Having taken the most critical step, everything that followed became natural and inevitable. With the tireless efforts of his shadow clones, Yao's fusion of Water, Earth, and Yang grew increasingly proficient. His understanding of the form and nature transformations of Wood Style deepened.
Knacks that would normally take months or even years to discover were quickly conquered under the collective assault of hundreds of shadow clones. His previously clunky chakra circulation became as fluid as an extension of his own limbs. Vague transformations became crystal clear.
In less than half a month, Yao's mastery of Wood Style reached a whole new height!
"Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall!"
Rumble!
The ground split open violently. A row of arched wooden shields erupted from the earth, forming a solid, thick wooden wall. The wood grain was clear, giving off a steady luster; its defensive power far exceeded that of a standard Earth Style wall. The entire process was smooth, rapid, and brimming with power.
Yao ran his hand over the wall, a satisfied curve tugging at the corner of his mouth. From only being able to sprout a tiny sapling to unleashing a combat-ready defensive jutsu—this progress was night and day!
"Again!" "Wood Style: Wood Clone!"
Two sections of wood sprouted from Yao's body, transforming into two wooden clones. Compared to ordinary shadow clones, Wood Clones were more stable, harder to see through, and far more practical.
"Their stealth and chakra consumption are both superior to regular shadow clones. Next!"
"Wood Style: Adamantine Beckoning Tree!"
Rumble!
The earth trembled. Several massive trunks, their tips as sharp as spears, erupted from the ground like dormant dragons. They lunged fiercely toward a nearby boulder. These woods were dense as iron, possessing an unstoppable momentum.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Under the violent impact, the giant rock was pierced and shattered like tofu. Dust billowed and debris flew, showcasing extreme destructive power.
"Excellent for sieges and piercing attacks. Enough to change the terrain and tear through enemy formations in battle!"
Next, Yao raised his arm, aiming at an ancient tree that would take several people to encircle.
"Wood Style: Cutting Technique!"
Shoo! Shoo! Shoo!
In an instant, countless sharp wooden spikes shot out from his arm and palm like a torrential rain. They were fast, numerous, and covered a wide area. The ancient tree was instantly riddled with holes like a sieve.
Even more terrifying was that under Yao's control, the spikes embedded deep within the trunk could undergo a secondary growth, branching out to further tear the target from the inside!
Looking at the decimated tree, Yao evaluated the lethality of the move: "A killing technique for both single and multiple targets. It combines physical damage with follow-up crowd control—highly practical!"
"Wood Style: Four-Pillar House Technique!"
A large amount of timber grew from the ground, assembling and constructing itself. In just a few breaths, a fully structured, sturdy, and aesthetic wooden house rose from the earth. It had doors, windows, and even simple chairs and tables inside—a ready-to-move-in cabin.
"Tsk! So this is Yamato's 'Three Bedrooms, Two Bathrooms' jutsu!" Yao grinned.
Back when he watched the anime in his previous life, he had always been envious of this technique. Being able to create a home anywhere, anytime—how convenient! If he had this ability in his past life, he wouldn't have needed to shoulder a multi-million dollar mortgage and work like a slave for others.
"Hmm?"
At that moment, a stream of foreign memories suddenly flooded Yao's mind. It was the Shadow Clone he had left by Tazuna's side; it had dispelled itself, sending its experiences back to the original body.
Zabuza Momochi had arrived!
"Perfect timing!" A glint of anticipation flashed in Yao's eyes. He immediately sensed the Flying Raijin formula mark he had placed on Sasuke.
Swish!
Yao vanished from the dense forest instantly, leaving not a single trace behind.
At the same time, on the Great Naruto Bridge of the Land of Waves, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt as if it could draw blood. Within a thick, unnatural mist, Naruto and Sasuke were trapped inside a bizarre barrier made of countless ice mirrors.
It was the Crystal Ice Mirrors—Haku's Ice Style Hidden Jutsu!
Haku moved between the mirrors at blinding speeds, raining down senbon needles like a storm. Naruto and Sasuke were struggling just to stay alive, looking utterly battered and desperate.
Even worse, Kakashi was currently imprisoned within a massive sphere of swirling water. Zabuza Momochi maintained the Water Prison Jutsu with one hand, a cruel, predatory smirk playing on his face.
"So this is the legendary Copy Ninja Kakashi? You're not much to look at."
Inside the water prison, Kakashi couldn't breathe. His consciousness was beginning to blur, and he was forced to rely on sheer willpower just to stay conscious. This is bad... I didn't expect his subordinate's Kekkei Genkai to be this troublesome. I really grew careless! This time, Kakashi wasn't acting—he was truly trapped, and the situation was dire.
Suddenly, a teasing voice drifted into everyone's ears:
"Kakashi-sensei, you're looking a bit pathetic. This time, I'm guessing it's not an act?"
Everyone froze in shock! They looked toward the source of the voice and saw Yao standing casually atop the bridge railing not far from the water prison, looking down at Kakashi with an amused expression.
"Yao?!" Naruto and Sasuke shouted in unison, their eyes filling with sudden hope.
Inside the prison, Kakashi felt a wave of relief. He knew Yao's true strength; with him here, the tide was about to turn!
Zabuza's pupils shrank as he glared at Yao. This kid... when did he appear? He hadn't sensed the boy's approach at all!
Yao hopped down from the railing and faced Zabuza, his lips curling into a smirk. "A rogue ninja of the Mist... the 'Demon' Zabuza Momochi! Come on then! I'll be your opponent!"
"A brat playing tricks!" Though Zabuza was wary, he didn't take a child seriously. He swung his free left hand, causing the thick mist to churn again, attempting to blind Yao's vision.
However, Yao simply raised his hand. "In the face of true power, such parlor tricks are meaningless."
He turned his palm toward the water-slicked ground and spoke in a low voice:
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Yao's version was a simplified one, nowhere near the world-shaking scale of Hashirama Senju's original technique. Having just developed it, he couldn't yet use it on a massive scale. But for this? It was more than enough!
RUMBLE!!!
The entire bridge—no, the entire river surface—began to tremble. Under the disbelieving eyes of Kakashi and Zabuza, the bridge surface was torn apart by an irresistible force. Countless thick trunks and vines erupted from the ground and water alike, growing and spreading with frantic speed as they swarmed toward Zabuza!
"Wha—What is this?!" The sneer on Zabuza's face froze, replaced by an unprecedented horror. He had never seen such a terrifying ninjutsu! He didn't even recognize it! Yet, the moment he saw it, two words naturally surfaced in his mind: Wood Style!
The Wood Style of the First Hokage!
"Damn it! Why does this Konoha brat have Wood Style?!" Zabuza swung his Executioner's Blade, hacking at the encroaching vines. But the wood was incredibly dense, and there were simply too many of them! For every one he cut, ten more swarmed in to take its place!
Even worse, the bridge beneath him was collapsing as giant trees surged upward, forcefully breaking his concentration and shattering the Water Prison Jutsu.
Splash!
The water prison collapsed. Kakashi, finally free, tumbled to the side, coughing violently. But he ignored his own condition, staring wide-eyed at the forest that had manifested in an instant.
"No... it's impossible!" Kakashi's voice was hoarse and dry, filled with disbelief. "This is... the First Hokage's... Wood Style? How could it appear here? How is this possible?"