If the Great Sage hadn't pointed it out, Shigure might never have considered this at all.
Why is Wood Release so unique?
Among the many Kekkei Genkai, only Wood Release has the power to create life.
Even when Yamato uses Wood Release, the trees he produces often survive naturally. That alone makes it stand out.
Not to mention the legend himself—Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage. He was basically the ultimate tree planter.
With just a wave of his hand, he could turn a barren desert into a flourishing forest.
Looking at Yamato's Wood Release on the surface, it doesn't seem that difficult. At its most basic, it's just a nature transformation—combining Earth and Water Release to create wood. And honestly, Yamato's output is pretty solid too.
But!
If Yamato tried to use the kind of large-scale Wood Release ninjutsu that Hashirama used—summoning a literal forest to crush enemies—he'd be completely overwhelmed.
The real difference between them lies in the essence of life creation.
Yamato is manipulating chakra to create wood. But Hashirama's Wood Release seems to breathe life into nature itself.
That's why the power is on an entirely different level.
"...So, how long will it take to calculate a working model for Wood Release?"
Shigure waited anxiously for the Great Sage's response.
[Great Sage: Estimated calculation time – 15 days]
Fifteen days!?
That's three hundred and sixty hours.
Shigure frowned. Would that be enough time before the natural energy in his body reached a critical point?
If not, he was walking straight into danger.
"Can the calculation be sped up? What if I get stronger, or improve my Earth nature transformation?"
[Great Sage: Increasing the host's strength or improving nature transformation can shorten the calculation time to some extent. However, due to the special nature of this Kekkei Genkai, the time cannot be reduced significantly through training alone.]
So even improving his chakra natures wouldn't be enough. It would help—but not by much.
"...Then what if I obtained an actual scroll of Wood Release ninjutsu? Or maybe data from a ninja who has inherited the Wood Release bloodline?"
[Great Sage: Acquiring a Wood Release ninjutsu scroll will moderately accelerate calculation progress.]
[Great Sage: Obtaining genetic analysis or data from a Wood Release ninja can drastically enhance calculation speed, and may even directly complete the model.]
Perfect.
That was something he could work with.
If nature transformation wasn't enough, then he'd just have to go looking for external sources of knowledge.
Wood Release… might just be the key to survival.
And now, Shigure had a clear path forward.
If the Great Sage hadn't mentioned it, Shigure would never have thought of this path.
So, as long as he could find either a Wood Release Ninjutsu scroll or a Wood Release user, he could speed up the calculation process—or even complete it outright.
A sharp gleam lit up in Shigure's eyes.
There was just one day left before their ship returned to Konoha.
As for the scroll—no need to overthink it. Konoha definitely has records of Wood Release Ninjutsu.
However… getting access to those scrolls would be difficult.
They were probably kept under strict sealing protocols, locked within the village's Forbidden Scroll archives.
They had to contain information on Wood Release techniques.
And as for a ninja who actually possessed Wood Release...
Yamato was the obvious choice.
But that was a problem in itself.
He was still active in the Anbu, and no one even knew his real identity.
Tracking him down would be close to impossible.
In comparison, there was another figure in Konoha—someone who had Wood Release cells, though he didn't openly use the power:
Danzo.
Between the two, Shigure preferred targeting Danzo.
After all, it was Danzo who had secretly sent ninjas to attack him before.
Shigure had suspected it was for his Breathing Sword Technique, but regardless of the motive—he hadn't forgotten the grudge.
Now he had the perfect reason to pay Danzo a visit.
"Wait…!"
A thought suddenly struck him.
"Would Hashirama Senju's cells help?"
[Great Sage: Hashirama's cells can also be analyzed. In fact, analysis of those cells may accelerate progress even more than analyzing a living Wood Release ninja.]
Even the Great Sage agreed.
In that case, his top priority should be Hashirama's cells.
The question was—could he find them?
Shigure narrowed his eyes. If anyone in Konoha has a stash of interstitial cells… it's Danzo.
That old schemer might not be a scientist, but Shigure was sure he would have collected samples like that.
And if not…
Well, cutting off a piece of Danzo's flesh would do just fine.
Technically, that would still count as Hashirama's cells.
"Shigure! Come out already—we're finally about to dock at Taki no Kuni!"
"Finally! I don't have to stay in that icy Snow Country anymore!"
Naruto's voice echoed from outside.
Shigure opened the door, and warm sunlight flooded his face.
In that moment, he felt it—his cells becoming more active.
[Great Sage: Increase in ambient natural energy detected. Passive cellular absorption accelerating.]
"Tch… Is the absorption rate speeding up again? If we return to Konoha, will it get even worse?"
[Great Sage: Confirmed. The Land of Fire lies at the center of the Shinobi World, where natural energy is denser. Absorption rate will increase accordingly.]
"How much faster are we talking?"
[Great Sage: Current estimate—natural energy invasion will reach 80% in approximately 20 days.]
Twenty days…
That was more than the estimated time needed to finish calculating Wood Release, but—the absorption speed would gradually accelerate over time.
According to Shigure's own estimates, he'd probably lose control within a week.
This was turning into a deadly race.
Would he develop Wood Release in time… or lose his mind first?
On the return journey, Shigure focused entirely on training his Earth Release nature transformation.
From Kakashi's perspective, this fanatical devotion explained why Shigure had such overwhelming strength for his age.
After all…
It's not scary for someone to be talented.
What's scary is someone who's talented—and works this hard anyway.
Back in Konoha.
Kakashi and the Third Hokage made their mission report.
Shigure, Naruto, Sasuke, and the others were given a temporary break—a few days off from training or missions.
As soon as Shigure returned home, he began planning.
He couldn't waste time.
He had to act tonight.
Meanwhile…
Kakashi's report included information about the mission in the Snow Country—and the two unknown attackers who had targeted Shigure.
The Third Hokage furrowed his brows in thought.
He, too, found it suspicious.
But…
From his perspective, it didn't seem like Danzo's style.
Then who?
If it were ninjas from another village, the obvious target should've been Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
He was the one with strategic value.
Assassinating Shigure would simply eliminate a future threat to Konoha.
But capturing Naruto would both remove a threat and allow them to obtain the Nine-Tails' power.
"…Let's leave this for now," Hiruzen said finally. "I won't be sending you on any missions outside the Land of Fire for the time being."
"The Chūnin Exams are approaching. And this year's exam… might be different."
"I already know how powerful Shigure is. As for Naruto and Sasuke, I hope you can help them grow as much as possible before then."
Kakashi nodded. "I'll do my best to guide them."
Only after Kakashi left did the Third Hokage allow himself a small smile.
"Ice Release…"
"He's already developed compatible jutsu for it. What a terrifyingly gifted child…"
...
TN:
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