Chapter 201: The Wood Release Bet with Tsunade
Hoshikawa walked into the main tent after receiving permission. He noticed that besides Tsunade, Hizashi Hyūga and Chiyo were also present.
"Did something happen?" Hoshikawa asked directly as he approached Tsunade.
Chiyo glanced at him and then ignored him. Hoshikawa certainly had the authority to ask questions. This wasn't just due to his status as Tsunade's student, but more importantly, his personal strength.
Chiyo had long heard the rumors that Hoshikawa had captured the Four-Tails, but honestly, she had never quite believed it. He was far too young, only in his teens; even if he'd trained since birth, he shouldn't have been able to defeat a Tailed Beast. Chiyo was inclined to believe that he, Tsunade, and Minato Namikaze had worked together to capture it.
However, over the two months they had spent in the Land of Rivers, she had witnessed Hoshikawa 's power firsthand. She had no choice but to believe, for the rumors truly hadn't been exaggerated.
Besides Tobirama Senju, Hoshikawa was the second truly formidable Water Release user Chiyo had ever seen. In her opinion, even the Mizukage might not be able to surpass him. Coincidentally, the Water Release jutsu Hoshikawa used came directly from Tobirama Senju.
Chiyo thought of her own grandson, Sasori. A talent, but on a different path. After the death of his parents, Sasori had become withdrawn and had abandoned the village two years prior. His current whereabouts were unknown.
"The Third Mizukage has withdrawn the Kirigakure shinobi from the Land of Rivers," Tsunade said gravely, not hiding the information. "He is likely planning a major move."
"I see." Hoshikawa wasn't overly surprised. After two months of fighting with no results, the Third Mizukage naturally had to change his strategy.
However, this posed a challenge for Konoha and Sunagakure. Since Kirigakure had the advantage of the sea, they could only defend passively and couldn't launch an offensive. After all, fighting at sea would be seeking trouble.
"Hizashi, the Hyūga Clan ninja must work extra hard these next few days. Keep a close watch on Kirigakure's movements," Tsunade looked up at Hizashi Hyūga and instructed.
"Yes, Lady Tsunade," Hizashi Hyūga immediately replied.
"This old woman will deploy the Puppet Brigade for reconnaissance," Chiyo offered. Repelling Kirigakure would benefit both Konoha and Sunagakure. Furthermore, since the two were already allied, Sunagakure needed to demonstrate its capability if it didn't want to be entirely dependent on Konoha.
"I appreciate the trouble, Elder Chiyo," Tsunade nodded slightly. "You may both go prepare. Notify me immediately if you have any new intelligence."
Chiyo and Hizashi Hyūga turned and left the main tent.
"What did you want to see me about?" Tsunade stood in front of the map and stretched lazily.
"I have some good news," Hoshikawa said with a smile, appreciating her graceful movement.
"Oh? What kind of good news?" Tsunade's face showed curiosity. She was certain the news had nothing to do with Kirigakure.
"Look at this." Hoshikawa reached out his hand.
Tsunade subconsciously looked at his right palm. Suddenly, her expression tightened, and her eyes changed. Hot, steamy chakra gushed from Hoshikawa 's palm. Under his control, it continuously spun, eventually forming a sphere of lava.
"This... is Lava Release (Yōton)?!" Tsunade asked, her tone astonished. Although she had discussed with Hoshikawa how to synthesize Lava Release, she hadn't believed it would actually succeed. Yet, the proof was right before her eyes.
"That's right," Hoshikawa nodded. "This is the Lava Release: Rasengan. Its power is at least doubled compared to a regular Rasengan."
"That is... unbelievable!" Tsunade shook her head, recovering from her surprise.
"I have to thank Master for your guidance," Hoshikawa said, dismissing the Lava Release: Rasengan.
"It's mainly your talent," Tsunade laughed. "If the Old Man knew you had learned Lava Release, his jaw would drop." Hiruzen Sarutobi was proficient in the Five Great Elements of jutsu and had certainly considered synthesizing a Kekkei Genkai, but he had never succeeded. Now, the feat he failed to achieve was accomplished by Hoshikawa .
"It seems your talent might be even stronger than the Old Man's," Tsunade said with emotion. Of course, she was mostly delighted, because this was her student.
"Master, do you think Wood Release (Mokuton) can be synthesized?" Hoshikawa asked, finally revealing his true purpose. Lava Release was merely an opener, intended to naturally lead to the reveal of Wood Release.
"Wood Release?" Tsunade froze instantly. Wood Release held immense significance, both for the village and for her personally. After all, it was the Kekkei Genkai of the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju. Konoha had attempted many methods, but had never successfully reproduced Wood Release, causing it to become a legend.
