Monster

"I developed a secret technique. I'll tell you about it when we're done training."

Genma said mysteriously.

Kakashi could only suppress his curiosity and continue training.

Genma couldn't explain the power of the One-Tail, but he could explain the 1.0 version of the Chakra Refinement Technique.

If Kakashi could learn it, perhaps Genma could get some Setting Values in return?

But Genma wasn't sure.

There was still a chance Kakashi could learn Sage Mode, but extracting chakra from plant cells was on a whole other level.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Genma and his Shadow Clones pressed their palms together and began training in Lightning Release nature transformation.

Hatake Sakumo had taught him this long ago, and had even compiled his experience into a scroll and given it to him.

Training in Wind Release nature transformation involved making chakra thinner and sharper.

Lightning Release nature transformation, on the other hand, involved creating an electric current through friction.

It was easy to understand.

After all, everyone knew that friction could generate electricity.

At noon, the Shadow Clones attending classes at the academy dispelled, and their memories flowed back. Genma and Kakashi also finished their morning training.

Sitting beneath a tree with their lunch boxes, Kakashi asked, "What was that secret technique you mentioned earlier?"

Genma pointed to a tree in front of them. "Extracting chakra from plants."

Kakashi paused mid-motion. He studied the tree, then looked at Genma. "You're joking, right?"

Genma set down his lunch and stood, walking over to the tree opposite them. He pressed his right palm against its trunk and extracted Wood Release chakra with all his might.

It was already autumn, and the leaves were yellow and withered to begin with. They shriveled rapidly, followed by the branches and trunk, which aged just as quickly. At last, the tree collapsed with a crash, crumbling into countless drifting specks of dust.

It was the first time Genma had destroyed a tree like this.

Of course, he'd left the roots intact.

They could still sprout a sapling the following spring.

Kakashi was so stunned he could barely speak.

He was certain it wasn't a genjutsu.

Genma turned around, the blue markings around his eyes strikingly vivid.

"H-how did you do that?"

Genma dispersed the Wood Release chakra, and the markings around his eyes vanished.

He returned to sit beside Kakashi and continued eating as he spoke. "Ordinary chakra is formed by extracting energy from the cells in the human body. I learned about it while studying Medical Ninjutsu, and found out that plants have their own unique plant cells."

"If you can extract chakra from the cells in your own body, why not from plant cells?"

Kakashi couldn't argue with that.

Still, it didn't feel right.

The idea seemed perfectly reasonable, but somehow it felt like it shouldn't be.

After swallowing a rice cake, Kakashi asked, "Were those markings around your eyes unique to this method?"

Genma nodded. "I call this chakra Wood Release chakra, or Wood Release Chakra Mode. The markings around my eyes appear because of the influence of plant chakra."

"Though I suspect they'll disappear as my body gradually adapts and is assimilated."

Wood Release!?

Kakashi's mind jolted. He exclaimed again, "So this chakra you call Wood Release can be used to perform the same Wood Release Secret Techniques as the First?"

Genma gave him a definite answer. "It can."

"Kakashi, the chakra in our bodies carries our genetic information. That's the basis for the Shadow Clone technique."

"Likewise, chakra extracted from plants carries the same traits. That's why it can accelerate plant growth and even create trees outright."

Genma explained it carefully, then smiled. "You can give it a try later, Kakashi. Maybe you'll be able to master this method of extracting chakra too, and gradually strengthen yourself with the power of plant cells."

Kakashi hesitated, then nodded. "Once I've developed a Lightning Release Ninjutsu, I'll teach it to you too."

Genma laughed. "Then I'll gladly accept."

Kakashi ate faster.

After lunch, Kakashi immediately began trying.

Genma did his best to teach him.

Unfortunately, an hour passed, and Kakashi still couldn't sense the power within the plants.

"Maybe it's a talent unique to you," Kakashi said.

That was perfectly normal in the Ninja World.

There was nothing Genma could do, so he said, "Don't worry. Try for a little while each day. Maybe you'll get the hang of it."

"By the way, Kakashi, can your Transformation Technique turn you into a bird?"

Kakashi gave him a baffled look. "Of course it can."

"Can you fly?"

Kakashi was speechless.

Did Genma even hear himself?

