Wood Release Ninjutsu Obtained!

Wood Release...

True, naturally awakened Wood Release!

Not power barely obtained through cell transplantation like Yamato's, but a natural awakening!

The great power that belonged solely to the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—the legendary force that pacified the warring era and created Konoha!

At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt every drop of blood in his body boiling, burning!

After the immense shock came wild joy and relief, crashing over him like a tsunami!

He abruptly raised his head, his gaze locked onto Tejima Shinichi's youthful face, his chest heaving violently with excitement.

So that was it...

So that was it!

No wonder this child possessed such terrifying amounts of Chakra!

No wonder he had become the top student with overwhelming dominance!

No wonder he could remain so calm and decisive when facing danger!

No wonder he had such a unique and profound understanding of his Will of Fire!

Everything had an explanation!

Everything had an answer!

Because he bore the Senju Clan's greatest power!

Because the First Hokage's legacy had awakened within him!

Now, it seemed that only the position of Hokage was worthy of the destiny carried by this power!

No!

That was not right!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze abruptly became incomparably resolute.

It was precisely because of this power, precisely because he was the heir to the First Hokage's strength, that he should become Hokage!

Only the Hokage's position would allow him to wield this power openly and rightfully. Only then could its value in protecting Konoha and illuminating the Ninja World truly be realized!

His previous judgment had not merely been correct—it had vastly underestimated this child's potential and importance!

I bet right!

I bet right!!!

Sarutobi Hiruzen roared madly in his heart.

Betting Konoha's future, all his political capital, and the credibility of his remaining years on this boy had surely been the most correct... the wisest decision he had ever made in his life!

Danzo, Root, internal strife, external threats... before this power that symbolized Konoha's origin and peak, they all seemed so small and laughable!

He looked at Tejima Shinichi, and the shock in his eyes was gradually replaced by burning fervor.

This was Konoha's hope!

"Ha... hahaha...!"

He laughed again. His laughter was no longer merely as carefree as before; it carried the excitement and exhilaration of having cast off a heavy burden... of seeing a broad road leading straight to the heavens.

He reached out and slapped Tejima Shinichi heavily on the shoulder, with such force that Tejima Shinichi slightly raised a brow.

"Good! Excellent, Shinichi!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice trembled uncontrollably, and tears of excitement even glimmered in his eyes.

"Teacher truly... did not misjudge you!"

"No! Heaven has been kind to Konoha! It has been kind to me, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

He stared intently at Tejima Shinichi, as though gazing upon Konoha's future, and declared each word with absolute certainty:

"With this power, you are destined to stand at the pinnacle of the Ninja World!"

"The position of Hokage belongs to none but you!"

"Rest assured, even if I have to stake these old bones of mine, I will clear every obstacle from your path!"

"From this day onward, you are the only true heir of me, Sarutobi Hiruzen!"

At that moment, all his despondency, all his confusion, all his self-doubt vanished like smoke before those two swaying saplings.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt more fulfilled and vigorous than ever before.

He could already see how, in the near future, the boy before him would lead Konoha into an unprecedented era of glory with absolute strength and will!

—Make Konoha... great again!!!

Seeing the Will of Fire in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, nearly burning into flames, Tejima Shinichi could feel the surging passion and unreserved support in his Teacher's heart.

The last trace of doubt he had felt over revealing his trump card completely vanished as well.

What he needed was precisely a guide who could provide him with resources.

Thus, Tejima Shinichi took the opportunity to raise his most urgent need.

"Teacher, now that you know of my power... I need a way to learn how to control it." He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with clear eyes. "I want the Wood Release Ninjutsu scroll."

"Ha ha, naturally!" Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand without hesitation, his face glowing with unprecedented radiance. "Come with me! In all of Konoha, there is only one place that contains the most complete and fundamental secrets of Wood Release!"

He was brimming with energy, as though he had become twenty years younger. He turned first and strode resolutely in a certain direction.

Tejima Shinichi followed close behind.

The two passed through layer after layer of guards and headed directly to the entrance of the Scroll of Seals Storage Vault, which was tightly guarded by several elite Anbu.

"Lord Hokage!"

When the guarding Anbu saw Sarutobi Hiruzen arrive in person, they immediately bowed in salute. When their gazes swept over Tejima Shinichi behind him, a trace of surprise appeared, but they asked no questions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked solemn as he presented the Hokage's authorization and said in a deep voice:

"Open the inner vault."

"Yes!"

After the guards confirmed that the authorization was valid, they formed hand seals alongside their companions and removed the complex Sealing Jutsu formulae on the door.

The specially made doors slowly opened inward, revealing a deep, solemn passage beyond.

Unlike last time, when he had only been allowed to select a specific Water Release Ninjutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen personally searched through the Scroll of Seals this time.

Before long, he found the four large characters with practiced ease—[Wood Release Ninjutsu].

"Take it, Shinichi." Sarutobi Hiruzen solemnly held the scroll out before Tejima Shinichi, his eyes full of expectation. "Within are not only all known Wood Release Ninjutsu developed and used by the First Hokage, but also some of his insights and conjectures regarding Wood Release. This is... one of his most precious legacies."

Tejima Shinichi took a deep breath and slowly extended both hands, accepting the scroll.

When his fingertips truly gripped the smooth wooden scroll, an indescribable thrill and exhilaration shot through his entire body like an electric current!

This is it!

I finally... have it!

A broad road to the peak of power has been laid out before me!

Tejima Shinichi's eyes turned red as he gripped the scroll tightly. His heart pounded powerfully in his chest, every beat seeming to proclaim the arrival of a new era.

With it, his naturally immense Chakra and the legendary power of Wood Release, so-called elite Jonin—even the threshold of Kage level—would no longer be distant goals beyond his reach, but steps he could foresee, perhaps even cross with ease!

The Sharingan and Rinnegan were mere distractions; the myriad phenomena were the true path!!!

Before Wood Release, all beings were equal!!!

From this moment on, Tejima Shinichi truly possessed the trump card needed to roam freely through this perilous Ninja World and live according to his own will!

He would no longer need to hide so cautiously as before, nor rely on all manner of schemes to deal with crises.

Power! That was the true wing of freedom!