"Is this already the level of your Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Mito knew Kawakaze intended to use the Flying Thunder God Technique, but she was still surprised to see it executed so effortlessly.
The more people or objects transported using the technique, the greater the Chakra consumption and the higher the required proficiency. This was something even Tobirama couldn't achieve in his time—otherwise, he might not have died protecting the rear.
Now, Kawakaze's mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique could be said to have surpassed Tobirama's.
"This is the first time I've teleported so many people, and I didn't expect it to be this easy," Kawakaze said, scratching his head in embarrassment. He didn't feel proud of his current level of skill.
In the original story, Impure World Minato during the Fourth Great War had transported the entire Allied Shinobi Forces. Kawakaze couldn't imagine doing something like that now.
Was such a feat even humanly possible?
Perhaps it was only achievable with the enhancements brought by Impure World Reincarnation and the Sage Mode of the Nine-Tails. Otherwise, why would Minato have died sealing the Nine-Tails?
"Excessive modesty is just arrogance," Mito said with a gentle smile.
"Kawakaze, let's begin," Orochimaru urged, unimpressed by the Flying Thunder God Technique. He had been transported by Kawakaze before and didn't think much of it.
"Yes, hurry up," Tsunade said, giving Kawakaze a slight nudge.
Only Kushina and Misaki seemed a bit confused by the exchange.
"Okay, here I come," Kawakaze said, stepping forward and focusing on the clearing ahead.
The area bore the scars of his previous Ninjutsu training—trees had vanished, and scorched marks covered the ground.
Pop!
Kawakaze folded his hands in front of his chest.
"Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!"
Instantly, Sage Mode activated. Kawakaze's appearance had subtly changed.
His golden pupils glowed brighter, and the seals around his eyes had faded, leaving only a hint of crimson eye shadow. A red mark between his eyebrows gave him a more solemn demeanor.
Following the instructions from the Scroll, Kawakaze executed the technique precisely.
Senjutsu Chakra was consumed at an incredible rate as vast amounts of Natural Energy surged into his body.
Rumbling!
The ground trembled beneath Mito and the others.
"Hah!" With a loud yell from Kawakaze, the earth cracked beneath him.
A network of fissures spread outward like a spider's web. Moments later, a massive and awe-inspiring statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara rose from the ground.
Behind the statue, thousands of giant arms extended outward from the connected disc, forming an immense circle.
Kawakaze stood atop the statue's head, the violent qi blowing through his silver hair and clothes. Looking down at the True Several Thousand Hands below, a sense of heroism surged in his heart.
He had finally attained such incredible power.
With just a clap of his hands, he could make the impossible possible. It was no longer a scene confined to his dreams.
When the True Several Thousand Hands fully emerged, Kawakaze's position grew even higher, as if he could touch the sky with just one more stretch.
To those standing before this Wooden Buddha Statue, it felt as though they were mere ants.
Could this really be a Ninjutsu that a single person could use?
Apart from Mito, who had witnessed the True Several Thousand Hands before, even Tsunade was seeing it for the first time. She stood dumbfounded, unable to speak.
"Is this the power of Wood Release?" Orochimaru muttered to himself, his voice tinged with disbelief.
He couldn't fathom what in the current ninja world could possibly stand against such overwhelming power.
Simply looking at the statue sapped any courage to challenge it.
In the past, he had only heard stories of Hashirama's abilities, with no real understanding of their magnitude.
Now, he understood—and the reality was undeniable.
"Grandma, is this Grandpa's strongest Sage Art?" the question lingered in Tsunade's mind as she turned to Mito and asked.
[The "Top Transformed Buddha" Technique, based on the True Several Thousand Hands Technique.]
"Yes, I never thought I'd live to see it again," Mito replied, her eyes filled with nostalgia, as though the memory of Hashirama bragging about the technique to her was as fresh as yesterday.
At that moment, the Nine-Tails within Mito tried to shrink into a ball but found itself unable to. It could only lower its head, barely daring to breathe.
It could never forget the day, some thirty years ago, when that man had used this very technique to hold it in his palm like a helpless chick.
When it woke up, it was already sealed inside Mito.
The only memory it had of the event were Hashirama's words: "Nine-Tails, your power is too strong, so I have to seal you."
Over the years, the Nine-Tails had often pondered: What is so strong about me?
It couldn't figure it out, and the thought left it bitter.
If I'm really that strong, why were you treating me like a chicken?
If given another chance to speak with Hashirama, the Nine-Tails would have only one thing to say: "How dare you?"
Meanwhile, Kushina and Misaki were left stunned. Their mouths hung open as they struggled to process what they were seeing.
A massive wave of awe surged in their hearts, leaving them with only one thought: Is brother-in-law even human?
Kawakaze, on the other hand, had to admit he had underestimated the power of the True Several Thousand Hands.
Despite choosing a location far from Konoha, the technique's effects still reached the village.
In the moonlight, he could already see several figures approaching. They were Konoha ninja on security patrol.
"Don't be nervous," Kawakaze said, stepping forward. "It's me, Kawakaze Hatake."
He could see the unease in the posture of the patrolling ninja—the fear of the unknown etched into their movements.
None of them realized that the colossal True Several Thousand Hands was Kawakaze's doing.
"It's Lord Kawakaze."
"Fortunately, it was a false alarm," the Hyūga Clan ninja said after confirming Kawakaze's identity. Several Konoha ninja let out a collective sigh of relief.
If Kawakaze had been an enemy, they wouldn't have stood a chance of returning alive.
"We were just practicing our Ninjutsu and got careless. I didn't realize it would cause such a commotion. Go back and let everyone know there's no need to worry," Tsunade commanded as the group approached.
Seeing Tsunade, Orochimaru, and the others alongside Kawakaze confirmed his identity beyond a doubt.
"Yes, Lady Hokage," the ninja replied, withdrawing after receiving their orders. If they had truly been unable to return, the alarm in Konoha would have sounded long ago.
"No wonder he's Lord Kawakaze! This Ninjutsu is terrifyingly powerful," one of the departing ninja muttered, still shaken.
Those who had not directly faced the True Several Thousand Hands could never fully comprehend its magnitude.
"What kind of power is this?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been chatting with his wife, felt the extraordinary energy for the first time. It stirred a feeling of great familiarity within him.
He stepped outside, his gaze locking onto the source of the power.
The enormous Buddha head was unmistakable. It was Lord Hashirama's Senju True Several Thousand Hands...
A single thought crossed his mind: Tsunade has succeeded.
In the Uchiha territory, Fugaku stood with Mikoto, holding her hand as they gazed at the moon. He, too, was stunned by the overwhelming power. The moment he saw the Buddha's head, his breath caught.
Even my Susanoo is no match for this, he thought, his chest tightening.
"Fugaku, what is that?" Mikoto asked softly, glancing at him with concern.
"It's nothing. Everything's fine. The village alarm hasn't gone off," Fugaku replied, squeezing her hand reassuringly. Still, he had a guess in his mind.
Having provided test subjects for the experiment, Fugaku was well aware of the research into Hashirama's Cells.
Elsewhere, Jiraiya had just stepped out of the bath and hadn't even had time to put on his pajamas. Rushing to the window, he peered outside.
"What are you rushing off for?" Maki Nadeshiko asked, lying on the bed with her clothes half undone, watching him in confusion.
"They succeeded," Jiraiya said, his face showing unmistakable joy. Neither Tsunade nor Orochimaru had managed to keep the experiment a secret from him.
...
That night, the entire Konoha was anything but calm.