Chapter 228: Master, A Rose For You
The biggest difference between Yamato's Wood Release and Hashirama Senju's Wood Release lies in their chakra reserves.
In the original story, during the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Hashirama Senju evaluated Naruto Uzumaki, saying his chakra was comparable to his own. However, Naruto was in his Nine-Tails Mode at the time, meaning Hashirama's chakra was equivalent to Naruto plus half of the Nine-Tails' chakra.
With such terrifying chakra reserves, let alone Wood Release, even ordinary Water or Fire Release jutsu would be enough to make him invincible in the ninja world. Not to mention, Hashirama also had Sage Mode. His Sage Body was the very source of his monstrous chakra capacity.
Hoshikawa rubbed his chin. The S-rank Title, 'Wood Release (Hashirama Senju Version)', provided by the Title System clearly did not include Sage Mode. However, he could learn Sage Mode separately.
Even so, the synthesis requirements for the S-rank title were already complicated enough.
The easiest requirement to meet was the A-rank Title, 'Medical Jōnin'. Hoshikawa was only short of the final proficiency to reach 100% on the progress bar. This was thanks to Danzō Shimura assigning him a good number of medical missions.
Next was the quite difficult A-rank Title, 'Sealing Jōnin'. Hoshikawa had only learned a few sealing jutsu and was still stuck at the D-rank Title, 'Sealing Genin'. Sealing jutsu is one of the hardest types of jutsu to learn. Hoshikawa had no idea when he would be able to acquire the A-rank Title, 'Sealing Jōnin'. He could only rely on grinding it out over time.
And the most difficult requirement was the S-rank Title, 'Chakra Ton'. The Title System usually provides the trigger conditions for its Titles, and this one was simple: possess a chakra quantity comparable to a Tailed Beast, without being a Jinchūriki.
Hoshikawa really wanted to complain that this difficulty was too outrageous. But then he remembered Hashirama Senju's chakra—equivalent to Naruto plus half of the Nine-Tails—and realized it was reasonable. Without that much chakra, one couldn't execute Wood Release with that level of power.
Hoshikawa fell into contemplation.
His only existing chakra-boosting Title was the A-rank 'All-Purpose Jōnin', which increased his chakra limit by 300%. Undoubtedly, its promoted Title, the S-rank 'Invincible Shadow', would also increase the chakra limit. But no matter how much it increased, it likely wouldn't reach the level of a Tailed Beast.
The best option would be to become a Jinchūriki, but that was already vetoed by the Title System.
Now, only two paths remained for Hoshikawa:
Attempt to trigger new Titles, which might be related to chakra capacity or the Sage Body.
Search the ninja world for items that could directly increase chakra.
Hoshikawa actually thought of one: the Hero Water.
The Hero Water originated from Takigakure. Drinking it could increase chakra reserves, but at the cost of one's lifespan. In game terms, it was trading HP for MP. In the original story, Shibuki, the leader of Takigakure, once drank the Hero Water. It was worth noting that Kakuzu also hailed from Takigakure. He was once the village's hero for having attempted to assassinate Hashirama Senju. Perhaps he had also drunk the Hero Water.
Aside from the Hero Water, Hoshikawa couldn't immediately think of anything else that could directly boost chakra. There were a few indirectly related items, such as the Ryūmyaku, the Grimoire Stone, and the Box of Ultimate Bliss, but those were different.
"Hoshikawa, what are you thinking about?" Kurenai Yūhi, who was standing in front of the warehouse, walked over and waved her hand in front of his eyes.
Hoshikawa snapped back to reality and looked at her. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail. A few strands fell across her delicate face, swaying slightly with her movement. In the original story, she wore her hair down, but now, due to his influence, she wore a single ponytail.
"I was just thinking about how Uncle Hizashi mentioned he had a son named Neji Hyūga," Hoshikawa said, taking hold of her soft hand.
"Oh, I see." Kurenai finished speaking, then suddenly flushed. Was Hoshikawa thinking about having children? Isn't that a little too soon?
"Why are you blushing?" Hoshikawa blinked, asking with confusion.
"N-nothing!" Kurenai quickly shook her head.
"Really?" Hoshikawa leaned forward slightly, bending down to bring his face closer to hers. A faint, pleasant scent drifted to him. Everywhere his eyes looked was her pretty, delicate face.
Kurenai's heart jolted. The distance was so close that she could even hear Hoshikawa's breathing. She instinctively swallowed, her heart rate accelerating uncontrollably.
