"Ah, that's so good."
After Tsunade finished paying the bill, Kawaki walked out of the barbecue restaurant.
He half-closed his eyes contentedly, patting his round belly. Right now, he felt filled with strength—a comfort unlike anything he'd known filled him.
Everything he saw and heard brought a different sensation than usual.
Natural energy that had once been absorbed slowly now surrounded him, ready to be drawn into his body at any time.
At this moment, he recalled what Katsuyu Sage once told him—he must have awakened the Wood Release.
Only through Wood Release could he continuously absorb natural energy like this.
This also meant that from now on, his Sage Mode would no longer have a time limit.
His combat capabilities saw a huge jump.
"Eat your fill?"
"Do you feel different now?"
Tsunade put away her wallet and walked over beside Kawaki.
She was equally eager to see what changes had taken place within him.
Her earlier examination confirmed Kawaki's cell activity had spiked dramatically.
Every internal organ seemed strengthened—it was like a total bodily transformation.
As for the most important part, whether or not he had truly awakened the Wood Release—she couldn't tell.
It was a skill—a purely conceptual one she couldn't detect physically.
"I think I did awaken it,"
"But since I don't know how to use Wood Release techniques yet, there's no way to test it out."
Kawaki didn't want to sound too sure. Without proper training, he couldn't actually use any Wood Release techniques yet.
In the original story, Obito used [Wood Release: Impaling Technique] when Rin died—an emotional surge likely triggered it.
Whether it was Madara's or something Obito invented himself remained unclear.
But now, being in Konoha, Kawaki probably wouldn't encounter such an emotional outburst or life-threatening situation anytime soon.
Like Yamato, he'd need proper training before he could effectively use Wood Release.
Yamato's Wood Release techniques were weaker because of his limited chakra—something Kawaki never had to worry about.
Since fusing with Hashirama's cells, he'd clearly felt his chakra reserves grow.
Once again, he couldn't help but marvel at the power of Asura's reincarnation!
"What's the big deal? There should be info in the Scroll of Seals."
Orochimaru quickly chimed in—the scientist of the ninja world who always craved the unknown.
He grew up hearing stories about Hashirama but had never actually seen Wood Release in action until now.
And as Hokage, Tsunade definitely had the authority to access the Scroll of Seals.
"Forget it. Let's just go home and read it. Grandma will be happy too."
Tsunade wanted to share the joy of witnessing Hashirama's Wood Release return to this world with Mito.
She believed Mito would be thrilled too.
Regarding the research on Hashirama's cells—how could Mito possibly not know?
The project began during Tobirama's time. If Mito had resisted, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
"Alright, yeah, we should visit Grandma. It's been days."
Kawaki nodded in agreement. After all, wasn't reading the same wherever he went?
Reading inside the Senju mansion would be even more comfortable.
"You call yourself busy... When do you ever think about visiting Grandma?"
Tsunade shot Kawaki a glare. Of all people, this guy had the easiest job.
"Haha~ My bad, my bad."
Kawaki readily admitted his mistake. In truth, he visited every few days—it wasn't as if he were a rare sight.
"Let's go."
Orochimaru appeared even more eager than Kawaki and quickly made his way toward the Senju mansion with Misaki.
On the way, they talked about Wood Release techniques.
Tsunade knew quite a bit about the subject and spoke enthusiastically about Hashirama's Wood Release jutsu, her expression animated.
Before long, they arrived at the Senju mansion.
"Kushina, where's Grandma?"
As soon as they entered, Tsunade spotted Kushina alone in the martial arts training hall, deep in thought.
"Sister Tsunade."
Hearing Tsunade's voice interrupted Kushina's thoughts, and she turned around, surprise and joy evident on her face.
Tsunade, now the Hokage, had been so busy she hadn't returned home nearly as often as Kawaki.
"Brother-in-law, Orochimaru."
"Grandma is in her bedroom."
Kushina ran over happily and hooked her arm through Misaki's.
"Okay, you all wait in the living room."
"I'll go get Grandma."
It wouldn't be very polite for such a large group to enter Grandma's bedroom uninvited.
Tsunade left them behind and walked toward Mito's bedroom.
The Senju mansion was practically Kawaki's second home—he didn't need someone to guide him around.
He went straight to the living room, brewed a pot of tea, and sat quietly to wait.
About ten minutes later, Tsunade and Mito arrived at the living room.
Even before getting too close, Mito sensed Kurama stirring within her.
It was fear—a memory ancient and painful, buried deep within her soul.
"Kawaki, this is Hashirama's Wood Release scroll."
Without preamble, Mito placed the scroll in front of Kawaki, her gentle smile still on her face.
She had originally doubted the possibility—she knew too well how many had perished in past experiments using Hashirama's cells.
But Kurama's reaction gave her confidence. Now, she believed, Tsunade had succeeded in just over two years.
Of course, it also showed how gifted both Tsunade and Orochimaru were—and how perfectly suited Kawaki was for the process.
"Thank you, Grandma."
Eagerly, Kawaki opened the scroll right away.
Inside were detailed instructions on mastering Wood Release.
Wood Release combined water- and earth-natured chakra, using the caster's own chakra as the life source to activate the technique.
Next came various Wood Release techniques.
At the end was a Sage Art version of Wood Release designed for use in Sage Mode.
"Well? Are you happy with it?"
Seeing Kawaki so absorbed, Mito asked with a chuckle.
"Very! Very satisfied!"
Kawaki nodded quickly, delighted. To him, this scroll was priceless.
This chapter isn't over yet!
If you're enjoying Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, consider bookmarking it: (m.
"That's good. I can't really do much else to help."
"If you could inherit Hashirama's legacy, I'm sure he'd be proud wherever his spirit rests."
Mito actually had deeper thoughts in mind—if Kawaki mastered Wood Release,
then when the next Jinchūriki encountered problems after her time, there would be someone capable of stepping in to handle it.
"I hope I won't disgrace Grandpa's abilities."
Carefully tucking the scroll away, Kawaki recalled the fundamental Wood Release training methods described inside.
He began channeling the chakra within his body into water- and earth-natured energy, gradually merging them together.
Channeling a vast amount of chakra into the process, the fused water-and-earth chakra radiated from his fingertips.
Kawaki's fingertips immediately sprouted slender, elongated branches.
As he continuously poured out chakra, the branches growing from his fingertips also became longer.
"So this is Wood Release, huh?!"
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with excitement.
Though those small branches weren't particularly strong, there was no denying that this was genuine Wood Release.
It was a Kekkei Genkai capable of restraining even Tailed Beasts.
"You've got quite a talent."
Mito smiled and praised him.
"Stop! You're about to poke the ceiling!"
Tsunade stepped forward and yanked the branches from Kawaki's fingers.
"I have this sudden urge..."
"There's a specific jutsu I really want to try."
Kawaki wasn't sure if he'd succeed, but the dramatic side of his teenage self was already fired up.
"Then go ahead. I feel like stepping outside for some exercise anyway."
Mito also grew curious, wondering just how far Kawaki's newly awakened Wood Release ability could go.
"Grab my hands."
Without hesitation, Kawaki took action. He stretched out both hands—one took Tsunade's, the other Orochimaru's.
The six of them joined hands, forming a circle as Kawaki surrounded them all with his chakra.
[Flying Thunder God] activated, and when they reappeared, they were already deep within a remote forest at the outskirts of Konoha.
If you're enjoying Naruto: Starting from Pursuing Tsunade, please bookmark: (m.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>