The Konoha 12 stood atop the wooden giant's head.
Jiraiya and the ANBU repositioned themselves on another rooftop.
With a casual kick, the enormous wood golem sent Gaara flying just as he suddenly woke below and advanced further into his Tailed Beast Transformation.
Wood Release instantly coiled around him, restraining him.
"No! The great Shukaku had only just..."
Gaara struggled. The Shukaku eye in his right socket returned to its original color, and then he fell asleep, encased in Wood Release.
On the rooftop, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, saw the familiar technique and his eyes widened. Shock and disbelief covered his face, and he even leaned forward instinctively. "Th... this is...?"
The Second Hokage, Tobirama, also felt his pupils contract. He stared fixedly at the enormous wood golem, then looked at Naruto standing atop its head, his scrutiny and appraisal instantly reaching their peak.
Could that Fourth Hokage have been little Tsunade's child?
Otherwise, how had this boy learned Wood Release?
Fervor and greed all but spilled from Orochimaru's golden, slit-pupiled eyes. "The Wood Human Technique... to think he could even use this... perfect! Absolutely perfect!"
Unable to wait any longer, Orochimaru took out two kunai bearing paper slips marked with special runes and inserted them into the backs of the First and Second Hokage's heads.
Naruto commanded his wood golem to attack.
Divine Vacuum Attack: Water Dragon Prison!
Water enveloped the wood golem's fists.
Three punches from the wood golem shattered the Four Violet Flames Formation outright.
The Sound Four also arrived at Orochimaru's side.
"Lord Orochimaru..."
Orochimaru raised a hand, cutting Tayuya off.
"We have Wood Release on our side too."
The controlled, reanimated First Hokage clapped his hands together and likewise used the Wood Human Technique.
However, since the reanimated Hashirama could not wield the strength