Naruto's Strongest Force

In the dream space.

Every training session in the dream space requires significant mental energy, and Natsuki has been constantly traveling. To avoid accidents, his training in the dream space had been superficial. But after finally bringing Kimimaro and Haku back to the Hidden Sound Village, Natsuki could fully immerse himself in his dream training.

Especially after gaining new abilities, Natsuki eagerly entered the dream space that night, ready for intensive training.

This time, Natsuki chose to engage in combat.

The most vital sparring partner available on his influence board was still Orochimaru. When Natsuki entered the space, Orochimaru remained silent as always.

Reanimation Jutsu!

The eerie sound of coffins rising from the ground echoed as two coffins emerged. When the coffin lids fell, the familiar figures of the First and Second Hokage appeared.

Because Orochimaru hadn’t wandered the world as much in this lifetime, he typically only summoned these two through the Reanimation Jutsu. The First and Second Hokage’s corpses had even been supplied by Danzo, which was ridiculous.

When the First and Second Hokage stepped out of their coffins, they immediately charged at Natsuki.

Thankfully, this was a dream, and the figures were mere illusions, sparing Natsuki from hearing Tobirama’s usual lines about the “inherently evil Uchiha.”

Orochimaru followed closely behind the two Hokage, launching his attacks.

The First Hokage, Hashirama, clapped his hands together.

Bringer of Darkness Technique!

Instantly, an expanding field of absolute darkness enveloped the area. Natsuki found himself in complete blackness, unable to see his hand in front of his face.

But Natsuki opened his eyes wide!

Golden Susanoo burst forth, instantly breaking free from the darkness, and pushed the nearby Second Hokage, Tobirama, away. Orochimaru’s Hidden Shadow Snake Hands were also repelled.

Hashirama clasped his hands together again.

Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!

With a rumble, the ground trembled as countless trees burst forth, their roots twisting and expanding. Massive branches shot up from the earth, snaking toward Natsuki, attempting to entangle him.

At the same time, Tobirama rapidly formed hand signs.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

Like a high-pressure water jet, the water technique sliced into Natsuki’s Susanoo, creating a gash in the chakra-formed armor.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru finished his hand signs and spat many snakes onto the battlefield.

Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!

Natsuki’s eyes glowed as he infused chakra into his Susanoo, causing it to grow 70 meters high. The gash from Tobirama’s attack instantly regenerated.

Natsuki’s Susanoo stomped with a powerful motion, snapping the entangling tree branches at its feet.

Natsuki drew Susanoo’s weapon and slashed at Hashirama, who leaped high into the air strike.

Natsuki hurled the chakra sword toward Hashirama.

The massive chakra blade collided with Hashirama, shattering him into a flurry of Reanimation tags dispersed in the air.

As the tags floated and reformed his body, Tobirama seized the opportunity to unleash another technique.

Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!

A massive torrent of water erupted from Tobirama’s mouth, flooding the battlefield. But the rising water barely reached Susanoo’s ankles, making it useless.

Natsuki exerted more chakra, causing his Susanoo to grow even taller, reaching 100 meters. Fully armored now, it was even more imposing than when he had fought Obito. The weapon in Susanoo’s hand became even more defined.

Orochimaru, flanking Tobirama, launched his attacks in coordination. He used several body flicker techniques to close in on Susanoo and slashed with his Kusanagi Sword.

Clang!

Despite the Kusanagi Sword’s famed sharpness, it barely made a dent in Susanoo’s armor. Orochimaru was sent flying from the impact.

Tobirama, however, clasped his hands together, preparing his next move. A massive number of exploding tags lit up in his hands.

Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions reverberated across the battlefield as a seemingly endless stream of explosive tags stuck to Susanoo, igniting upon contact. The blasts were concentrated on a single point, putting immense strain on Natsuki’s chakra and Mangekyou Sharingan.

Though Tobirama’s Reanimated body was caught in the explosion, the dust settled to reveal his body regenerating, his Reanimation tags reforming.

Natsuki dispelled Susanoo and dropped from the sky.

Orochimaru had been waiting.

He lunged forward, swinging the Kusanagi Sword. Natsuki parried the attack with his own Kusanagi Sword, which he had meant to give to Sasuke.

Clang!

The two blades clashed evenly, but Natsuki’s strength slightly overpowered Orochimaru.

As their blades locked, Natsuki’s left hand shot out, grabbing Orochimaru’s outstretched hand. But Orochimaru twisted his body unnaturally, slithering out of Natsuki’s grasp and extending his body, slicing downward from an awkward angle.

Unable to dodge in time, Natsuki was cut.

He kicked out, halting Orochimaru’s next move, and leaped back. As he moved, he bit down on his hand, activating his new healing ability.

A soothing energy spread through his body, rapidly healing his wound.

Meanwhile, Hashirama had finished regenerating and was already performing hand signs.

Wood Release: Flowering Tree World!

With a loud rumble, the tree roots severed earlier and surged to life, tearing through the ground and sending rocks flying as they grew. Twisted branches began to stretch toward the sky.

Massive buds bloomed across the treetops in mere moments, releasing clouds of paralyzing pollen.

Orochimaru retreated into the shadows.

Natsuki activated his Mangekyou Sharingan, using his Susanoo Otsutsuki Vision to search for Orochimaru.

In previous battles, Orochimaru hadn’t moved much while controlling the First and Second Hokage. But this time, Orochimaru had improved, working in tandem with the two Hokage.

However, this was the first time Natsuki had faced the Flowering Tree World technique. Its scale was reduced compared to the Fourth Great Ninja War, but the paralyzing pollen remained just as dangerous.

Natsuki held his breath, then wondered if he could use one-time jutsu in the dream space. On instinct, he tried using Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals.

And then… nothing happened.

Natsuki couldn’t help but take a breath, his vision fading to black as he was forcibly returned to the real world.

Gazing at the influence board, Natsuki couldn’t help but reflect. Not only was he growing more muscular, but even someone as busy as Orochimaru was also improving. Orochimaru had summoned a version of Hashirama who could now use Flowering Tree World, and Orochimaru still hadn’t used his Eight-Headed Serpent Technique.

Perhaps controlling two Reanimated Hokage at once limited his ability to use it.

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