Ch. 41Shikamaru: Popping Champagne Before Crossing the Finish Line? Who Else Would Lose but You!
Hagoromo investigated Hashirama Senju’s abilities and concluded that he should pursue Yang Release Nintaijutsu rather than trying to recreate Wood Release Sage Mode. Three months later, Naruto beat Choji in a training match over one of Hagoromo’s homemade lunches, while Shikamaru correctly predicted Choji’s defeat.
- Hagoromo searched the library for information about Hashirama Senju and found that many records had vanished or been damaged.
- Hagoromo tested his healing and reasoned that Hashirama’s regeneration and Wood Release might have stemmed from an extraordinary Yang Release constitution.
- Hagoromo set aside the idea of mastering Sage Art: Wood Release and decided to focus on Yang Release Nintaijutsu.
- Three months later, Choji hurled boulders at Naruto during a training match as Ino cheered and Shikamaru warned that Choji was celebrating too soon.
- Naruto’s apparent defeat turned out to be a Shadow Clone; he burst from the rubble and knocked Choji out with a punch.
- Hagoromo healed Choji, and Naruto and Choji explained that they had fought over Hagoromo’s homemade boxed lunch, prompting his Shadow Clone to despair.