Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 12: Bloodline Selection

Chapter 12: Bloodline Elimination

Clang! Clang! Clang! The sounds of metal clashing echoed continuously as Hagoromo Gengetsu and Senju Hashirama transformed into two black blurs, colliding and intertwining at a speed too fast for the naked eye to follow on top of the wooden and flame giants.

With a swift motion, Hagoromo Gengetsu deflected Hashirama's incoming punch, then darted forward, his other hand's fingers forming a blade. Accompanied by the sound of tearing space, he slashed viciously at Hashirama's neck.

Hashirama leaned back, narrowly avoiding the hand blade, and swept his right leg upward like a whip. 

Gengetsu raised his arm to block, but Hashirama's monstrous strength, unleashed like a flood, finally broke through the defenses of Gengetsu's Steel Release, which had endured many of Hashirama's powerful blows. The sound of breaking was heard, and blood splattered.

Ignoring his injuries, Gengetsu used Hashirama's force to pull himself to his side in a moment. 

Boom! 

Unable to defend himself, Hashirama was kicked away. Gengetsu followed swiftly, grabbing Hashirama's arms and using his Dark Release to rapidly absorb his chakra.

Hashirama shuddered briefly but quickly recovered, charging towards Gengetsu. Realizing he shouldn't be greedy, Gengetsu twisted his waist and threw Hashirama away with a powerful motion.

Sizzling sounds accompanied the process as the chakra from Hashirama began healing Gengetsu's wounds almost instantly.

"As expected of Senju Hashirama, and this is just his normal chakra. If it were Sage chakra, the effect would be even greater."

Gengetsu reflected as he looked at the unharmed Hashirama, who had steadied himself not far away. If it were Sage chakra, Gengetsu wouldn't dare absorb it, as Dark Release wasn't as advanced as the Rinnegan, which could absorb Sage chakra without harm. Dark Release could not handle the violent natural energy and would destroy the body.

Moreover, despite having a large amount of chakra absorbed, Hashirama didn't seem weakened at all. What would be a large amount for others was just a drop in the bucket for Hashirama. His lost chakra was already replenishing rapidly.

"Sage Body is indeed a cheat."

Seeing Hashirama, who seemed even more vigorous as the battle continued, charging at him again, Gengetsu sighed, his eyes sharpening as he charged back without hesitation.

The grand battle continued. The god-like Flame God and Wood Golem clashed with massive force, appearing clumsy but engaging in a fierce and dangerous struggle that turned the landscape upside down.

The masters of the Flame God and Wood Golem, Gengetsu and Hashirama, also continued their battle without rest. As time passed, their battleground expanded beyond the tops of the giants to the cratered plains below.

"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

Hashirama once again unleashed his signature technique. Although visibly more tired, Gengetsu responded quickly, more experienced than at the beginning.

Seeing that Deep Forest Emergence couldn't trap Gengetsu, Hashirama interlocked his fingers and shouted, "Wood Release: Flowering Tree World!"

Massive vines sprouted, with huge closed flowers towering above. Just as these giant flowers were about to bloom, Gengetsu's expression changed.

Once these flowers bloomed, they would release pollen that would put anyone who inhaled it to sleep. The War-torn Uchiha Madara and the future Five Kage were familiar with its effects.

"I can't let these flowers bloom."

Determined, Gengetsu pressed his hands together, "Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

A semi-transparent cube formed in Gengetsu's palms. With a push, the cube expanded rapidly, engulfing the entire Flowering Tree World in an instant. 

There was no explosion, no tremor. It was as if an eraser had wiped the blackboard. A bright white light flashed, and the once awe-inspiring Flowering Tree World vanished, leaving only a cracked, barren ground.

Time seemed to freeze. Outside the battlefield, everyone, including the future Second Tsuchikage Mu, stared intently at Gengetsu's display of Dust Release, a technique previously known only to Mu.

Still stunned, Mu could only smile bitterly, explaining, "It's not surprising that someone who can develop so many Kekkei Genkai can also develop Dust Release. His Dust Release is far more powerful than mine."

Mu's explanation was accepted by the others, who were now more deeply impressed by Gengetsu's talents. With so many Kekkei Genkai, it wasn't surprising that Gengetsu had mastered the Dust Release, an advanced technique beyond normal Kekkei Genkai.

This battle showcased the full extent of Gengetsu's abilities. Despite having other skills and secret techniques, they were of little use against the formidable Senju Hashirama.

"Dust Release: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!"

A cone-shaped semi-transparent barrier shot from Gengetsu's hand, aimed directly at Hashirama. Aware of its destructive power, Hashirama leapt out of the way.

Though Hashirama dodged, the colossal Wood Golem behind him couldn't. Under Gengetsu's precise aim, the light from Dust Release engulfed the Wood Golem's head, disintegrating it into atomic particles.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Flame God roared, steam surging from its body as it exerted its full strength. Finally, the headless Wood Golem collapsed, unable to rise again.