I, The New Hokage of Konoha - Chapter 298
The Nine-Tails sensed something unusual about Hashirama Senju .
As an involved party, even though Maki was concentrating, she hadn’t yet noticed anything amiss.
However, during the clash, she became acutely aware that her mastery of Wood Release was rapidly increasing. She hoped the battle would continue in this manner, despite the urgency felt by the likes of Hiruzen Sarutobi and others who were unwilling to wait any longer.
As the delaying ability of the other side, Kakashi, weakened, they hastened to put the reanimated Hashirama Senju at risk again.
“Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!”
A Jonin from Konoha spat out a fierce blaze aimed directly at Hashirama Senju .
Even though most of her focus was uncontrollably directed at Maki, Hashirama Senju’s reaction to the imminent attack was swift. His body moved just in time, evading the Fire Release assault.
At that moment, another Konoha Jonin swiftly formed hand seals:
“Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!”
Instantly, an ascending earth dragon opened its mouth, spewing numerous mud bullets toward Hashirama Senju like speeding projectiles.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Amidst Hashirama Senju ‘s constant leaping and dodging, the passing ground was pocked with fist-sized craters caused by the mud bullets.
After a few breaths, although the mud bullets hadn’t hit their mark, they had forced him into the intended position.
Seizing this opportunity, the remaining two Konoha Jonin immediately sprang into action.
“Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!”
“Teleportation: Heavenly Soaring Ceiling!”
In an instant, the sturdy ground under Hashirama Senju transformed into a vast swamp, engulfing him.
Simultaneously above him, a colossal pot lid emerged with a loud “bang,” descending directly toward Hashirama Senju .
After a thunderous crash,
the entirely encased Hashirama Senju was suddenly enclosed within the massive lid.
But it wasn’t over yet!
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had delivered the final blow, swiftly elongated the Diamond Destroyer Staff he held.
Upon reaching the location of the Heavenly Soaring Ceiling, the staff continued to extend and entwine around the perimeter of the ceiling, an additional layer of security evident.
His actions proved to be right.
Soon after, with a resounding shatter, a large opening split the surface of the ceiling. Unharmed, Hashirama Senju rapidly emerged from within.
“Now’s the time! Diamond Prison Wall!”
A glint appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi’s eyes as he swung the Diamond Destroyer Staff in his hand with force.
In an instant, the enormous staff split into hundreds of rods, rapidly combining into a square prison, tightly containing Hashirama Senju within.
At this point, Hashirama Senju , whose existence was under serious threat, had to resort to using Wood Release to break the prison in front of him.
But the Diamond Prison Wall was an art that could withstand even his Wood Release in his prime, let alone now in its weakened state.
While Hashirama Senju struggled fruitlessly, Hiruzen Sarutobi swiftly approached, pulling out a massive scroll he had been carrying on his back and unfurling it.
Within, the characters for ‘seal’ leaped from the paper into the air through Hiruzen Sarutobi’s subsequent hand seals, accompanied by numerous tadpole-like seals within the scroll.
Soon, completing the final seal, a visibly relieved Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the expressionless Hashirama Senju and sighed softly:
“First Hokage, please rest peacefully from now on.”
As his words trailed off, a multitude of sealing jutsu emerging from the scroll swiftly covered the entire body of Hashirama Senju .
Unable to prevent it, the black shackles composed of sealing jutsu covered his body entirely, from bottom to top, first his legs, then torso, and arms.
Finally, only his face remained, about to be covered by the sealing.
The usually rigid face of Hashirama Senju suddenly displayed a hint of life.
In an instant, his eyes, now with a hint of color, moved, gazing directly at the just-finished confrontation and then at the heavily panting Maki.
Then, a faint, serene smile appeared on his lips, unseen by everyone, as he was covered by the sealing, unrevealed.
…
“At last, one resolved!”
Observing the now-sealed Hashirama Senju , Hiruzen Sarutobi retracted the Diamond Destroyer Staff. Seeing the relief on the faces of the other four arriving Konoha Jonin, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, still serious, about to say something when two hurried sets of footsteps approached.
“Grandpa Sarutobi, how did I do this time? Did I achieve a great feat?” Maki’s small face, still with traces of sweat, beamed with pride as she rushed in.
“And me! And me!” On the side, Naruto, not wanting to be left out, raised his hand vigorously.
Despite being anxious about Maki and Naruto’s arrival, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to acknowledge their contributions, especially Maki’s significant help in subduing the reanimated First Hokage Hashirama Senju.
