THE BATTLE FOR THE EARTH – ABSOLUTE POWER
The Hidden Leaf Hill
Tobirama walks up the hill with a contented smile on his face. He has won, not only has he won, he has won against his natural enemy. He has faced down the Colonel that overwhelmed him not so long ago, the Colonel who defeated Hashirama, the Colonel who Naruto risked his life to defeat. Such a character would be legendary in shinobi history, they could have gone down as one of the figures that transcended even the Kage, people like the sage of the six paths and his brother. Against the odds though, against all the odds, the 2nd Hokage has won.
Tsunade smiles to her approaching relative. This is an unusual feeling, Kakashi had limped up the hill and required support from Minato and Kushina. Mirai had been in much the same position, needing help to get up the steep slopes the valley offered. Tobirama is different though, he is the first one. The first one to walk up the hill under his own esteem.
"Good work Uncle" Tsunade calls with a smile on her face.
Reinforcing this Kakashi raises a thumb towards Tobirama. He had been given a unique insight into Tobirama's motivations, his admiration for his brother. The two of them are in a unique position, they are the only two present whose period as Hokage connected with one of Asura's transmigrants. Tobirama was constantly in Hashirama's shadow, knowing the only way to escape was a path he didn't want to follow. Kakashi was in a shadow that didn't even exist yet. Though he had yet to experience his future, he already felt it during the war looking at the backs of his three students. Even at that time he was in the shadow of their future greatness.
"I hope you got your point across, Tobirama" Dan smiles to the 2nd Hokage, someone who now admires even more than he did in the past.
Tobirama doesn't respond to the praises though, instead opting to approach his brother. He doesn't rush, slowly walking up to the face of the 1st Hokage. "Brother, do you see it now, the will of fire".
Hashirama doesn't so much as blink. His eyes are just as empty as they were mere seconds ago. He doesn't even congratulate his younger brother on obtaining their first victory.
Seeing his brother ignoring him, the younger of the siblings continues. "As a philosophy, the will of fire will always be superior to absolute power".
Nearby, Boruto observes their conversation, lowing his head slightly as he considers this lesson from the Senju clansmen. 'Superior to absolute power, huh…'.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Tobirama" Hashirama muses, finally breaking his silence.
His reaction is completely against Tsunade's expectations. "Grandfather, what are you talking about". She subconsciously takes a few steps towards him as she hears his views. Is it really possible, could it actually be the case that Hashirama would never be the same man again?
"Hashirama…" the name slips of Sarada's tongue. 'Has he truly given in to despair. If Lord 7th had done that, would I be the Hokage, would I even be alive?'.
"We can judge whose philosophy is superior" Hashirama admits, "But, it would be better if we did it after my match, wouldn't it?". After making this admission, he steps past his younger brother, ignoring the latter's trembling as he heads down the hill into the valley.
Shaking his head, Tobirama walks over to Tsunade's side.
"Now what?" his niece asks, "I don't want grandfather to lose, but…".
"Perhaps now there is only one person who can get through to him" Tobirama decides as he takes a glance to his side. There is only one person here who understands, who embraces the will of fire with more vigour than Hashirama did. That is the man he glances at, that is Uzumaki Naruto.
The Invader's Hill
Martin grinds his teeth in fury as Peterson slowly strolls up the hill. "Peterson, you lost again". Upon saying this, many of the Captains and even some of the Colonel's give an angry look to Martin. Peterson had given everything he could to that fight but Martin doesn't care, in his world there is only one person who matters.
Still, Peterson understands that it his fault the invaders have gotten to this state. It is his fault that they are at such a high risk of death. "Yeah" he finally mutters, "Sorry General, I've let you down repeatedly".
"Don't worry about it Peterson" Clyde sighs, "That guy has improved immeasurably since he battled against you back then".
"Indeed" the Colonel nods in agreement with his superior, "I just wonder how strong this next one will be".
Clyde takes in the sight of their next opponent. A man with long dark hair, of average build and in his late 30's or early 40's. Of course, this is someone he has seen before, a man whom he witnessed broken and battered on the day he first met Uzumaki Naruto. It's Senju Hashirama.
"The other one who fought against you" Clyde says aloud, "He battles using wood doesn't he?".
"Yeah".
"Well then" a woman starts as she walks out ahead of Clyde and Peterson, "That makes him my perfect opponent".
This woman is tall, not reaching the same towering heights as Clyde and Peterson but still above average. Still, that is not her most striking feature, that would be her bright green hair that sets her apart from the crowd. It's so striking, even more striking than the fiery red hair sported by Burns. Perhaps more telling than anything else though, is her attire, a uniform marked two, a silver cape. It's another Colonel.
"Don't lose Grace" Burns shouts as her comrade heads down the slope.
"As if I would" the green-haired woman replies.
In the Valley
Hashirama and Grace meet in the centre of the valley. Their expressions a stark contrast, one happy and bubbly, looking as if she is relishing the challenge of fighting in this contest. The other, with an expression bordering on misery, whose very presence emotes sadness. This is the feeling that only someone like Hashirama could produce and only in a situation like this.
