Naruto: Starting by Teaching Tsunade Modernization

This was a beast so massive it could completely fill one's field of vision.

Its eight tails spread across the sky like a raging storm, nearly filling the entire mountain path.

Despite having lost some height from the crater caused by the Tailed Beast Ball explosion, it still loomed nearly forty meters taller than Owarayama fortress.

Originally built as a barrier for the Land of Lightning, Owarayama's walls were far taller than those of other cities.

Yet even so, it paled in comparison to the Eight-Tails.

Looking up, Haruki clearly saw the explosive muscles rippling on the Eight-Tails' body—its power easy to imagine.

The moment the Eight-Tails appeared, it threw its head back and let out a roar that shook the heavens.

The shockwave made the entire mountain fortress tremble violently.

Konoha ninjas quickly used their chakra to stabilize themselves.

Most of them had never seen a tailed beast face-to-face before.

Seeing one in the flesh was enough to shake anyone's composure.

Still, they were ninjas after all—seasoned veterans who had gone through countless duties. They had strong mental fortitude.

In just a moment, they snapped out of their shock.

Without waiting for Haruki's command, nine aerial fortresses began maneuvering into position.

Countless metal gears interlocked, their faint sounds growing louder. One Tailed Beast Ball after another came hurtling down from the sky.

Seeing this, the Eight-Tails opened its mouth, gathering unimaginable amounts of chakra.

This one was far more terrifying than the previous Tailed Beast Ball.

The chakra grew so dense that it formed a mist-like vapor around it.

In an instant, a black, spherical Tailed Beast Ball shot forth like a cannonball.

Before countless stunned eyes, the Eight-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball smashed into those launched by the aerial fortresses, easily crushing them into scattered currents of energy.

Nine massive bursts of fire lit up the sky like fireworks.

The Joint Ninja Army of Kumogakure and Iwagakure couldn't help but erupt into cheers.

This was the first clear advantage they'd gained since the battle began.

They had been too suppressed before now.

Only Onoki and A kept their composure.

Onoki had not brought Iwagakure's two tailed beasts on this mission.

One reason was his concern about damage to the beasts during war; the other was his confidence that with Kumogakure's Eight-Tails, their combined forces would be more than enough to handle Konoha.

"Still keeping your cool, huh?"

Onoki glanced at Haruki, unable to understand where his confidence came from.

"Raikage, are you sure the Nine-Tailed Fox Jinchuriki is actually here?"

"Of course."

A gave a firm nod.

On that day when Minato led one thousand Black Armor Army soldiers charging forward, the chakra radiating from them was unmistakably that of the Nine-Tails.

Especially since Konoha knew Kumogakure brought the Eight-Tails, they would never leave the Nine-Tails behind in Konoha.

"Mm. Once the jinchuriki appears, we'll work together to pin him down."

Seeing A's determined expression, Onoki felt certain there wouldn't be a mistake.

Plus, his thoughts aligned with A's—only a tailed beast could counter another tailed beast. If the Nine-Tails really wasn't here, their odds of victory would actually be better.

Even if it did appear, he and A together wouldn't flinch against the Nine-Tails.

Even if the Nine-Tails was the strongest of all tailed beasts.

"Haruki."

Sakumo Hatake also immediately thought of the Nine-Tails.

He watched the continual explosions lighting up the sky and the Eight-Tails slowly advancing toward the mountain fortress.

Its slowness was all relative considering its massive size. The Eight-Tails would close the distance in under a minute.

The constant thunderous roars drowned out Sakumo Hatake's voice.

Luckily Haruki had excellent hearing.

"Where is our Nine-Tailed Fox jinchuriki?" Sakumo asked.

Seeing him turn his head, Sakumo continued. "You know who I mean."

Because of the importance of the tailed beasts, most ninja had no idea who the jinchuriki were. Outsiders didn't know, and even their own allies remained in the dark. It was only due to Kumogakure's uniqueness that both of its jinchuriki were widely known. Konoha always kept things strictly confidential. No one would have known otherwise—unless it was Naruto Uzumaki, the main character.

"She's in Konoha," Haruki said with a smile.

"Konoha?"

Sakumo's eyes widened as he pointed toward the Eight-Tails. "Then what do we do about this giant? I doubt the firepower from the air fortress can hurt it."

That was understandable.

The nine air fortresses drew power from the Zero-Tails and electricity. Pushing them to this level of performance was already stretching their limits. Without factoring in the tailed beasts at all, such an air fortress could threaten any nation or ninja village.

"Scared?" Haruki teased.

"What kind of nonsense are you talking?" Sakumo immediately replied. Not fear—just concern. With his strength, surviving was easily within reach. What about the other ninja?

Suddenly remembering the man's suicide, Haruki couldn't help but ask, "If you had to abandon us and escape alone, would you do it?"

