Hiruzen Sarutobi: Perfecting the Five-Release Puppet? Me?

Bang!

A series of sounds came from ahead.

Kakashi followed the sound and saw a tall wooden tower rise up, then quickly collapse and disappear.

Wood Release?

Is Kyohiko conducting an experiment?

He Body Flicker Technique forward and quickly arrived at his destination, then couldn't suppress a look of surprise on his face.

It wasn't Kyohiko, but...

Yamato?!!

How could that be!

Although he was only the captain of the Anbu, during this period, his position was not much different from that of a captain, and he had information on the personnel of the Anbu.

He was naturally aware of Yamato's strength.

He does know Wood Release, but he can't be called "strong" in the traditional sense. At most, he's at a usable and not weak level, with his overall strength Chunin between elite Chunin and Special Jōnin.

But.

The Yamato of today is far beyond this level.

The strength of his Wood Release is not as good as Kyohiko's, but it is much stronger than before, definitely at the Jonin level.

Soon, he noticed the puppet arm in Yamato's hand.

Is that it?

He was secretly surprised.

That arm... can it amplify Yamato's Ninjutsu?

So strong!

Just as I was surprised...

Whoosh!

A whooshing sound came from beside him, Kakashi instinctively pressed his hand on the hilt of his sword. The next second, Kyohiko's voice came from beside his ear.

"Why did you come here so suddenly? Is there something you need?"

"Uh, oh, your secret channel just delivered a piece of bark, but no other information. I wasn't sure what was going on, so I came to find you right away."

Kakashi explained the situation.

Kyohiko did the math and then realized that it was indeed time to replace Pakura's Curse Mark!

He nodded.

"Understood. It's not too late to go over via the Flying Raijin Formation after things are settled here."

Kyohiko looked down.

"What is that?"

Kakashi finally found an opportunity and couldn't resist his curiosity.

These puppet arms look incredibly powerful.

Kyohiko smiled and briefly explained the principle behind the arm.

Kakashi was stunned and speechless.

"It's possible? So, this puppet arm is already usable?"

"It's still early. Right now, this kind of puppet device can only be used by Yamato. Others can't mobilize the power within their cells; it will only unilaterally enhance their cell strength."

Kyohiko shook his head.

Orochimaru had naturally tried to teach ordinary people Wood Release, but...

Currently, it is still very difficult to create such a puppet device.

The good news is that Yamato can control the power of the puppet device quite perfectly. Once the feasibility of this device and its structure is confirmed, it will be possible to continue manufacturing arms, legs, and even body armor.

Based on Kyohiko and Orochimaru's complete concept, the final version was an "Artificial Wooden Dummy."

"What a brilliant idea!"

Kakashi couldn't help but admire it.

Instead of using the Chakra Armor for defense or to amplify Chakra, they used it in reverse to defend against Hashirama Cells.

In this way, as long as the strength of Hashirama Cells reaches the set level, it will naturally be fed back to the "Chakra Armor".

A brilliant idea!

Then...

"What a pity."

Kakashi sighed softly.

This puppet device is destined to be usable only by Yamato. Yamato, with this additional device, Yamato's strength will be further enhanced.

This is actually a great thing for Konoha.

"Wait a little longer, let me have Orochimaru make some more improvements and see if we can create a Chakra battery."

"I Chakra!"

Kakashi's face darkened upon hearing this.

Kyohiko patted him on the shoulder. "It's not your fault that Chakra, there's nothing to be ashamed of in admitting it."

"I Chakra, you're just too freakish!"

Kakashi reiterated.

Kyohiko couldn't help but laugh, "No matter what, if your Chakra could be raised to a higher level, your strength would definitely improve significantly. Besides, you don't know Sealing Technique, so you can't be like Minato..."

"Thanks."

Kakashi finally thanked him in a low voice.

He understood that the other party's plan was indeed a very simple and convenient path.

but.

Relying on external things is ultimately not enough.

You yourself must become stronger!

Kakashi clenched his fist, then thought of Genma Shiranui, whom he had captured as a "substitute," and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

These days won't last long!

In a few months at most, I can temporarily break free and return to improving my strength.

A morning passed.

After Yamato continued to recover, perform magic, and recover, Orochimaru finally obtained relatively accurate data.

If Chakra is used excessively twice without repair, it will break down, and continued use will become extremely dangerous.

