A Sage's Pursuit of Power

Parting had a unique effect, so long as it made contact with a target, the wound would continue to spread until the target was completely severed.

Aoba had used this ability many times before, but this was the first time Hashirama had encountered it head-on.

He had never underestimated any of Aoba's techniques, yet the moment he sensed the wound spreading, he immediately realized something was wrong.

Even with his vast reserves of Sage Chakra, he couldn't completely halt the effect.

The wound was slow but relentless, steadily cutting through the wooden Buddha's body.

In truth, Severance was not just a physical attack. Aoba had tested it multiple times and discovered that it had a conceptual effect, it didn't quite reach the level of a rule-breaking ability, but it surpassed conventional physical damage.

For instance, the power behind his Mangekyō Sharingan was naturally inferior to Hashirama's Sage Chakra, yet Hashirama still couldn't stop it. He could only watch helplessly as cracks continued to spread across the wooden Buddha.

However, the wooden Buddha was simply too massive.

Aoba had once unleashed this ability at full power during his fight against Madara.

But back then, his target had been a meteorite, an inanimate object.

This time, he was up against a construct infused with Hashirama's Sage Chakra. The difference in energy consumption was enormous.

Even though it didn't show on the surface, Aoba knew that one of his Mangekyō Sharingan was already starting to bleed.

Even though his eyes were integrated with his chakra cloak, the sheer consumption of energy at this level was unbearable.

But Aoba showed no emotion on his face.

Expressionless, he continued to push his Mangekyō Sharingan to its limits, slowly cutting through the several-hundred-meter-tall wooden Buddha.

Realizing that resistance was futile, Hashirama swiftly abandoned this approach.

Instead, he brought his hands together and activated another technique.

"Wood Release: Wood Human Technique!"

A colossal wooden giant, nearly the same size as the wooden Buddha, appeared on the battlefield.

The sight of the massive Buddha being severed in half was already an earth-shattering moment.

But in the very next second, an equally enormous wooden human appeared, once again suppressing Aoba.

The distant Konoha ninjas watching the battle were left speechless.

Every single one of their attacks would likely require all of Konoha's forces combined just to resist.

Yet for these two, these were just basic moves.

With the Wood Human's arrival, Aoba immediately found himself at a disadvantage.

Without Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, he simply couldn't sustain his Mangekyō Sharingan abilities indefinitely.

Although his tailed beast chakra source had merged into his body and could continuously generate chakra, it was still in an immature state, comparable to a young tailed beast rather than a fully grown one.

Naturally, his chakra reserves couldn't compare to the Kurama that Madara once controlled.

However, just as Aoba was about to make his next move, his expression suddenly shifted.

He sensed another powerful chakra signature rapidly approaching.

Before the person even arrived, an excited voice echoed across the battlefield.

"HASHIRAMA!!!"

Aoba's mouth twitched, he didn't even need to turn around to know who it was.

In the distance, Madara was rushing forward, his face filled with excitement.

However, the moment he saw Hashirama's face, he froze in place.

The face before him wasn't the one he had expected.

"Who the hell are you? Why are you using his techniques? Wait… no, something's off. The chakra is different, and the face isn't the same… but those little habits, those tiny movements, they're exactly the same as his.

"I don't know what's going on here, but… you're Hashirama, aren't you?"

Hearing Madara's words, Aoba couldn't help but feel amused.

No wonder these two are known as the strongest duo in the ninja world.

This revived Hashirama was completely different from his past self, yet Madara recognized him in under a minute.

Just how well did these two know each other?

Had they memorized every little detail about each other?

Did they… know each other inside and out?

Meanwhile, Hashirama felt a headache coming on.

He was currently suppressing Aoba for two reasons. 

One, Aoba's vision was impaired, limiting the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Two, Aoba had already fought Obito beforehand, meaning he had consumed a significant amount of chakra.

But Hashirama himself was not without cost.

Using this clone body, he had forced himself to unleash nearly the same power as in his prime.

Although he appeared calm on the surface, in truth, he was already starting to feel drained.

Seeing Madara's excited expression, Hashirama immediately lost all desire to fight.

He had only stepped in to rescue Obito.

He had no intention of waging war against Konoha or Madara.

However, just as Hashirama wanted to leave, Madara wasn't having it.

How could old lovers reunite without a battle?

Running away without a fight? That would be too humiliating.

Meanwhile, Black Zetsu, following behind Madara, felt an intense migraine.

He noticed something incredibly frustrating.

Madara had been here for quite some time now…

And he hadn't even spared a glance at Obito, who was standing beside Hashirama.

That was the same Obito who had Madara's Rinnegan inside him.

Shouldn't he at least take a quick look?

"Damn it! Your goddamn Rinnegan is over there! At least glance at it!

"But no… all you can see is Hashirama.

"There's literally no room in your eyes for anything else."

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Currently on Chapter 331 - The Price of Power: Aoba's Final Gamble