Wood Release trait? (Parts one and two)

Qingyu didn't mind, took out a scroll from her bosom, and spread it on the table.

"Next, I'll study the Ninjutsu scrolls by myself. Sister Tsunade, just wait here. Change my tea if it gets cold."

"Knew."

Tsunade and knelt down to the side.

She knelt there, dressed in a black silk maid outfit, which accentuated her slender figure.

Out of the corner of Qingyu's eye, she saw that the woman's back was straight, and because she was kneeling, her two full breasts were tightly wrapped by the skirt, outlining an extremely exaggerated waist and hip curve.

Qingyu glanced at it again before turning her attention back to the scroll.

He wants to see sensory Ninjutsu today.

Previously, during his missions and training, he exchanged a lot of Ninjutsu scrolls with his merits, some of which were Sensory Ninjutsu.

His [Malice Perception] has been collected for a long time.

One of the conditions for advancing from B-rank to A-rank is to learn five advanced Sensory Ninjutsu.

Qingyu has already mastered four.

Once you learn just one more skill, you'll meet the upgrade requirements.

"Let me see----"

Qingyu unfurled the scroll in her hand.

This scroll contains a Sensory Ninjutsu called "Wind Release: Wind-Seeking Technique".

Using Wind Release Chakra, numerous miniature cyclones were created and dispersed throughout the air.

When these cyclones come into contact with a ninja or an object possessing Chakra, they immediately relay the information to the caster.

"It utilizes airflow for sensing, making it suitable for mid-range reconnaissance."

Qingyu found it more and more interesting the more she read it.

This technique is different from ordinary Chakra perception.

Ordinary Chakra sensing detects "Chakra," while "Wind Release: Wind-Seeking Technique" detects more of the "airflow."

Even if the opponent deliberately suppresses their Chakra, as long as their body exists in the air, they cannot completely avoid the feedback from the wind.

"The only drawback is that it has high environmental requirements."

Qingyu murmured to herself.

The effectiveness of this technique will be greatly reduced in enclosed environments or places without airflow.

"But it's sufficient, given the strength of my own Sensory Barrier."

He closed his eyes and began to Hand Seals according to the instructions on the scroll.

Wind-attribute Chakra flowed within his body, dissipating from the tip of his fingertips.

Once the Chakra entered the air, it transformed into countless tiny, invisible vortices.

At first, it was a bit awkward, but after Hand Seals several times, Qingyu felt that his perception range was covered by a very faint "Wind Membrane".

The furniture, walls, and airflow in his home, even the sounds of his neighbor Shizune cooking, were all imprinted in his mind.

"I've learned it."

Qingyu opened her eyes.

Subsequently, the system notification arrived as scheduled.

[B-Rank Trait detected: Malice Perception. Upgrade requirements met.]

[Upgrade?]

"Upgrade."

Qingyu confirmed it in her heart.

[A-Rank Trait: Malice Perception]

Effect: Regardless of the environment, anyone with malicious intent who enters your perception range will be marked. Even if the marked person uses invisibility, stealth, or Genjutsu, they cannot completely block your perception.

[Synthesis: Learning a Senjutsu Perception skill will upgrade it to a higher-level trait.]

"Finally, an A grade!"

Qingyu pondered to herself.

This trait is of great significance to him.

There are many people in Konoha who want to deal with him, and figures like Madara Uchiha and White Zetsu also have their own agendas.

With this Level A perception, he has an extra layer of security.

"But----"

Qingyu was surprised that this trait could be upgraded further.

However, you need to learn a Sensory Ninjutsu unique to "Senjutsu".

However, this technique no longer exists in Shikkotsu Forest.

Qingyu immediately thought of Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.

"Perhaps we can establish a connection with Ryūchi Cave before Orochimaru defectes."

Qingyu pondered to herself.

Even without it, the current A-Rank Trait is already pretty good.

With this trait, Madara Uchiha would definitely be able to detect it much earlier when he was being spied on by White Zetsu.

"Well, it's a good thing after all."

Qingyu carefully put the scroll away.

"Sister Tsunade, you can rest now."

He turned to look at Tsunade and found her kneeling there, looking somewhat lost in thought.

"Huh? Oh."

Tsunade and realized that her legs were starting to go numb.

She tried to get up by supporting herself on the table, but her legs gave way.

"Careful."

Qingyu reacted quickly and grabbed her waist.

The first thing you feel when you touch it is the soft texture of the maid outfit after it's been fitted at the waist.

"Waaah----"

Tsunade let out a muffled groan, and a faint blush returned to her face.

My legs are numb.

Let me help you sit down for a while.

Qingyu helped her to slowly sit down in the armchair.

"It's all because of you, you made me kneel there—"

Tsunade complained under her breath.