Genma showed off a little. "Mine can fly. Want to learn?"

Kakashi stared at Genma, unable to say a word. Are you even human?

Genma loved the little look Kakashi got when he was so shocked he questioned reality. Smiling, he stood and performed the Transformation Technique.

The giant eagle beat its wings, kicking up a fierce gale. Kakashi raised an arm to shield his face, but kept his eyes fixed on the figure soaring into the sky.

He was flying. Really flying!

"That guy... He really isn't human!"

"He's a complete monster!"

The only word Kakashi could find to describe his shock was monster.

Genma soon came swooping down, then taught Kakashi the 1.0 version of the Transformation Technique.

Kakashi had only needed to watch an ordinary Transformation Technique once to learn it.

The hand seals were unchanged this time; only the flow of chakra through his body was more complicated.

But he quickly got the hang of it, formed the seals, and transformed into a hawk with a poof.

Then Kakashi sprang into the air.

Thud!

Kakashi fell flat on his face as soon as he jumped. Genma couldn't help covering his eyes.

The transformation wore off. Covered in dust and dirt, Kakashi said expressionlessly, "It's a little difficult. I'll need some time to practice."

"Keep at it!"

After offering that half-hearted encouragement, Genma made a Shadow Clone and said, "I'm going to study with Lady Tsunade. See you!"

Leaving his Shadow Clone behind, Genma leaped away.

Autumn always made people feel drowsy.

When Genma arrived at Tsunade's house, the woman was once again asleep at her desk.

He leaned closer and saw that she was even drooling.

Good grief.

Genma shook his head, sat down across from her, and picked up a scroll lying on the floor to look it over.

Before he knew it, he was engrossed in it.

"Want to learn?"

Tsunade's voice interrupted Genma's thoughts.

He looked up and let out a long breath, then smiled. "Sealing Technique is pretty interesting."

"But my foundational knowledge isn't good enough yet. I need to study more first."

Tsunade made no comment. She reached out and somehow produced a deck of playing cards, then fixed her eyes on Genma. "One round!"

Genma sighed and nodded. "Let's keep it simple. You shuffle, we each draw a card, and whoever has the higher one wins."

"Sounds good!"

Tsunade readily agreed. She removed the jokers, then solemnly began shuffling the deck at high speed as if preparing for a great battle.

Genma remained perfectly calm. He didn't even watch her shuffle.

Tsunade gritted her teeth to herself. "That brat. How dare he underestimate me? Hmph, I'll win this time for sure!"

Smack!

Tsunade slapped the cards onto the table, then swept them into a neat row. "You go first!"

Genma didn't hesitate. He casually picked a card and turned it over on the table.

King of Spades!

"Haha! You're doomed this time!"

Full of confidence, Tsunade ran her fair fingers, their nails painted red, over the cards, then quickly drew one.

But when she turned it over, her smile vanished in an instant. How could this be?

Genma glanced at the tiny Three of Clubs. "Looks like I've won again, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade gritted her teeth, refusing to accept defeat. "Again!"

She really was terrible at this, yet couldn't stop playing.

Genma shook his head. "Lady Tsunade, that's enough."

"Hmph."

Tsunade pouted, gathered up the cards, and tossed them aside. Then she drawled lazily, "Shouldn't you be at the academy? What are you doing here?"

Genma asked, "Lady Tsunade, you must have the Wood Release Secret Techniques left behind by the First, right?"

"Hm?"

The lazy air vanished from Tsunade. She stared at the boy before her. "You want the Wood Release Secret Techniques?"

"Having a Ninjutsu Scroll isn't enough to master them."

She wasn't unwilling to share. If anyone could master the Wood Release Secret Techniques, she'd be more than happy.

Besides, she always honored her bets. Genma's request wasn't unreasonable.

But as she'd said, a scroll alone wasn't enough to learn the Wood Release Secret Techniques. Otherwise, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Professor of Ninjutsu, might have mastered them long ago.

Genma smiled. "Lady Tsunade, I may skip class often, but that doesn't mean I don't study seriously."

"I know that, of course. Wood Release Secret Techniques are a Kekkei Genkai."

Tsunade nodded. "Good. At least you know that."

"So why do you want the Wood Release Secret Techniques?"