"Heh... Go back to Konoha with you all, and you'll guarantee my safety?"
Hayashi let out a mocking laugh at Kakashi's words. Guarantee his safety?
What a joke.
He had already heard from Genya about Konoha's secret experiments on children. If he returned as a Wood Style user, he'd probably be locked up the moment he stepped in—turned into some lab rat.
Did they really think he was that naive?
"Yes. This is a direct order from the Hokage. You'll be safe," Kurenai added, nodding seriously. "It's the Hokage's personal command."
"And what if I refuse to go with you?" Hayashi looked at Kakashi and the others, his eyes filled with disdain. "Are you going to try to drag me back by force—just like those other shinobi earlier?"
That caught them off guard.
Kakashi and the others fell silent. After all, the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the higher-ups had ordered that if persuasion failed, they were to bring him back by force.
If this was really just a request, they wouldn't have sent so many elite jonin in the first place.
"Heh. Nothing to say now?" Hayashi snorted coldly. "You're no different from the rest. Don't pretend this is for my own good."
"You don't need to treat us like enemies," Guy said bluntly. "Even if you refuse to return to Konoha, we won't lay a hand on you."
He wasn't happy with the village's orders either.
"Then I hope your actions match your words," Hayashi said, his tone finally easing just a little at Guy's words. But right after, he spoke again with firm resolve, "This will be the last time I say this—I love my freedom. I'm not going back to Konoha. I never will."
"If I find out you're still following me—don't blame me for what happens next."
He spoke slowly, clearly, every word cold and serious.
While they talked, more shinobi had already gathered nearby, hiding in the shadows, silently watching it all unfold.
Suddenly, a group of people burst out from behind Hayashi, eyes sharp and hostile.
"Kakashi, why are you still wasting time talking with them? Just take down Wood Ox and bring him back to report to the superiors!"
These were the shinobi sent by Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo Shimura to assist in capturing Wood Ox.
The sudden appearance of the giant tree had alarmed them, so they rushed over from nearby.
As soon as they arrived, they saw Kakashi in a standoff with Wood Ox— but instead of arresting him, Kakashi seemed ready to let him go.
That made them panic.
So they rushed in to attack Wood Ox.
Seven or eight of them struck at once, hoping to seize the target.
Some of them even fantasized about earning praise from Lord Hokage and Danzo once they brought Wood Ox in.
"Stop! You're not his match!"
Kakashi shouted in panic when he saw these overconfident Konoha ninja rushing in.
But—
It was already too late. They had already charged forward.
"Hmph. Courting death." Wood Ox gave a cold snort, then began forming hand seals. "If that's your choice… then die."
As his words fell, he stomped the ground—
and like an echo of vengeance, fury surged forward with him.
"Wood Ox! Please, spare their lives!"
Kakashi cried out as he saw what was about to happen.
But Kakashi was already too late. Hayashi had charged forward. In a flash, he appeared in front of the leading Konoha ninja and slammed his palm into the man's stomach.
In an instant,
It was like a seed had been planted inside the ninja. It grew rapidly, draining the man completely dry before turning him into a tree. His body was now trapped right in the center of it.
Next, with a powerful roundhouse kick, Hayashi sent another ninja flying over forty meters away. His body twisted from the force, smashing through two thick trees along the way.
Then, two weaker shinobi tried to retreat, but Hayashi didn't spare them. Using his cutting technique, thorns burst out from inside their bodies, impaling them instantly and ending their lives on the spot.
The remaining enemies didn't even last a second longer. Hayashi wiped them all out before Guy and the others could even react.
Fast and merciless!
Those who had rushed over, unsure if they should attack Hayashi, completely froze. Some even began backing away. Their eyes were filled with fear.
The man before them was like a god of death.
After dealing with all of them, Hayashi turned to face Kakashi and the other two. Behind his mask, his sharp gaze pierced through them as he spoke, word by word:
"You planning to attack me like they did?"
At that moment, his tattered clothes were stained with blood, making him look even more fearsome.
"No, they acted on their own," Kakashi shook his head. He didn't intend to clash with Hayashi. As for the Konoha ninja who died—it was their own reckless fault.
"Good. I hope you don't follow me. If you do, you'll deal with the consequences."
Because of Guy, Hayashi held back. Otherwise, he wouldn't have spared Kakashi and Kurenai.
If Guy hadn't been here today, there would've been a full-blown battle, no doubt about it.
After speaking, Hayashi's eyes swept over the forest. Anyone who made eye contact quickly looked away in fear.
"I'll say this only once. Don't test my patience."
His cold voice echoed through the trees, carrying far into the distance—most likely because he had laced it with chakra.
Everyone heard that voice, and their expressions grew heavier.
"I am Wood Ox of Atsukara. I will never join any faction again. If you insist on coming after me, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
His voice echoed, word by word, spreading slowly.
Boom—
At the same time, Hayashi placed his palm on the giant tree beside him. A deep thud sounded.
Then—
The bark of the huge tree began to bulge. A line of words slowly emerged on its surface:
Those who provoke me again—die!
Atsukara · Wood Ox
The tall trunk bore those bold characters, clearly visible even ten miles away. The sheer size and force of the words were shocking.
"Farewell."
With that, Hayashi vanished into the forest.
Watching his back, no one dared to follow. They could only stand there as he disappeared from sight.
At that moment—
Some people from the outer circle cautiously stepped forward, and immediately, the smell of blood hit them.
Over a dozen corpses lay beneath the tree. In their hearts, they felt lucky. If they had rushed in earlier...
They would've died right here.
Their hearts trembled.
They stared at the figure walking away, minds blank—but the name "Wood Ox" was now deeply etched into their memory.
"This... this is the power of Wood Release? He made that giant tree?"
"Terrifying!"
"Good thing we didn't act recklessly!"
"Wood Ox... Wood Ox!"
"Wait, what's this Blasting Heaven Organization? I've never heard of it before."
"Atsu...kara?"
As more people gathered, some began whispering quietly, though most were still in awe.
"That back... it looks really familiar." Might Guy stared at the figure's back, scratching his head in confusion.
Yeah… something about that silhouette felt familiar!
****
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