Wood Release Experiment

When Yusuke appeared again, he was already in Tohka Senju's quiet courtyard.

His gaze swept around, finally settling on a slender figure. The heavy stone in his heart instantly lifted.

Tohka Senju was leisurely watering the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Her movements were as composed as ever.

Sensing the familiar chakra, Tohka Senju slowly turned around.

She looked surprised. "Shouldn't you be at the battle assembly point at this hour?"

"Is there something you need me to do?"

Her voice was still cool, but it held concern.

"Yeah. I'm heading there now." Yusuke walked a few steps closer.

At first, this teacher had only agreed to teach him genjutsu because Tsunade had asked her to.

But after more than a year together, she had become like a stern grandmother to him, strict yet kind.

When he came this time, he sensed that Tohka Senju's chakra was still powerful.

Yet it was tinged with an unmistakable sense of decline, like a candle nearing the end of its flame.

"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 calmly, "I have been a little tired these past few days. Everyone grows old, and chakra fading is only natural."

"I'm sixty-three. It's nothing unusual."

Yusuke stopped beating around the bush. He looked straight into Tohka's eyes, his tone more serious than ever.

"Teacher, I came here to give you a serious warning."

"No matter what happens, and no matter who invites you or what reason they give,"

"please, whatever you do, don't take part in any experiment related to Wood Release."

Tohka Senju's hand froze as she watered the flowers.

Water dripped from the watering can, slowly soaking into the soil.

She was silent for a few seconds, then replied softly, "All right. I understand."

The water stopped flowing from the can, leaving only a few drops.

Yusuke's heart sank. She knows about it after all.

"It's just a pointless waste of Senju lives. It can't possibly succeed."

"I don't want you putting yourself in danger."

His tone was stern and heavy. It was the first time Yusuke had ever spoken to Tohka Senju like this.

Tohka Senju gently set down the watering can. Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible. "I understand."

Then her tone returned to its usual calm, with a hint of urgency.

"It's wartime, Yusuke."

"Your duty is to follow orders and head to the front."

"Go back at once. Don't delay."

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

Still worried, he stressed once more, "Teacher, remember what I said. Don't go."

Then he left without another word, walking away quickly.

Tohka Senju stood alone where she was, gazing at the place where Yusuke had disappeared. For a long while, she did not move.

Her eyes seemed fixed on some distant place. It was as if she could still hear the clang of weapons from the battlefields of long ago.

At the assembly point on Konoha's southern front, the crowd bustled.

"Captain, over here!"

Inuzuka Go's booming voice carried from far away as he waved excitedly.

Haimaru darted away from his side and frolicked around Yusuke.

Hyuga Aya stood quietly nearby. When she saw Yusuke, she nodded in greeting.

Unlike her usual utter coldness, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly in a faint smile.

"Go. Aya." Yusuke strode over and patted Inuzuka Go on the shoulder.

"You two head out along the planned route. I have a small matter to take care of, then I'll catch up."

He looked at Hyuga Aya, and their eyes met, silently exchanging information.

Hyuga Aya spoke at just the right moment, her voice calm. "I just remembered I have some personal business to take care of."

"Go on ahead, Go." She looked at Inuzuka Go, offering an explanation.

Inuzuka Go immediately gave them a look that said, "Here we go again."

He muttered under his breath, "Captain, I'm not an idiot. Don't keep telling me to go on ahead with Haimaru."

With an expression that said, "I get it, I get it," Inuzuka Go whistled at Yusuke and Hyuga Aya.

Seeing the dark line appear on Yusuke's forehead, he quickly slipped away with Haimaru.

Yusuke and Hyuga Aya walked to a relatively quiet corner.

Yusuke lowered his voice. "I'll keep it brief. Tsunade went to ask Lady Mito for help, and she agreed."

Hyuga Aya's body tensed instantly, a spark suddenly flaring in her eyes.

As the person alive who knew the most about Sealing Jutsu, Mito Uzumaki's help would clearly raise the chances of success.

A faint blush spread across her cheeks, and her breathing grew quicker.

Hyuga Aya asked again, "Really?"

Yusuke nodded firmly. "Yeah, but you'll need to be patient."

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

She clenched her fist, trying to calm her excitement. "Please tell Lady Tsunade that the Hyuga Branch Family... no, if I can take control of the Hyuga Clan one day,"

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

"All right. See you at the front. Be careful." Yusuke turned and left.

Hyuga Aya watched him go, a relieved smile on her face.

She took a deep breath, then hurried off to catch up with Inuzuka Go.

After several twists and turns, Yusuke found Orochimaru in the conference room.

He was alone in the room, sitting at the table. His golden, snake-like eyes gleamed with amusement, as if he had already expected Yusuke to come.

"Yusuke, you seem like the sort who can never sit still. I've already made arrangements for Nawaki," Orochimaru said hoarsely.

Yusuke got straight to the point. "Orochimaru, I'd like to ask you for a favor. Name your terms—as long as it's something I can do."

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

"Take Nawaki as your student, and make sure he stays safe during this war." Yusuke looked straight into Orochimaru's eyes.

Orochimaru licked his lips, seemingly weighing the request.

Like Jiraiya and Tsunade, he had no interest in politics and only wanted to study ninjutsu.

But he was no stranger to political intrigue. He knew what would happen if he got involved with the only surviving descendant of Hashirama Senju's line.

Sarutobi Hiruzen held power openly, and the four major families cooperated with one another.

But many old-established clans were still stirring in the shadows.

He chuckled. "All right. As for the terms, let's say you owe me a favor."

"When I need it, I'll collect."

"Deal." Yusuke agreed without hesitation.

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

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "You've even learned the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique?"

"You seem more like a genius than I am," Orochimaru added.

Yusuke ignored his praise, making an excuse that he still had to catch up with his unit before quickly leaving.

For some reason, ever since Orochimaru had brought him a message from the White Snake Sage, Yusuke had felt uneasy 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 looking down at the crowd gathered below.

The elite Root shinobi Yusuke had killed had yet to be replaced. Now, only a handful of subordinates remained.

"Pass the order. Speed up the development of the Wood Release experiment."

"Use any means necessary. I want to see results as soon as possible."

He issued the order in a gloomy voice to his subordinate in the shadows behind him.

After using Kagami Uchiha's Mangekyō Sharingan several times before, Shimura Danzō had felt severely unwell.

He desperately needed the First's immense chakra to balance the strain of using the Sharingan—or even suppress it.

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

In the light from the window, a newly transplanted Three-Tomoe Sharingan could be seen slowly turning in Shimura Danzō's right eye socket.