White Fang Is Dead, but We Still Have Konoha!

At night, Kyohiko was finally able to get a good night's sleep.

With this victory, Orochimaru has some free time; he doesn't need to handle any surrounding arrangements or scheduling today.

but.

Storms were brewing in the east and north, and it looked like war could break out at any moment.

Minato Namikaze and Kyohiko together could even hold their own against Kage Level ninjas. When they activated Sage Mode, the two of them could even rival Kage Level ninjas.

Furthermore, Kakashi's Lightning Style: Rasengan, combined with Kurenai Yuhi's Genjutsu cover, can also achieve a very strong assassination effect.

In this war, the two of them joined forces and killed a total of three Jonin, Chunin.

It can be said that they are the strongest and most versatile mobile squad at present. They can be of great use in any situation, and they will definitely be indispensable in future wars.

Therefore, they can't rest for more than a few days.

but.

[As Hokage, strength is also an important factor]

[He personally slew the formidable Third Kazekage, eliminating a major enemy for Konoha and forcing Sunagakure to surrender]

[Reward: Wood Release upgrade]

After improving his Wood Release, he reached the "Proficient" level.

Kyohiko closed his eyes and pondered deeply.

After obtaining the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, he has been trying to explore and develop its greater potential, at least to the point where it is usable.

Previously, it was limited by its own capabilities and could only create vines, shrubs, or inanimate trees.

And now.

Having incorporated new Wood Release knowledge and techniques, Kyohiko felt that he should be able to reach the Yamato of Yamato in the future.

While Wood Release alone isn't particularly strong, Kyohiko's advantage lies in his own abilities.

His Chakra is Yamato and stronger than others, and not just a little bit stronger.

Sage Mode, Yin Seal.

When activated together, their combined power will definitely be greater than that of the later Yamato.

Kyohiko manipulated the sapling's growth, then quietly withdrew his Chakra.

Wood Release enhancement...

but.

No matter how powerful Wood Release was in the past, it only meant that Hashirama Senju was very strong. For a normal person to use Wood Release, it would be like Tobi controlling Yamato.

The supermodel is the chakra of Hashirama Senju Asura Chakra, not the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai itself.

The key for me right now is to integrate it into my own system and make it work for me.

A stronger Wood Release implies more versatile and complex abilities; its most practical application is undoubtedly --

Wood Clone!

Kyohiko Hand Seals, attempting to use Shadow Clone technique to integrate Wood Release Chakra.

soon...

A piece of wood emerged from his body, slowly splitting off to take human form.

Wood Clone, success!

Kyohiko glanced at it and, probably thanks to his knowledge of Shadow Clone Technique and Wood Release, his Wood Clone had directly reached the "proficiency" level.

"Too slow."

He wasn't very satisfied.

Shadow Clone don't undergo the growth process of wood; they can be created directly and immediately put into battle, unlike Wood Clone.

but.

The Wood Clone are stronger and harder to distinguish.

Furthermore, would it be faster to enter Sage Mode using it?

Kyohiko's mind stirred, and he looked at the Wood Clone.

The clone nodded.

Then he stood there, forming a hand Hand Seals with one hand—

This is the Seal of Tranquility developed by Kyohiko based on the "Nirvana Technique," which can quickly calm one's emotions and enter a state of undisturbed tranquility.

Kyohiko mentally counted the time.

One minute.

One and a half minutes...

The Wood Clone seemed to "disappear" from sight in an instant.

Undetectable and undetectable.

This is a state of complete integration with nature. As long as it remains stable, it can enter the Sage Mode.

Less than two minutes later, the Wood Clone Awakening and entered Sage Mode.

Subsequently, the Wood Clone dissipated, Chakra and memories returned.

The time is halved, entry is faster and more stable, and it is less affected by the forces of nature...

As expected.

Kyohiko's lips curled into a slight smile, unable to contain his joy.

Compared to Shadow Clone, Wood Clone are closer to nature and easier to integrate with the earth and nature, making it easier to enter Sage Mode.

So.

Is it possible to use Wood Release techniques to get closer to the state of Wood Clone, thereby quickly entering Sage Mode?

It's worth studying.

"Besides the Wood Clone..."

Kyohiko pondered further applications.

Restraint, control.

In addition, one could also study how to absorb Chakra using Wood Release.

He set his goal.

I was just about to lie down and get a good night's sleep.

Suddenly, Kyohiko sensed a special Chakra fluctuation coming from the earth. This perception was almost instinctive, perhaps an effect of the Kekkei Genkai being raised.

He went to the window.

The next instant, Orochimaru emerged from the ground.