"Shall we exchange names in accordance with tradition" Grace smiles as she bows lightly to Hashirama, "My name is Grace".
"I have no interest in names" Hashirama replies, much to his opponent's surprise, "My onlt interest is in saving my village from your tyranny".
The smile that had momentarily disappeared from Grace's face reappears. 'It seems my opponent is letting his emotions get the better of him' she quickly determines. The others had attempted to gain a psychological advantage through verbal sparring, but she notes that there is no need for this as she already has the advantage. "Well then, I'm ready when you are".
Despite Grace's call to battle, Hashirama stands perfectly still, his hands down by his sides as he looks into the eyes of his opponent.
'He is not even adopting a fighting pose' Grace starts, 'Is he underestimating me? His hands may as well be in his pockets'.
Still, given time, he doesn't move. He stands in the same position, a statue, a monument to the philosophy of absolute power.
'In that case, I will take the initiative' Grace thinks to herself as she begins to move forwards.
TAP!
A big mistake.
As soon as Grace takes her first step Hashirama reacts. The moment her foot touches the ground, wood begins to appear from his own feet. This isn't like his previous attacks though, it is faster. Much faster.
The wood stems from his feet but it grows incredibly rapidly. In a matter of seconds it forms one solid block, perfectly encompassing half of the valley. Half of the valley is now air and half of it is wood. Wood in which Grace is trapped.
The Hidden Leaf Hill
"No way" Tsunade rubs her eyes in disbelief. 'He did that with a single attack'.
"That's huge" Tobirama shakes his head, stunned by his brother's attack.
"Lord Hashirama" Hiruzen stammers. 'I have seen Lord 1st fight before, but this. Even he and Madara together could not have accomplished something like that'.
The Invader's Hill
Peterson points to the construct, stunned. He and the others were standing on the very peak of the hill but only five meters below them the wood has stopped. It is like a giant mould, fitting the other half of the valley perfectly.
"General" Peterson stutters, "Is she?".
"She will be fine" Clyde remarks. 'Still, this power is incredible. Given enough time that guy could reach my level. I'm glad I called this contest'.
In the Valley
After a few seconds, Clyde's predictions start to come true. It was no exaggeration when Grace said she was Hashirama's worst possible opponent.
A crashing sound.
A burning feeling.
Both of these are felt by the 1st Hokage as a hole is burnt in the top of his wooden construct. A few moments later the whole structure catches fire. It is not a quick process, perhaps taking a whole minute. Still, after that minute, the wood has all burnt to the ground, leaving Grace stood in the middle.
Grace is looking bad. There are burn marks all over her body and she is struggling for breath. Her chest heaves as she spends a few seconds gathering energy and calming herself. She is struggling despite something.
She has activated the elemental cloak.
She needed to use her cloak just to survive.
"Dammit, don't you know that you should go easy at the start of the fight and only user your trump cards at the end if it's absolutely necessary". Grace chastises Hashirama as if she is his teacher.
"Don't be mistaken, Colonel Grace" Hashirama begins, shocking his opponent, "Right now, I am going easy on you".
"You…".
"Fear not though, my younger brother is watching and he doubts my new philosophy. I'm going to show him that absolute power will work for Mito. And I'm going to start that, right now".
The Hidden Leaf Hill
A trio of heads snap around all at once. These heads belong to the three generations of one family. The 4th Hokage, Namikaze Minato, a look of urgency in his eyes as he stares up and down. The 7th Hokage, Uzumaki Naruto, a look not of urgency but of disbelief as he cannot fathom what is happening. Uzumaki Boruto, the look in his eye could also be mistaken for this, however, Sarada recognises that he is faking his reaction. What Boruto is really feeling, is admiration.
"No way" Boruto struggles to keep from smiling.
"This is…" Minato stands, mouth agape.
"Naruto" Kakashi places a hand on his student's shoulder, "What is going on, what is it you guys can see?".
"He's taking in nature chakra" Naruto explains, "It's not only that, back when I started training I showed you six paths sage mode. He is taking in nature chakra even faster than I did".
"Is this the power" Tsunade gasps, "Is this the power born from my grandfather's hatred?".
'Hatred, no this is love' Boruto resists the urge to shake his head at what he considers to be foolish words, 'This is the power of Lord 1st's love for his wife. This is the power born of her death'.
'Mito, what do I do now...' Tobirama looks up into the sky, as if he can talk to his deceased sister-in-law, 'If this is the power granted to him by sadness. How will I ever help him to find happiness'.
In the Valley
Grace gasps as she gazes at Hashirama. 'What is this? Why does he have this insane power?'.
Hashirama smiles lightly, "Your reaction. Despite you not using chakra, it seems that you can see it".
Grace grits her teeth as she faces down her opponent.
"Does that mean your power is something even greater than chakra" the 1st Hokage questions.
