A massive hand of Wood Release burst from the sand like a python lunging from its den. With a piercing rush of air, it seized Orochimaru's body.
The instant its hard wooden fingers closed around him, Orochimaru went rigid, cold sweat pouring from every pore.
He could feel the chakra contained within that Wood Release. It was like a bottomless ocean, several times greater than that of any ninja he had ever encountered.
He felt like an ant facing an entire forest.
Hashirama was somewhat surprised.
They had not found Jiraiya. Instead, just after entering the Land of Wind, they had encountered Orochimaru walking alone through the desert.
The pale-faced man was wrapped in a loose cloak, making his way along the sheltered side of a dune at an unhurried pace, as though avoiding something-or searching for something.
Hashirama had not recognized him at first. Only after approaching to ask for directions and noticing something amiss had he struck decisively, just as Orochimaru was preparing to flee.
Now Orochimaru was trembling all over.
He had a feeling that if he made any suspicious move in front of this man, he would die a horrible death.
The suppressive force transmitted through that massive wooden hand left him barely able to mobilize his chakra. His serpentine instincts screamed frantically.
Danger. An apex predator.
He could not even entertain the thought of testing his opponent. The aura the man radiated was more terrifying than a tailed beast's. That overwhelming presence, belonging to the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, reminded him of the enormous statue standing in the Valley of the End that he had once seen from afar while still in the Land of Fire.
The man's presence towered even higher than the statue!
Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped out from behind Hashirama.
Looking