"This scale of Wood Release…"
"Even weakened, it's still terrifying!"
Trees surged in from all directions.
Kakashi dodged continuously.
But the available space was shrinking rapidly.
At that moment, a thought flashed through Kakashi's mind.
"That's right… I still have that card!"
He opened the System.
During the past month, aside from training Sasuke, Kakashi had completed another important task.
That was—
Accepting Haku as an official disciple.
Haku had originally been learning under Kakashi.
After a full month of living and training together, the System finally acknowledged Haku as Kakashi's official student.
[A-rank – Zetsu]
[Quality: A-rank]
[Effect: Stealth Ability +500, Chakra Sensing +300]
[Granted Skills: Mantis Technique, Spore Technique, Parasitic Technique]
[Description: Akatsuki member Zetsu, the reconnaissance expert composed of Black and White bodies. Excels at stealth, infiltration, and intelligence gathering. His strongest ability is the Mantis Technique—allowing him to merge with earth and vegetation, freely moving underground and within plants. Nearly impossible to detect, a perfect infiltrator.]
Previously, Kakashi had equipped Haku's B-rank card in the fourth slot.
But now—
Against the First Hokage's Wood Release, Haku's Ice Release card offered little help.
Instead, Zetsu's Mantis Technique…
"I have to switch cards now!"
Kakashi swiftly operated the System between the gaps in the encroaching trees.
[Currently Equipped]
[B-rank – Uzumaki Naruto]
[B-rank – Uchiha Sasuke]
[C-rank – Haruno Sakura]
[B-rank – Haku]
[Replace B-rank – Haku with A-rank – Zetsu?]
"Replace!"
Kakashi didn't hesitate.
Whoosh!
Haku's bonus abilities vanished.
Replaced by—
Zetsu's stealth abilities.
[Currently Equipped]
[B-rank – Uzumaki Naruto]
[B-rank – Uchiha Sasuke]
[C-rank – Haruno Sakura]
[A-rank – Zetsu]
[Team 7 bond effect activated]
[New abilities unlocked: Mantis Technique, Spore Technique, Parasitic Technique]
[Stealth greatly enhanced]
[Chakra sensing range expanded]
A completely new power flooded into Kakashi's body.
He could feel it clearly.
A strange connection formed between him and the surrounding forest.
As if the trees themselves were welcoming him.
Kakashi's eyes lit up as he immediately activated the technique.
"Mantis Technique!"
His body softened, almost liquefying.
He sank straight into the massive tree before him.
And vanished.
"What?!"
The First Hokage stared in shock.
"He disappeared?"
"Merged into the trees?"
"What kind of technique is this?"
The trees crashed together.
But Kakashi was no longer there.
Orochimaru's eyes widened.
"Kakashi-kun… you can even do something like this?"
"Merging with plants…"
"What kind of ability is that?"
The Third Hokage was equally stunned.
"Kakashi… this is…"
Inside the trees.
Kakashi moved swiftly through the wooden fibers.
The Mantis Technique allowed him to pass through them as easily as swimming through water.
And without emitting the slightest trace.
"This is incredible…"
Kakashi felt the power in awe.
"Zetsu's Mantis Technique…"
"Complete fusion with plants."
"Free movement within vegetation."
"And…"
He sensed the outside world.
"I can still perceive everything beyond the trees."
Kakashi slipped from one tree to another, moving unseen.
"This is perfect…"
"The more Wood Release the First Hokage uses…"
"The more hiding places I gain!"
"And his Chakra is spread throughout the forest…"
"My own Chakra is completely masked by it."
"He can't find me at all!"
Kakashi accelerated through the forest, carefully observing the battlefield and waiting for the right moment.
Outside.
The First Hokage frowned deeply.
"Strange… where did that young man go?"
"I can't sense his Chakra at all…"
"Did he truly merge with my Wood Release?"
Orochimaru licked his lips.
"How interesting…"
"Kakashi-kun keeps surprising me."
"To possess such a concealment technique…"
"No wonder he dared to charge straight into the barrier."
"So this was his trump card."
Orochimaru tried to use the First Hokage to locate Kakashi.
But there was nothing.
"No reaction…"
"Can he really fuse completely with plants?"
"Then let's try this!"
The First Hokage continued forming seals.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Even more trees burst forth.
They layered over one another, sealing off the entire rooftop arena.
Dense and airtight.
But—
Kakashi was inside the forest.
Completely unaffected.
In fact, the trees became his pathways.
"Hah… the more Wood Release he uses…"
"The wider my range becomes!"
"These trees are all my hidden tunnels!"
Using Zetsu's enhanced Chakra sensing, Kakashi locked onto the First Hokage's position.
"Found him…"
He closed in silently.
Swimming through the wood.
Closer.
Closer.
Finally—
Kakashi reached the tree directly beneath the First Hokage.
"Now!"
He burst out from the trunk.
"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"
Lightning surged from his palm, spreading through the tree beneath the First Hokage's feet.
Zzzzt!!
The sudden jolt struck the First Hokage.
His body stiffened.
Though an Edo Tensei body couldn't be truly injured, the paralysis effect still worked.
"Now!"
Kakashi dashed forward instantly.
His hands flew through seals.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Rope!"
Several chains of lightning shot out, binding the First Hokage's limbs tightly.
The First Hokage tried to break free—
But his body wouldn't respond.
Kakashi immediately drew a sealing formation on the ground.
Just like before.
"Seal!"
Boom!
The pentagram array erupted with brilliant light.
Five Chakra chains burst forth, wrapping tightly around the First Hokage.
His movements were completely locked.
Chakra flow was cut off.
His body gradually stiffened.
"…Forgive me, Shodai-sama."
Kakashi turned his gaze to the other side.
The Third Hokage was still locked in fierce combat with Orochimaru.
"Now…"
"The First and Second Hokage are both sealed…"
"That leaves only Orochimaru."
Nearby.
The Third Hokage had already exchanged multiple blows with Orochimaru.
The Adamantine Staff swung relentlessly.
But Orochimaru's movements were unnervingly flexible, twisting like a serpent.
"Teacher… you really have grown old."
Orochimaru smiled coldly.
"Your speed and strength are nothing like before."
"If this continues…"
"You'll die."
The Third Hokage gasped for breath.
"Even if I die…"
"I'll keep you here!"
He swung the Adamantine Staff with all his might.
"Enma! Extend!"
The staff shot forward instantly, like a spear.
Orochimaru dodged.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Massive snakes burst from his sleeves, lunging at the Third.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Flames roared out, burning the snakes to ash.
But Orochimaru had already slipped behind him.
A blade flashed toward the Third Hokage's back.
"This is bad…!"
He couldn't dodge in time.
Slash!
The Kusanagi Sword pierced straight through his chest.
"Argh…!"
Blood sprayed.
"Teacher… it's over."
Orochimaru smiled cruelly.
"Goodbye."
He raised his hand for the final strike.
Behind him—
From the tree trunk—
Kakashi emerged.
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