It can be used three to four times when the Chakra output is relatively low each time.

The repaired device can continue to be used without affecting its strength.

but.

This did not satisfy Orochimaru.

The current Yamato is too weak.

Once he grows up and his Chakra becomes stronger, this level of strength may not be able to keep up with the speed Yamato which Yamato increases.

In other words...

He has to undergo this test every so often.

Yamato agreed.

It wasn't Orochimaru's coercion, but rather that these Ninja Tools were simply too powerful!

And now.

"Kyohiko, can we move on to the next step?"

Orochimaru licked his lips.

Full body armor.

If he could create something like this, then Puppet Technique would be utterly inadequate in his eyes!

No matter how powerful a puppet is, it's still just a puppet. How can it compare to directly enhancing the ninja themselves?

"I've already drawn the sketch, but to achieve full-body armor, there can't be any gaps. I think we also need to create a complete Chakra Armor."

Kyohiko made the suggestion.

Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Double protection is more secure, that's not difficult. It would be best to research further to see if we can enhance Chakra efficiency, but there's no rush."

Building the full-body armor is more important than making improvements.

but.

As they were preparing to consider their next steps, a system notification popped into Kyohiko's mind.

[Under your leadership, the new intelligence system, centered on Summoning Contract and Summoning Jutsu, has been improved, greatly enhancing Konoha's intelligence network.]

[Reward: Beast Modification Technology (Grandmaster)]

Have the three generations of adults completed the research?

Good!

OK!

Kyohiko felt a secret joy in his heart.

Then, he couldn't help but think of--

I hope Tsunade will let the Third Hokage continue his research; he absolutely cannot be idle!

Inside the Konoha office, Tsunade smiled as she looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Teacher, how is it?"

"Um..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't answer for a moment.

He was deeply shocked, surprised, and even felt a little bit that it was absurd.

They had conducted numerous experiments with the First Hokage Cells, but all of them had failed.

so.

Konoha had once sealed off the development and research of Hashirama Cells, abandoning the idea of continuing to master Wood Release, while Yamato was an unintentional creation of Orochimaru in private and did not possess universality.

Clearly, Hashirama Cells have significant limitations.

But now, Kyohiko has taken a different path—

Cell technology?

He didn't know what to call him, but it was clear from the current creations that Kyohiko intended to create a series of amplified Ninja Tools centered around Hashirama Cells.

"Once a ninja reaches a certain level, it becomes extremely difficult to improve their strength further, while those with Kekkei Genkai find it easier to break through bottlenecks and reach higher levels..."

"It's not hard to imagine that everyone can become stronger through these Ninja Tools!"

Tsunade's tone was slightly excited.

The situation is tense.

Puppet Ninja Tools are more effective than simple training, making them arguably the simplest and most direct way to improve one's abilities, and allowing Konoha to suffer fewer losses in future wars.

For her, nothing was more important than this!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, however, was somewhat worried. "I'm afraid the enemy will steal it. If that happens, it might be misused."

"Old Man, you're overthinking it!"

Tsunade was somewhat speechless. "If we don't use it, Madara won't give it to someone else? What is Obito's Wood Release? And what is that black and white guy?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was powerless to refute.

He rubbed his temples.

really.

Even if they don't use them, Madara is still abusing Hashirama Cells.

Although it's unknown how Madara Uchiha did it, that white life form can be basically identified as a clone of the First Hokage based on its genetic sequence.

"I will request more funding from Feudal Lord Majesty."

Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer hesitated.

At this point, there's no point in hesitating.

Invest heavily in research and manufacturing!

Tsunade glanced at Hiruzen Sarutobi, her eyes darting around, and asked, "Teacher, how's your Summoning Jutsu research going?"

"Of course it's finished. I already gave it to Yamashiro Aoba today and asked him to get started on it."

Hiruzen Sarutobi stroked his beard, looking quite proud.

Tsunade nodded slightly upon hearing this.

No wonder you had time to come over!

She immediately took out the scroll and laughed, "Who in Konoha doesn't know your strength? Your mastery of Ninjutsu is almost unmatched!"

"Stop, stop, stop! What is it? Just say it!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi his hands repeatedly.

Having worked with Tsunade for so long, he couldn't stand hearing such compliments.

Tsunade says nice things, trouble is definitely brewing!

