, the dense forest was soon reduced to stumps. The Chixiao Sword in his hand also glowed with a dazzling light from frequent use.
Simultaneously, a golden flame erupted from the blade of the Chixiao Sword, instantly igniting the entire forest world. The fiercely burning flames released scorching heat, warping the surrounding air.
Uchiha Izuna's mouth twitched violently. He looked at Uchiha Ryun with disbelief, his face full of shock and speechlessness.
"That's your great grandfather!" Uchiha Izuna's voice was filled with astonishment and confusion. "You..."
However, Uchiha Ryun paid no heed to Uchiha Izuna's accusation. He simply shook his head, as if all this were perfectly normal.
"What does it matter?" Uchiha Ryun said with a completely nonchalant expression. "I just wanted to make this fight a bit more fair. Otherwise, Great Grandfather Hashirama might as well not fight this battle."
Hearing Uchiha Ryun's words, Uchiha Izuna was utterly speechless. Even he had not treated the Senju clan like this back in his day!
He stared wide eyed, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Ryun, cursing inwardly, "This unfilial grandson is simply the epitome of filial piety! So filial it will kill Hashirama!"
Uchiha Madara watched this scene from the side, feeling utterly helpless. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, finding Uchiha Ryun's actions quite a headache.
"This kid is really full of mischief!" Uchiha Madara sighed inwardly. "He definitely wants to see Hashirama make a fool of himself."
Just then, Uchiha Itachi's true form suddenly broke free from the confines of the forest world. His movements were swift and agile.
Immediately after, Uchiha Itachi quickly formed hand seals and uttered, "Wind Release, Pressure Damage!"
As his words fell, a powerful stream of air surged from Uchiha Itachi's mouth, sweeping forth like a storm.
This wind was ferociously powerful. Wherever it passed, the fire surged wildly, as if wanting to devour the entire world.
Beads of sweat began to form on Hashirama Senju's forehead. He stared intently at the golden flames burning fiercely on the wooden stumps, cursing inwardly, "Damn, these flames are too strange! Their temperature and burning power are so terrifying, even I feel fear! Must not touch them!"
However, Hashirama Senju was, after all, the battle hardened First Hokage. His reaction speed was extremely fast.
The very next second, an idea flashed in his mind, and he immediately thought of a countermeasure.
Hashirama Senju clapped his hands together forcefully and uttered softly, "Water Release, Water Wall!"
In an instant, a surging, ocean like Water Release technique erupted from his hands, like a massive wall of water, rushing directly towards the golden flames.
Water and fire collided violently in the air, hissing and sizzling.
Surprisingly, the intensity of the golden flames diminished noticeably the moment they made contact with the water wall, as if suppressed by it.
Seeing this, Hashirama felt slightly relieved. He then swiftly summoned another massive wooden dragon, preparing to ride it out of this forest.
Just as he was about to fly out, Uchiha Itachi appeared in front of him.
It turned out Uchiha Itachi had already calculated Hashirama Senju's retreat path and had prepared his Mangekyo Sharingan ability, Amaterasu, in advance!
A sound like rustling, sizzling flames was heard. Then, black flames appeared out of thin air, shooting straight towards Hashirama Senju's direction.
Hashirama Senju's heart tightened violently. A strong sense of crisis surged over him like raging waves.
His intuition told him these black flames were no ordinary thing. The energy contained within was enough to pose a fatal threat to him.
Without the slightest hesitation, Hashirama Senju's figure flashed like lightning, instantly turning into an afterimage as he leapt into the air with astonishing speed.
His movements were agile and powerful. In the blink of an eye, he somersaulted from a height of six meters, landing outside the battlefield area, seemingly completely free from gravity's restraint.
At that moment, Hashirama Senju formed a one handed seal. His chakra surged, and he manipulated the wooden dragon in the air, now wrapped in black flames, to roar and charge towards Uchiha Itachi.
The wooden dragon bared its fangs and brandished its claws, its momentum fierce and imposing. Even though the black flames clung to it like maggots to bone, it still pressed forward without retreating.
Facing this oncoming, ferocious wooden dragon, Uchiha Itachi appeared exceptionally calm. He formed a one handed seal rapidly and uttered softly, "Crow Clone Technique!" In an instant, his body, like a phantom, transformed into a flock of crows that scattered in all directions, blotting out the sky.
Hashirama Senju's wooden dragon missed its target.
However, just as the wooden dragon was about to hit the ground, Uchiha Itachi's figure suddenly materialized above Hashirama Senju's head.
He appeared there like a ghost, silent and unseen, holding the Chixiao Sword high, emanating a chilling light.
Seeing this, Hashirama's heart sank, but he showed no intention of retreating.
He gritted his teeth and roared, "Wood Release, Wood Human Technique!"
As his words fell, the ground suddenly shook violently. Massive pieces of wood burst forth from the earth, rapidly converging into a giant wooden humanoid, tens of meters tall.
This wooden humanoid was lifelike, as if possessing life. Its every movement appeared natural and fluid.
The wooden humanoid raised its enormous arm, pressing down on Uchiha Itachi like a mountain, its power so fierce it was staggering.
However, at this point, Hashirama Senju knew in his heart that he had actually already lost.
Although the Wood Human Technique was immensely powerful, the chakra it consumed had already exceeded half of his own reserves. In his current state and location, defeating Uchiha Itachi was nearly impossible.
But Hashirama Senju did not give up. Because he was the First Hokage, he bore too much responsibility and honor.
He absolutely could not fall here. No matter what, he had to fight to the end!
The wooden humanoid rose from the ground, forming a single fist that struck towards Uchiha Itachi. Uchiha Itachi was stunned for a moment, then abandoned his attack, once again activating the Crow Clone Technique!
He dodged the wooden humanoid's heavy blow!