"Next time I'll prepare a soft cushion for Sister Tsunade."

Qingyu smiled.

"There will be a next time?"

Tsunade glared at him.

"Next time, I can be Sister Tsunade's male servant too, a fair exchange."

Qingyu half-squatted down and looked up at her.

"How about it?"

Tsunade was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Qingyu to say that.

"You were always my male servant."

She turned her face away and snorted.

"So, even though I've served Sister Tsunade for so many years, Sister Tsunade only served me for one day, I'm still the one who came out ahead."

Qingyu said earnestly.

"It's good that you know."

Tsunade immediately became even more smug.

Qingyu looked at Tsunade and found Tsunade surprisingly easy to coax.

Soon, another month or so passed.

In December, the air in Konoha was already noticeably chilly.

Qingyu had just finished her cultivation in the backyard and washed her face with warm water when she heard footsteps outside, followed by Shizune's surprised voice.

"People from the Anbu?"

"Lady Tsunade, an Anbu Ninja has arrived."

Shizune knocked on Tsunade's door and whispered.

"Let them wait."

Tsunade's voice came from inside, carrying a kind of languidness unique to early risers.

A moment later, Tsunade came out wearing a coat, her blonde hair still a little disheveled.

She took the scroll from the Anbu Ninja, tore off the seal, and quickly glanced at it.

Qingyu had already walked back from the backyard to the porch and was now leaning against the door, wiping her hands with a towel while observing Tsunade's expression.

Tsunade frowned slightly, then clicked her tongue softly and rolled the scroll up again.

"What's wrong, Lady Tsunade?"

Shizune, she spoke cautiously.

"The Kirigakure and the Iwagakure have formed an alliance."

Tsunade tossed the scroll onto the table and crossed her arms.

"Those guys from Kirigakure and Iwagakure have actually teamed up. Iwagakure just suffered a crushing defeat in the Land of Grass, and the Land of Water just lost Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. These two unfortunate brothers banding together for warmth—what are they up to? It's all too obvious."

Is the intensity of the war about to escalate again?

Qingyu walked over and casually picked up the scroll and unfolded it.

As expected, it contained the Pact between Iwagakure and Kirigakure, including some intelligence gathered by spies.

"Almost."

Tsunade Teuchi.

"Ōnoki was a cunning old fox. With Hanzō dead and Konoha getting close to the Land of Rain, he's afraid we'll join forces with the Land of Rain to surround Iwagakure next, so he's reached an agreement with Kirigakure first."

"This time, they might even send out Jinchuriki."

"The Five-Tails of Iwagakure, the Six-Tails of Kirigakure — the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, information is currently uncertain."

"Anyway, the battles we're about to fight will definitely be tougher than the ones before."

Tsunade's expression turned serious as she spoke.

"Qingyu, you must be careful after you go to the battlefield."

"I know, Sister Tsunade."

Qingyu closed the scroll and placed it back on the table.

"Jinchuriki aren't invincible, and besides, it's not like I haven't fought against Jinchuriki before."

"You think you're so great?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, but the worry in her eyes hadn't completely disappeared.

She turned around to face Qingyu, seemingly wanting to say something more, but suddenly paused.

"How come you've grown taller again?"

Tsunade frowned, took half a step back, and looked Qingyu up and down.

Qingyu was already taller than her peers, and in the past month or so, she has grown even taller.

Tsunade stood in front of him and realized that she only reached the bridge of his nose.

"Is there?"

Qingyu looked down at herself.

"I've always been like this."

"Don't overdo it."

Tsunade punched him on the shoulder.

Then she looked up.

"You used to be much shorter than me, now it's the other way around."

"It's alright, Sister Tsunade isn't short either."

Qingyu said.

Tsunade was quite pleased with what she heard, but still snorted.

"That's natural."

She raised her hand and compared their heights.

Then Tsunade suddenly thought of something, and a strange hesitation appeared on her face.

"You—bend down."

Tsunade coughed twice, looked away, and gave the order.

"Um?"

Qingyu blinked, but didn't ask any more questions, and obediently bent down.

The distance between the two suddenly closed.

Qingyu was so close that he could clearly see the fine downy hairs at the base of Tsunade, and the full contours of her breasts that were faintly visible through the collar of her nightgown.

Tsunade coughed again, seemingly trying to appear more natural.

Then she stood on tiptoe, tilted her head back, and gently kissed Qingyu's forehead with her lips.

Qingyu was stunned.

"This is a lucky kiss."

Tsunade coughed lightly.

"War is not child's play. Here, take this first, so be extra careful on the battlefield."

Qingyu touched her forehead, where a faint warmth still lingered.

"Sister Tsunade ----"

"Alright, hurry up and cook, I'm hungry."

Tsunade Teuchi him.

"Knew."

