Ever since First Hokage Hashirama Senju passed away, the [Wood Style Kekkei Genkai] had long become a legend within Konoha. Everyone found it difficult to imagine Wood Style's power.
As an ancient forest grew thick and lush...
As an enormous wooden dragon coiled above the forest...
The people of Konoha finally recalled the legend of the First Hokage.
First Hokage Hashirama Senju had used the power of Wood Style to defeat Madara Uchiha, joined forces with countless ninja clans to establish the most prosperous ninja village, and ended the chaotic Warring States period.
"Wood Style... How could it be this powerful?"
An Uchiha clansman finally could not suppress the fear in his heart. His lips trembled as he said, "Did the First Hokage defeat our ancestors with this technique? How did they even contend against the First Hokage..."
"..."
Fugaku Uchiha remained silent.
As the Uchiha Clan's leader, Fugaku Uchiha knew many secrets. He also knew just how powerful the Uchiha Clan's Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan, was.
"Itachi..."
Izumi Uchiha stared at the wooden dragon in the examination arena, her face filled with terror.
Ten-year-old Izumi Uchiha had lived through Konoha's Nine-Tails' Rampage and witnessed the terror of those enormous creatures. This wooden dragon was even large enough to rival the Nine-Tails!
"..."
Worry was also impossible to hide in Uchiha Shisui's eyes.
No one in all of Konoha understood Uchiha Itachi's strength better than Uchiha Shisui.
Even though Uchiha Shisui had taught Uchiha Itachi some powerful techniques, such a vast gap made it difficult to reverse his defeat.
"So this is the power of Wood Style?"
Kakashi Hatake stared at everything before him in disbelief.
Ever since the Nine-Tails' Rampage ended, Kakashi Hatake had believed there was little left in the ninja world that could stir his emotions. Yet after witnessing the enormous wooden dragon with his own eyes, ripples finally rose in his heart.
While researching records, Kakashi Hatake had found one document claiming that Wood Style possessed the power to suppress the Nine-Tails...
However, after meeting Tenzo, Kakashi Hatake had felt there might be something wrong with that record. Now, Kakashi Hatake knew that the record was not the problem!
"Tenzo..."
Kakashi Hatake looked at Tenzo beside him.
"I can't do that..."
Tenzo slowly shook his head and said in a low voice, "This technique requires an enormous amount of Wood Release Chakra to activate. I simply don't have enough chakra to use it..."
"..."
Kakashi Hatake silently nodded.
On the main platform of the spectator stands.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a conical hat. Under its cover, he observed the terrified expressions of the leaders from the smaller ninja villages in other sections and secretly nodded in satisfaction.
The primary purpose of this Chunin Ninja Exam had been achieved.
The only remaining problem was to quickly make Akihara Kagura completely sever ties with Shimura Danzō and have the boy inherit the Will of Fire.
Otherwise...
Power that could not be controlled...
Was still far too dangerous.
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the figure climbing step by step onto the wooden dragon, his expression gradually turning solemn. Such powerful strength could not be allowed to fall under Danzo's influence.
As Danzo's old friend, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew Shimura Danzō's narrow-minded nature very well. Shimura Danzō simply could not handle it; trouble would arise sooner or later.
In a dark corner.
A Mysterious Masked Man in a gray robe leaned against the wall. The lower half of the Pitcher Plant Monster's body was hidden underground, with only its upper half exposed.
"What a terrifying child..."
The Pitcher Plant Monster's black half-face watched the scene in the examination arena and said sinisterly, "That brat has actually mastered Hashirama Senju's Wood Style. It's hard to imagine anyone in this ninja world could reach such a level by transplanting Hashirama's cells..."
"He's a very useful piece."
The Mysterious Masked Man nodded leisurely and continued, "We can almost begin the plan to make that brat betray Konoha."
When the Mysterious Masked Man saw the Wood Dragon Technique with his own eyes, he had indeed been greatly shocked. Yet he quickly calmed down. He did not fear this technique.
"Your seed is about to be killed..."
The Pitcher Plant Monster's white half-face spoke with a grin. "Against Wood Style Jutsu of this level, that little Uchiha Itachi cannot possibly win..."
"It doesn't matter."
The Mysterious Masked Man shook his head indifferently and continued, "If Uchiha Itachi dies, that will only make our plan proceed more smoothly..."
"He still seems to want to resist..."
"When one strike from the other side would end it..."
Inside the examination arena.
Within the dense forest.
Uchiha Itachi raised his head to look at the wooden dragon above him. He forcefully stepped onto a tree trunk, raised his hand, and fired a shuriken that embedded itself firmly in a giant tree!
Uchiha Itachi glanced at his palm. One steel wire was in his hand, while the other end was wrapped around that shuriken. His body leaped forward, swinging in a great arc before soaring upward!
Obviously.
The youngster still had not given up resisting!
Uchiha Itachi swung through the air, rapidly forming hand seals. Using his height in the air, he spewed a blast of flames toward the wooden dragon's head!
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
How fragile was the youngster soaring into the sky!
How enormous was the wooden dragon above the forest!
At that moment, they formed a breathtaking sight. Regardless of the examination's outcome, everyone could see Uchiha Itachi's tragic resolve!
"Pointless resistance."
Akihara Kagura controlled the wooden dragon like a king. It slowly turned its head and smashed the incoming fireball into fading sparks.
"..."
Uchiha Itachi landed on a giant tree, staring intently at the wooden dragon above. Cold sweat covered his palms. He had never felt such tension before.
"Goodbye."
Akihara Kagura drove the wooden dragon downward!
The enormous wooden dragon dived toward Uchiha Itachi with unstoppable force, as though it were crashing into a tiny insect, as though no one could stop it from happening!
"Big Brother!"
Little Sasuke was practically screaming!
"Itachi!"
Mikoto Uchiha stared anxiously at the examination arena. Her gaze could not help shifting to her husband, as though hoping he would do something.
"..."
Fugaku Uchiha's eyes turned blood-red. Three black tomoe slowly spun within his eye sockets before gradually fading away.
Fugaku Uchiha quickly calmed down, because he was not only Uchiha Itachi's father, but also the leader of the Uchiha Clan.
"Hey, stop..."
Genma Shiranui could not help shouting.
As the chief examiner for the third round, he should have stepped in to prevent loss of life when the examinees faced danger...
But at this moment, against a technique of this level, he felt that even throwing his head in its path would not stop it. He could only hope the chief examiner's command would make that brat halt his attack!
However...
The wooden dragon only paused for a moment...
The enormous wooden dragon charged toward Uchiha Itachi once more!
Countless giant trees throughout the forest were smashed to the ground. Dust and smoke rapidly spread, making it impossible for the entire spectator stand to see what was happening inside!
The smoke eventually began to dissipate.
Everyone stared at the scene within the examination arena in shock.
A massive turquoise figure held a conical spiral sword in its hand and had pierced straight through the wooden dragon's head, like a demon god that had slain the wooden dragon!
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