The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.
On the corridor, Ryuji stopped Mukai, who was heading to his post.
"Ryuji-sama, is there something?"
"Yes." Ryuji nodded. "You are to guard the flight system. I'm concerned the Allied Forces might send an elite team to infiltrate the Mechanical City and seize control while our attention is focused on the frontal battlefield."
"Understood!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Mukai changed direction and headed towards the flight system area.
Aka suddenly appeared behind Ryuji, watching the figure disappearing around the corridor corner. "Is this wise?"
"Hm?"
"The flight system concerns the life and death of everyone on the Floating Continent. Is it really okay to entrust such a vital position to him?"
"You think he can't hold it?"
"No, I don't trust him."
"Don't trust him..." Ryuji pondered briefly, then chuckled lightly. "It doesn't matter."
"Huh?"
Ryuji's reaction was far beyond expectations, leaving Aka momentarily stunned.
Ryuji started walking towards the other end of the corridor, instructing as he went. "The enemy is already on the ground above. Their attention is focused on the siege; they won't notice movements below. Send Konan down. With this unexpected Impure World Reincarnation development, Nagato's entry time needs to be delayed."
"Yes!"
…
Thud, thud, thud...
The Wood Human moved its colossal legs, advancing with heavy steps.
Each step caused the earth to tremble, each step crossed twenty to thirty meters. Arrows left no trace on its body; the Railgun salvos failed to topple it.
Standing a hundred meters tall, the Wood Human strode forward like a god descending, unstoppable, reaching a position about five hundred meters from the city walls in roughly half a minute.
Standing atop the Wood Human's head, Hashirama looked at the densely packed, orderly array of war machines on the city walls… not yet activated, but terrifying at a glance… and felt a surge of relief.
"Thank goodness the Allied Forces didn't charge together. If they'd followed me, who knows how many would have died!"
The thought flashed through his mind as he controlled the Wood Human to a position a hundred meters from the wall. Without the slightest pause, it raised a massive fist and smashed towards the wall.
Whoosh...
The fist disturbed the air, causing a small-scale typhoon-like turbulence.
Just as the gigantic fist was about to strike the Mechanical City's wall, the wall surface rippled like liquid, extending an equally massive golden hand.
Boom!
Fist and palm collided, unleashing endless shockwaves.
War machines fastened to the nearby walls with chains, bolts, and other restraints were torn loose and sent flying.
"Hmm?"
Hashirama looked up in surprise.
The wall rippled like a lake. The enormous golden hand pushed forcefully, shoving the Wood Human staggering backwards.
Then, a golden arm, golden shoulder, golden torso, golden head, golden legs... A colossal figure, entirely gold, reflecting dazzling, eye-hurting golden light under the sun, a hundred meters tall, stood up from within the wall.
"Is this also a puppet?"
Hashirama showed astonishment.
Even disregarding its previous feat of pushing the Wood Human back, just the sheer size of this golden giant indicated it was no easy opponent.
"Roar!"
The golden figure roared towards the sky, stirring up a shockwave.
Then it took a massive step forward, swinging its right fist towards the Wood Human's head.
The Wood Human raised its left arm to block.
Boom!
Both the Wood Human and the golden figure's feet jolted violently. The ground beneath them cracked and shattered instantly, forming a crater a hundred meters in diameter.
Hashirama didn't hesitate either, controlling the Wood Human to return the punch.
The golden figure raised its right arm, blocking it in the same manner.
"Strength is equal? Then how about this?" Hashirama said, clapping his hands together. [Wood Release: Hotei Technique]!
Bang, bang, bang...
Countless giant wooden hands erupted from the earth, grabbing the golden figure's ankles, thighs, and torso, binding it tightly. The Wood Dragon also slithered from the Wood Human's body, tightly coiling around the golden figure.
However, no matter how tightly the vines constricted, they couldn't crush the golden figure like they usually did other objects.
"It seems it's not made of ordinary metal materials!"
Hashirama stared at the golden figure, feeling the gravity of the situation for the first time.
The Wood Human had no other merits except immense strength and durability.
And now, this golden figure displayed strength and defense not inferior to the Wood Human, possessing the capital to challenge him.
But...
"Even if I can't crush you into scrap, being restrained must hinder your ability to exert force!"
Hashirama chuckled, increasing his Chakra input.
Instantly, the Wood Human's right fist opened, interlocking fingers with the golden figure's left hand, then exerted tremendous force.
Crash!
The golden figure's massive body was forced to its knees.
The Wood Human increased its strength, preparing to press it down further.
Suddenly, a row of daylight-bright lights ignited on the city wall.
"Not good!"
Hashirama sensed danger and didn't hesitate, tapping his right foot to leap from the Wood Human's head.
The next second, orange beams struck, bombarding the Wood Human's head in a frenzy.
Seizing the opportunity, the golden figure broke free from the restraints, stood up violently, and punched the Wood Human's head.
With a deafening 'Boom!', wood chips flew everywhere. The headless Wood Human's colossal body toppled backward heavily, raising tremors and clouds of dust.
Then,
The golden figure ripped apart the roots and vines coiled around its body, grabbed the Wood Dragon by head and tail, and tore it apart with brute force.
"Roar!"
The golden figure roared at the sky, then charged towards Hashirama with heavy steps.
It hadn't forgotten who its real enemy was.
"To think I'd be pushed to this extent without even seeing the person... truly, the younger generation is to be feared!"
Facing the behemoth charging towards him, Hashirama remained completely calm. He clapped his hands together once more and shouted, "Sage Art: Gate of the Great God!"
A massive torii gate descended from the sky, landing on the golden figure's head, instantly pressing it down.
Then, four more torii gates descended, pressing down on the golden figure's waist, arms, and legs.
The golden figure roared in rage, its palms pushing against the ground, trying to stand.
But the small torii gates contained irresistible, immense power. No matter how the golden figure struggled, it couldn't break free.
"Finally resolved. Now, as long as I destroy the city wall or the war machines on it..."
His words cut off abruptly. Hashirama stared at the wall rippling like water, his expression frozen in the previous instant.
In the Sky Castle command center, everyone's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
"No way!"
As if responding to their thoughts, one after another, hundred-meter-tall golden figures stood up from the wall.
Their massive bodies stood in a row, radiating brilliant golden light, actually blocking the entire wall from view.
As if saying: If you want to breach the wall, get through me first.
Instantly, an emotion named despair began to sprout and spread within the hearts of the Allied Forces.