"How could I?" Sakumo shook his head. "At most, it's death either way. Dying honorably alongside everyone is still a worthy end."

"Hahaha, it hasn't gotten that serious yet." Haruki chuckled slightly and looked toward the rampaging Eight-Tails. "Looks like I'll have to handle this myself."

"Your Wood Release?"

Finally remembering Haruki's Wood Release, Sakumo said. Truthfully speaking, he had forgotten that Haruki could use Wood Release. Mainly because Haruki rarely ever fought. Eventually, he only remembered him as a medical ninja.

"Just be careful," Sakumo said, taking a deep breath and pulling the tanto from his back. "I'll hold off the Raikage and Tsuchikage along with the others."

"They aren't simple opponents; you guys should be careful instead." Haruki replied with a smile.

In Haruki's eyes, the Eight-Tails was nothing compared to the threat the Raikage and Tsuchikage posed to Sakumo and the others.

"Don't go throwing around bravado at a time like this," Sakumo caught the implication behind Haruki's words and couldn't help but retort.

To him, the Eight-Tails might not match the combined might of the Raikage and Tsuchikage, but its destructive power and regeneration abilities were astonishing. If they failed to eliminate it, it could deliver a fatal blow to Konoha's ninja army.

And controlling such a monstrous creature was incredibly troublesome—especially for someone who relies on taijutsu like Sakumo.

Of course, he didn't know that Wood Release naturally suppresses tailed beasts—which was exactly why he was so worried.

"I've always been straightforward."

Haruki tapped his forehead and entered Sage Mode in an instant.

Hatake Sakumo was about to speak when he suddenly witnessed this shocking display and froze on the spot.

He had witnessed Sage Mode before—through Jiraiya.

But Jiraiya's Sage Mode required assistance from his two toad companions.

As for Haruki… it seemed like he achieved it in just a second?

It happened so fast that Sakumo felt momentarily delusional—as though Sage Mode were actually that easy.

"There's no need to waste energy. Call off the attacks from the air fortress first."

Haruki said softly.

"Oh, right."

Snapping out of his trance, Hatake Sakumo immediately gave the order.

A ninja wearing an exoskeleton power suit nodded, transmitting the message through radio communication. Immediately, the attacks ceased.

Onoki and A hesitated slightly, unsure of what was happening.

They turned toward the mountain fortress and saw Haruki standing on the battlements, fully exposed in their line of sight.

What did this mean?

They couldn't quite understand Haruki's strange behavior.

Though they noticed the markings on his face, they didn't immediately associate them with Sage Mode.

In the original story, Sage Mode mostly originated from the Three Great Summoning Clans.

Outside of Konoha, practically no other ninja villages had shinobi who could use Sage Mode.

The era of Hashirama Senju was far too distant.

Onoki had lived through it, but had never fought against Hashirama directly.

At the age of thirteen, he followed his master to Konoha to seek an alliance—only to be ambushed and mercilessly beaten by Madara Uchiha. Naturally, any talk of alliance ended there.

As for Fourth Raikage A, he had even fewer memories related to this.

Until they witnessed something horrifying.

They watched as Haruki brought his hands together with a clap. Outside the city wall, one massive tree after another erupted from the earth, rapidly sprouting up within moments. Infused with chakra at terrifying levels, they grew as tall and thick as the Eight-Tails.

From their perspective,

Wild, frenzied vines erupted outward, completely swallowing the entire mountain fortress.

As if the city had been lifted onto a forest of trees.

"Wood... Wood... Wood Release?"

Onoki, someone who had seen countless major events throughout his life, stammered slightly.

This scene—he had never seen anything like it before.

But he had heard stories.

Legends of Hashirama Senju, the God of the Shinobi World.

Especially since he himself had lived during that age, his feelings ran deeper than most.

In that instant, he regretted getting involved in this war at all.

"How could it possibly be Wood Release?!"

A stared in disbelief at the greenery now blanketing everything, shouting in complete shock.

He'd rather face the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki than deal with this.

No words could explain the fearsome reputation of Wood Release.

Hashirama Senju once used Wood Release to dominate every battlefield unchallenged.

"Raikage!"

Onoki lifted his head and locked eyes with A.

"That Wood Release definitely won't compare to Hashirama Senju's."

His calm demeanor made A hesitate slightly.

Unsure how Onoki had reached such a conclusion.

"You know I have Dust Release. In theory, it's a Kekkei Tota—superior to ordinary Kekkei Genkai. Yet achieving feats even close to those of the legendary Hashirama Senju is absolutely impossible."

Though Onoki spoke under pressure while trying to reassure A, what he said wasn't entirely unreasonable.

He himself had fought Madara Uchiha before and knew his strength intimately.

Hashirama Senju, who was powerful enough to overpower Madara, couldn't have done it with just a simple Kekkei Genkai alone. There must be something else.

