The fact that Hashirama Senju had taken disciples was no secret, but the actual list of names had never been made public.
So it was only now that the clan members learned of Chu Yang's status as the clan head's disciple.
"So far, I haven't heard of anyone else successfully mastering Wood Release. Yang is the first!"
"And not just that—his Wood Release is terrifying. So many Uchiha elites suffered heavy losses just now."
"Yang is a true genius when it comes to Wood Release! He can absolutely carry on the clan head's legacy!"
After completing the mission, the group returned to the clan.
News that Chu Yang's squad had been ambushed—and then turned the tables to annihilate the enemy—spread through the Senju Clan in no time.
What truly shocked everyone wasn't how many Uchiha he had killed, but the fact that he had mastered Wood Release.
No one understood how powerful Wood Release was better than the Senju themselves. And Chu Yang was only the second clan member to ever grasp this bloodline limit—destined to draw the full attention of the entire clan.
Not long after the news spread, Chu Yang received a summons from Hashirama Senju.
Escorted by guards, he made his way to the clan head's residence.
Hashirama, ever bold and straightforward, didn't keep Chu Yang waiting. He soon appeared, with his younger brother Tobirama Senju—the future Second Hokage—always at his side.
With a warm smile, Hashirama led Chu Yang into the courtyard and said, "Show me your Wood Release."
Chu Yang complied, performing several of the most basic techniques—each one personally taught to him by Hashirama.
Watching Chu Yang freely and smoothly manipulate the trees without the slightest hesitation, Hashirama's eyes filled with admiration.
One could judge the whole from a glimpse of a part—this alone was enough to demonstrate Chu Yang's extraordinary talent in Wood Release.
A Kekkei Genkai was different from ordinary ninjutsu. The difficulty and risk of cultivation were both extremely high.
Failure during chakra fusion of different attributes could leave irreversible damage at the bloodline level.
Only those with closely related bloodlines could minimize such risks.
Hashirama had never held much hope of finding a true successor—until Chu Yang appeared.
The domineering nature of Wood Release was something most bloodline limits couldn't compare to, and failure in its cultivation was common.
When Wood Release cultivation failed, the practitioner would suffer varying degrees of life-force depletion.
Even with shared bloodlines mitigating much of the backlash, most of the youths Hashirama had chosen as disciples ended up bedridden for long periods.
That alone showed how precious Chu Yang truly was.
Hashirama had a faint feeling that there would never be a second clan member capable of inheriting his Wood Release.
From the moment Tobirama entered, his gaze never left Chu Yang. Unlike Hashirama's warmth, Tobirama's eyes were sharp and invasive.
He knew better than anyone how difficult Wood Release was to master—let alone reaching such a level in so short a time.
He examined Chu Yang like a cold, unfeeling machine.
Chu Yang hated that sensation.
He glared back fiercely.
Tobirama froze.
Someone dared to glare at him?
And it was just a kid from the clan?
"Hahaha!" Hashirama burst out laughing when he saw his brother at a loss. "Tobirama, that's terribly rude. He's still a child."
"Brother," Tobirama replied calmly as he withdrew his gaze, "he may be a child—but he's not an ordinary one. To reach the level of using Wood Release secret techniques in such a short time… he surpasses even you at the same age."
Hashirama nodded.
As the creator of Wood Release, he naturally understood what Tobirama was implying.
This was a prodigious talent—someone who needed careful guidance and could shoulder great responsibility in the future.
But Hashirama knew himself well.
When it came to teaching young people, Tobirama was far more suited than he was.
And history proved that true—after all, Tobirama would later found the ninja academy and make immense contributions to Konoha's education system.
Hashirama smiled and patted Chu Yang on the shoulder. "From today onward, you'll study ninjutsu theory under Tobirama. Build a solid foundation. A shinobi who only knows Wood Release won't get far."
Chu Yang appeared calm on the surface—but inside, he was practically dancing with joy.
Who was Tobirama Senju?
One of the greatest inventors in shinobi history, the creator of countless ninjutsu and forbidden techniques.
Even Orochimaru couldn't compare.
Being able to study ninjutsu under him would mean explosive growth.
"Work on your taijutsu first," Tobirama said flatly, staring at Chu Yang—half instruction, half warning. "People like to talk about nin, tai, and gen, but in reality, taijutsu is the foundation of all shinobi."
"No matter how gifted you are at ninjutsu, weak taijutsu will get you killed far more easily on the battlefield."
His expression softened slightly. "I intended to test your taijutsu today, but since you just returned from a mission, get some rest. Come find me early tomorrow."
Chu Yang nodded obediently.
After he left, the two brothers discussed Chu Yang's future training late into the night.
The next morning, Chu Yang went straight to Tobirama's place—taking the opportunity to freeload breakfast at the clan head's residence.
Much like pirate-world Chu Yang, Naruto-world Chu Yang had no family. Most of the time, he either ate at small shops or freeloaded meals at others' homes—the former being more common.
Being an orphan was also one of Hashirama's criteria when choosing disciples. If someone could change their fate through Wood Release, it was something Hashirama was happy to see.
Just like Chu Yang.
After breakfast, Tobirama led Chu Yang to a training ground he often used in the past—a place where he had trained in the wild as a child.
The field wasn't large, but it had targets, practice dummies, and trees covered in scars from years of training.
"Let me see your taijutsu."
With that, Tobirama formed a seal with one hand and summoned a Shadow Clone, intending to test Chu Yang's true ability with it.
Chu Yang didn't underestimate his opponent just because it was a clone.
Shadow Clones depended on the user—one created by a Hokage-level shinobi was definitely stronger than him.
Before entering the Soul Palace, taijutsu had indeed been Chu Yang's weakness. He had invested most of his effort into Wood Release research.
But after returning—
That was no longer the case.
The Shadow Clone closed in on Chu Yang at incredible speed. Watching from behind, Tobirama frowned slightly.
Was Chu Yang's reaction… slow?
Just as Tobirama was about to give him a failing mark, Chu Yang suddenly moved.
He planted his feet wide in a solid horse stance, drew his right fist back to his waist like a compressed spring, exhaled softly—and then punched.
The instant Chu Yang threw that punch, Tobirama felt the air itself surge. His eyes widened in shock.
[Fish-Man Karate · Two Thousand Brick Fist]
This punch carried the force to split mountains.
The Shadow Clone attempted to counter—
And was obliterated in a single blow.
(End of Chapter)
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