Naruto: Limitless Sage

The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, noticed that Tobirama's Water Release had no effect on Naruto.

His expression remained calm.

With a swift clap of his hands, Hashirama summoned the vast chakra within his body and formed the Wood Release hand seal.

"Wood Release: Secret Technique…

Deep Forest Emergence!!!"

Hashirama's voice echoed like thunder.

Suddenly, from beneath the massive roof, countless tree trunks and branches erupted, growing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

In a matter of moments, the expanding trunks had become immense—each one thick enough to require two or three people just to wrap their arms around.

The entire rooftop transformed into a towering sky forest, turning the space above into a sea of trees.

For the first time in many years, the legendary Wood Release Ninjutsu had returned to the world.

Inside the examination arena, stunned expressions filled the faces of shinobi from every nation.

They could hardly believe what they were seeing.

After all…

Back in the Warring States Period, it was this exact Wood Release technique that allowed the First Hokage to dominate an entire era of chaos and war.

The vast forests that now surround Konohagakure—both inside and outside the village—were proof of his immense power.

Originally, the site where Konoha was founded was covered in light forestland.

But the dense and sprawling woodland we know today?

It was all shaped by Hashirama's Wood Release—reshaping the land itself.

So naturally...

When the Konoha shinobi saw this ancient power with their own eyes, how could they not be stunned?

As for the foreign guests…

The Daimyō of the Wind Country, the ninjas from Sunagakure like Temari, Kankurō, and Maki, and envoys from smaller nations near the Land of Fire—all stood frozen in awe.

"So that's the legendary Wood Release of the First Hokage, the man they call the God of Shinobi?"

"Terrifying… That chakra level is even more monstrous than a Tailed Beast's!"

"How did shinobi of that time even survive against such power?"

"Unbelievable… This is the pressure of a god!"

All eyes turned upward, gazing at the forest looming above them, disbelief and fear written across every face.

Meanwhile, within this sprawling wooden cage, Naruto found himself imprisoned by the colossal tree trunks.

The Third Hokage's heart skipped a beat.

No one understood better than him…

The true power of Hashirama's Wood Release.

Orochimaru, watching from the sidelines, narrowed his eyes with interest.

"Let's see… What will the boy do now?"

But Naruto… wasn't flustered in the slightest.

He calmly looked down at the thick branches wrapping around him.

He understood—any ordinary ninja caught in this technique wouldn't stand a chance.

But Naruto… was anything but ordinary.

"Instant!"

"Exploding Flame Formation!!"

Naruto shouted aloud.

And in the very moment those words left his lips—

BOOM!

Fire exploded from his back, shoulders, arms, and legs, blazing into life like rockets piercing the sky!

BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!

The detonations roared like thunder, shaking the arena. Flames scorched the air as they surged outward in a fiery burst.

The force of the explosion instantly incinerated the Wood Release technique restraining him.

"Fire Release?" the Second Hokage, Tobirama, muttered, eyes narrowing.

"That's… an extraordinary Fire Release technique," he added.

Even Hashirama couldn't help but be impressed.

Sure, fire naturally counters wood. But in the history of the shinobi world, how many could ever actually burn through his Wood Release like this?

Very few.

And now this Konoha genin—this boy—had done it with raw strength alone.

It was truly remarkable.

The Third Hokage's eyes widened. He never taught Naruto Fire Release. Nor had he ever instructed anyone else to do so.

"When… did he learn this?"

A sense of unease crept into Hiruzen's heart.

Orochimaru, too, was momentarily speechless.

"To burn through the First Hokage's Wood Release with Fire Release… Incredible."

In the stands, Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata, and many others were stunned speechless by Naruto's overwhelming display of power.

Watching intently were also:

Jiraiya,

Tsunade,

Minato,

Kushina,

Kakashi…

All of them fixed their eyes on Naruto, expectations swelling.

Even the Sand shinobi couldn't hide their shock as they looked at Gaara's opponent, Uzumaki Naruto.

"We have to admit it..."

