Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Why Don't You Give It a Try?
Senju Hashirama was never one for subtlety. When he acted, it was always with grandeur. Massive plant roots surged skyward, engulfing the harbor and lifting the cruise ship where Sebastian Shaw and his fellow mutants were gathered.
"What's happening?"
Inside the cruise ship, the floor trembled violently and the cabin lights flickered erratically. Sebastian Shaw and his mutant companions, who had been enjoying their drinks, looked up in alarm.
Without a word, the red devil quickly grabbed the others' hands and teleported them away.
"Escaped?"
Senju Hashirama's eyes narrowed as he observed the red devil and the others materializing before him. A powerful aura emanated from his body as he regarded them with unmistakable murderous intent.
"Who are you?"
The other Sebastian Shaw studied Senju Hashirama with interest, then glanced at the magnificent display of plant roots suspending the cruise ship. He couldn't help but remark, "Is this your mutant ability? Truly formidable!"
The White Queen fixed her gaze on Senju Hashirama and, without speaking, attempted to seize control of his mind with her telepathic powers. Moments ago, she had nearly perished in Senju Hashirama's attack on the cruise ship. The White Queen seethed with rage, determined to exact revenge.
"Hmph!"
Senju Hashirama snorted coldly. Powerful Chakra erupted from his body, actively resisting the White Queen's psionic intrusion.
As the god of ninjas, Senju Hashirama relied on more than just Sage Mode and Wood Style. His friend and rival Uchiha Madara once noted that all of Hashirama's ninjutsu skills were unparalleled.
Being a shinobi formidable enough to withstand the Mangekyō Sharingan, Senju Hashirama possessed no weaknesses regarding illusions. His mental fortitude was exceptional, enabling him to repel most mental assaults.
"It seems your abilities are ineffective!"
The other Sebastian Shaw smiled at the White Queen, then placed his hand on the red devil's shoulder. "Let's go!"
The red devil returned a slight smile and moved with Sebastian Shaw, appearing beside Senju Hashirama instantaneously.
Sebastian Shaw opened his arms, directly embracing Senju Hashirama, and said with a confident smile: "So you can't do anything now, can you?"
In the Chat Group
Uchiha Madara: "Sebastian Shaw, what are you doing? You shouldn't imagine you can defeat Hashirama this way. Don't be ridiculous."
Lucas: "Indeed! Hashirama is Madara's rival. Are you trying to curry favor with Sebastian Shaw? I warn you, this won't end well."
Howard Stark: "Exactly! In Senju Hashirama's heart, his younger brother and best friend occupy too much space. No matter your interest in him, it won't lead anywhere productive."
Sebastian Shaw: "Would you all stop talking nonsense? In that world, The me in there simply utilizing my abilities appropriately. Don't forget, my mutant power is energy absorption!"
Senju Tobirama: "If that's the case, I believe I understand the other Sebastian Shaw's intention. If my brother attempts to break free while restrained, his strength will be absorbed, rendering escape impossible."
Sebastian Shaw: "Not only that. If he exert strength to squeeze Senju Hashirama, the reaction force will also be absorbed by him. Understand? My mutant abilities are truly terrifying."
Howard Stark: "When you squeeze others, you receive and absorb the reaction force? Does this mean during close combat, you essentially create a perpetual motion machine?"
Sebastian Shaw: "It's not that extreme. My opponent can always choose evasion. But in Senju Hashirama's current predicament—being restrained by me—he can't dodge. The force I apply to him returns to me and converts into energy for my body."
Liu Xing: "Isn't this similar to a perpetual motion machine where a motor and generator form a cycle? As I understand it, this shouldn't function! Power inevitably dissipates during transmission."
Sebastian Shaw: "How is power lost? Through resistance, like air friction. Then the question becomes: who bears the reaction force of air friction?"
Liu Xing: "Well, this truly is an incomprehensible ability."
Senju Hashirama: "Can your mutant abilities absorb Chakra?"
Sebastian Shaw: "I don't know. Why don't you give it a try?"
Senju Hashirama: "Excellent suggestion!"
Senju Hashirama in the virtual world let out a shout, and mighty Chakra surged from his body, attempting to repel the other Sebastian Shaw who had trapped him.
"What kind of energy is this? It feels unfamiliar, yet quite distinctive."
The other Sebastian Shaw observed the Chakra flowing from Senju Hashirama and absorbed it through his mutant abilities without hesitation.
