Even Sarutobi Hiruzen had noticed something unusual, so naturally, Orochimaru did as well.
However, Orochimaru's greed, coupled with his engagement in battle against Aburame Shigeo, dulled his senses and delayed his realization by a crucial moment.
The price he paid for this lapse was a heavy one—a monstrous punch landed squarely on his face, sending him flying several meters.
**"Thud!"**
Accompanied by a dull sound, Orochimaru crashed to the ground heavily, a trickle of blood emerging from the corner of his mouth.
Struggling to his feet, he let out a raspy chuckle.
*"Hehehe... Impressive indeed!"*
Wiping the blood from his lips with the back of his hand, Orochimaru looked at Shigeo with genuine admiration.
*"Using Wood Clone to fight the First Hokage, then absorbing the clone's battle experience to rapidly improve your taijutsu—you're a genius, Shigeo!"*
Wood Clones, like Shadow Clones, transmit their memories and battle experiences back to the original upon dispersal.
In the original story, Naruto used this method to master Wind Chakra and develop the S-rank technique, *Wind Release: Rasenshuriken*, in record time.
It's no exaggeration to say that using physical clones is a shortcut to skill mastery—the more clones, the faster the learning. Of course, this requires immense chakra reserves and mental strength, or the process becomes extremely dangerous.
This is a genius's shortcut! Orochimaru, with his unparalleled mastery of ninjutsu, fully grasped the extraordinary nature of what Shigeo had achieved and couldn't help but offer genuine praise.
But admiration aside, he showed no intention of holding back.
With a swift swing of the Kusanagi Sword in his hand, he commanded the reanimated Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
*"No more wasting time. Take them all out in one go!"*
At his words, Tobirama forced back the Wood Clone in front of him and dashed to Hashirama's side, shielding him from two incoming attacks by the Wood Clones.
With this support, Hashirama clasped his hands together and shouted:
*"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"*
At his command, several massive tree branches erupted from the rooftop, rapidly spreading and intertwining as they surged toward the four Wood Clones and Shigeo.
This was one of Hashirama's signature techniques—using his Wood Release chakra to rapidly create a forest for both offense and defense.
A true all-in-one jutsu!
Outside the barrier, the watching Anbu couldn't help but express their awe.
*"The chakra becomes nourishment for a sea of trees. Incredible!"*
*"So this is the legendary Wood Release of the First Hokage, who brought peace to the warring states and founded Konoha?"*
*"Unbelievable strength!"*
Sarutobi Hiruzen, hearing the murmurs of admiration, smiled faintly.
*"As you can see, Wood Release isn't exclusive to the First Hokage. Look, even that guy's Wood Clones are preparing to use jutsu!"*
As he spoke, the four Wood Clones inside the forest simultaneously clasped their hands together and shouted in unison:
*"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"*
**"Rumble!"**
The rooftop shook violently, tiles cracking and shattering under the pressure.
In an instant, dozens of massive trees sprouted, twisting and spreading as if alive, rapidly growing leaves and branches.
Within seconds, the rooftop, enclosed by the Four Violet Flames Formation, had transformed into a dense forest.
But this forest was far from serene.
Hashirama and the four Wood Clones controlled their respective trees, launching attacks at one another.
In the confined space, countless trees collided, entangled, and were crushed, only for new ones to sprout and repeat the cycle.
This was a clash of Wood Release!
Witnessing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Anbu outside the barrier were stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief.
**Too powerful!**
For a moment, even Sarutobi couldn't help but wonder if he could escape unscathed from such a battle.
Not win—just escape.
The answer was clear: No.
Faced with *Deep Forest Emergence*, a technique that combines large-scale offense and capture, even he couldn't guarantee his survival.
After all, this was the ultimate secret technique that the First Hokage used to pacify the warring states and establish Konoha!
*"If I were twenty years younger, maybe I could manage... perhaps..."*
Sarutobi sighed, feeling his age for the first time in his decades-long leadership of Konoha.
*"Maybe Orochimaru was right—I should decide on the Fifth Hokage soon."*
His gaze shifted to Aburame Shigeo, who was still locked in combat with Orochimaru.
*"If it's him, he could probably shoulder Konoha's future. His cautious nature is fitting, and most importantly, he's strong—like the First Hokage!"*
Just as Sarutobi reached this conclusion, the situation took a sudden turn.
While dodging Orochimaru's attacks, Shigeo was caught off guard and ensnared by a tree branch, rendering him immobile.
As he struggled to break free, Orochimaru's Kusanagi Sword flew from his hand, piercing Shigeo's shoulder and pinning him to the tree.
*"Hehehe... It's over, Shigeo!"*
Laughing triumphantly, Orochimaru stretched his neck unnaturally and bit into Shigeo's neck.
Next, he intended to leave a Curse Mark, paving the way for his *Living Corpse Reincarnation*.
But Orochimaru's smile quickly froze.
As he bit into Shigeo's neck, a tree branch shot out at lightning speed, piercing his own neck with a sharp *"swish!"*
*"Ugh..."*
Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock.
At the same time, Shigeo's calm voice echoed in his ear.
*"Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Technique."*
The branch that had pierced Orochimaru's neck exploded, scattering hundreds of sharp splinters.
*"Shk-shk-shk!"*
In an instant, Orochimaru's head, neck, and upper body were riddled with spikes, making him look like a grotesque porcupine.
At that moment, Shigeo, pinned to the tree, vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving only a wooden dummy behind.
It had been a Wood Clone all along!
The tree that had trapped the Wood Clone twisted and transformed, revealing Shigeo's true form.
The branch that had impaled Orochimaru turned into Shigeo's hand.
*"Now it's truly over."*
Shigeo smiled faintly, gazing at Orochimaru, who was now on the brink of death.
*"I was willing to play with you a bit longer, but since you're unwilling, I won't force it. Farewell, Snake-san."*
*"Ugh..."*
Orochimaru struggled one last time before falling limp, lifeless.
*(End of Chapter)*