Chương 13: Chapter 13
Wood splinters flew as the glory of the Wood Release collapsed.
Gensou did not relax at all.
At this moment, Hashirama, whose feet had just touched the ground again, glanced at the fallen Wooden Giant before finally focusing on Gensou.
"There's no other way."
He said calmly, bringing his hands together in a prayer gesture.
It was like the calm before the storm.
Gensou looked on with a grave expression.
The next second...
"Sage Art!"
With a loud shout, an aura far stronger than before erupted from Hashirama.
Dark red markings instantly spread across his eyes, with a target-like mark appearing on his forehead, and the pupils of his eyes turning from black to yellow.
This was... Sage Mode.
But it didn't end there.
With the markings of a Sage on his face, Hashirama raised his head, the vast ocean of Sage chakra within him surging fiercely.
Pressing his hands together even more forcefully, he shouted once again:
"Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!"
Boom, boom, boom...
The rumbling that followed was several dozen times more intense than all the previous battles combined.
Like an earthquake, as Gensou steadied himself, he saw—under the astonished gaze of everyone outside the battlefield—a gigantic Buddha statue with thousands of arms rising from the ground.
The size of the Wooden Giant and the Flame God was already enough to awe people.
But now, the Flame God, which had seemed like a god or demon, appeared like a mere toy in front of the True Several Thousand Hands Buddha.
Even though he had seen this in the anime, witnessing it firsthand, seeing this Buddha statue that seemed to connect heaven and earth, Gensou couldn't help but show an expression of sheer astonishment.
"Is this really achievable by a human?"
He was not alone.
Ishikawa, Reto, A, and others, who had seen this scene many times during the Warring States period, were filled with deep memories and lingering fear.
"This is what it means to be the God of Shinobi who pacified the warring states."
This scene exemplified that title!
Soon, Hashirama's shout broke the silence of the battlefield.
Standing atop the True Several Thousand Hands Buddha, he shouted at Gensou:
"I'm coming, Gensou!"
"I hope you never come!"
Gensou's mouth twitched.
After fighting Hashirama for so long, he had started to gain some confidence.
But now, with Hashirama fully unleashing his power, Gensou felt his newly kindled hope snuffing out.
As expected...
"Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands: Top Transformed Buddha!"
With an earth-shaking roar, Hashirama, standing on the Buddha statue like the Sage of Six Paths, launched his most powerful attack.
The Flame God struggled in defiance.
But just like the full-bodied Nine-Tails under the Buddha statue's assault, several massive wooden hands from the True Several Thousand Hands easily swatted the Flame God aside, ultimately grasping it in one hand.
"So unfair!"
Unable to withstand the Top Transformed Buddha's assault, Gensou dodged narrowly and exclaimed in frustration.
The Flame God, which could contend with the Wooden Giant and complete Susanoo, couldn't withstand a few rounds under the True Several Thousand Hands: Top Transformed Buddha.
The same applied to the Nine-Tails.
Even the full-bodied Nine-Tails, superior to the other eight tailed beasts, was easily subdued by the True Several Thousand Hands.
Gensou found it hard to imagine what it would look like if the True Several Thousand Hands faced the Ten-Tails.
Though Hashirama wasn't at the Six Paths level, under the True Several Thousand Hands: Top Transformed Buddha, Gensou felt that Hashirama was even more formidable.
The Flame God soon met its demise.
From that moment on, Gensou felt like Sun Wukong facing the Buddha's palm, with nowhere to escape as more and more wooden arms targeted him. (I read it, so good piece of work. Highly recommended if you have time.)
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
With no way to dodge, Gensou used Dust Release again.
But this time, the effect was limited.
He only managed to destroy a dozen wooden arms.
Before he could even catch his breath, more wooden arms extended from the Thousand-Armed Buddha, giving Gensou no respite as they aimed to crush him with every strike.
"Farewell, Gensou."
Seeing Gensou below, whose aura was waning and who was covered in wounds, Hashirama bid his final respectful and regretful goodbye. He pointed his hand, and another batch of wooden arms extended from the Thousand-Armed Buddha, intending to end Gensou's life.
"Farewell?"