"You're really audacious, brat," Tsunade glared at him. "Forget it, Wood Release absolutely cannot be synthesized."
"Why can't it?" Hoshikawa blinked, feigning confusion.
"It just can't!" Tsunade said crossly.
"Then... how about we make a bet?" Hoshikawa 's eyes spun, and he asked with a smile.
"You're not joking?" Tsunade looked at his smile, unable to grasp where his confidence came from.
"No, I'm serious," Hoshikawa shook his head.
"Fine! I don't believe I could possibly lose this time!" Tsunade snorted, somewhat displeased by his attitude. Due to Hashirama Senju, Wood Release held a high status in her heart. Yet, Hoshikawa 's words implied that learning Wood Release was simple. If it were anyone else, she would have beaten them senseless already.
"If I synthesize Wood Release, Master will grant me one request," Hoshikawa said unhurriedly, stating the stakes. "Conversely, I will grant Master one request."
"What's the time limit?" Tsunade asked after a moment of consideration.
"Three years," Hoshikawa thought for a moment and replied.
"Very well!" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Three years it is!"
"Master, don't go back on your word now," Hoshikawa held up his hand. "Let's seal it with a high-five."
"Why would I go back on my word?" Tsunade returned the high-five. "I think you're the one who doesn't know his own limits!" If Wood Release were that easy, Konoha would have replicated new Wood Release ninja ages ago. Yet, decades had passed, and there hadn't been a single one.
"Here you go." Hoshikawa magically produced a jewelry box. "Happy Birthday."
Tsunade was slightly stunned. She had genuinely forgotten it was her birthday. She couldn't be blamed; with the constant fighting, she had too many things to worry about. Besides Hoshikawa , hardly anyone else, including herself, remembered her birthday.
"Where did you buy this?" Tsunade took the jewelry box, asking with confusion.
"I bought it in Konoha two months ago," Hoshikawa explained.
"That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you," Tsunade said sincerely after a moment of silence.
"It's nothing expensive," Hoshikawa reached out, opened the jewelry box, and asked, "Do you like it?"
"An ankle bracelet again?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a foot fetish?"
"I do not!" Hoshikawa quickly denied. "The ankle bracelet I gave you before was suited for combat, but this one is for everyday wear."
"Is that so?" Tsunade glanced at him. "I didn't prepare a gift for you. I'll buy you one when we get back."
"No need to trouble yourself," Hoshikawa asked with a smile. "How about the same gift as last time?"
Tsunade paused, recalling that her previous birthday gift to him had been a hug. She subconsciously pursed her lips, a ripple passing through her heart.
"No?" Hoshikawa asked, feeling a little disappointed.
Tsunade put away the jewelry box, looked at him, and told herself, It's just a hug. No big deal. She stepped forward and hugged him.
The soft contact separated immediately. Before Hoshikawa could even react, Tsunade took a half step back.
"You should go. I still have work to do." Tsunade turned around and faced the map.
"Yes, Master." Hoshikawa was somewhat helpless and let her get away with the quick exchange.
After he left, Tsunade put a hand over her chest and let out a long breath. She composed herself, sat down on her chair, rolled up her pant leg, and revealed her fair, jade-like bare feet. An intricate silver ankle bracelet, the one Hoshikawa had given her for his previous birthday, adorned her ankle.
Tsunade took off that bracelet and put on the new one. The new ankle bracelet shimmered with a pale gold, covering the smooth instep of her foot from the ankle, then looping around her fourth toe. It looked as if an exquisite flower had blossomed on the top of her foot.
It was beautiful, but not practical for combat. No wonder the brat said it was for everyday wear.
Tsunade admired it for a moment, a smile spreading across her face. As a woman, she naturally loved beautiful jewelry. But due to her personality and the nature of her ninja profession, she rarely bought any herself. It felt quite nice to have someone buy them for her.
After leaving the main tent, Hoshikawa did not return to his own tent to rest. Instead, he walked to a nearby clearing. He formed hand signs, gathered chakra in his throat, and spat out a bullet-like ball of wind. The wind ball struck the ground, instantly piercing it and forming a deep, narrow hole, like a bullet impact.
This was Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere. He was in a hurry because the progress bar for the B-rank trait, Wind Release Tokubetsu Jōnin, was about to hit 100%.
After continuously using Wind Release jutsu for half an hour, several lines of text appeared before his eyes.
[B-Rank Talent Trait: Wind Release Tokubetsu Jōnin.]
[Activation Conditions: Mastery reached for nine Wind Release Jutsu Traits.]
