Chapter 249: Wood Release Experiment

Tsunade analyzed,"Your move, Ice Release: Eightfold Ice Wheel, gives off the impression of a cutting technique."

"You're sharp as ice," Tōshirō praised."Unlike ordinary shinobi, those with Kekkei Genkai (Bloodline Limits) not only use unique nature transformations, but can also combine jutsu more efficiently."

"For example, Ice Release is a combination of water and wind. Paired with my ability to form hand seals one-handed, I can integrate either water or wind chakra again while using Ice Release."

Tsunade was astonished."Kekkei Genkai users can do that?"

"I've only recently started figuring it out myself," Tōshirō smiled. "It's a more advanced application of Kekkei Genkai. But it depends on the element. Take Boil Release for instance — mixing it further with Fire or Water Style wouldn't really serve any purpose."

"But Ice Release is different. I can use Ice Release to form a structure, and then apply Wind Chakra to its surface to enhance its cutting effect. This kind of fusion is more difficult and consumes more chakra than standard techniques, but the payoff is well worth it."

"I figured, since I'm working on chakra compression anyway, I might as well develop a new jutsu based on it — like a culmination of my training."

Tsunade looked at him with envy."Kekkei Genkai… how nice."

Seeing her longing expression, Tōshirō immediately guessed what she was thinking — clearly, she was wondering when her Wood Release would finally awaken.

But if things followed the normal path, Wood Release would likely remain out of her reach for life.

Not wanting to dampen her spirits, Tōshirō patted her on the shoulder to reassure her."Don't worry. You'll awaken it someday. I believe in you."

Upon hearing that, Tsunade looked around cautiously.

"What's wrong?"Tōshirō noticed her acting all secretive and became curious.

Tsunade leaned in and whispered to Tōshirō,"Let me tell you a secret… I might actually be able to use Kekkei Genkai soon."

"W-What?!"

Tōshirō's eyes widened in disbelief."Kekkei Genkai? That kind of Kekkei Genkai?"

"What other kind could I mean? Of course I'm talking about Wood Release," Tsunade said smugly, as if expecting that very reaction.

Tōshirō brushed his bangs back with one hand."My head's spinning. Can you explain what's going on?"

He distinctly remembered that in the original story, Tsunade never awakened any Kekkei Genkai, even when she was already "non-combustible" — way past her prime.

So what did she mean by soon being able to use Wood Release?

Tsunade lowered her voice."It's actually a classified secret."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to..."Tōshirō played it cool — if she truly didn't want to share, she wouldn't have brought it up in the first place.

Tsunade squinted at him knowingly."You're just baiting me to keep talking, aren't you?"

Tōshirō didn't deny it."So? Spill it."

Before she spoke, Tsunade made it clear:"I'm telling you this, but you can't breathe a word to anyone else."

"I promise."Tōshirō clasped his fingers together and made a vow.

"In our village… there's been an experiment going on."

"An experiment?"Tōshirō's eyes narrowed.

"Yes — an experiment related to Wood Release."At this point, Tsunade's expression darkened. She sighed."A lot of people have died…"

"An experiment… for Wood Release?!"Tōshirō exclaimed in shock.

Tsunade nodded with a heavy heart."Yes."

Tōshirō frowned."What's the point of doing that?"

Tsunade answered,"The Senju Clan can't lose Wood Release — just like the Uchiha can't lose the Sharingan. With that comparison, I think you understand…"

She looked deeply into Tōshirō's pitch-black eyes.

Tōshirō thought to himself:Sharingan can be awakened by many in the Uchiha clan, but as for Wood Release… wasn't Hashirama the only one in Senju history who could use it?

Just like how Uchiha Madara was the only one with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

What are the odds that two walking cheats appeared in the same era?

Madara's power progression could at least be traced logically, but there was far too little information on Hashirama.How exactly did he develop something like Wood Release?

It's not that there was no information — it was that it wasn't mentioned at all.

