Wood Release Experiment

When Yusuke's figure reappeared, he was already in the tranquil courtyard of Tohka Senju.

His gaze swept the area rapidly, and only when he spotted a slender figure did the heavy stone in his heart finally settle.

Tohka Senju was leisurely watering a few pots of flowers and plants in the yard, her movements as composed as ever.

Sensing the familiar chakra fluctuations, Tohka Senju slowly turned around.

She asked with some surprise, "At this hour, shouldn't you be heading to the combat assembly point?"

"Is there something that requires my intervention?"

Her voice remained cool, yet it carried a hint of concern.

"Yes, I'm leaving right away." Yusuke stepped closer.

Although this teacher had initially only agreed to teach him genjutsu at the request of Tsunade, over the past year of spending time together, she had become like a strict grandmother—serious, yet filled with warmth.

Coming here this time, he perceived that while Tohka Senju's chakra fluctuations remained potent, they also exuded an unconcealable sense of decay, like a candle flickering toward its end.

"I just wanted to see you before I left." Yusuke looked at her with concern.

Tohka Senju raised an eyebrow slightly, as if she had seen through his thoughts.

She said indifferently, "I have indeed been a bit weary these past few days. Everyone grows old, and the decline of chakra is simply a law of nature."

"I am already sixty-three years old; this is nothing strange."

Yusuke stopped beating around the bush. He looked straight into her eyes, his tone unprecedentedly serious.

"Teacher, I came here this time to solemnly warn you."

"No matter what happens, and no matter who invites you under any pretext."

"Please, you must not, under any circumstances, participate in any experiments related to Wood Release."

As these words fell, Tohka Senju's watering motion came to a sudden halt.

Water dripped steadily from the watering can, slowly spreading across the soil.

She remained silent for a few seconds before responding softly, "Very well, I understand."

The water in the can stopped flowing, with only a few stray droplets falling.

Yusuke's heart sank: As expected, she knows.

"That is merely a meaningless consumption of the lives of the Senju clan members; it cannot possibly succeed."

"I do not wish for you to put yourself in danger."

His tone was stern and heavy; this was the first time Yusuke had ever spoken to Tohka Senju in such a manner.

Tohka Senju gently set down the watering can, her voice so low it was almost inaudible: "I know."

Immediately, her tone returned to its usual composure, tinged with a hint of urgency.

"This is a time of war, Yusuke."

"Your duty is to obey orders and head to the front lines."

"Go back at once, do not delay."

"I understand," Yusuke replied, but he did not move.

Uneasy, he emphasized once more: "Teacher, please remember my words. You must not go."

With that, he lingered no longer and walked away quickly.

Tohka Senju stood alone in the spot, gazing at the place where Yusuke had vanished, remaining motionless for a long time.

Her eyes seemed to be looking into the far distance, as if she could still hear the clashing of weapons from the battlefields of the past.

At the assembly point on the southern front of Konoha, the crowd was bustling.

"Captain, over here!"

Inuzuka Go's loud voice carried from afar, and he waved his arms excitedly.

Beside him, Haimaru darted out, frolicking around Yusuke.

Hyuga Aya stood quietly to the side; seeing Yusuke appear, she nodded in acknowledgment.

Unlike her usual absolute coldness, the corners of her mouth twitched upward, revealing a faint smile.

"Go, Aya." Yusuke walked over quickly and patted Inuzuka Go on the shoulder.

"You two head out along the established route first. I have a small matter to attend to, and I will catch up shortly."

He looked at Hyuga Aya, and information was exchanged through their meeting gazes.

Hyuga Aya spoke at the opportune moment, her voice calm: "I suddenly remembered some private matters I haven't finished yet."

"Go, you head out first." She looked at Inuzuka Go, offering it as an explanation.

Inuzuka Go's face immediately took on an "oh, here we go again" expression.

He muttered under his breath, "Captain, I'm not stupid. Stop trying to make me and Haimaru go first every single time."

With an "I get it, I totally get it" look on his face, Inuzuka Go whistled at Yusuke and Hyuga Aya.

Seeing the black lines of irritation appear on Yusuke's forehead, he quickly scurried away with Haimaru.

Yusuke and Hyuga Aya walked over to a relatively quiet corner.

Yusuke lowered his voice, "Long story short, Tsunade went to ask Lady Mito for help, and she agreed."

Hyuga Aya's body tensed instantly, and a sudden brilliance erupted in her eyes.

As the person most proficient in sealing jutsu currently alive, having Mito Uzumaki intervene would clearly increase their success rate significantly.

A faint flush rose to her cheeks, and her breathing grew slightly rapid.

Hyuga Aya confirmed once more, "Really?"

Yusuke nodded affirmatively, "Yes, but you need to be patient."

"I understand!" Hyuga Aya's voice trembled.

She clenched her fists tightly, struggling to calm her surging emotions, "Please tell Lady Tsunade that the Hyuga Branch Family... no, if I can control the Hyuga in the future—"

"The entire Hyuga Clan will be her most steadfast supporters."

"Good. See you on the front lines. Be careful." After saying this, Yusuke turned and left.

Hyuga Aya watched his retreating figure, a relieved smile appearing on her face.

She took a deep breath and quickly set off to catch up with Inuzuka Go.

After a few detours, Yusuke found Orochimaru in the conference room.

He was the only one in the room, sitting at the table with his golden snake-like pupils glinting with amusement, as if he had long expected Yusuke to come.

"Yusuke-kun, it seems you are a man who cannot sit still. I have already made arrangements for Nawaki," Orochimaru said in a raspy voice.

Yusuke didn't waste time, "Orochimaru, I want to ask you for a favor. Name your terms, as long as it's within my power."

"Oh? Let's hear it." Orochimaru's interest was piqued.

"Take Nawaki as your disciple and ensure his safety during this war." Yusuke looked straight into Orochimaru's eyes.

Orochimaru licked his lips, seemingly weighing the options.

Like Jiraiya and Tsunade, he had no interest in politics and was solely focused on his ninjutsu research.

However, his political sensitivity was not low; he knew the consequences of getting involved with the last remaining descendant of Hashirama Senju.

On the surface, Sarutobi Hiruzen held power, and the F4 families were cooperating.

But in the shadows, many old-guard families were restless.

He chuckled, "Fine. As for the terms, consider it a favor you owe me."

"When the time comes, I will naturally come to collect."

"Deal," Yusuke said crisply.

"By the way, give this kunai to Nawaki." Yusuke handed over a kunai.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, "You've actually mastered the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God?"

"Compared to me, you are more of a genius," Orochimaru praised.

Yusuke ignored the compliment and quickly left, using the excuse that he still had to catch up with his team.

For some reason, ever since Orochimaru brought the message from the White Snake Sage, Yusuke felt a sense of unease whenever he was around him.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of a building at the edge of the training grounds.

Shimura Danzō stood by the window like a statue, his single eye coldly overlooking the crowds gathering below.

The Root elites killed by Yusuke had yet to be replaced, and now he only had a handful of subordinates left.

"Pass the order down: accelerate the research and development of Wood Release."

"No matter what method you use, I need to see results as soon as possible."

He commanded his subordinate, who was hidden in the shadows behind him, in a grim voice.

After using the Mangekyo Sharingan of Kagami Uchiha multiple times recently, Shimura Danzō felt severely unwell.

He desperately needed the immense chakra of the First Hokage to balance the consumption of the Sharingan, or perhaps even to suppress it.

"Yes!" The Root ninja acknowledged the order and left.

In the light outside the window, one could see a newly transplanted Three-Tomoe Sharingan slowly rotating within Shimura Danzō's right eye socket.