The next morning, Nawaki, Tsunade, and Shun sat together for breakfast.
Shun sat at the head of the table, holding a morning newspaper, his gaze scanning the headlines.
He occasionally looked up at Nawaki, his tone relaxed. "Eat slowly, no rush. After breakfast today, Tsunade will take you out to explore and get familiar with the surroundings."
"Thank you, brother-in-law."
Nawaki nodded quickly, picked up a piece of cod, and put it in his mouth. The tender texture made his eyes light up.
"Wow, this fish is so delicious. It's even fresher than the grilled fish I used to eat in Konoha."
Tsunade reached out and rubbed his shoulder. "Eat more if you like it, you can have it every day from now on."
Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Orochimaru's figure appeared at the entrance. He was still wearing his signature white robe, the snake patterns on his cuffs faintly visible in the morning light. He walked briskly to the dining table and unceremoniously pulled out a chair to sit down.
"It seems I've arrived just in time, not missing breakfast."
Tsunade's tone carried a hint of teasing. "Why are you so early today? Usually, I only see you in the afternoon."
Orochimaru chuckled, his gaze falling on Nawaki. "Nawaki, I plan to teach you Wood Release."
Nawaki took the scroll, his fingers touching the cold paper, his face full of confusion. "Wood Release? But Orochimaru-sensei, when did you learn Wood Release?"
Orochimaru's tone carried a hint of pride. "I've been researching Wood Release for many years, and I transplanted some Hashirama cells into myself, so I learned it. Do you remember the nutrient solution I injected into your clone when you were revived yesterday? It actually also contained improved Hashirama cells. Through special gene-editing technology, I transplanted the Wood Release ability into your body, so you also possess the basic conditions to use Wood Release."
He paused, picked up a chopstick from the table, placed it in his palm, and condensed a faint Chakra at his fingertips.
Suddenly, a tender green sprout emerged from the tip of the chopstick, rapidly growing into a small sapling, its branches and leaves still gently swaying.
"You see, this is Wood Release transplanted through technology. Although it's not as powerful as the First Hokage's, it can still be used normally. And with Hashirama cells transplanted into your body, you can not only use Wood Release but also possess powerful vitality and recovery."
Nawaki watched the small sapling in Orochimaru's palm, his eyes wide. His face was filled with shock and anticipation.
"I... I can also use Wood Release?"
He subconsciously raised his palm, trying to condense Chakra, and although no sapling grew, he could feel a warm power surging in his palm.
Orochimaru put away the sapling in his palm and pushed a large scroll in front of Nawaki. "Of course. This scroll records the basic Ninjutsu of Wood Release, from 'Wood Release: Four-Pillar House' to 'Wood Release: Cutting Technique' are all detailed. You can start learning soon. I will personally guide you in controlling Chakra to prevent the Wood Release power from backfiring."
Seeing this, Shun chuckled softly. "Tsunade, you could also try learning Wood Release. You already possess five Chakra natures: Fire, Lightning, Earth, Water, and Yang, and your Chakra quality is extremely high. Crucially, you are also very familiar with the fluctuations of Wood Release Chakra, so with your talent, there's a high probability you can learn Wood Release."
Tsunade was stunned, then shook her head somewhat helplessly. "Wood Release? I struggled even with Flying Thunder God before, and now Wood Release too?"
She recalled her experience learning Flying Thunder God last year and couldn't help but sigh. "You taught me Flying Thunder God before, and I did successfully master the teleportation formula, but my reaction is too slow. Every time I activate Flying Thunder God, there's about a 0.5-second delay. During a drill last time, because of this 0.5-second delay, I was almost hit by a simulated enemy. That flaw is too big."
Shun was a bit embarrassed. The combination of Flying Thunder God + Strength of a Hundred Seal was his idea. But Tsunade's reaction speed couldn't keep up. Later, he suggested transplanting a Sharingan to solve this problem, but Tsunade disagreed with doing that.
Shun organized his thoughts and said, "You specialize in Medical Ninjutsu and Chakra Enhanced Strength, so a slower reaction is normal. But Wood Release is different, it relies more on Chakra control, elemental fusion, and Chakra volume. Your talent in these areas is already outstanding."
Orochimaru nodded in agreement. "Tsunade, during my previous experiments, I noticed that your Chakra fluctuations were very similar to those emitted by Hashirama cells, so you have a high probability of being able to fuse Wood Release yourself."
Nawaki looked at Tsunade excitedly. "Tsunade-nee, you learn it too. That way we can practice Wood Release together, and when we compete, I'll definitely improve faster."
Tsunade looked at their expectant eyes and thought of her regret with Flying Thunder God, and her heart gradually wavered.
She picked up the juice on the table and took a sip, her tone softening. "Then, I'll give it a try? But let me be clear, if I can't learn it, don't you dare laugh at me."
Shun smiled and said, "Don't worry, trust me, you'll definitely learn it. Once you fuse Wood Release, your Chakra volume will skyrocket even more. Then our Land of Water will have another powerful combat force, and we'll be more confident in dealing with unexpected situations in the Ninja World."
After speaking, he smiled and raised his right hand, lightly rubbing his fingers together. Pale green Chakra gathered in his palm, and in an instant, a small sapling with tender leaves emerged from his fingertips, its branches and leaves gently unfurling in the morning light, even adorned with a few glistening dewdrops.
"Brother-in-law, how do you also know Wood Release?"
Nawaki was so surprised he stood up from his chair, his eyes wider than before.
Has Wood Release become so common?
Shun gently placed the small sapling from his palm into an empty dish on the corner of the table.
The Wood Release just now was actually performed by him using the White Zetsu Chakra he had stored previously. But he naturally wouldn't reveal this secret. After all, once Tsunade learned Wood Release, it would be as good as him learning it too.
Seeing Nawaki's shocked expression, he deliberately put on a nonchalant demeanor. "What's so difficult about this? I myself possess seven Chakra natures: Fire, Lightning, Water, Earth, Wind, Yin, and Yang, making me a full-affinity ninja. Wood Release is a fusion of Earth and Water Chakra, with Water accounting for about 35% and the remaining 65% being Earth Chakra. I'll tell you a secret. I know many kinds of Kekkei Genkai."
He snapped his right fingers, and an ice sculpture of a great roc condensed on the tabletop.
Nawaki was so stunned he couldn't speak, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg.
Seeing this, Orochimaru chuckled inwardly. This would save him time teaching Nawaki Wood Release.
"Since Shun-kun knows Wood Release, then I'll trouble you to teach Tsunade and Nawaki. I still need to discuss the Hokage handover with Minato."
"Alright."