Facing the overwhelming surge of Wood Release, Qing Shui's expression remained calm, but his mind moved rapidly.
The massive forest of chakra that erupted before him—twisting, expanding, devouring everything in its path—was unmistakable.
This was the power of Hashirama Senju.
And yet… something felt different.
Qing Shui narrowed his eyes slightly as he observed the two reanimated Hokage.
"They're stronger than before…"
He recalled the earlier battles during the Konoha Crush. Compared to then, the current Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju were clearly operating at a higher level.
There was only one explanation.
"White Zetsu cells…"
A faint realization surfaced in his mind.
It was likely that weakened White Zetsu cells had been incorporated into the Impure World Reincarnation. Not enough to break control—but sufficient to amplify power.
A calculated balance.
Enhancement without rebellion.
Otherwise, someone like Orochimaru would never be able to maintain control over both Hokage simultaneously.
"So you've prepared this much… just for me?"
Qing Shui exhaled slowly.
Even so—
He didn't retreat.
Behind him stood Nono and the others.
If he stepped aside, they would be the ones to suffer.
That… was unacceptable.
His gaze sharpened.
"Shadow Clone Technique!"
In an instant, the battlefield flooded with copies of Qing Shui.
Hundreds of them.
Each one identical.
Each one radiating killing intent.
Without hesitation, every clone raised a hand.
Chakra surged.
Compressed.
Spinning violently—
"Giant Rasengan!"
Dozens—no, hundreds—of massive Rasengan spheres formed simultaneously, glowing with terrifying intensity.
"Go!"
The clones charged forward.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The collision was catastrophic.
The Wood Release forest crashed against the storm of Rasengans. Trees shattered. Roots exploded. Entire sections of the advancing forest were torn apart.
Even the legendary "Advent of a World of Trees" technique—
Was halted.
For a moment—
Silence.
Then—
The clones began to disappear, one after another, consumed by the remaining Wood Release.
Smoke filled the battlefield.
When it cleared—
Qing Shui still stood.
Unmoved.
"…We blocked it!"
The tension on Nono's face instantly melted into relief.
The others followed, their eyes lighting up with hope.
If Qing Shui could stop even that—
Then this battle… wasn't hopeless.
But elsewhere—
The elders of Kusagakure were frozen in disbelief.
"That… was Hashirama's Wood Release!"
"How could it be stopped?!"
Their understanding of power was being shattered.
Even Orochimaru frowned slightly, genuine surprise flickering in his eyes.
"Hehe… Qing Shui-kun never fails to amaze me."
Yet his hands never stopped moving.
"Continue."
At his command—
The Second Hokage moved.
WHOOSH!
Tobirama Senju hurled a barrage of kunai, each one precisely aimed.
Among them—
Marked blades.
Flying Thunder God seals.
Qing Shui shifted slightly, dodging effortlessly.
But that was the trap.
In the next instant—
Tobirama appeared behind him.
Teleportation.
Blinding speed.
"Flying Thunder God Slash!"
The kunai thrust forward, aiming directly for Qing Shui's vital point.
Most would have died instantly.
But Qing Shui was ready.
CLANG!
He turned and blocked the strike with his blade.
Sparks flew.
In that brief clash—
His hand brushed Tobirama.
A mark.
A Flying Thunder God seal.
Qing Shui's eyes flickered.
"Got you."
Now—
The battlefield had changed.
At the same moment—
Another force surged.
From the other side—
Wood Release erupted again.
Massive wooden tendrils lunged forward like living creatures.
Two Hokage.
Two directions.
Perfect coordination.
Even Qing Shui was forced back momentarily.
"Explosive tags!"
He reacted instantly, throwing multiple tags.
BOOM!
The explosions tore apart limbs and roots, disrupting both Hokage's movements.
Creating distance.
That was all he needed.
"Sealing Technique!"
Chakra surged as he attempted to bind them.
Against Edo Tensei—
Sealing was the only true solution.
But—
"You think I'll allow that?"
Orochimaru's voice cut in sharply.
Additional reanimated shinobi rushed forward, intercepting Qing Shui.
They sacrificed themselves—
Buying time.
Qing Shui frowned slightly.
"…Troublesome."
Still, he acted decisively.
One by one—
The interfering Edo Tensei were sealed.
But in that time—
The two Hokage had already recovered.
They attacked again.
"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!"
Darkness.
Absolute.
Total.
In an instant, Qing Shui's vision vanished.
No light.
No direction.
Nothing.
A battlefield without sight—
Was death.
Every movement now carried lethal risk.
But—
Qing Shui didn't panic.
"…So this is your move."
He closed his eyes.
And relied on something else.
Intent.
Malice.
The subtle fluctuations of chakra.
Even in darkness—
He could feel them.
WHOOSH!
He moved.
Dodging the incoming attacks from both Hokage with precision.
To an outside observer—
It looked impossible.
But to Qing Shui—
It was instinct.
Far away—
Orochimaru's expression darkened.
"…So he can sense."
Another unknown variable.
Another problem.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Flames roared into existence.
A sea of fire surged forward, devouring everything in its path.
But—
Tobirama Senju reacted instantly.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
A massive barrier of water rose, clashing against the flames.
Steam exploded into the air.
Even Qing Shui couldn't suppress a small thought—
As expected… the Second Hokage.
Using that moment—
He dispelled the genjutsu.
Vision returned.
And immediately—
Danger.
Wood Release was already upon him.
Trees lashed forward like tentacles, fast and relentless.
Qing Shui raised a hand.
Another Rasengan formed—
BOOM!
One tree shattered.
He moved again, weaving through the attacks.
But the assault didn't stop.
"Water Release: Water Shock Wave!"
Another attack.
This time from Tobirama.
Qing Shui raised one hand—
"Water Wall!"
Defense.
Perfectly timed.
Water clashed against water.
The battlefield trembled.
From afar—
Nono and the others watched in shock.
"…This is a Hokage-level battle…"
Even Yuhi Kurenai stood frozen.
As a Jonin—
She knew exactly how terrifying this was.
If it were her—
She wouldn't last a second.
"…Qing Shui is incredible…"
Nono whispered, admiration filling her voice.
Against two Hokage—
He wasn't losing.
Elsewhere—
The Kusagakure elders' faces grew darker.
"This can't continue…"
"We can't win like this!"
Panic spread among them.
Even this—
Was not enough.
One elder's eyes shifted.
Toward Nono.
Toward the others.
A cruel idea formed.
"If we can't defeat Qing Shui…"
His voice turned cold.
"…then we attack what he protects."
The others froze—
Then nodded.
Understanding.
If they couldn't win directly—
They would force him.
"Capture them."
Without hesitation—
The group of elders rushed forward.
Toward Nono.
Toward the weak point.
The battlefield—
Was about to change again.
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