“Well done! Maki, and Naruto, you’ve both made significant contributions to Konoha. After this, I’ll personally request recognition from the Fourth Hokage for both of you.”
“Yay! That’s amazing!” Naruto exclaimed in excitement, not seeking fame or rewards but hoping his parents on the front lines would feel proud upon hearing the news.
Equally excited, Maki, curious about something she cared deeply about, inquired, “Grandpa Sarutobi, who was the person using Wood Release just now?”
Despite previously calling the opponent a “fraud,” Maki had greatly benefited from their Wood Release, which had led to a substantial improvement in her own Wood Release proficiency.
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn’t hide it: “That person? Speaking of whom, it’s your great-grandfather.”
“Great… grandpa?” Maki looked utterly astonished.
Beside her, equally surprised, Naruto had already started counting on his fingers.
“The Hokage is Maki’s dad. The Hokage’s dad is Maki’s grandpa. The Hokage’s dad’s dad is Maki’s…” As he reached the end, Naruto couldn’t help scratching his head, quite puzzled. “Wait, so what relation is the Hokage’s dad’s dad to Maki?”
“Great-grandfather,” Maki retorted, exasperated by Naruto’s foolish question, then fell into deep thought.
She had seen the family records.
But in her father’s lineage, no elder had awakened Wood Release.
In her mother’s lineage, however, there was a well-known figure who fit the criteria.
“Could it be…”
Thinking of that person, Maki suddenly lifted her head.
Just about to inquire further, she noticed the expression on Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face change abruptly:
“Yes, indeed, the person you just fought was the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. By lineage, he’s your great-grandfather.”
“No wonder…”
Maki realized why the person’s Wood Release proficiency was so formidable. It turned out to be her ancestor, who had once dominated the world as the “God of Shinobi” with Wood Release.
However…
“Didn’t the First Hokage great-grandpa pass away long ago?” Maki questioned, confused.
Hiruzen Sarutobi briefly explained: “Indeed, the First Hokage has already passed away. However, the true enemy attacking the village somehow used a sinister forbidden jutsu to summon the First Hokage from the afterlife and control him as a weapon to assault Konoha.”
“A sinister forbidden jutsu?”
With everything now clear, Maki’s thoughts raced.
She hadn’t paid attention before, but now that the truth lay before her, she suddenly realized that during the clash with her great-grandfather, his attacks appeared forceful but seemed intentional, as if he were deliberately showcasing his Wood Release for her to learn.
Otherwise, considering the power of his Wood Release displayed at the end, he could have easily broken her Wood Release.
Yet, he chose to gradually intensify his attacks, matching the level of her Wood Release each time she showed improvement.
This was undoubtedly a form of teaching!
Despite never exchanging a single word with her great-grandfather, Maki couldn’t help but develop a profound fondness for this figure.
‘If only I could truly meet my great-grandfather…’
Just as she looked at the sealed Hashirama Senju , a sudden voice echoed:
“So, the one currently facing off against another Konoha Jonin is the Second Hokage?”
The speaker was Sasuke.
Having arrived not long ago, he had silently listened to Maki and Hiruzen Sarutobi’s conversation until now. When he saw two rapid-moving figures pass not far away, he finally spoke up.
“Indeed, it’s the Second Hokage.” Retracting his gaze from the Uchiha youth bearing his father’s name, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s expression grew unusually stern as he continued,
“The Flying Thunder God technique is beyond defense. The upcoming battle is beyond your capabilities, Maki, Naruto, and Sasuke. Right now, you must retreat!”
“What? I…” About to protest, Naruto was quickly held back by Maki and Sasuke.
Cool-headed Sasuke understood perfectly well that their abilities were no match for the Second Hokage’s Flying Thunder God technique. A confrontation would likely lead to a fatal outcome.
Similarly, having personally witnessed her father’s prowess, Maki comprehended the might of the Flying Thunder God technique.
More rational than Naruto, she knew what to do and ushered Sasuke and Naruto away with a hint of reluctance.
As they departed, just before turning away, Maki, glancing back at her sealed great-grandfather, noticed a change.
The sealed Hashirama Senju suddenly exhibited an anomaly.
At the same time, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had noticed the disturbance, turned to look at the location of Hashirama Senju ,finding him still lively.
Instantly, Hiruzen Sarutobi’s brow furrowed deeply.
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