[Effect: All Wind Release Jutsu power increased by 100\%.]
[Note: Learning and mastering more Wind Release Jutsu allows for promotion to A-Rank Trait Wind Release Jōnin.]
Hoshikawa let out a breath. After nearly six months of intermittent practice, his Wind Release finally earned the Tokubetsu Jōnin trait. This meant that all seven of his elemental affinities had reached the Tokubetsu Jōnin level recognized by the Trait System.
The B-rank Trait Wind Release Tokubetsu Jōnin was straightforward; its effect and path to promotion were the same as the others. Hoshikawa was more excited about the next two traits.
[B-Rank Talent Trait: Seven-Affinity Tokubetsu Jōnin.]
[Activation Conditions: Possess Tokubetsu Jōnin Traits for the seven affinities: Yin, Yang, Wind, Fire, Lightning, Earth, and Water.]
[Effect: Chakra Nature Mastery for all seven affinities is increased by 150\% beyond the original level, and Chakra Jutsu Resistance for all seven affinities is increased by 100\% beyond the original level.]
Hoshikawa was momentarily stunned. The B-rank Trait Seven-Affinity Tokubetsu Jōnin was clearly an upgrade of the C-rank Trait Five-Element Ninjutsu. They shared one common effect: the increase in Chakra Nature Mastery. While this effect didn't directly increase raw power, its impact was not to be underestimated. It increased Hoshikawa 's speed in learning and mastering jutsu, and it even helped in synthesizing Kekkei Genkai.
However, Hoshikawa was focused on the effect that appeared for the first time: Chakra Jutsu Resistance. A large amount of information flooded his mind, and after receiving and digesting it, he roughly understood what the effect meant. In simple terms from his past life, it was magic defense or elemental resistance.
Take Fire Release, for example. Its characteristics are high temperature and burning, which cause burns to the human body. With Chakra Jutsu Resistance, its burning effect would be greatly diminished.
Or Yin Release. Its most direct application is Genjutsu (Illusion Technique). Previously, if Hoshikawa was hit by a Genjutsu, it might take him two seconds to react. But now, with the B-rank Trait Seven-Affinity Tokubetsu Jōnin, he might not fall for the Genjutsu at all, or he could break it in a single second.
Undoubtedly, this was an extremely useful auxiliary trait. It certainly lived up to the difficulty required to obtain it.
Hoshikawa suppressed his excitement and mentally commanded the system to synthesize the traits. Several lines of text flashed before his eyes. The trait he had been most anticipating had finally arrived.
[A-Rank Talent Trait: All-Round Jōnin.]
[Activation Conditions: Synthesized from B-Rank Trait Seven-Affinity Tokubetsu Jōnin and B-Rank Perception Tokubetsu Jōnin.]
[Effect: Maximum Chakra Capacity increased by 300\% beyond the original level, and Chakra Reserves replenishment speed increased by 200\%.]
[Note: Can be synthesized into S-Rank Trait Shadow of Invincibility by adding A-Rank Trait Seven-Affinity Jōnin and A-Rank Trait Seven Kekkei Genkai.]
Hoshikawa 's eyes lit up. Just the effect of the increased maximum Chakra Capacity made him feel that all his efforts had not been in vain. After all, this capacity determined a ninja's ceiling. In the original story, the greatest ninja often shared the defining characteristic of having vast Chakra Reserves, such as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, Hashirama Senju, Madara Uchiha, and Naruto Uzumaki.
Hoshikawa 's current Chakra Capacity had just tripled. Coupled with the effect of his Yin Seal, he could now contend with Kisame Hoshigaki for the title of the Tailed Beast without a Tail.
However, the two conditions for upgrading to the S-Rank Trait Shadow of Invincibility made him feel a headache coming on. More accurately, a liver ache. Hoshikawa had anticipated the need for the Seven-Affinity Jōnin Trait, but he hadn't expected the Seven Kekkei Genkai Trait.
What is going on? Is this the Will of Seven?
Hoshikawa currently only possessed one Kekkei Genkai, Lava Release, which he had acquired by defeating the Four-Tails. It looks like I'll have to fight all nine Tailed Beasts. Apart from the Tailed Beasts he could counter, he wasn't entirely confident in defeating the rest.
The next Kekkei Genkai would most likely be Yamato's version of Wood Release. Its synthesis condition was the Water Release Jōnin trait plus the Earth Release Jōnin trait. Hoshikawa had bet Tsunade three years, but in reality, it should happen much faster. After all, his current trait bonuses were incredibly high. And he was sure to gain more traits during these three years.
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