Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 155: The Bloodline Talent of the Hagoromo Clan

"Wood Release: Great Tree Technique!"

Yamato extended his right hand forward, causing multiple wooden vines to shoot out from his right arm, aiming to capture Sasuke who had just dodged the Earth Release: Earth Stone Spikes and was now leaping into the air.

"Wood Release?"

Having previously witnessed the battle between Hagoromo Gengetsu and the reanimated Senju Hashirama, Sasuke was not unfamiliar with Wood Release. He just hadn't expected the legendary technique to be wielded by a new Leaf ninja who had replaced Kakashi as the leader of Team 7.

Activating his Sharingan, Sasuke let his body drop, narrowly avoiding the incoming wooden vines. However, the persistent wooden branches continued to chase him, bending to follow his movements.

Clang!

Sasuke landed on his feet and drew his ninja sword, infusing it with Lightning Release chakra. With a swift slash of his Chidori Blade, he cut down the approaching vines.

"Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique!"

Kurotsuchi's right hand became encased in solid rock as she charged at Sasuke, ready to deliver a heavy punch.

A figure flashed in front of her.

Clang!

A short sword intercepted Kurotsuchi's rocky fist. Uchiha Izumi looked at her opponent and smiled faintly:

"I'll be your opponent from now on."

Elsewhere, Yamato prepared to continue his assault, but a large Fireball came at him from close range. He didn't dare to be careless and placed his hands on the ground.

"Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!"

Rows of wooden pillars curved up from the ground, forming a dome around him. The Fireball collided with it, only charring its surface before dissipating.

Observing that his Fireball had no effect, Uchiha Kei wasn't bothered; instead, he said with great interest:

"So this is Wood Release? Interesting. Let me see if it's as formidable as the legends say."

"Sasuke, leave this guy to me. You go and reconnect with your friends."

With their understanding, Sasuke naturally had no objections. By now, he was already surrounded by Naruto, Sakura, and an unfamiliar young ninja who seemed to have taken his place. There was no need for further words.

"Do they really think so little of us?"

Seeing that Sasuke was now entangled with Naruto and the others, and that his current teammates were confidently facing him and Kurotsuchi alone while another dealt with Akatsuchi, Bunpuku, and Kurobane, Yamato couldn't fathom their confidence.

After all, the members of their combined Leaf and Stone team were considered elites in their respective villages.

However, it soon became clear why these opponents were so confident.

Surprisingly, the first to encounter trouble was the larger group of Akatsuchi, Bunpuku, and Kurobane.

"Sigh, since I'm the captain, they really gave me the larger group."

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at the three Stone ninjas in front of him and shrugged.

If he could, he would have liked to experience the power of Wood Release himself. Unfortunately, Kei had beaten him to it.

"Oh well, the capable should work more. Let's finish this quickly."

Hagoromo Anki's hands moved swiftly, his vast chakra boiling within him.

As descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, the Hagoromo clan, alongside the Uchiha and Senju, had their unique qualities. Unlike the Uchiha who inherited Indra's Sharingan and the Senju who inherited Ashura's physical prowess, the Hagoromo clan inherited the Sage's deep understanding of chakra nature.

This meant that members of the Hagoromo clan could more easily analyze the nature and transformations of chakra, mastering the seven elemental chakra natures better than others.

Combined with their naturally abundant chakra, they could skillfully use various elemental jutsus, adapting their fighting style accordingly. This versatility made Hagoromo ninjas particularly dreaded during the Warring States period, even more so than the Senju in some cases.

The Sage of Six Paths had advanced many bloodline limits by deeply understanding the seven chakra natures, and the Hagoromo clan naturally benefited from this heritage.

Of course, even within the same bloodline, there were disparities.

Hagoromo Anki, standing before Akatsuchi and his team, wasn't as monstrously powerful as his ancestor, but his understanding of the seven chakra natures was still profound compared to others.

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

"Wind Release: Tornado Blast!"

Hagoromo Gengetsu formed hand seals rapidly, expertly blending a Fire and a Wind jutsu. The resulting combination jutsu vastly increased in power, sweeping towards Akatsuchi and his comrades.

Instantly, a sea of fire erupted.

The blaze was so vast that Uchiha Kei and Yamato had to retreat to avoid being engulfed.

"Did the captain really go all out from the start?"

Seeing the immense firestorm on his left, Uchiha Kei sighed, well aware of his captain's prowess. He then refocused on his own opponent, resuming his assault on Yamato.

Yamato, though slightly concerned, had no choice but to concentrate on the enemy in front of him.

"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"

Akatsuchi and his team wouldn't sit idly by. They combined their efforts, slamming the ground to erect multiple Earth Flow Walls, blocking the oncoming flames.

Boom!

Amid the intense clash of jutsus, a thick plume of smoke rose.

Feeling relieved that their Earth Flow Walls had withstood the fiery onslaught, Kurobane was about to catch his breath when a hand suddenly burst from the ground, pulling him under.

With a loud crash, Kurobane was dragged underground, knocked unconscious by the tremendous pressure.

"That's one."

Hagoromo Anki declared, emerging from the ground, and immediately charged towards the nearest enemy, Bunpuku.

Bunpuku didn't dare be careless, quickly hardening his body with the Earth Release: Earth Spear technique, preparing for close combat.

Hagoromo Anki swiftly formed hand seals.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Spear!"

A dazzling lightning spear formed in his hand, which he hurled at Bunpuku with great speed.

Crack!

A hole was blasted through Bunpuku's hardened skin.

"That's two."

Capitalizing on his momentum and the bloodshed, Hagoromo Anki moved to finish off the injured Bunpuku.

But a massive fist suddenly intervened.

Hagoromo Anki blocked the punch, but the force pushed him back several steps. He turned to see Akatsuchi, a towering figure with a seemingly gentle demeanor, now looking determined beside Fumaya.

"This one's not easy."

Hagoromo Anki shook his reddened hand, his expression turning serious.