Naruto was clearly stronger than Gaara.

Stronger… even than the One-Tailed Beast, Shukaku, sealed inside him.

Upon witnessing the explosive power of Uzumaki Naruto, the Jinchūriki of Kurama, even Shukaku, sealed within Gaara, was taken aback.

"Is that really the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki?"

"That power is outrageous…!"

A mere Genin—yet he could hold his ground against the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage himself.

It was as if he were defying fate itself.

In the next instant, Naruto—now fully immersed in his blazing Shunbakuyan Musō state—faced the dense forest of Wood Release encircling him.

Without hesitation, he unleashed his full power.

BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!

A storm of roaring flame exploded from Naruto's body, erupting like a sea of fire and sweeping across the rooftop in all directions.

In mere seconds—

The towering trees summoned by Hashirama's Wood Release were engulfed.

They burned fiercely, disintegrating inch by inch before everyone's eyes.

The surrounding air grew hotter and hotter, heatwaves rippling across the arena.

Sensing the shift, the First Hokage and Second Hokage exchanged a glance.

Tobirama gave a small nod.

In the next heartbeat, he formed a rapid series of hand seals.

"Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!"

With a thunderous clap, water chakra surged into the air, forming a massive vortex around him.

From that spiraling core, a mighty torrent erupted—an enormous wave materializing from thin air.

The flood surged forward, crashing through the burning forest, extinguishing flames and washing away the smoldering remnants of the Wood Release.

But the true shock was still to come.

Atop the crest of the rushing wave stood Tobirama and Hashirama, riding its fury like war gods.

Together, the brothers charged Naruto.

Yet Naruto remained composed.

His arms blazed with explosive flame as he pressed his hands together—eleven rapid claps.

Suddenly—

The searing fire condensed into a serpentine shape.

A crimson Flame Dragon erupted from his body and shot forward, meeting the incoming tidal wave head-on.

CRASH!

Water and fire collided violently!

Steam burst forth in a deafening hiss, and an enormous cloud of vapor engulfed the rooftop.

Visibility dropped to zero in an instant.

Then—

Two figures darted through the thick mist like phantoms: the First and Second Hokage.

Using the concealment provided by the steam, they launched a coordinated close-range assault.

Fists flew.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The clash of blows echoed across the rooftop as Naruto exchanged punches and kicks with the two legendary shinobi.

But Naruto knew the truth.

To truly defeat Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation) resurrected opponents, you had only two options:

—Seal them,

or

—Break the summoner's control.

Amid the clash of taijutsu, Naruto's eyes sharpened.

A spark of understanding—an almost Dao-like clarity—flashed through them.

He seized the moment, pressing his hands against the two Hokage mid-combat.

Channeling the power of the heavens…

Combining the insight of the Da Luo Cave Observation,

And his deep knowledge of Uzumaki clan sealing arts—

Naruto linked it all together.

In that instant, the chakra connection binding the Hokage to Orochimaru's Edo Tensei—

Snapped.

The very next moment, both Hashirama and Tobirama froze in place.

They felt it immediately.

This Konoha youth—Uzumaki Naruto—had broken the Edo Tensei control over them.

"Hahaha! Finally, I don't have to keep fighting!" Hashirama laughed with relief.

Tobirama glanced over in disbelief.

To break free from Edo Tensei, especially without confronting the summoner directly?

"Incredible…" he muttered. "That this generation of Konoha shinobi… could pull this off."

The difficulty of learning Edo Tensei was one thing. But to reverse it mid-battle?

Even for someone like him, it was staggering.

At the same time, releasing the Impure World Reincarnation is no simple feat.

And yet, this young shinobi from Konoha had managed to do it—in the middle of a heated battle.

The difficulty of such an act was unimaginable.

Even Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage and the very creator of the jutsu, was filled with doubt.

"To think… someone could pull this off in real time."

Across the entire shinobi world, he couldn't think of five people capable of such a feat.

Naruto, looking at the now-still First and Second Hokage, smiled calmly.