Which left the impression that Madara was just some tragic clown — grinding levels, acquiring the power of the Nine Tails, and still failing to defeat Hashirama.

Tōshirō thought aloud,"Didn't the Senju Clan already disband?"

Tsunade lowered her gaze and lashes."Even if we're disbanded, our hearts are still tightly connected."

…Well, that might be true for now, but who knows about the future.

If he weren't being considerate of Tsunade's feelings, Tōshirō would've outright scoffed if anyone else had said that.

The current Senju could still stay connected because the older generation was still alive. But once they passed on, the bonds between the next generation of Senju would inevitably fade, with everyone acting independently.

By then, the Senju would essentially be extinct — and not in a dramatic battle, but quietly, without resistance.

If this line of thinking had originated from another clan, Tōshirō would've called it what it was — an open conspiracy.

He asked curiously,"How do you even know about this?"

Tsunade replied,"Did you forget I'm a medical ninja?"

Tōshirō understood immediately.

Experiments like these were obviously dangerous, so it was no surprise that Tsunade, with her advanced medical skills, would be involved.

"That, uh... in research like this, they must be using your grandfather's remains at some point, right? I won't say anything about you, but would Granny Mito really be okay with something like that?"

A project like this — Mito had to know. Tōshirō couldn't wrap his head around it. How could she stand by while someone experimented on her husband's corpse?

If it were him, and someone even suggested doing that to someone he loved, his first thought would be to knock that person's teeth out.

"This experiment… has actually been going on for quite some time. It was first proposed by my granduncle — the Second Hokage."

Knowing the backstory, it made sense that Tsunade had initially struggled to accept it. It had taken a long time and a lot of persuasion before she finally relented."For the village's stability, Granny also wrestled with the decision for a long time before finally nodding in reluctant agreement."

Tōshirō nodded.

Considering the bigger picture, and given Tobirama's background and personality, it wasn't surprising he'd do something like this.

"Alright, but what does this have to do with you saying you'll be able to use Wood Release soon?" Tōshirō brought the conversation back.He remembered that in the original story, this experiment had apparently ended in failure, so he added,"Don't tell me… the experiment actually succeeded?"

Tsunade dropped a bombshell:"There are already a few Senju who can use Wood Release."

…Huh?Wait a minute. I was just speculating...

Tōshirō's face was full of disbelief."You're kidding, right?"

"If I were joking, I wouldn't have brought it up at all."

"Wait, wait…" Tōshirō said in shock,"You're not seriously thinking about joining this experiment, are you?"

"To be honest, I'm still debating whether or not to go through with it," Tsunade sighed."If possible, I'd prefer to awaken Wood Release through my own effort."

"No — don't. Seriously, don't."

Tōshirō immediately urged her against it. He couldn't bear the thought of Tsunade risking her life.

Tsunade smiled slightly."Why are you getting so worked up?"

Tōshirō didn't hold back at all. He raised his voice."Obviously because I'm worried about you! You said it yourself — a lot of people died in this experiment!"

"True," Tsunade admitted."But the later stages of the experiment have become much more stable."

Tōshirō found that hard to believe."Then how come I haven't heard anything about people using Wood Release?"

Sure, it might have succeeded on the surface — but Tōshirō was convinced there'd be problems later.

He figured the experiment had made some early breakthroughs, just enough to give Konoha a taste of success. That would explain why they'd go all-in on its development.

But eventually, they must've hit a technological wall they couldn't overcome, and in the end, had no choice but to abandon the project, even after investing tons of resources.

The "successful cases" Tsunade referred to? Most likely just that sweet, temporary taste of success.

And he was certain that, before long, those "sweet successes" would start blowing up in one way or another.

(Author's Note):To move the main plot forward, I cut out the last 200–300 characters from Chapter 82 of Volume 3. If I keep writing daily-life scenes, someone's going to follow my internet trail and put a knife to my neck.(-_-||)

(End of Chapter)

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