Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 226: Sage Art - Wood Release

From the very beginning, the division of labor between Sharen and Kakuzu was clear.

Kakuzu was responsible for dealing with Roshi's Lava Release, while Sharen focused on restraining him and finding an opportunity to subdue him in one move.

Roshi was proficient in Lava Release, but his Lava Release did not originate from the Four-Tails; rather, it was a Kekkei Genkai created by combining his innate Earth and Fire chakra natures. It was an ability unique to him.

Lava Release, without a doubt, was weak against Water Release.

Water Release jutsu had an immense advantage over Lava Release. If one possessed exceptionally strong Water Release, it was possible to overwhelm Roshi in one decisive strike.

However, Sharen could not reveal his true identity. He had mastered powerful Water Release techniques, inherited from the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. But if he used them, his identity could be exposed.

Additionally, Wood Release was also countered by Lava Release.

Sharen's Great Forest Technique extended its wooden branches to bind Roshi, but with the surge of molten lava rising from Roshi's body, the branches were instantly burned to ashes.

Lava Chakra Mode!

This was a fusion of Roshi's own chakra with the Four-Tails' chakra, forming a technique akin to the Lightning Chakra Mode used by Cloud Ninja. His entire body was coated in molten lava, which melted everything it touched while enhancing his defense. The Lava Armor possessed both offensive and defensive capabilities.

In this state, Roshi maximized the advantages of Earth Release's defense and Fire Release's destructive power.

Kakuzu's expression turned serious. Two masks detached from his body—one representing Water Release and the other Lightning Release. These two chakra attributes could be used in tandem.

Sharen, restricted from using his full arsenal, still had one more trump card—Sage Mode.

"Hold him off for a moment!" Sharen said to Kakuzu before using the Body Flicker Technique to retreat, closing his eyes in meditation.

Kakuzu rolled his eyes in frustration but didn't argue. Roshi was strong, but not beyond his capabilities.

"Water Release: Water Shockwave!"

"Lightning Release: Ground Current!"

A combination of Water and Lightning, resembling a massive storm infused with crackling electricity, surged toward Roshi.

Yet, Roshi remained unfazed. He pressed both hands onto the ground.

"Lava Release: Granite Shield!"

A massive wall of lava erupted from beneath him.

With a loud hiss, the water from Kakuzu's attack rapidly cooled the lava, hardening it into a solid rock barrier.

Roshi leaped onto the rock wall, standing high above, gazing down at Kakuzu.

"Lava Release: Scorching River Rock Technique!"

Bringing his right hand to his mouth, Roshi spat out massive, searing lava orbs, launching them toward Kakuzu.

Each orb carried immense heat and explosive force, far surpassing ordinary Fire Release techniques.

Kakuzu, seeing this, swiftly dodged using Wind Release.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions resounded across the mountain, leaving massive craters in their wake, with residual lava still burning within them. The temperature in the air surged.

Kakuzu exhaled deeply, relieved he had dodged in time. If he had taken a direct hit, even with Earth Release and his multiple hearts, he would have suffered significant damage.

Lava Release's destructive power was among the strongest of all Kekkei Genkai.

"Lava Release: Sea Bottom Needle!"

Roshi placed both hands on the rock wall, his chakra surging.

A single tail extended from his back, splitting into two, then a third—partially transforming into a Tailed Beast Mode.

But the attack came from below.

"Beneath you!"

A voice from the forest reached Kakuzu.

Reacting instantly, he leaped away.

Just as he moved, the ground split open, and a massive molten pillar shot upward.

Despite dodging, the searing heat from below made his face twist in discomfort.

At that moment, something coiled around his arm, yanking him away.

It was a wooden tendril.

Kakuzu staggered upon landing, almost falling before being steadied by a firm hand.

Emerging from the shadows, Sharen stood beside him.

Visible changes marked Sharen's face—distinctive markings appeared around his eyes, and his pupils sharpened, surrounded by dark outlines.

This was the first time he had entered Sage Mode after further refining his body with Hashirama's cells.

The absorption of natural energy felt faster and smoother, almost instinctive, compared to before.

Sharen clenched his fist, feeling an unprecedented surge of strength. His Wood Release techniques, infused with Sage Chakra, now carried exponentially greater power.

"Stop holding back. Even if we beat him half to death, I can bring him back. If he dies... well, he dies."

Kakuzu's green eyes gleamed with menace.

From the start, he had been restricted by the mission's condition to capture Roshi alive. But hearing Sharen's words, his pent-up frustration exploded into bloodlust.

He stomped the ground, and two more masks emerged from his back.

Now, all four of his elemental hearts were in play.

Sharen moved ahead, focusing on Roshi, who had now assumed a semi-transformed state.

"Let's test this out."

"Sage Art: Wood Release—Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!"

The earth trembled.

Countless trees sprouted in an instant, consuming the battlefield with towering trunks and thick vines.

Even Roshi's stone wall was not spared; wooden tendrils burst through it, transforming into a massive wooden prison that caged him.

"Wood Release!"

Roshi's eyes widened in shock.

The molten lava around him flared, trying to burn through the wooden bindings, but this time, they endured.

The trees were infused with Sage Chakra, rendering them vastly more durable and resilient.

Standing before Roshi's prison, Sharen watched as the older shinobi glared at him with undisguised contempt.

"So, it was that old bastard Onoki who sent you. He dares hire a Wood Release user to deal with me? He must've paid you handsomely!"

Sharen smirked.

"Oh, he paid a hefty sum indeed. But you know, there's a difference between assassination and capture. Onoki decided that simply killing you would be cheaper."

Kakuzu chuckled. Sharen was expertly manipulating Roshi's anger against Onoki.

"Lava Release: Molten Armor!"

Roshi roared, his molten form pulsating with renewed fury.

But Sharen remained unshaken. His hands pressed against the wooden prison.

"Sage Art—Blossoming Tree World!"

Giant flowers bloomed from the wooden cage, their petals glowing faintly.

Roshi's face twisted as he realized the trees were draining his chakra.

"What—?"

"The more you struggle, the stronger they grow," Sharen whispered.

Panic flashed across Roshi's eyes.

"Shit—!"

A crimson aura erupted from him. More tails sprouted from his back, his body rapidly losing its human form.

Sharen's smirk widened.

"Looks like it's time."

---

Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb

{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}

*Thank you*