Hoshikawa watched as Kurenai's fair face visibly deepened in color. The blush trailed down her graceful facial lines, spreading to her exquisite earlobes, which were translucent and crimson.
"So adorable," Hoshikawa said with a smile.
"Time to do the mission!" Kurenai pushed him away, her face burning red. "Go move the supplies!"
"Alright." Hoshikawa stopped teasing her. He reached out, pinched her cheek lightly, then turned and gestured. Chakra surged out, lifting the supplies and moving them toward the warehouse.
Kurenai secretly sighed in relief. She touched her face; it was still hot. It's all Hoshikawa's fault!
Kurenai involuntarily looked up, suddenly feeling a little surprised. Hoshikawa's relaxed manner in manipulating the chakra was far beyond her reach. She could also control chakra like that, but not with such simple, fluid grace.
"Why didn't Rin come?" Hoshikawa suddenly remembered Rin Nohara and asked.
"She's monitoring the Root ninja," Kurenai replied, regaining her composure.
"Any discoveries?" Hoshikawa asked again.
"Not yet," Kurenai shook her head.
"Danzō Shimura is showing great patience this time," Hoshikawa chuckled.
"I think it's because he can't do anything to us!" Kurenai put her hands on her hips, a triumphant look on her face. "If he had a way, he wouldn't have waited this long!"
Hoshikawa turned and looked at her proud expression, unable to resist reaching out and ruffling her hair.
"Did I say something wrong?" Kurenai froze for a moment, asking confusedly.
"No," Hoshikawa smiled. "I just felt like touching you."
Kurenai pursed her lips. She walked closer and hugged his arm.
"Then... go ahead and touch," Kurenai said, cheeks flushed scarlet, trying to suppress her shyness.
"Don't distract me from the mission," Hoshikawa reached out and rubbed her cheeks, saying.
Kurenai's courage ran out. She avoided his gaze and softly hummed in acknowledgment.
Hoshikawa turned his attention back to the supplies, continuing to move them with chakra. A few minutes later, all the supplies had been placed in the warehouse.
"I'm going to report the mission to Master," Hoshikawa deactivated his chakra, saying. Of course, the main reason was to talk to her about the Wood Release. Although he had comprehended Wood Release, he needed to learn the jutsu for it, and he had to ask Tsunade for help.
"Okay." Kurenai nodded.
"Are you hungry?" Hoshikawa reached out and lifted her chin.
"A little," Kurenai looked at him, her face flushing again.
"We'll have lunch after I talk with Master," Hoshikawa gently stroked her cheek, then turned and headed toward Tsunade's tent.
He entered the tent and found Tsunade slacking off. She was lying on the carpet with her eyes closed, legs propped up, looking lazy and bored. As she swayed gently, her voluminous clothes seemed ready to burst, and her perky backside was slightly compressed.
"Master." Hoshikawa walked over and casually tapped her propped-up knee.
"What do you want?" Tsunade lifted her leg and aimed a kick at him.
"Master, do you remember a bet we made a while ago?" Hoshikawa casually caught her fair foot, but she immediately pulled it away.
"What bet?" Tsunade sat up, asking with confusion. "I don't recall."
In fact, she hadn't forgotten, but subconsciously ignored it. She didn't believe Hoshikawa could learn Wood Release in such a short time. And the original agreement was for three years; only a little over a year had passed.
"Wood Release," Hoshikawa reminded her.
"Oh, that." Tsunade realized, smiling. "What? Are you backing out?"
"No," Hoshikawa shook his head, sitting down in front of her and extending his hand.
Although he couldn't perform Wood Release jutsu, manipulating Wood Release chakra wasn't a problem.
"What are you doing?" Tsunade was momentarily confused, then placed her hand on his.
Hoshikawa was slightly startled. Wasn't this supposed to be my move? When did Tsunade learn it too?
Hoshikawa didn't hesitate, gently running his finger over her slender fingers and the soft back of her hand, which earned him a glare from Tsunade. He smiled back, then released her hand and placed a withered branch in her palm.
"Master, look. This is a withered rose branch," Hoshikawa explained with a smile.
"So?" Tsunade asked, a little curious.
"Now is the time to witness a miracle." Hoshikawa's chakra surged into the branch. A vibrant vitality spread out, and the branch began to plump up.
Tsunade's eyes widened. She realized what was happening, but couldn't believe it. This was an extremely rare reaction for Tsunade. Finally, driven by the Wood Release chakra, the branch grew a beautiful, vibrant red rose.
