Chapter 68: Hope of Learning Wood Release

"Beyond your imagination? Neji, what do you mean by that?"

Tsunade felt a strange unease in her chest, like something deep inside had been stirred something unsettling.

"That's something you'll have to uncover for yourself."

Neji didn't look back. His voice drifted from a distance as he walked away.

"Root is the darkness within the Leaf..."

It wasn't that Neji didn't want to tell her everything. But after just breaking free of the demons in her heart, the truth might be too much for Tsunade to take.

Especially considering the role Hiruzen Sarutobi played in it all. The teacher she revered most... had been complicit. That truth alone might throw her right back into doubt.

"Root…" Tsunade's heart clenched slightly. Something about Neji's words caught her attention. Was he pointing her toward Root deliberately? Could Root be hiding some dark secret?

Moments later, Tsunade spoke. "Shizune, let's go."

Neji wouldn't have said that without purpose. What exactly was Root hiding and what did it have to do with her? If she was to become the Fifth Hokage, she had to find out the truth.

Before long, their group arrived at the gates of Konoha. The village was still in the process of reconstruction, though many areas had already been repaired. Only the faint cracks in the village walls bore silent witness to the war that had once torn through here.

"Without realizing it, so many years have passed," Tsunade murmured. "But the village... hasn't changed at all."

She stood before the gates, her feelings a whirlwind of conflict. Inside, it still looked just like the place she once knew.

What she hadn't expected was that she would return for the sake of her grandfather's legacy, and to carry on the dreams of Nawaki and Dan.

"No. The Leaf has changed," Neji said with a glance in her direction, his voice calm. "You just haven't noticed it yet."

To cleanse the rot festering in the Leaf... Danzo had to go. There was no more room for mercy on any front.

"Maybe," Tsunade said softly, looking back at the village, her voice barely audible. "So this... is what it feels like to come home."

Neji could sense her hesitation. But time waited for no one. Without another word, he took her hand and led her through the gates.

"Host has held hands with Tsunade. Reward: [Wood Release: Wood Clone]."

Wood Release: Wood Clone

Creates a clone identical to the caster. Indistinguishable from the original to the untrained eye.

Neji froze mid-step, stunned as the reward appeared before him.

Wood Release... The power of Hashirama Senju? And it came from Tsunade?!

Of course. It made sense now. Tsunade was Hashirama's granddaughter. According to the system's logic, he really could acquire Wood Release from her.

Excitement surged within him. Wood Release was incredibly powerful far beyond the average kekkei genkai. It was a divine force descended from the God Tree itself. Hashirama had once used it to quell wars across the ninja world, tame the Nine-Tails like a pet, and even suppress Madara Uchiha.

If he could master this power... just imagine summoning wooden giants, wood dragons, the True Several Thousand Hands... and then transforming into the Eight-Headed Serpent himself. Ha! Even Madara would have to kneel!

And if his chakra reserves were large enough, he could spawn multiple wood clones each capable of unleashing those same jutsu. The sheer spectacle… it was almost too overwhelming to imagine.

People always said that clone techniques were among the weakest forms of jutsu. But once perfected, they could be terrifying. Naruto's Shadow Clone Jutsu was the perfect example.

If one clone couldn't win, he'd summon a whole army. Who could withstand that? Even in the later stages of battle, Naruto's use of clones continued to overwhelm powerful opponents. Even Kaguya had nearly fallen for it.

And this was Wood Clones. In terms of raw power and practicality, they were a step above even shadow clones.

Neji took a deep breath, calming his excitement. Suddenly, a thought came to him, and without hesitation, he pulled Tsunade toward the hospital.

Kakashi and the others were probably still lying in recovery. Before making her official return, it was better for Tsunade to treat them first.

"Neji, what are you doing?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.

"There are still patients in the hospital."

"I understand." Tsunade nodded. Whether or not she was Hokage yet, she was first and foremost a medical ninja. She couldn't turn her back on those in need.

At Konoha Hospital, Neji's eyes subtly narrowed as he saw Kakashi lying on the bed, looking utterly despondent. He's really taken a hit, Neji thought. At this rate, it'll be weeks before he recovers.

"Neji, you're back!"

Kurenai lit up the moment she saw him and called out happily.

She and Might Guy had been taking care of Kakashi and Asuma these past days, but neither man had shown much improvement.

Kakashi, at least, had only suffered psychological trauma. A few more days, and he'd likely bounce back. But Asuma…

"Yeah." Neji replied coolly, then turned to Might Guy. "Guy-sensei, where's Asuma-sensei?"

He distinctly remembered that Asuma should have been here too.

"There right over there."

Might Guy pointed toward one of the beds, looking helpless.

Neji followed his finger 

"What the hell is that?!"

He couldn't help blurting out loud.

A massive, egg-shaped bundle lay near the window, with only a bruised, swollen face peeking out. The head looked more like a pig's snout than a human face, steam puffing from his nose with every breath.

"That's... Asuma-sensei?" Neji asked, unsure whether to believe it.

But Might Guy nodded with absolute certainty.

Neji turned his gaze back to the man wrapped like a festival dumpling, momentarily stunned.

This is brutal. What did Kisame have against him? Damn... Judging by this, you'd better just stay put and rest, old man.

Tsunade finally spoke, her voice calm but direct. "You want me to treat them both?"

Only now did Kurenai and Might Guy notice the woman standing behind Neji. In an instant, their eyes widened.

"Wait... Is that... Lady Tsunade?!"

She had really come back! Neji had done it!

"This is amazing! If Lady Tsunade's treating them, Kakashi and Asuma will be back on their feet in no time!"

"Yes, please, Lady Tsunade we're counting on you."

Tsunade nodded and walked over to Kakashi's bedside, muttering softly to herself, "So it's that little brat Kakashi... Hard to believe he's all grown up now."

A trace of sentiment flickered in her expression. She remembered when she left the village Kakashi had still been just a kid. Now, he was already an adult, though... that hairstyle is a bit much.

"Well then," she said, turning to them all, her tone growing firm.

"Who was it that did this to him?"