"Mom, let me handle this."
Takayama Haru suddenly stepped onto the battlefield and gently set Lin down.
Master Dai's wife looked at him, full of confusion.
"I'm Takayama Haru. I'm open-minded and calm. It's fine—leave this to me. Cancel the Eight Inner Gates technique, or you'll be in real danger."
Master Dai shook his head. "Let's go! The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are right ahead!"
With that, he prepared to launch another attack.
"Hey!"
Haru sighed. He didn't show off his strength, but clearly Master Dai didn't trust him.
"The Blossoming Tree Realm!"
This was an S-rank technique newly understood after merging with 50% of the character card of Senju Hashirama—a more powerful version of the Forest Domain!
This jutsu uses the user's chakra as nourishment, allowing the dormant trees in the earth to rapidly grow and expand, which the user can then control freely.
As Haru gave his command, the ground instantly cracked!
With a thunderous roar, the entire area began to tremble.
What was once a forest was instantly transformed into a massive basin, collapsing inward.
Beneath the surface, bulging tree trunks burst through rocks and soil, spreading to cover the land completely.
A single move altered the entire terrain!
And this was only half the strength of the Senju bloodline!
Bright flowers began blooming on the rapidly growing trees. As soon as they opened, they released a poisonous pollen. Inhaling it would cause paralysis and unconsciousness.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—now six, after one had fallen—were completely trapped inside the newly formed basin.
"Is this Wood Release?!"
"Who is that guy?"
"He's so young. Is he Konoha's latest genius ninja?"
"There's no intel on this guy at all!"
Mikoto quickly laid the student off her shoulder, her beautiful eyes dazed as she stared at Haru's back.
Even Haruno Akira was stunned.
None of them had actually seen how Haru did it. Who would've thought that his very first move would be this powerful?
Everyone was shocked.
This guy was terrifying!
Even Master Dai was startled by Haru's sudden display of strength. He looked back at him, then finally released the Eight Gates Formation.
As soon as he collapsed, Haru quickly moved to sit him down.
Then everyone noticed—Might Dai's right arm and right leg were broken.
Just now, he'd punched Ringo Ameyuri and kicked Kisame Hoshigaki, and in that instant, his limbs had fractured. The brutal energy of the Eight Inner Gates had exploded fully.
"Dad!" Young Guy came rushing over.
Master Dai gently patted Guy's head. "It's okay."
With those words, he fainted.
"Dad!"
Takayama Haru glanced at the young Guy and said, "Your father only fainted. His life isn't in danger, but his arms and legs are broken."
"Teacher! Please save my dad!"
Haru looked toward Uchiha Mikoto. "Mikoto, help me treat him. I'll go capture those six."
"Alright!"
Even before she finished speaking, Haru's figure vanished.
Seeing this, the remaining six swordsmen immediately tried to flee.
The arrival of the Blossoming Tree Realm wasn't something ordinary ninja could handle. None of them had ever seen such a terrifying technique.
It had to be a bloodline ability—like their own Second Mizukage, a terrifying figure from legend.
"Let's retreat!"
"There's no need to engage them!"
"Agreed!"
The six split up and retreated.
At that moment, hundreds of Haru's shadow clones appeared in the sky!
The Art of Multiple Shadow Clones!
At the same time, countless tree roots and vines began surrounding the six like a massive carnivorous plant devouring insects.
Mikoto was dumbfounded.
"Mikoto-sensei, don't just stare—please help my dad!"
Blushing, Mikoto glared at Guy, then started treating Might Dai.
Lin also approached and said, "I can help a bit with healing."
Guy looked at the porcelain-doll-like Lin, his eyes nearly popping out.
"You—you too?"
Lin nodded, crouched down, and began using medical ninjutsu on Might Dai.
Mikoto asked curiously, "Are you in Haru's class?"
"Yes, Sensei. I'm Rin Nohara, in Grade 7."
"So adorable."
Meanwhile, Haru's battle was nearly over.
Among the Seven Swordsmen, a man in black wielding twin swords manipulated the Thunder Sword Fang. Electric sparks surged everywhere, scorching any vines or roots that approached.
This was Kurosuki Raiga.
One of Haru's clones charged in to subdue him.
Suddenly, a thin, sharp blade slashed out, instantly piercing through three of Haru's clones.
A harsh scraping sound followed as Orochimaru tugged on chakra threads, tearing the clones into shreds.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Yet, on the other side, one of Haru's clones exploded with dazzling lightning from his hand.
A screeching sound like a thousand birds filled the air as he rushed at Ringo Ameyuri.
"Lightning Blade: Chidori!"
Though only Level 3, he had already mastered it skillfully!
Before Orochimaru could react, his right arm was severed.
Raiga saw Orochimaru injured and retaliated, stabbing the clone that had harmed him.
But both were quickly overwhelmed by more clones.
Within five minutes, all six swordsmen were wounded.
Haru's hundreds of shadow clones—it was pure bullying.
The worst off wasn't even Ringo Ameyuri, but Hozuki Mangetsu, who was knocked unconscious by Chidori's shock and finished off instantly.
Even Haru didn't expect things to end so swiftly.
Uchiha Mikoto wiped sweat from her brow and glanced at the battlefield, feeling a bit disappointed.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen—so impossible for her to beat—were being dealt with by Haru as if they were children.
The gap was enormous.
Haruno Akira trembled. "This must be a true heir of our ancient bloodline... The Senju clan is terrifyingly strong!"
At that moment, Fuguki Suikazan and Jinin Akebino roared in frustration:
"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
This was a technique of the Mist Village's elite jonin. By using chakra to stir water vapor, they created a dense fog—a realm where visibility dropped to zero, ideal for assassinations.
But now, that assassination technique was being used to flee!
Haru laughed, "Trying to run? Not happening. I should ask you—do you know where Akira Shoumei is?"