"Magnificent! After absorbing this energy from you, I feel both my body and spirit strengthening."
The other Sebastian Shaw regarded Senju Hashirama with surprise, considering using him as a personal energy source.
Senju Hashirama: "Sebastian Shaw's ability is truly formidable—it can even absorb Chakra."
Sebastian Shaw: "What's so surprising? I can absorb nuclear energy and kinetic energy, so what makes your Chakra special? If you still possess hidden techniques, you'd better employ them now, or prepare to die."
Uchiha Madara: "Hashirama, what about your genjutsu? Sebastian Shaw's weakness is mental attacks. Use illusions to control him!"
Sebastian Shaw: "Futile! Ninjas require hand seals for ninjutsu, correct? Senju Hashirama might not need seals, but he still joins his hands when using ninjutsu. Currently, his arms are restrained by me, preventing seal formation."
Senju Hashirama: "Hand seals, including joined hands, are merely auxiliary methods for performing jutsu. Even without hands, I can execute ninjutsu, albeit more slowly. It's simply the most efficient approach."
Senju Hashirama: "If I were to advance further like our Group Leader, I could perform ninjutsu perfectly by merely moving my fingers, as effectively as using both hands for seals. Naturally, I can also cast illusions with my fingers now."
The Senju Hashirama in the virtual world perfectly demonstrated the abilities befitting the god of ninjas. If Uchiha Itachi could cast illusions with his fingers, then Senju Hashirama, the supreme ninja, certainly could as well. Unfortunately, his illusions proved ineffective because the White Queen with her psionic powers stood before him.
"He's attempting to control you with his psychic abilities!"
The White Queen placed her hand on her forehead, staring intently at Senju Hashirama. "His psionic power is considerable, but I can still block it."
The other Sebastian Shaw expressed surprise: "He possesses psionic powers too? Perfect! He appears to be a mutant with multiple abilities, just like you."
The other Sebastian Shaw looked at Senju Hashirama and inquired with a smile: "Would you consider joining us? We are fellow mutants! Collaborate with me and let's dominate the world together!"
Senju Hashirama sighed: "Your mutant ability is indeed powerful, but I'm not without countermeasures. Prepare yourself—I'm about to make my move!"
As Senju Hashirama finished speaking, the ground behind the other Sebastian Shaw suddenly fractured, and massive, sturdy plant roots rose skyward.
"Hey!"
A tenacious root system suddenly emerged, wrapping around the other Sebastian Shaw's ankles. With a single powerful motion, it lifted him into the air.
"Interesting!"
"You believe this will eliminate me? How naive!"
The other Sebastian Shaw maintained his grip on Senju Hashirama as the two were lifted skyward by the plant roots, then came crashing down toward the ground.
"It's pointless!"
"Even hurling me into space wouldn't cost me a single hair, because I'll absorb all impact."
The other Sebastian Shaw and Senju Hashirama fell to the ground together. After absorbing the impact, they landed as gently as feathers, without disturbing the earth beneath them.
Crack!
Two additional plant roots flew over and wrapped around Senju Hashirama's body, attempting to pull him from the other Sebastian Shaw's grasp.
"You don't comprehend the extent of my ability. Surrender now!"
The other Sebastian Shaw remained composed, confident in his energy absorption powers. After absorbing so much energy, he had become superhuman.
"You truly are stubborn!"
Senju Hashirama felt somewhat helpless, acknowledging that Sebastian Shaw's ability was particularly troublesome. Fortunately, his title as the god of ninjas wasn't merely ceremonial.
"Any skill has range limitations. Do you believe that woman can still prevent my mental attacks from this distance?"
After Senju Hashirama and the other Sebastian Shaw were thrown skyward by the plant roots, Senju Hashirama whispered something that dramatically altered the other Sebastian Shaw's expression.
The next moment, a powerful mental force invaded his mind. Senju Hashirama's illusion took effect, and the other Sebastian Shaw released his grip.
"Sage Art!"
The freed Senju Hashirama entered Sage Mode without hesitation. Endless plant roots surged from the earth, flooding the battlefield instantly.
"Birth of the Flower and Tree World!"
Empowered by Sage Chakra, the Flower and Tree World in Sage Mode was several times stronger than its ordinary form. The torrent of plant roots constricted wildly around Sebastian Shaw and his subordinates.