Orochimaru asked, "Were you just trying out Sage Mode?"

When he crept over, he sensed that Kyohiko's clone disappeared for a moment, and then reappeared in a state of near-absence.

He guessed that Kyohiko was probably trying out "Sage Power".

Kyohiko nodded.

Orochimaru sighed silently.

Sage Mode, a powerful and mysterious force, but unfortunately, he hasn't had the chance to access that level of power in Ryūchi Cave yet.

In comparison, Jiraiya was ahead of him.

but.

He was not enthusiastic about this power.

Orochimaru was only slightly envious and curious, but quickly changed the subject, saying, "Kyohiko, what do you think of my previous suggestion?"

"First Hokage Cells?"

Kyohiko countered with a question.

Orochimaru nodded. "Yes."

He entered the room, set up Shizune Barrier, and then smiled, "Don't misunderstand, I mean you no harm, and I certainly won't threaten you. I just want to see if a ninja who controls Wood Release can safely fuse with his cells."

"You can give it a try."

Kyohiko nodded.

If he could directly fuse with cells, it would be a significant improvement for him.

Orochimaru's eyes revealed excitement.

He took out a scroll and carefully broke the seal.

Then, a bottle appeared.

Inside the bottle, special flesh and blood cells exuded a powerful aura.

Kyohiko's expression was serious.

First Hokage Cells.

Even through the glass bottle, he could still feel that incredible life force; this powerful flesh and blood could erode any body.

He probably can't stop it either.

"Less is better. In case of a backlash, we can simply cut off a portion of the flesh to prevent further erosion."

Orochimaru instructed.

Then, he took out a small knife and carefully cut off a small piece from it.

They are the size of tiny fragments, almost invisible to the naked eye.

Kyohiko carefully made a small incision on a fleshy part of his arm, and blood flowed out.

Then, he will extract the Chakra beforehand.

"I'll enter a state of awareness first, and then you can apply it to the location of my wound."

"Can."

Orochimaru nodded.

Kyohiko sat down cross-legged, used the Calm Heart Seal to enter a state of tranquility, and then closed his eyes to perceive himself.

This perception isn't internal vision, but combined with the detection techniques from Medical Ninjutsu, it allows him to feel the changes in his body more clearly.

Orochimaru attached the cells to the wound.

In no time, it regenerates and heals rapidly.

A powerful life force was eroding Kyohiko's body, but thanks to the resistance of Chakra, the erosion was very slow. It did not immediately backfire on his arm, but rather spread outwards with difficulty.

but.

He could sense it...

A life force is emanating from the cells.

Kyohiko's mind raced.

He formed a hand Hand Seals with one hand, then slapped the ground.

A tree grew rapidly at Orochimaru's feet, with vines sprouting from it, quickly binding Orochimaru to the tree.

Orochimaru was taken aback at first.

Then, he felt his Chakra draining away.

The trees are absorbing his power!

"It worked?"

Although he was bound, Orochimaru could not hide his excitement.

Kyohiko shook his head.

He drew his short sword, gritted his teeth, and ripped away the piece of flesh, then used Medical Ninjutsu to heal it.

"It wasn't a success."

"Then what is this?"

Orochimaru looked at the vines covering his body in surprise.

This Wood Release, which absorbs Chakra and possesses a life of its own, was only possible for the First Hokage, and was equally difficult for Kyohiko to achieve before him.

But what's trapping him now is precisely this kind of Ninjutsu.

This is clearly genuine Wood Release!

Kyohiko Hand Seals to dispel the Ninjutsu.

He then invited Orochimaru to sit down.

Orochimaru when he's not acting crazy is still quite valuable to him.

After a moment's thought, Kyohiko said, "You can think of it as me being able to borrow its life force and Chakra, but not to merge with it. I must constantly allocate Chakra to prevent it from eroding my body."

Orochimaru was immediately disappointed upon hearing this. "Even you can't fuse with it?"

That's how it seems at the moment.

Kyohiko nodded.

Orochimaru sighed, "What a pity."

Do you have any more bottles?

"Have."

Orochimaru casually pulled out a test bottle.

Kyohiko placed the flesh inside, then applied two layers of seals, and said, "Perhaps we could consider using some kind of seal to confine it to a certain area, and then use Wood Release Ninjutsu to mobilize its power."

"Curse Mark, mobilization?"

Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then smiled and praised, "A good idea. If you can complete such a Curse Mark, you can use its life force and Chakra to strengthen yourself."

"That's very difficult to achieve!"

Kyohiko sighed.

Orochimaru nodded, then smiled and said, "I have an idea."