"Well, it's actually quite simple. The Wood Release Puppet is now complete in terms of design and manufacturing. The next step is further refinement, but it's only a preliminary version. Our goal is to make it usable by everyone..."

???

A look of astonishment appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.

"Let me study it?"

His first thought was--

Kyohiko and Orochimaru have only created the simplest Wood Release version so far, leaving Kyohiko to research more complex and widely applicable Five-Release Puppet.

Tsunade is trying to work this old man to death in the lab!

"Ahem, of course I'm not asking you to do it alone. The main thing is for you to research how to improve the Chakra Armor."

Tsunade quietly tucked a scroll away with one hand.

Then, she slid a booklet out of her sleeve with her right hand and handed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"This contains all the research findings on the Chakra Armor. You can take a look and study it. According to current research, different armors can be manufactured with different functions..."

"Wait a minute!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately called out to her.

He took it, flipped through it for a while, and said as he read, "Tsunade, you have to take care of this old man. I'm not like I was a decade or two ago; my mind doesn't work as fast as yours young people."

He is fifty-seven years old this year.

How can it compare to when I was in my prime?

Tsunade chuckled awkwardly, then stopped talking and interrupting.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly glanced at it, gaining a relatively deep understanding of the Chakra Armor. After pondering for a few seconds, he said, "A standalone Chakra Armor isn't actually that strong..."

"That's right, this metal is extremely rare. Even the Land of Snow and our Land of Fire don't have much of it, so it's impossible for everyone to have a Chakra Armor."

Tsunade nodded.

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed to understand. "Kyohiko is researching Puppet Technique to create a war puppet that can accommodate multiple people moving together, using this armor technology in conjunction with puppets?"

"That's right, Teacher, it's only thanks to you that you understood it at a glance!"

Tsunade praised them for throwing things away like they were free.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips twitched slightly, then he took a deep breath, held his breath, and focused his mind even more intently.

Tsunade also stopped speaking.

Let the Old Man think about it carefully!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was talkative, verbose, and old-fashioned, Tsunade had to admit that her Teacher's skill in Ninjutsu was indeed very strong.

The Five Elements Puppet was researched by Hiruzen Sarutobi, that's for sure!

After pondering for a long time, Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "It is indeed a very good idea. Take my Five Release Great Barrage as an example. This technique is powerful, but the requirements for using five Ninjutsu at the same time are too demanding."

"If this puppet can accommodate five people at the same time, it can simultaneously unleash the Five Elements Escape Techniques, combining them into a special Ninjutsu."

Although combination Ninjutsu is not a fusion nature transformation of Kekkei Genkai, it can unleash even more terrifying power through the mutual reinforcement and restraint of attributes.

If we could use puppets to enhance the power of these Ninjutsu and reduce their damage...

Five Jonin controlling a puppet together can unleash a combat power on the battlefield that far exceeds the simple cooperation of five individuals.

But how enormous would such a puppet be?!

How do we solve the energy core problem to power such a puppet?

Simple Hashirama Cells probably cannot replace it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned, then glanced at Tsunade, the "Yin Seal" flashing through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

The Yin Seal is too difficult!

As an S-rank Sealing Technique, even Jonin have very few who can master it.

That is...

Tailed Beast, or another Chakra storage technology.

Tsunade seemed to have read his mind.

"Teacher, you don't need to worry about Chakra. Kyohiko and Orochimaru will take care of that. You just need to finish designing the armor."

"All right."

Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately abandoned his thoughts, saying, "I'll take this booklet back and study it carefully, to figure out its principles."

"No problem."

Tsunade smiled and saw her off.

Hiruzen Sarutobi grabbed the booklet and left the office without lingering.

He walked out of the Hokage Office and almost reached his home before suddenly stopping.

"Wrong!"

"That Tsunade..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the booklet in his hand and realized that Tsunade had already decided to continue giving him research tasks.

Even if he didn't go today, Tsunade would probably still look for him another day Tsunade found out that Yamashiro Aoba had completed the formation of bird summoning beasts.

"Those brats!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened.

Can.

He quickly sighed softly, feeling somewhat relieved.

Aside from Orochimaru and Kyohiko, he's probably the most suitable person to conduct this kind of research.

"Let's just consider it a way to contribute our remaining energy!"

"Why!"