Looking at Tsunade's slightly flushed face, Qingyu to himself that Tsunade was becoming more and more proactive.

"I'll go cook right away. Add extra tofu to the miso soup today."

Put whatever you like in.

Tsunade said, her voice still carrying a hint of awkwardness.

Qingyu turned and walked towards the kitchen.

In the instant he turned around, a line of semi-transparent text suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Collectible Trait Detected: Wood Release Bloodline]

[B-Rank Trait: Wood Release Bloodline]

[Effect: Increases the efficiency of earth and water Chakra fusion within the body by 100%, and greatly increases the success rate of condensing Wood Release Chakra.]

[Synthesis: Mastering Wood Release Chakra Nature Transformation will upgrade this trait to a higher level.]

Qingyu paused slightly.

Wood Release Bloodline?

His gaze fell on these few lines of text.

Battle of the Valley of the End Hashirama and Madara at the Valley of the End, many forces in the Shinobi World attempted to recreate Wood Release using Hashirama Cells for various purposes.

However, "Hashirama Cells are extremely aggressive, causing severe rejection reactions, and the vast majority of experimental subjects who received transplants died."

An example like Yamato, who directly inherited Wood Release, is practically a miracle in Orochimaru's hands.

Apart from White Zetsu, Madara Uchiha, and Dai Jū, practically no one else can master Wood Release.

Even if they do, they likely already possess some of the Senju Lineage.

For example, Moegi Kazamatsuri is a descendant of the Senju clan who changed their surname after the clan disbanded.

Now, this trait adds another new possibility to the already existing Senju and Uchiha bloodlines within Qingyu.

With the fusion efficiency of the Ten Elements and Water Release increased by 100%, coupled with the doubled training speed of all attribute Ninjutsu from the [Eyes of Life and Death], and the various Water Release and Earth Release traits obtained previously, the threshold for Qingyu to train in Wood Release has been lowered to the minimum.

In other words, by training and experimenting step by step, Wood Release will eventually blossom and bear fruit in his hands.

It just takes time.

Qingyu took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and stepped into the kitchen.

"And the Flying Thunder God ----"

Qingyu stroked her chin.

During this time, he never neglected his practice of the "Flying Thunder God Technique".

He had become very skilled at imprinting the techniques, and the success rate of short-distance teleportation had also improved significantly.

The next step is mid-range movement and its flexible use in combat.

The battlefield camp on the other side.

Night had fallen.

Orochimaru sat in his Camp Tent, with scrolls and experimental notes scattered on the table.

He had just returned from the front lines and still carried a faint smell of blood.

A ninja dressed Root knelt at the doorway, handing a scroll of secret letter to the Camp Tent and whispering, "Lord Orochimaru, this is Danzo letter from Lord Danzo."

"Danzo?"

Orochimaru extended two pale, slender fingers and picked up the letter.

He tore it open and glanced at it; his golden vertical pupils contracted slightly.

He already knew, of course, that Shimura Danzō had been demoted to squad leader.

In this letter, Danzo made no mention of Hanzō or the Land of Rain, only writing with extreme restraint. "The war is not over yet, Orochimaru. You still need to achieve enough merit on the front lines. There is still a sliver of hope for the Hokage Position."

The handwriting was noticeably less authoritative than before, instead revealing a restless eagerness to salvage the situation.

The letter also mentioned at the end that the Shimura Clan would continue to provide him with some research funding, but the amount would be limited and far less than before.

After Orochimaru finished reading the letter, he rubbed it between his fingers, and the scroll turned to ashes.

"You can go back now."

He said calmly.

The Root ninja didn't ask any further questions and disappeared into the night.

The Camp Tent fell silent again.

Orochimaru leaned back in his chair, his hands crossed over his abdomen, the flickering Kakkō reflected in his golden vertical pupils.

"Funding----"

Orochimaru chuckled.

After Shimura Danzō sidelined, he actually benefited from the misfortune, no longer being controlled by Root and gaining much more freedom of action.

But the cost was a sudden reduction in research funding.

Danzo held a superior position in the military largely because he monopolized the flow of resources from the dark side of Konoha.

Now that this lifeline has been severed by Sarutobi Hiruzen, Orochimaru has lost a significant source of stable income.

"If I can't become Hokage, then I might consider starting my own village."

Orochimaru murmured.

This idea had actually been brewing in his mind for some time.

Konoha has too many restrictions on Forbidden Jutsu. Even with Danzo's protection, his experiments over the years have always had to be done in secret.

If he owned his own village, he could openly establish Laboratory, possess his own armed forces, collect experimental subjects, and seize resources.

The Land of Rice Paddies might be a good choice.

That small country, sandwiched between large countries, didn't even have its own ninja village.

"So, what should we do with Qingyu?"

Orochimaru pondered to himself.