"Teacher, I wanted to discuss something with you," Minato said during dinner. "For the next few days, I plan to have my Wood Clone go to school in my place."
Tsunade looked puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
"Regarding the Wood Release, I've mastered most of it except for some large-scale ninjutsu," Minato explained. "Starting tomorrow, I intend to cultivate the Light Release. However, the Light Release's capabilities are unique; only my original body can use it. I can't practice it through my clones."
"Only your original body can use it?" Tsunade's expression turned thoughtful. This was her first time hearing of a bloodline ability that clones couldn't use. Still, she didn't doubt Minato's words.
She had indeed never seen Minato's clones—whether Shadow Clones or Wood Clones—use the Light Release. Moreover, this ability was truly special. Though called Light Release, its direct emission through physical energy alone meant it strictly speaking lay outside the chakra system.
In this aspect, she truly couldn't help Minato; he would have to develop it on his own.
"That's fine," Tsunade said after a moment's thought, nodding cheerfully. "This way, I won't have to wake up early every day to drive you to school anymore~"
"So Sister Tsunade was picking us up and dropping us off all this time because of Minato?" Kushina suddenly felt she had misjudged her.
"Of course~"
Tsunade looked as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Have you heard of Wood Release?"
"I've heard of it. It's the Kekkei Genkai of the First Hokage, right?"
Kushina was puzzled. "What's the problem with that? Shouldn't there be plenty of people with that ability in Konoha?"
"Not at all!"
Tsunade shook her head, her tone complex. "Most Kekkei Genkai do get inherited, but Wood Release is different. After my grandfather passed away, Konoha hasn't seen a single user of Wood Release for many years."
"For certain reasons, Wood Release is crucial to Konoha. Minato not only possesses Wood Release, but also another Kekkei Genkai, and he has the same formidable physique and immense chakra as my grandfather."
"That's why, even if I die, Minato must remain unharmed!"
"So that's how it is?" Kushina stared blankly at Minato.
With such talent, it was no wonder Sister Tsunade had been so boastful before.
"I never imagined you were so incredible!" Kushina's voice was filled with awe. "Two Bloodline Abilities!"
"It's not that big a deal..." Minato glanced at Tsunade. "Speaking of Wood Release, I've been working on a theory lately."
"Go on," Tsunade's interest was piqued. She was curious to see what Minato had discovered.
"I believe that, in addition to the Water and Earth Chakra Nature Transformations, Wood Release requires an exceptionally strong life force to support it. In a way, it can be considered a form of Bloodline Elimination."
"What?!"
Tsunade bolted upright, startled. "How do you know that?"
Minato explained, "My constitution is exceptionally strong; even when injured, I heal quickly. You mentioned before, Teacher, that the First Hokage's physique was also remarkably robust. I don't think this is a coincidence."
"The Senju Clan's ninjutsu scrolls contain the most Water and Earth Release techniques. This suggests that throughout history, many have possessed these two Chakra Nature Transformations. Yet, very few have been able to combine them into Wood Release."
"I suspect something is missing—a factor that's imperceptible and easily overlooked. Certain experiences during my later training have only strengthened this belief."
Tsunade swallowed hard, barely containing her excitement. "What experiences?"
"Part of the First Hokage's Wood Release was created by stimulating cellular mutations within his body, causing them to split off."
Minato recalled the day he first mastered the Wood Release technique. "My Shadow Clones can't use these techniques, but my Wood Clones can. This proves that, beyond the Water and Earth Chakra natures, Wood Release has some connection to the user's physical body."
"Another thing I discovered later is that when using the same chakra to release the same ninjutsu, a Shadow Clone's Wood Release is far weaker in both power and suppression compared to a Wood Clone's."
"In other words, even if someone could awaken or synthesize Wood Release, without sufficient vitality to support it, its power would likely be far from ideal."
"So that's how it is?" Tsunade's expression turned complex.
Minato was unaware that since the First Hokage's passing, Konoha had been studying his body cells in hopes of replicating Wood Release. Even Tsunade herself had researched Hashirama's cells.
This research had made Tsunade acutely aware of the sheer monstrous vitality of Hashirama's cells, indirectly confirming Minato's conjecture.
"How vast is the difference between them?"
"In terms of power, a Shadow Clone's Wood Release is only half as strong as a Wood Clone's, and in terms of suppression, it's only a quarter as effective."
"The disparity is that great..." Tsunade frowned slightly.
Strong vitality suggested innate possession of powerful Yang Release chakra. Since a Shadow Clone's chakra is a portion of the original's, it naturally carries the Yang Release attribute.
If even chakra from the same source showed such a significant difference, the gap between ordinary individuals and Minato would likely be even greater.
"So, even if I could master Wood Release, my body's limitations would prevent me from reaching the same level of power as you, Minato?" Nawaki asked.
Though a bit blunt, Nawaki wasn't foolish. He quickly grasped Minato's meaning.
"That's likely true," Minato nodded. "But I still think you should give it a try, Nawaki. After all, it's a Bloodline Ability. It's definitely stronger than a single elemental nature, even if its suppressive power isn't quite as strong. It'll still be plenty effective for combat."
This technique was originally designed to suppress Tailed Beasts. Yamato's Wood Release, which is only one-fifth as powerful as the First Hokage's, is still considered exceptional even among Jonin. It can even partially suppress Naruto's Tailed Beast transformations.
"I see..." Nawaki murmured, his voice flat. He felt no jealousy; he was used to being overshadowed.
"In a way, you're quite unlucky, kid," Tsunade chuckled. "Whether it's Wood Release or Light Release, no one can teach you these things. You'll have to figure them out on your own, step by step."
"It's fine," Minato replied. "I've seen the records in the scrolls—the First Hokage created many of his own Wood Release techniques too. Compared to functional ninjutsu, elemental techniques are relatively simple."
"So, tomorrow I'll have to go to school with my Wood Clone?" Kushina pouted. "That feels kind of weird."
Nawaki suddenly froze. "Wait a minute... If I could learn Shadow Clone, could I send a clone to school in my place?"
"Go to school properly, right now!" Tsunade tapped Nawaki's head with her hand, producing a soft thud.
"Ouch!" Nawaki rubbed his head, indignant. "Why does Minato get to skip class using Shadow Clones?"
"Listen carefully," Tsunade said sternly. "While Shadow Clones are convenient, they have the disadvantage of accumulating fatigue. Minato has a physical constitution and recovery ability rivaling Grandfather's, allowing him to withstand this. But with an ordinary person's physique, it's impossible to fully recover from this fatigue in a single night. Accumulated, unrecovered fatigue over time can place a tremendous strain on the body, and if it exceeds your threshold, it can even threaten your life!"
"You're currently in a growth phase. This kind of behavior could seriously impact your physical development!"
"I see." Kushina said, sounding a bit disappointed. "I was hoping to try it too."
Tsunade glanced at her. "You can."
"Hey—!"
Nawaki's eyes widened. "Why can Kushina do it, but not me?!"
"The Uzumaki Clan's greatest trait is their vigorous vitality," Tsunade said calmly. "A single Shadow Clone won't have much impact. But it's still too early for you. We'll revisit this in two years."
"Okay!" Kushina nodded obediently.
Nawaki watched this scene with cold eyes, feeling the world was so unfair, so disheartening...
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