342. The Gap Between Us

"I understand."

Feeling the determination radiating from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Enma nodded solemnly.

With a *poof*, it transformed into the Adamantine Staff, appearing in Hiruzen's hands.

The cool touch of the weapon helped calm Hiruzen's mind as his voice grew low and steady.

"Get ready. We're going in."

Hearing Hiruzen's signal, the other two elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, nodded in unison.

The three of them spread out, forming a familiar formation.

The only difference this time was that their opponent was their former teammate.

While the three elders were grappling with complex emotions, Danzo's thoughts were much simpler.

His goal was clear: defeat these old comrades and lead the Land of Fire to its peak!

"Then... let's begin."

Danzo's voice was calm, but his body erupted with a speed that defied his age, charging straight toward the trio.

Seeing this, Hiruzen cast aside any lingering hesitation and spoke in a low voice.

"Move!"

As soon as he spoke, Homura, standing to his left, began forming hand seals. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

At the same time, Hiruzen, standing in the center, opened his mouth. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

The wind amplified the flames, and with Homura's Wind Style enhancing it, the fire erupted from Hiruzen's mouth like a raging dragon, charging toward Danzo with overwhelming force.

Yet, Danzo didn't even blink. With a single slash of his blade, a brilliant arc of light split the fiery dragon in two!

Through the gap created by his slash, Danzo continued his rapid advance.
The flickering flames reflected on his aged face, and a fierce fighting spirit ignited in his eyes.

Seeing this, Koharu, with years of teamwork experience, quickly coordinated her attack. "Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

With a roar, a massive surge of water rose from the ground, forming a roaring water dragon that charged at Danzo from the side.

"Not bad, the students of the Second Hokage indeed have impressive Water Style hand seal speed," Danzo remarked with a smirk.


He then clasped his hands together, and a thick wooden dragon erupted from the ground, colliding head-on with the water dragon.

Even though this was the Second Hokage's improved version of the Water Dragon Bullet, it was no match for the First Hokage's Wood Style.

The water dragon lasted less than a second before disintegrating into a spray of water droplets.

The wooden dragon, with a mighty roar, broke through the water curtain and charged toward Hiruzen.

"I'll hold it off!"

In this critical moment, Hiruzen stepped forward.

The Adamantine Staff in his hands rapidly grew in size, becoming a massive steel pillar that slammed into the wooden dragon.

An unimaginable force transmitted through the staff, pushing Hiruzen back several meters before he managed to steady himself.

"What are you waiting for? Attack!" Hiruzen shouted at his two momentarily stunned teammates.

Snapped out of their daze by his shout, Koharu and Homura finally sprang into action.

"Go!"

Koharu was the first to charge forward, with Homura gritting his teeth and following close behind. They moved at their fastest speed, attacking Danzo from both sides.

"Water Style: Water Shockwave!"

Koharu used her signature Water Style technique, summoning a torrent of water aimed directly at Danzo.

"Since that's the case, I'll start with you, Koharu."

Danzo's calm gaze suddenly shifted toward her.

For some reason, that serene look made Koharu feel an inexplicable sense of unease.

In the next moment, Danzo clasped his hands together again.


A surge of chakra erupted from his body, and countless trees sprang up around him, rapidly growing into a dense, lush forest in an instant.

Koharu's Water Style attack crashed into the trees, shattering a few but otherwise having no effect.

Not only did it fail to harm Danzo, but it also left her trapped within his "domain."

Feeling the overwhelming Wood Style energy around her, Koharu's expression turned grim.

This was the power of the First Hokage... and Danzo had mastered it to such an extent.

As she watched, a figure slowly emerged from one of the trees in front of her.

"A Wood Clone?"

Koharu's eyes immediately grew wary, but at the same time, she felt a sense of relief.

At least she was dealing with a clone and not Danzo himself.

However, that relief lasted less than a second before her face contorted in disbelief.

The Wood Clone, after landing, began to emit a massive amount of white chakra, which coalesced into a towering, armored warrior clad in tengu-like armor.

"Susanoo...?!" Koharu's voice trembled with shock. "Is this for real? Even a Wood Clone can use Susanoo?"

Danzo's expression remained calm in the face of her astonishment.

While ordinary clones could only wield a fraction of the original's power, Danzo was using the Wood Clone technique of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.

In the original story, even Madara Uchiha had demonstrated this ability during his battle with the Five Kage.

Although Danzo hadn't yet reached Madara's level, dealing with a weakened Koharu was still well within his capabilities.

It had to be said that Wood Style was truly a broken ability, especially when combined with the power of the Sharingan...

"It's time to settle this, Koharu."

Danzo, holding the tanto gifted to him by Hiruzen, gazed at her with icy eyes.

The Susanoo surrounding him grew more oppressive with each step he took, its terrifying aura crushing Koharu's mental defenses.

"Danzo, listen to me. It's not too late to turn back..."

Perhaps out of fear, Koharu tried one last time to persuade him.

But before she could finish, Danzo's Susanoo swung its blade.

A devastating arc of energy destroyed everything in its path, toppling countless trees.

Koharu, despite dodging in time, was still sent flying by the shockwave.

"Dammit, has Danzo's power really grown to this extent?"

The elder of Konoha struggled to her feet amidst the rubble.

Years of political life had dulled her combat skills, and a life of comfort had eroded her fighting spirit.

Now, as she watched the towering white figure approach, she finally realized just how vast the gap between her and her old friend had become.