"Sage Body?"

"Kyohiko, look, we really are the same kind of people!"

Orochimaru licked his lips excitedly.

He was also thinking of the Sage Body!

That's normal.

Because you'll be studying that stuff in the future.

Kyohiko inwardly scoffed.

"By Curse Mark, wouldn't everyone possess the Sage Body Constitution?"

Suppressing his excitement, Orochimaru said expectantly, "Kyohiko, you'll help me, right?"

"It's difficult."

Kyohiko shook his head.

Then, he took a deep breath. "I will help you, but you can't conduct experiments at the cost of other people's lives, otherwise I will join forces with the Teacher and Tsunade to deal with you!"

Orochimaru remained silent, glancing at Kyohiko with a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

However, Orochimaru quickly smiled.

"If you help me, I can agree to your terms."

"Is this true for all Ninjutsu experiments?"

"Can."

Orochimaru nodded.

He smiled and said, "Of all the people I've met, you're the closest to the First Hokage. I might find the secret to immortality in you. Even if the experiment is a little slow... it doesn't matter."

Orochimaru's fear was the absence of hope.

but.

Before him lay a glimmer of hope.

What reason is there to refuse?

"It's a pleasure doing business with you!"

Kyohiko extended his hand.

Orochimaru raised his hand, met the palm strike, and laughed, "You're far smarter than Jiraiya. That fool's greatest fortune was taking you as his disciple!"

"Thanks."

Kyohiko responded with a smile.

He stopped.

At that moment, Orochimaru threw something over.

Kyohiko accepted it.

It is a Sealing Scroll.

"There are some odds and ends and bottles inside. You can use it to store some interesting blood and constitution materials. We can study them together when we have time."

Then, Orochimaru smiled and disappeared into the ground.

Kyohiko looked at the Sealing Scroll in his hand, and then sealed the Sealing Bottle he had just obtained into the scroll.

Sealing Scroll.

This thing is very expensive, and even if you have the money, you might not be able to buy it.

Moreover, he also obtained "Hashirama Cells" and a cooperation agreement from Orochimaru.

A huge profit!

The next morning.

Whoosh!

Kyohiko kept trying out Wood Release outside the house.

He lived on Kikyo Mountain, far from the foot of the mountain. The area was mostly inhabited by Anbu and Jonin, so he wasn't worried about his Ninjutsu information being leaked.

and.

Pakura had already used it, and he didn't intend to hide it for long.

However, the other people's reactions were not so calm.

"This, this... this is Wood Release?!"

Shibi Aburame even started to stutter when she spoke.

He is not the first, nor will he be the last.

Kyohiko nodded calmly.

"Yes."

How could you...?

Shibi Aburame was utterly astonished, and then he sighed with complicated emotions, "Wood Release, this is Wood Release! Why aren't you excited at all?"

He, who is usually a man of few words, was surprisingly talkative at this moment.

"I was already excited."

Kyohiko smiled.

After a day of experimentation and practice, he had become very proficient in Wood Release, and his speed in creating Wood Clone had also increased.

He had just been trying to see if he could make Wood Release have the ability to absorb Chakra.

pity.

No matter how much he recalls or ponders, he cannot do it for the time being.

Kyohiko looked at Shibi Aburame.

"What's up?"

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru asked me to bring you some information."

Shibi Aburame dared not underestimate the young man before her.

Despite his youth, Kyohiko already possesses the ability to engage in dialogue with them on an equal footing; in fact, in a few years, they may have to look up to this young man.

He sighed inwardly.

Kyohiko took it, opened it, and glanced at it.

The Sunagakure has surrendered!

The conditions listed above included "welcoming back the Third Kazekage" and "releasing Pakura".

Another piece of intelligence is...

The Land of Rivers has agreed to allow Konoha to pass through its territory.

Kyohiko sneered, "Sunagakure isn't quite awake yet!"

"Lord Orochimaru said the same thing."

Shibi Aburame.

Then he said, "Lord Orochimaru said that since you are in charge of this battle, you will be responsible for it to the end."

"Can."

We must not push Sunagakure too far.

but.

The Sunagakure is not in a position of surrender at all.

Kyohiko felt--

They need to be more clear-headed.

"Please have the senior team gather. We're setting off tonight for the border between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind."

"Are you planning to use Magnet Release again?"

Shibi Aburame surprise.

Kyohiko shook his head. "What's the point of using Magnet Release to deal with Rasa? You can't keep using that technique. He can fly, but his subordinates can't."

"White Fang is dead, but now, Konoha has Minato and me!"