A shook himself out of his thoughts. The earlier Wood Release technique was terrifying, but still manageable—about as strong as a Tailed Beast, nothing that would cause true despair.

He exhaled deeply and gave a nod.

"Stay where you are for now."

A raised his hand and looked toward the city that had become a forest. "The range of this Wood Release is extremely wide. Don't interfere until we know Haruki's true strength. Me and the Tsuchikage will go help Bee."

Onoki quickly formed several hand seals and lightly tapped himself and A. An unusual surge of chakra coursed through them instantly.

Earth Release: Ultralight-Weight Rock Technique!

A couldn't help but move his arms and legs a bit.

As light as a swallow in flight.

"No wonder you're the Tsuchikage."

A leaped forward, instantly flying into the air, moving a third faster than usual.

Right now, he felt confident he could even outpace Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique.

He was nearly the fastest ninja in the entire shinobi world.

Onoki flew up beside him as well.

The two of them stood before the Eight-Tails like two tiny ants.

Haruki wasn't deliberately waiting for them.

Rather, he had just given Sakumo Hatake some instructions and extended his chakra to each Konoha ninja around him.

The next Wood Release technique he was about to use was extremely dangerous.

Without wasting words on Onoki or A, Haruki clapped his hands together again.

[Wood Release: Nativity of Trees!]

A mournful groan from the earth.

Countless chaotic noises erupted violently from beneath the earth.

Onoki and A immediately became alert.

Under their watchful eyes, the ground, along with mountains hundreds to thousands of meters away, was instantly shattered. Giant trees and countless vines rose with shrieking noises, as if devouring the entire sky.

"…"

A's eyes gradually dulled. He muttered under his breath, "Tsuchikage... do we still have a chance?"

No answer came.

Haruki stepped forward. Instantly, a vine lifted him upward.

Like a king descending upon the world, he steadily rose until his eyes aligned with those of the Eight-Tails.

Behind him, red flowers bloomed one after another from the tree trunks.

Haruki raised both arms.

Innumerable flowers instantly opened their petals, radiating unparalleled beauty—and deadly intent.

Both Onoki and A appeared dazed.

They were deeply shaken by the indescribable spectacle.

"No, wait—something's wrong!"

Onoki suddenly shook himself awake. "Poison! Those flowers are poisonous!"

A immediately jolted his body and blocked his nose and mouth with chakra.

He glanced downward—nearly twenty thousand Allied Ninja Forces had fallen into a deep unconscious state. Only about a dozen had resisted the effects through sheer willpower.

"You lowlife scum!"

Upon hearing this, Haruki simply smiled.

He wasn't surprised they hadn't all fallen victim.

The shinobi world was full of bizarre techniques; naturally, some would slip through by luck.

"Raikage, what exactly is despicable about this?"

"…"

A remained silent.

He just needed time to come to terms with it.

"I don't get it. With your strength, why didn't you just use Wood Release to wipe out Kumogakure from the start?"

Onoki couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked beside him.

You've gotta be kidding me—would I really have been dumb enough to ally with Kumogakure like this?

"Naturally—to eliminate all of you at once."

Haruki replied with a smirk.

If he hadn't taken those earlier steps, would the Fourth Raikage A really have committed his full forces?

As for Iwagakure, that was just unexpected.

But in the original story during the Third Great Ninja War, they were never truly obedient anyway.

Falling into his hands was simply the way fate played out.

Onoki twitched the corner of his mouth.

At this point, there was no turning back.

He bellowed, "Raikage! Now's not the time to zone out!"

He clasped both hands together, then spread them apart, forming a transparent cube between his palms.

[Dust Release: Detachment Technique of the Void!]

This was Onoki's strongest offensive jutsu, capable of reducing anything within its barrier to atomic particles.

Though A's reaction was slightly delayed, under the enhancement of [Earth Release: Ultralight-Weight Rock Technique], his speed became incredibly fast.

Almost the moment the cubic barrier surged toward Haruki, his right arm blazed with brilliant lightning as he threw an unrestrained punch.

Behind them, B and the Eight-Tails opened their massive mouths, condensing an enormous amount of chakra into an ultra-dense Tailed Beast Ball.

In less than a second, Haruki was facing what could be considered the three most powerful attacks currently existing in the ninja world.

"This is your last chance," Haruki murmured quietly.

His body began to stretch impossibly high.

Already standing at sixty meters tall, he now rapidly ascended into the sky, instantly reaching a kilometer high.

The three attacks immediately lost their target.

Though surprised by Haruki's speed, they quickly changed direction, preparing to chase after him again.

Then, all three froze completely.

If someone asked them about the most shocking scene they'd ever witnessed in their lives, they would definitely say it was happening right now.

They looked up to see a colossal Senju Kannon towering beyond sight.

Up, down, left, or right—there was no visible end, no border, just endless extension.

[Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!]