Yet Tobirama Senju showed not the slightest alarm. He stood as unshakable as a mountain, the fingers of his right hand dancing like butterflies through flowers, leaving two afterimages.
Chakra surged wildly toward his fingertips, yet under his exquisite control, it remained perfectly steady, as though awaiting the right moment.
The towering giant struck first.
This time, he did not charge straight ahead. Instead, he stepped diagonally forward. His foot landed without a sound, but the movement carried a probing intent, as if he were searching for an opening and testing how Konoha's leader would respond.
Tobirama Senju's gaze shifted slightly. In that fleeting instant, Hanzō slipped in from the other side like a shadow, his blade flashing toward the vital spot at the back of Tobirama's neck.
Tobirama swayed and leaned forward with the movement. The strike skimmed his shoulder, leaving a thin red line.
He neither looked back nor slowed. Using the momentum, he shot like an arrow into the giant's blind spot. At the same time, his palm slammed against the ground.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow River!"
The earth seemed to give a muffled roar as the soil split apart like raging waves.
This was no ordinary technique, but an eruption of power held in reserve. In an instant, it became a roaring earthen dragon that coiled tightly around the Iron Tower Giant's legs.
Earth and stone spiraled upward with terrifying force. Even with his astonishing strength, the giant faltered for an instant under restraints as uncanny as Wood Release.
That instant could decide life or death.
"Lord Hokage."
A low, terse voice came from behind him to the right, calm yet utterly resolute.
Tobirama Senju did not turn. He drifted left like willow fluff. He could sense Uchiha Ao's presence. Their understanding had been forged through