"Boil Release • Skillful Mist Technique!"
A dense, corrosive mist erupted from Yuyi Kurotsuki's mouth, enveloping his surroundings before rapidly spreading outward like the Hiding in Mist Technique.
In an instant, Hashirama's vision was obscured by a thick white fog.
The sizzling sound of dissolution filled the air as the acid-laced mist dissolved the trees and vines around Yuyi. Knowing the devastating power of Boil Release, Hashirama didn't charge in recklessly. Instead, he summoned more of the forest to surge toward the mist.
Seizing the brief respite, Yuyi—still blinded by darkness—formed a series of hand seals, channeling a torrent of chakra through his body.
"Genjutsu Release!"
Though he lacked the Uchiha clan's innate prowess in illusions, Yuyi's deep study of Yin-based chakra allowed him to break free.
The oppressive black veil lifted, and his vision returned.
Before him, an endless tide of trees was crashing forward like a raging flood.
"Boil Release • Mist Dragon!"
Without hesitation, Yuyi exhaled another wave of acid mist, this time shaping it into a massive, serpentine dragon. With a piercing shriek, the dragon shot forward like a spear, tearing through the forest and splitting it in two before hurtling toward Hashirama.
From above, the scene was breathtaking—the mist dragon cleaved through the sea of trees like an unstoppable blade.
Hashirama's eyes narrowed.
"Summoning • Quintuple Rashomon!"
His hands slammed into the ground, and five colossal, demon-faced gates erupted from the earth, forming an iron barrier before him.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The earth trembled as the dragon collided with the gates.
The first three Rashomon shattered under the impact, but the mist dragon finally dissipated, its energy spent.
Yet the assault wasn't over.
A figure blurred through the remnants of the mist, lightning crackling around his hand as he closed the distance in a flash.
"Chidori!"
The piercing screech of a thousand birds filled the air as Yuyi thrust his electrified hand straight toward Hashirama's heart—just as he had done to Hakuren.
The Chidori's speed was overwhelming, typically requiring the precision of a Sharingan to wield effectively.
But that limitation only applied to shinobi like Kakashi, whose physical prowess was ordinary.
The Fourth Raikage, whose speed rivaled the Yellow Flash, needed no Sharingan to strike true—no one had ever accused him of missing.
Yuyi was no different.
The deafening cry of lightning filled Hashirama's ears.
There was no time to dodge.
Instead, his body tensed—and wooden stakes erupted from his flesh, slamming into the incoming Chidori.
Yuyi felt as though he were plowing through layers of unyielding hide.
Splinters flew as his momentum slowed.
Worse, the Wood Release sapped his chakra—the lightning in his hand flickered, dimming under the suppression.
Had it not been for his Dark Release's ability to absorb some of the Wood chakra, counteracting the drain, he would have already lost the advantage.
But he couldn't hold out forever.
Refusing to stubbornly press forward, Yuyi shifted tactics—his Chidori morphed into "Chidori Sharp Spear," slicing through the wooden stakes as he retreated.
With his free hand, he flicked out a cluster of explosive tags, attaching them to the remaining stakes just outside Hashirama's line of sight.
As Hashirama retracted the wooden protrusions, preparing to pursue—
Hiss—!
The tags ignited.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A chain of explosions erupted, flames and smoke engulfing Hashirama's position.
An ordinary man would have been obliterated.
But this was Hashirama Senju.
Yuyi didn't wait. His hands moved again.
"Scorch Release • Superheated Steam Murder!"
Spheres of fire and wind chakra materialized behind him.
With a flick of his wrist, the deadly orbs shot toward the smoke—each capable of reducing a living being to a desiccated husk in seconds.
Even a Sage's body would wither to a mummy under Scorch Release's touch.
In the future, the Sand's hero Pakura would wield this terrifying Kekkei Genkai, earning such renown that the Fourth Kazekage would betray her out of sheer paranoia.
But—
No explosion came.
Yuyi's pupils contracted as he stared into the dissipating smoke—where a massive, indistinct shadow loomed.
Then, the dust cleared.
"Wood Release • Wood Dragon Technique!"
Hashirama's voice rang out, strong and unwavering.
Coiling around him was a monstrous dragon—its body studded with thorns, its hooked nose giving it a demonic visage.
A few scorch marks marred its surface—the only testament to Scorch Release's impact.
Against a creature that absorbed chakra, even the most devastating techniques were rendered futile.
The dragon's lantern-like eyes gleamed as it reared up, towering over Yuyi with an ear-splitting roar.
Hashirama stood atop its head.
Beneath his tattered red armor, his wounds were already sealing shut—his body healing without the need for hand seals.
Within moments, he looked untouched.
"As expected of Yuyi Kurotsuki." His voice was solemn. "Now, I'll get serious."
From anyone else, those words might have sounded like bravado.
From Hashirama, they were a promise.
The non-Konoha shinobi watching from afar felt a chill.
Against Yuyi's relentless assault, they would have been crushed instantly.
Yet Hashirama stood unscathed—as if the battle had been nothing more than a warm-up.
"A Wood Dragon…" Yuyi's mind raced. "Ordinary ninjutsu won't work anymore."
Memories of the Deity Gates pinning down the Nine-Tails flashed in his mind.
He had never underestimated Hashirama.
ROAR—!
The dragon bellowed again.
Then—
The sky seemed to collapse.
The colossal creature descended like a falling mountain, its massive body crashing toward Yuyi with earth-shaking force.
At the same time, Hashirama reactivated Advent of a World of Trees.
In an instant, Yuyi was assailed from every direction—
Above, below, and all around him, the battlefield turned into a death trap.