"Seniors," he said respectfully, "please don't return to the Pure Land just yet. There's something important I'd like you to witness."

Hearing this, Hashirama and Tobirama exchanged a glance.

No words were needed. They immediately understood each other.

Tobirama turned toward Naruto and nodded.

"Very well. We'll stay and see what this is about."

They knew full well it wasn't right for the dead to return to the living world through Edo Tensei…

But the sincerity and determination in Naruto's tone convinced them.

And besides—

There was still unfinished business involving Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Both brothers were curious to see how it would unfold.

With their agreement, Naruto gave a slight smile of gratitude.

"Good," he thought. "This was all part of the plan."

With Orochimaru's Edo Tensei, Naruto had arranged for the First and Second Hokage to attend this momentous occasion.

After all—

He was about to challenge the rule of the Third Hokage.

How could the likes of the First and Second Hokage not be present?

Just then, the thick steam from the earlier clash of fire and water began to fade.

The lingering vapor surrounding Naruto, Hashirama, and Tobirama finally dissipated.

The scene revealed a surprising calm.

Orochimaru, observing from a distance, began to grow uneasy.

He once again tried to command the First and Second Hokage—

But realized something was very wrong.

He could no longer control them.

"What…!?"

Orochimaru's pupils shrank. Something had clearly happened within that mist—something beyond his understanding.

Suddenly—

A gust of wind swept across the rooftop.

It blew away the remaining fog, clearing the battlefield completely.

Now, standing in full view—

Naruto, Hashirama, and Tobirama stood together on the same side.

No longer opponents. But allies.

The entire audience—Orochimaru, the Third Hokage, the spectators, even the foreign shinobi—watched in stunned silence.

Orochimaru's expression twisted into a grimace.

He instantly realized what had happened.

"Tch! They broke free from my control!"

His eyes narrowed in frustration.

"Damn it!"

His teeth clenched. Rage flickered in his eyes.

At that moment, Tobirama stepped forward.

"Stop. You're no match for us," the Second Hokage said coldly, directing his words at Orochimaru.

Hashirama followed suit, his tone calm but firm.

"You… you look like one of Sarutobi's students."

"Why would you raise your hand against Konoha?"

"Why don't we put down our weapons—and talk?"

Their voices echoed across the rooftop.

Everyone in the audience heard them loud and clear.

And at that moment…

They all understood:

The First and Second Hokage were no longer under Orochimaru's control.

A collective sigh of relief spread through the crowd.

For the first time in this intense confrontation, the tension began to ease.

Even though Naruto had just demonstrated astonishing strength—enough to rival the First and Second Hokage—

The Konoha ninja present never once thought of raising their hands against those legendary figures.

As the situation shifted, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, couldn't hide his surprise.

"Wait... Isn't this supposed to be my advantage?" he thought.

Yet now, even Hashirama and Tobirama were turning against him.

Trying to salvage the situation, Hiruzen quickly followed their lead and addressed Orochimaru with forced sincerity:

"Orochimaru, if I did anything wrong, say it—I'll change. I promise!"

But Orochimaru…

Hearing those words from the Hokage he once respected—

Especially after listening to the First and Second Hokage speak with such earnestness—

He felt nothing but revulsion.

What made him feel sick the most was this:

The man who once stood proud and strong as his sensei—Sarutobi-sensei—

Was now groveling.

So hypocritical. So unlike the man he once knew.

The changes over the years were stark.

Orochimaru clenched his fists.

"The man I once admired has faded away…"

Yes.

That moment solidified Orochimaru's resolve.

He would go through with the Konoha Crush Plan.

He would kill the Third Hokage.

"My Sarutobi-sensei—the man who once stood above all as the Hokage—has become indecisive, self-serving… a shadow of his former self."

"You're no longer worthy of the Hokage title."

Orochimaru turned to the First and Second Hokage, voice cold.

"Hashirama-sama, Tobirama-sama… if words could solve everything…"

"I would never have gone this far."

Then he turned his gaze on Hiruzen, disappointment and hatred blazing in his eyes.

