Chapter 237: Wood Release

"I'm full." After Tsunade finished paying the bill, Kawakaze strolled out of the barbecue restaurant, his eyes half-closed in satisfaction as he patted his rounded belly.

He felt full of Physical Energy, and an unprecedented sense of comfort filled his mind. Everything he saw and heard seemed sharper, bringing sensations unlike before.

Natural Energy, which had previously been absorbed slowly, now surrounded him, ready to merge with his body at any moment.

At this moment, Kawakaze recalled what Katsuyu had said: he should have awakened Wood Release. Only with Wood Release could he continuously absorb Natural Energy in this way.

This meant that his future Sage Mode would no longer be limited by time, and his combat power would increase significantly.

"Now that you're full, do you feel anything different?" Tsunade asked as she put away her purse and walked up to him.

She, too, was eager to observe any changes in Kawakaze. Based on her prior investigations, she was certain his cell activity had increased significantly. His internal organs seemed strengthened, almost as though his body had been completely reborn.

However, as for the key ability—Wood Release—she wasn't sure if he had awakened it. It was an ability that couldn't be detected by her usual methods.

"I think I've awakened it," Kawakaze replied. "But I can't use Wood Release Ninjutsu yet, so I can't test it."

He kept his explanation brief. Without systematic training, he couldn't use Wood Release for now.

He recalled how, in the original story, Obito had unleashed Wood Release out of an emotional outburst upon witnessing Rin's death. It was unclear if the technique came from Madara's influence or Obito's own creation.

In Konoha, Kawakaze knew it was unrealistic to expect an emotional outburst or a life-and-death crisis to trigger his abilities. For now, he would need structured practice, much like Yamato.

However, unlike Yamato, whose Wood Release was weaker due to his limited Chakra reserves, Kawakaze didn't share this problem. After fusing with Hashirama's Cells, he could clearly feel that his Chakra had increased significantly.

Once again, Kawakaze found himself marveling at the greatness of Ashura's reincarnation.

"Then isn't that easy? It's in the Scroll of Seals," Orochimaru said, immediately latching onto the conversation. As a scientist in the ninja world, he was naturally curious about the unknown.

He had grown up hearing the legends of Hashirama and had never witnessed Wood Release in action. Now that Tsunade was Hokage, she had full access to the Scroll of Seals.

"Forget it. Let's go home and look at it. Grandma will be happy too," Tsunade said, deciding to share the joy of her grandfather's Wood Release returning to the world with Mito.

She was certain Mito would be pleased. After all, Mito had to have known about the research into Hashirama's Cells. If she had opposed it, the plan Tobirama initiated wouldn't have progressed so smoothly.

"Okay. It's been a few days since I said I'd visit Grandma," Kawakaze agreed, nodding. It didn't matter to him where he read the scroll; the Senju mansion was even more comfortable.

"You're such a busy person. How could you possibly find the time to visit my grandma..." Tsunade teased, glaring at Kawakaze, who had the lightest workload among them.

"Haha, my bad, my bad," Kawakaze replied, admitting fault with a grin. In truth, he visited every three to five days, which wasn't particularly infrequent.

"Let's go," Orochimaru said, seemingly more enthusiastic than Kawakaze as he led Misaki toward the Senju mansion.

Along the way, the group discussed Wood Release. Tsunade, knowing the most about it, spoke at length about Hashirama Senju's Wood Release Ninjutsu.

Before long, they arrived at the Senju mansion.

"Kushina, where's Grandma?"

As soon as she entered the door, Tsunade saw Kushina standing alone in the dojo, lost in thought.

"Sister Tsunade."

Kushina, startled out of her reverie, turned her head with a surprised expression. Tsunade, being Hokage, was often busy and not as diligent as Kawakaze in returning home.

"Brother-in-law, Lady Tsunade." Kushina said, trotting over and taking Misaki's arm. "Grandma is in the bedroom."

"Okay, you guys stay in the living room. I'll go get Grandma," Tsunade said.

It wasn't polite to bring so many people into Mito's bedroom. Leaving the others behind, she walked toward Mito's room.

The Senju mansion was like Kawakaze's second home, so he didn't need any guidance. He went straight to the living room, prepared a pot of tea, and sat down to wait quietly.

About ten minutes later, Tsunade returned with Mito.

Even before reaching them, Mito felt the reaction from the Nine-Tails within her—a sensation of fear and a painful memory buried deep in its soul.

"Kawakaze, this is the Scroll of Wood Release Ninjutsu that Hashirama left behind," Mito said, placing the scroll in front of Kawakaze with a faint smile.

Initially skeptical, she was all too aware of the lives lost in the experiments involving Hashirama's Cells. However, the Nine-Tails' reaction gave her confidence. She now believed that Tsunade had succeeded in just over two years.

This success also highlighted Tsunade and Orochimaru's expertise, as well as Kawakaze's exceptional adaptability.

"Thank you, Grandmother," Kawakaze said, eagerly opening the Scroll.

The Scroll detailed the methods for practicing Wood Release.

Wood Release is a Ninjutsu that combines the Water and Earth Chakra natures, utilizing the caster's Chakra as a source of life.

The Scroll outlined various Wood Release Ninjutsu, concluding with Senjutsu-enhanced techniques used in conjunction with Sage Mode.

"How is it? Are you satisfied?" Mito asked, watching Kawakaze, who was lost in thought.

"Very satisfied," Kawakaze replied with a hurried nod. The Scroll was a priceless treasure to him.

"That's good. I can't help you with anything else," Mito said. "If you can inherit Hashirama's mantle, he would be proud of you if he knew."

Mito's thoughts went further than that. If Kawakaze could master Wood Release, he could serve as a safeguard against any future issues with a Jinchūriki.

"I hope I won't bring shame to Grandfather's legacy," Kawakaze said as he carefully put the Scroll away.

He recalled the basic practice methods for Wood Release described in the Scroll. Controlling the Chakra within his body, he transformed it into water and earth attributes, slowly fusing them together.

With a surge of Chakra, a mixture of water and earth Chakra radiated from his fingertips. Instantly, slender branches sprouted from them.

As he continued to output Chakra, the branches grew longer and longer.

"So this is Wood Release!" Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Although the tiny branch had no real power, it was unmistakably Wood Release—a Kekkei Genkai capable of grounding a Tailed Beast.

"You have a lot of talent," Mito said with a smile.

"Stop! You're going to poke a hole in the roof," Tsunade said, stepping forward to pull the branch off Kawakaze's finger.

"I have a feeling right now," Kawakaze said, his eyes lighting up. "There's a technique I really want to try."

He wasn't sure if he could succeed, but the thrill of testing his new abilities was undeniable.

"Then give it a try. I could use some exercise too," Mito said, curious to see how far Kawakaze could go with his newly awakened Wood Release.

"Hold my hand," Kawakaze said, moving as he spoke. He extended his hands, also grasping Tsunade with one and Orochimaru with the other.

The six of them linked arms to form a circle, and Kawakaze enveloped everyone in his Chakra.

Activating the Flying Thunder God Technique, they vanished, reappearing in the deep, remote forest of Konoha.