Severely injured and with only a tenth of his strength left, Gensou looked up at the massive wooden hands covering his entire view and smiled faintly, whispering in a tone Hashirama couldn't hear:
"Not farewell, but see you later, Hashirama."
From the moment the Five Kage had unfairly ambushed him, Gensou had foreseen his fate.
When Hashirama used the Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands: Top Transformed Buddha, the last bit of hope in Gensou's heart vanished.
"It's time to plan for the future."
Gensou looked around at his blood scattered from severe injuries, took one last look at this world, and just before the final blow of the True Several Thousand Hands, he made a special hand seal.
"Forbidden Technique: Breath of Eternal Sleep!"
Mysterious black symbols appeared all over his body, connecting into a continuous stream, forming a black membrane that covered him.
Time seemed to freeze; the wounds on Gensou's body stopped bleeding, his boiling chakra calmed, and his racing heart quieted down.
His body's vitality was fixed in place.
But as a price, Gensou's soul began to dissipate rapidly.
"Look forward... to our future meeting."
Leaving this final statement, Gensou's aura completely vanished.
His body, wrapped in the black membrane, sank into the ground, blending perfectly with the surroundings, leaving no trace.
Boom!
The final blow from the True Several Thousand Hands struck.
A massive crater formed.
"It's over."
In Sage Mode, sensing that Gensou's aura had truly disappeared, Hashirama let out a deep breath and dispersed the True Several Thousand Hands.
Even with the Sage Body, he couldn't hide his exhaustion, breathing heavily.
This battle had been as taxing as his fight with Madara years ago.
"Big brother!"
A figure arrived at high speed.
It was Tobirama.
He looked around and asked, "Is Gensou dead?"
Hashirama straightened up and nodded.
Feigning death wouldn't escape his Sage Mode perception.
Tobirama wasn't surprised and asked again,
"Where is Gensou's body?"
Hashirama shook his head, "Gensou was too strong. I couldn't hold back."
"I see."
Tobirama felt a bit regretful.
Fortunately, there were plenty of Gensou's blood cells on the battlefield, which could still be studied.
Hashirama, seemingly aware of his brother's thoughts, solemnly instructed, "Gather Gensou's remains and return them to the Hagoromo clan. He deserves that respect."
"Big brother, you..."
Tobirama started to protest, but his ear twitched. He took a step forward, subtly positioning himself protectively in front of the exhausted Hashirama.
At that moment, several figures arrived.
It was Reto, A, and the others from the four great ninja villages.
"Gensou... is finally dead!"
Seeing the scene, the three Kage, Reto, A, and Ishikawa, expressed their complex feelings.
A formidable enemy had fallen.
But another still loomed over them like a shadow.
Fortunately, this one had no grand ambitions.
Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.
"Then, let's celebrate the arrival of the era of peace!"
First Kazekage Reto, First Raikage A, First Tsuchikage Ishikawa, and the newly inaugurated Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu all extended their hands.
"Peace, huh..."
Hashirama sighed and extended his hand as well.
Finally, the leaders of the five great ninja villages clasped hands, symbolizing the dawn of a new era of peace.
This was the wish of all who had survived the Warring States period.
It seemed... it had truly come true?
...
One day later.
The battlefield, now a valley instead of a plain, had just settled down when an old visitor arrived.
"Is there really no trace left?"
Tobirama stroked his chin, surveying the surroundings.
After an hour, he emerged from underground, frowning and shaking his head.
Still no findings.
Gensou's body was indeed thoroughly destroyed.
Fortunately, his trip wasn't in vain, as he collected some of Gensou's remaining cells.
With his brother not around, he could finally study the man who rivaled gods thoroughly.
In good spirits, Tobirama left.
Tobirama's arrival was just the beginning.
The body of a ninja, even a single cell, contained valuable information about their life.
Not only Tobirama but others across the ninja world were interested in Gensou's body, leading to a continuous stream of visitors to the valley.
Years later, a proud and powerful man arrived, but unlike the others, he didn't dig for anything. He simply glanced around before snorting and leaving.
Decades later, a pale man with a serpentine appearance extended a blood-red tongue, his golden pupils filled with excitement as he surveyed the area:
"The one who rivaled gods... don't disappoint me."
And so, a new chapter began.
(End of Chapter)
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