Chapter 117: You Actually Dared to Come?

He thought it might be because his body knew he had training today and had replenished his energy, though it was a bit of a stretch.

Too lazy to ponder why this happened, Torifū found some food from his ring and filled his stomach. He then flew out the window, soaring towards the top of the Hokage Rock.

Workers had already begun measuring dimensions next to Hashirama's face. It seemed the Nidaime Hokage's face would begin to be carved the moment he took office. It would typically take about two to three months to complete, which was a decent speed.

Torifū arrived above the Hokage Rock, once again the first one there. Since Hiruzen and the others had already graduated, they no longer gathered there. Instead, they spent their days performing missions with Tobirama or helping with various minor village affairs. While these tasks seemed simple, handling the trivial disputes among villagers was the most effective way to temper one's mindset. Thankfully, Torifū didn't need to go through this, as his teacher was about to step down as Hokage. However, Torifū secretly hoped that after his own graduation, Tobirama wouldn't press him into service.

"Hey! Torifū."

Naori slowly "rose" from the distant horizon, waving her right hand to greet Torifū.

"Morning, Naori."

From the foot of the mountain to the summit, Naori walked the entire path almost every day. From being breathless at first, she could now maintain her breathing rhythm without faltering.

"Last night, I wanted to find you, but Snowflake said you had gone to bed early." Naori's tone was full of regret.

Torifū then told Naori his story from yesterday.

"An afternoon nap until the next morning! You've got to be kidding me!"

Naori absolutely didn't believe anyone could sleep that long, but seeing the sincerity written all over Torifū's face, she began to feel that maybe, just maybe, it was possible.

Hashirama hadn't arrived yet, and the two were chatting when Torifū suddenly felt an uncomfortable sensation. Naori seemed to feel nothing, still asking Torifū what was wrong.

"I just sensed an unfamiliar presence."

Naori immediately became alert, scanning the surroundings with her Sharingan, but found no one. Torifū also re-sensed, but the result was the same as Naori's. The surroundings were empty, with nothing there, as if Torifū had truly misperceived it for a moment.

Just as the two were still searching, Hashirama made a great leap from the foot of the mountain to the summit, then landed steadily in front of them.

"What's wrong, little ones? Why the long faces?"

Torifū recounted what had just happened to Hashirama. Hashirama was only slightly surprised, then he smiled. "It's nothing. I sensed it, and there's no threat. Don't worry, just focus on your training."

Torifū was still a bit suspicious, but since his teacher had said so, he decided to proceed with training first. At worst, he could check the forest later.

Training was quite monotonous, but Hashirama had tried his best to teach Torifū and Naori in varied ways. His two apprentices' strength grew day by day; it seemed they might one day surpass Hashirama. As it approached midday, today's training officially ended. Hashirama gave Torifū and Naori a few instructions, then prepared to dismiss them.

But just then, a fierce, sharp Lightning Spear shot out from the forest, carving a deep gash in the ground!

[Ding - Chaos Event Triggered - Takigakure Jonin Kakuzu, under orders from the elders, has come to assassinate the Shodaime Hokage.]

Torifū's mind was screaming, 'You actually dared to come?!' He truly had a death wish!

Facing this sudden sneak attack, Torifū and Naori immediately took up combat stances. Hashirama, however, merely sighed.

Torifū clapped his hands! A massive Crystal Wall rose from the earth. The Lightning Spear, upon hitting the crystal wall, shattered into countless arcing electrical currents, finally disappearing.

"Come out. Let me see your true face," Hashirama roared, his voice carrying an unquestionable tone that would compel anyone who heard it to act involuntarily.

At that moment, a few laughs came from the forest, then a black-robed ninja emerged. What was peculiar was that his pupils were green.

"Does the Shodaime Hokage only hide behind children?" Kakuzu mocked, seemingly trying to provoke Hashirama, but instead, he provoked Torifū first.

"You can't even break my Crystal Wall, and you still want to challenge my sensei? That's just laughable."

As soon as he finished speaking, Kakuzu's palm turned rock-like, covered in cracks. He then poked the Crystal Wall, and the wall instantly became covered in cracks, collapsing and shattering in the next second.

"Child's play," Kakuzu scoffed.

Hashirama, seeing that Kakuzu was determined to fight him, spoke up. "You entered the village looking only for me. Regardless, even if you lose, I will spare your life."

Kakuzu snorted coldly. "Who needs your mercy!" But secretly, he was ecstatic; he had finally snatched his life back from the jaws of death today. He had thought the mission to assassinate the Shodaime Hokage was a suicide mission, but he hadn't expected to survive because he was overly focused on the target. However, he would have to talk his way out of trouble when returning to the village to report the mission, as the old stubborn elders in the village were a tough crowd.

Hashirama stood still, without any preparation or combat stance. "Come." He clapped his hands. "Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"

Countless trees burst from the ground, spreading like vines towards Kakuzu! If these vines were left unchecked, they could directly strangle Kakuzu. Kakuzu was sweating profusely in the face of such a fierce technique, and his hand forming the hand signs trembled slightly. Facing the God of Shinobi, no one could fight at full strength.

"Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work!"

Large sheets of flame erupted from his mouth, covering an incredibly vast area, completely engulfing the entire Deep Forest Emergence. The crackling sound of burning wood was incessant. But such flames could not stop the spread of the Deep Forest Emergence; even burning with fierce flames, it continued to advance towards Kakuzu. And because of the fire, its destructive power became even greater. This attack didn't break Hashirama's jutsu; instead, it prepared a fiery grave for himself!

"Water Release: Waterfall Sword Technique!"

Water surged from Kakuzu's mouth like a waterfall. The powerful current successfully extinguished the flames. The rushing water impacted the wood with the sharpness of a sword! Soon, some of the trees were smashed to pieces and stopped growing. After the water receded, only a few of the thickest trees were still growing.

Hashirama couldn't help but nod. "He's a talented ninja, but unfortunately, he's an enemy." He then clapped his hands again!