"SILENCE!" Grace barks as she dashes at Hashirama and throws a punch straight towards his face.
The reaction of the sage is remarkably calm. He slowly lifts his hand, not looking the least bit rushed or even slightly panicked. Then, faster than many can comprehend, the two of their hands smack together. A slapping sound resounds throughout the valley, no, it could be heard for miles around. It is a warning for any who dare to come near, two powerful warriors are fighting here.
Hashirama, has caught the punch.
The Hidden Leaf Hill
"That's impossible" Mirai starts in reaction to the astonishing feet of strength.
"Those cloaks, they grand them insane physical abilities" Kakashi recalls. "Mirai could not stand up to it, I lasted less than a second against it and even Tobirama, who won, had to dodge it. However, Hashirama caught it… he caught it!".
It is not something that can be exaggerated enough to the hidden leaf shinobi.
Nobody has ever stood up to a Colonel so effortlessly before.
This man, is the 1st Hokage.
In the Valley
They go into a repetitive motion. Time and time again, Grace tries to attack Hashirama. Sometimes she uses feints, sometimes she attacks with her fire and sometimes she tries with punches and kicks. Nothing works though, every last attempt is foiled by the 1st Hokage. That is not all, he does not even use ninjutsu to stop the attacks, he fights back with only a single hand. He limits his defence, either blocking with that hand or dodging. His attacks are even more limited, the only weapon he uses being his almighty punch.
Each time she falls down Grace tries to get up. It is getting more and more hopeless though. Every time it takes her longer to get to her feet. It is something that even many of the hidden leaf shinobi start to slowly admire, for whatever reason, Grace refuses to give up. Every time she tries to attack she puts herself through more and more pain, but she never gives in.
The Invader's Hill
"General, you have to stop this" Sisto protests vehemently, "She could get seriously injured, it's not worth…".
"Sisto" Peterson interrupts his fellow Colonel, "Before you finish what you are saying look closer. It is very much worth letting this fight continue. In fact, it will only take a short while longer".
"What do you mean" Sisto questions as he turns his gaze back towards the battle.
"There is a reason Grace hasn't given up" Clyde smiles. Internally the General feels something that he has yet to feel in this battle. He feels pride. Every battle so far, his subordinates have gone in as the favourites, with their strength vastly outstripping their opponents. Even Peterson's loss had been to a tactical genius. This however, Grace was fighting against a stronger opponent and was persisting. This is the source of his pride.
In the Valley
Grace arrives at Hashirama's side and throws a kick towards him. It is yet another successful dash but she knows this is only for one reason. It is because Hashirama is letting her get close.
The 1st Hokage blocks the kick with a seemingly gentle tap from his palm before pulling his arm back and tightening his hand into a fist.
Grace closes her eyes, bracing for another impact. It has become a subliminal expectation for her at this point. She hates it, she absolutely detests the pain that accompanies one of his punches, punches far stronger than a local should be able to muster.
Though that punch, doesn't arrive.
Grace opens her eyes to see her hopes come true.
Hashirama… collapses.
The Hidden Leaf Hill
"EHHHH" Tobirama is stunned by what he witnesses. His brother had been in control of the fight but a moment ago and now this.
"What is going on" Tsunade questions.
Boruto is also stunned. 'Absolute power… lost'.
The Invader's Hill
Sisto takes a deep breath. If nothing else, he relaxes as he watches the count reach ten. "What is going on Peterson?".
"Something in his body changed when he started absorbing chakra from the surroundings" Peterson smiles as he explains, "But it was like a muscle that he only recently discovered how to use. Namely, it was weak".
Burns steps forward, finally understanding. "So despite being so powerful he…".
Clyde looks down happily at the injured Grace. Despite her condition she is the winner and it is a win that feels sweeter to him than any before. "HE couldn't use it for very long. He fought this battle foolishly thinking there is no way he would lose with this absolute power of his".
The Hidden Leaf Hill
"Naruto" Minato turns to his son, not understanding at all what has just occurred. "What just happened".
"I have no idea" Naruto shakes his head, "But I think his overconfidence cost him".
Tobirama sighs, his fears have come true. "Perhaps his philosophy has been proven wrong but as far as silver linings go that is very thin".
"You know what this means right" Kakashi asks Naruto with a solemn look in his eye.
"Yeah" Naruto nods, turning to face his son. "Boruto, Sarada, the three of us have no choice now".
"Every remaining match, we have to win them all".
That is all for today's matches. With Naruto and Clyde agreeing that it is too late in the day to continue. Instead destiny will be determined tomorrow.
All three matches. The hidden leaf shinobi have to earn three victories in their remaining three contests. Of course, they have been relying on Naruto's strength all along. Then, there is Uchiha Sarada, the 9th Hokage who took inspiration from Uzumaki Naruto. The first Uchiha to become a Hokage, one of very few shinobi to have ever awoken the rinnegan.
But there is a weak link.
Boruto hasn't trained at all.
How will they survive now, with no room for error?