"Sarutobi-sensei… this is the last time I'll ever call you that."

"You're no longer the Third Hokage of the past. You've been blinded by self-interest."

"You've failed to keep pace with the turning wheel of history."

"Sarutobi Hiruzen!!!"

The moment his words fell, Orochimaru bit his finger.

Blood dripped onto his palm.

He slammed it against the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

BOOM!

A huge explosion of white smoke erupted.

From it—

Emerged a colossal purple-scaled serpent, slithering into view with an intimidating hiss.

It was Manda, Orochimaru's strongest summon.

Gasps rippled across the audience.

The massive King of Snakes towered even over the Chūnin Exam arena itself.

Every spectator was shaken.

And even Manda himself, upon opening his eyes and taking in the scene…

Was left stunned.

"Wait a damn second…"

Among the four shinobi in front of him—

He recognized Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen.

Three Hokage.

His serpentine face twisted into disbelief.

"Orochimaru! What the hell did you summon me into?! You trying to get me killed!?"

Though Manda was a summon, he wasn't some mindless beast.

He had pride. He had demands.

And most of all—he had a sense of self-preservation.

Orochimaru wasn't fazed by Manda's outrage.

He responded with a dark smirk:

"Just stall the First Hokage, Second Hokage… and that blond one."

"Do that—and I'll offer you a thousand living humans in return."

The words echoed like a bell in Manda's ears.

A thousand…?

Even the other snakes around Manda began to hiss excitedly.

Manda narrowed his eyes, calculating.

He didn't recognize Naruto—so he didn't consider him a threat.

Fighting Hashirama and Tobirama head-on would be suicide…

But if it was just stalling, maybe he could manage.

And those terms…

A thousand living humans...

Manda's forked tongue flicked.

His eyes gleamed with greed.

All around him, his kin shared the same gluttonous hunger.

"Fine," Manda hissed, eyes gleaming. "A thousand lives. You have a deal."

Orochimaru grinned.

Everything was falling into place.

With Manda stalling the First, Second, and Naruto—

He would finally get his chance to strike down the Third Hokage.

Kill the Third Hokage!

Since Impure World Reincarnation was no longer under his control…

Orochimaru realized—

He would have to do it himself!

Having struck a deal with Manda, the King of Snakes,

Orochimaru launched his next move.

With killing intent flashing in his eyes, he hurled himself forward—

Targeting the First Hokage, Second Hokage, Third Hokage, and Naruto.

At that moment, the Third Hokage kept his eyes locked on Orochimaru.

He could sense it.

"His target… is me."

Across from him stood Hashirama, Tobirama, and Naruto.

The three exchanged glances in silent agreement.

None of them spared a look at the countless giant snakes rushing in behind Orochimaru.

To them—

Whether it was Hashirama, Tobirama, or Naruto—

No matter how massive Manda appeared…

Even a beast of that size was nothing more than a low-tier tailed beast in strength.

A threat?

Perhaps to ordinary ninja.

But not to them.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, thinking about his next move.

He hadn't forgotten.

This was the moment to make a point—

To use Orochimaru as a warning.

"To scare the monkeys…"

"You have to make an example."

He turned to the First and Second Hokage, giving them a calm smile.

"Seniors, allow me to handle this."

Hearing that, Hashirama and Tobirama nodded.

They didn't object—

In fact, they were curious to see more of Naruto's strength.

The very next moment—

A tidal wave of snakes surged forward, racing like high-speed trains.

But Naruto didn't flinch.

He raised one hand—

Calmly placing it in the path of the incoming beasts.

The earth rumbled.

The air twisted from the momentum.

But then—

Everything froze.

The lead snake's enormous fangs came to a dead halt—

Right in front of Naruto's fingertip.

The hissing stopped.

The killing intent dissipated.

The battlefield fell into stunned silence.

…

TN:

Support me on P-com/LordMerlin!

♾️ Limited-time 30% discount!

Get 10 advance chaps for $3.50, 20 for $7, and more — ending soon!