How Could I Awaken the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai?

Naruto Shazo sighed. "If we include Kage-level Ninja, the Uchiha Clan actually has the greater advantage."

"Because of the Third Hokage's inaction, the Konoha White Fang was driven to suicide by rumors. Of the Konoha Sannin, one defected and two left the village. Torifu Akimichi retired completely after being severely wounded by the Nine-Tails."

"Now, Konoha has pitifully few Kage-level Ninja. There are only the Third Hokage himself and Pot Kage Shimura Danzō."

"They're both sixty-four. Who would think two old men in their sixties could beat Fugaku Uchiha, who had just turned forty, and Shisui Uchiha, who was only sixteen?"

"Only we transmigrators know that the powerful Uchiha Clan is about to be wiped out."

The five Shazos understood what Naruto Shazo meant. Together, they wished him well. "Then we wish you smooth sailing in your plans and success in preventing the Uchiha Clan's extermination."

Now that they understood one another's circumstances, Naruto Shazo, Shinigami Xiazhuo, and Pirate Shazo—who had only just activated their cheats for the first time—were eager to test their effects and prepared to leave the dream.

So, they asked how to leave.

Demon Xiazhuo, the most senior among them, answered, "It's simple. Just think about leaving, then lean back against the chair, and you'll be able to leave."

He stopped the three eager newcomers and reminded them, "There's something I need to tell you."

"Based on the experience Marvel Shazo, Star Trek Shazo, and I have gathered, our 99 Series cheat activates periodically, so you don't need to worry about missing the dream gatherings."

"However, time flows completely differently in each of our worlds. The interval between two dream gatherings is different for every one of us."

"My interval is the most outrageous. I come in about once every sixty years."

Star Trek Shazo said, "My interval is one month, though it varies slightly from planet to planet."

Marvel Shazo said, "I come in once every ten days."

Demon Xiazhuo looked at Naruto Shazo. "Shinigami Xiazhuo and Pirate Shazo currently have no opportunity to come into contact with the higher-ups. Only you, Naruto World's Shazo, are already a Konoha Ninja."

"After you return to the Naruto World, you need to seize the time to memorize as much knowledge as possible about ninjutsu, Secret Techniques, forbidden techniques, Sealing Techniques, and Kekkei Genkai."

"At the next dream gathering, share that knowledge with us."

"I have plenty of time. I can even secretly borrow the Nascent Soul Fairy's Sea of Consciousness to simulate cultivation, making her mistake it for her own inspiration and personally attempt the cultivation—or pass it on to the Sect's disciples to practice."

"So my learning efficiency is extremely high, and I don't need to take any risks."

"Even if the rules of our worlds differ and cause cultivators to advance slowly, sixty years will still be enough for me to receive feedback on plenty of ninjutsu knowledge."

"By the third gathering, I'll be able to feed new knowledge back into the shared memories. It should help everyone."

Demon Xiazhuo said with emotion, "My circumstances are special. Neither my strength nor my soul can improve on their own. When I share with everyone, I'm basically freeloading, so I can only contribute knowledge this way."

Naruto Shazo nodded gratefully. "Thank you. Before the next time I enter the dream, I'll make preparations—but I'll also work hard myself."

Demon Xiazhuo chuckled. "Of course. Relying on others will never be as good as relying on yourself!"

Pirate Shazo was fired up by what he heard and burst into laughter. "Even Demon Xiazhuo is working this hard. I'm suddenly overflowing with motivation to train."

"When I get back, I'll train twice as hard. Next time, I'll definitely share an even stronger physique with everyone."

"As long as I keep working hard, one day I'll come into contact with the Devil Fruit, Rokushiki, Haki, and those treasures of the world. I definitely won't fall behind any of you!"

Shinigami Xiazhuo smiled. "I'll work hard too. Though Zanpakuto probably can't be widely shared, the knowledge of Kido should be."

Star Trek Shazo shook his head. "Seriously, how did this suddenly turn into a pledge meeting?"

"Still, I'll work hard too. I'll return to the position that should have been mine. When the time comes, I'll share knowledge of superpowers with everyone."

Marvel Shazo quietly swallowed, not daring to say a word.

When Shazo opened his eyes again, he saw the familiar ceiling and knew he had returned to reality.

Shazo did not get out of bed. Instead, he remained lying there, quietly feeling power continuously surge from his body as it gradually transformed to accommodate his explosively increased soul and chakra.

The surge of power gradually stopped, and the changes in his body began to settle.

Shazo let out a sigh. "This is great."

"Now I have enough strength to break the deadlock. Hmm, I need to check how much stronger I've become before deciding which plan to use."

"I can't really go set fires, can I..."

Shazo rolled over and got out of bed. His right hand naturally braced against the bedside. Just as he was about to push himself up, he felt something wrap around his hand.

He lowered his head and sucked in a sharp breath.

Tender shoots had sprouted from the solid wooden bedframe. Trembling and twisting, they desperately grew toward the sunlight streaming in through the window.

Shazo could feel the connection between himself and the shoots. He could feel their thirst for water and sunlight.

Wood Release!

It was actually Wood Release!

Shazo had transmigrated twelve years ago, yet he had never known that he possessed the bloodline for the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.

He muttered in complaint, "How could I awaken the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai?"

Then, Shazo remembered. During his childhood, there had been many strange abnormalities that had gradually become ordinary to him.

He was an orphan whose parents had both died, yet the two survivor pensions left by his parents had always been paid in full and on time. Even during the most intense period of the Third Shinobi World War, there had never been a delay.

Aunt Miko and Uncle Heishiro were not ninja. They had no ability to provide that level of protection.

After entering the Ninja Academy, he, the child of a civilian ninja, had actually entered Class A—which was filled entirely with children from ninja clans—based on his exam results.

Moreover, after graduating from the Ninja Academy, Shazo had smoothly inherited the three properties left behind by his parents.

In particular, the rent from the two houses on Konoha's central commercial street was far higher than his ninja bonuses.

After all, even Uchiha Sasuke, after his clan's extermination, had only been able to inherit one house to live in. The village had swallowed all the commercial street properties.

All these invisible forms of care had accompanied Shazo throughout his life and had never disappeared.

Now that Shazo had awakened the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, everything pointed clearly in one direction.

Obviously, at least one of his parents had been a member of the Senju Clan.

Perhaps it had been arranged by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. They had abandoned the Senju surname and become civilian ninja of Konoha.

And the people looking after him were likely other members of the Senju Clan. Hidden throughout Konoha, they had been able to provide all kinds of help without leaving a trace.

No wonder Tsunade had wandered outside for so many years, yet quickly seized real power after returning.

She must have also received the silent support of the Hidden Senju. That was how Tsunade could wield far greater authority than the Fourth Hokage and suppress Shimura Danzō so thoroughly that he could not make a sound.

"Ah, what a hassle! All my plans have to be scrapped and redone. So much time has been wasted."

Shazo complained aloud, but an irrepressible smile appeared on his face.

Now that he had the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, why would he need any complicated plans?

He could just charge straight in and solve the problem.