"You... you learned Wood Release?" Tsunade's voice trembled slightly.
"Mm-hmm." Hoshikawa smiled. "Master, this flower is for you."
"You..." Tsunade instinctively took the rose, wanting to say something but unable to find the words. Her mind was filled with shock and incomprehension. This was the first time she had seen anyone successfully learn Wood Release. The previous Wood Release ninja was confirmed to be related to the Wood Release experiments, essentially an artificial Wood Release. That had only brought her anger, not surprise. But Hoshikawa couldn't possibly have undergone the Wood Release experiments. He had been with her most of the time. The only explanation was self-learning.
"Master." Hoshikawa poked her cheek with his finger.
"What are you doing? Show some respect!" Tsunade snapped back to reality, giving him a playful glare.
"You were the one spacing out," Hoshikawa retracted his hand, chuckling.
"I was just surprised you learned Wood Release so quickly." Tsunade paused, looking thoughtful. "So Wood Release really is the combination of Earth and Water chakra natures."
"Didn't you know before?" Hoshikawa blinked and asked.
"I knew the theory, but no one had ever succeeded, so it wasn't certain." Tsunade looked at the rose in her hand, suddenly recalling the flower's symbolic meaning, and her heart fluttered.
"I see." Hoshikawa nodded. "With my example, maybe a second Wood Release ninja will appear in the future." Although he relied on the Title System, since it was synthesized from Earth and Water Release, it proved the method was sound.
"It's not that easy," Tsunade flicked his forehead. "In all these years of Konoha's history, there are no more than three ninja with your level of talent." The other two she meant were Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju. But even Tobirama struggled and failed to develop Wood Release.
Hoshikawa didn't argue. The truth was, without a cheat, synthesizing the Earth and Water natures was nearly impossible.
"Maybe you have some of our Senju clan bloodline," Tsunade suddenly laughed.
Hoshikawa was a war orphan, his parents dead, making his background hard to trace. The Senju clan was now scattered throughout Konoha and even the Land of Fire, so there was a slim possibility that Hoshikawa had Senju blood.
"Maybe," Hoshikawa smiled along. From the perspective of the original story, all ninja were related, descended from the Ōtsutsuki Clan; the difference was only in the concentration of the bloodline. Those with high concentrations, like the Uchiha, Senju, and Kaguya clans, had powerful innate Kekkei Genkai. Those with a diluted bloodline became common ninja.
"Master, I want to learn Wood Release jutsu." Hoshikawa reached out and asked directly, "Are the First Hokage's Wood Release jutsu all stored in Konoha?"
"No, I've always kept them with me." Tsunade pulled out a scroll, lamenting, "I never thought the day would come when I would actually need it."
"Thank you, Master." Hoshikawa took the scroll. Opening it, he saw a variety of Wood Release jutsu documented. The most powerful ones, like the True Several Thousand Hands and the Wood Release: Hōbi Technique, were missing. But that was fine, as he couldn't learn them yet anyway.
Hoshikawa quickly identified his first Wood Release jutsu: the Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence . This jutsu was the signature of Wood Release, allowing the user to create a forest and control it for offense and defense. The size of the forest depended on the user's chakra. In the original story, Yamato's use of Deep Forest Emergence resulted in a small forest, a grove. Hashirama Senju's, however, resulted in an ancient forest, like the current Forest of Death outside Konoha. Hoshikawa believed he had more chakra than Yamato and might be able to create a medium-sized forest. But the true extent would be seen when he used it.
"You don't need to thank me," Tsunade shook her head. "The thanks should go to Konoha that you were able to learn it."
"I'll do my best," Hoshikawa said with a smile.
"Hmph." Tsunade looked at him, slightly lost in thought. Wood Release, huh? She subconsciously reached out and patted Hoshikawa's head, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.
"I'm going to make lunch, Master," Hoshikawa stood up, stopping at the tent entrance. "If that rose wilts, remember to come find me."
Tsunade looked at the rose in her hand. With Hoshikawa's Wood Release, the rose would, in a sense, never wither; it would bloom eternally.
"You learned Wood Release, you won the bet. What do you want me to grant you?" Tsunade suddenly remembered the wager and asked.
"A request? I don't really have one. If I had to say, there's just one that barely counts: just don't ever leave me, Master," Hoshikawa said, smiling after a moment's thought.
Tsunade froze in place, feeling her heart skip a beat.
(End of Chapter)