"Wo—Wood Release?"
It wasn't only Tsunade who was stunned.
Shizune, who had been quietly listening from the side, was equally shocked.
Her mouth hung open in disbelief.
Even the little pig in her arms slipped straight to the floor.
Both of them stared wide-eyed at Akira Nao, unable to believe what they had just heard.
For all these years, within the Senju clan, aside from Senju Hashirama, no one had ever awakened the power of Wood Release.
Even among Hashirama's direct descendants, none had successfully inherited that bloodline limit.
That included Tsunade herself, the granddaughter of the First Hokage.
In order to revive that power which once pacified the chaotic era, Konoha had even carried out brutal human experiments.
Many capable ninja with Senju blood had participated in those experiments under the arrangement of the village's leadership—headed by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura.
Cells from the First Hokage were transplanted into their bodies in hopes of gaining Wood Release.
But without exception—
Every single one of them had their bodies devoured by Hashirama's cells and died miserably.
No one had ever successfully obtained Wood Release.
Later, because the losses were too severe and the experiments too inhumane, the project had been abandoned.
"Is what you're saying true?"
Tsunade's face turned grave.
She looked directly at Akira Nao.
"Absolutely true… cough…"
Nao said in a deep voice.
"Lady Tsunade, no matter how senile I may be, I would never lie about something like this."
"That explains it…"
"When I examined you just now, I noticed traces of a special chakra remaining in your body—faint, yet carrying an unbelievable vitality."
Such a lie would be easy to expose.
Even if Nao wanted Tsunade to take her grandson as a disciple, there was no need to deceive her.
Knowing Nao's personality well, Tsunade no longer doubted her and slowly nodded in realization.
From Tsunade's perspective, it was already miraculous that Nao—whose body was frail and near exhaustion—had lived this long.
For a moment, the legendary Sannin known as the greatest medical ninja grew increasingly curious about the grandson Nao had mentioned—Akira Ren.
"Incredible…"
Shizune muttered beside her, still stunned.
She had followed Tsunade across the ninja world since she was young and had learned much from her.
Naturally, she understood very well what Wood Release meant.
Just then—
Footsteps sounded in the hallway outside the front door.
"Click."
The door unlocked.
"Grandma, I'm back."
Already aware that guests had arrived—thanks to his powerful sensory ability—and having guessed their identities, Akira Ren opened the door calmly.
Tsunade and Shizune both turned toward him instinctively.
As the door opened—
"What a beautiful boy…"
Shizune couldn't help blurting out in amazement.
Although his face was still childish, the boy standing there was unbelievably handsome.
Even Tsunade raised her brows slightly as she looked at him.
So this is Akira Ren?
"Cough… Ren, you're back…"
Nao waved him over hurriedly.
"We have guests at home. Come here."
"Although Grandma didn't mention it beforehand, I already guessed."
Ren looked toward the beautiful woman in the loose green haori standing at the front—
Then at the short-haired young woman beside her holding a pink pig like an attendant.
"You must be Lady Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, correct?"
Before Nao could introduce them, Ren spoke politely with a faint smile.
"I sensed that enormous chakra while I was at the Ninja Academy."
"In Konoha, there's only one woman with chakra of that level."
"So it had to be you."
As he spoke, his gaze subconsciously swept over the delicate crystal necklace hanging around her neck.
Heavy.
Very heavy.
Just as rumored—the necklace said to be worth several mountains.
It was supposedly a crystal formed from the chakra of the First Hokage.
And indeed—
From it he could sense a powerful chakra fluctuation.
One that felt strangely familiar.
"Oh? So you've got such sharp sensory abilities?"
Tsunade said in surprise.
This kid is remarkable.
To analyze her identity simply through chakra…
That kind of thinking reminded her of her Second Hokage grand-uncle.
And this child was only eight years old.
But noticing where his eyes had been lingering—
Tsunade narrowed her eyes and asked with a faint smile.
"So… have you looked enough?"
"Ahem…"
"The necklace around your neck is quite distinctive."
"It seems to contain astonishing chakra," Ren replied seriously, nodding as he withdrew his gaze.
"…."
Tsunade fell silent.
You were looking at the necklace?
That subtle gaze hadn't escaped her notice.
Hmph. Little pervert.
"Impressive…"
Shizune said from the side.
"I didn't expect you to sense the extraordinary nature of Lady Tsunade's necklace."
"It's said that necklace contains a chakra crystal left by Lord Hashirama, the First Hokage."
"They say selling it could buy several mountains."
Then she looked curiously at the boy who seemed far more mature than an eight-year-old.
"Little brother… Granny Nao just told us earlier."
"Did you really awaken Wood Release, the power only Lord Hashirama possessed?"
"Cough… Ren, this is Lady Tsunade's disciple," Nao explained, patting his shoulder.
"You don't have to be afraid. You can trust them."
She understood her own condition well.
Even with Ren constantly nourishing her body with chakra, nothing could truly reverse it.
Medicine was useless now.
She simply couldn't bear to leave behind the grandson who had lost his parents and grown up relying only on her.
Nor did she want his extraordinary talent to go to waste.
"I see…"
Ren nodded slowly.
Looking at his grandmother—whose condition was worsening with every passing day—he sighed inwardly.
He had already guessed that Tsunade's sudden return to Konoha was likely due to Nao sending word.
Her life was already nearing its end.
He knew that better than anyone.
But he hadn't expected that she would try to find him support before she passed away.
To be honest—
Staying in Konoha held little meaning for him now.
There were too many restraints.
Even his daily training had to be done cautiously.
If not for his grandmother, he might have already left the village.
Who cared about being labeled a rogue ninja?
But traveling the ninja world with Tsunade…
That actually sounded like a good option.
"So that's how it is."
Having made up his mind, Ren didn't hesitate.
He simply didn't want to disappoint his grandmother.
It definitely wasn't because he coveted Tsunade's heavy, priceless crystal necklace.
"Swish—"
He raised his right hand.
In an instant—
His entire arm transformed into green wooden branches.
Leaves sprouted rapidly.
Colorful flowers blossomed one after another.
The air filled with a gentle floral fragrance.
"Th—this is…"
Shizune's eyes widened in disbelief.
And Tsunade—who had been watching calmly with her arms folded—
Suddenly shrank her pupils in shock.
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