Monster

"I've developed a secret technique; I'll tell you about it once training is over."

Genma acted mysterious.

Kakashi had no choice but to suppress his curiosity and continue his 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 he could also provide some Setting Value feedback?

But Genma wasn't confident.

Sage Mode was at least possible to learn, but refining chakra from plant cells was simply overpowered.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Genma and his Shadow Clone counterparts pressed their palms together to begin training in Lightning Release nature transformation.

Hatake Sakumo had taught him this long ago, even organizing his training experience into a scroll to give to him.

The training for Wind Release nature transformation involved making chakra thin and sharp.

As for Lightning Release nature transformation, it involved creating electrical currents through the friction of chakra.

This was easy to understand.

If nothing else, friction generating electricity was basic common sense.

At noon, the Shadow Clones attending school at the academy dissipated, and as their memories returned, Genma and Kakashi concluded their morning training.

Sitting under a tree and taking out their bento boxes, Kakashi asked, "What was that secret technique you mentioned earlier?"

Genma pointed to a tree in front of them: "Refining chakra from within plants."

Kakashi paused, looked at the tree seriously, and then back at Genma: "Are you joking?"

Genma set down his bento, stood up, and walked to the tree opposite them. He pressed his right palm against the trunk and refined Wood Release Chakra with all his might.

It was autumn, so the already withered yellow leaves quickly dried up, followed by the branches and trunk rapidly aging, until finally, it collapsed with a boom, turning into countless drifting specks of dust.

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

Of course, he left the roots intact.

Come next spring, the roots would be able to sprout new saplings.

Kakashi was already too shocked to speak.

He was certain this wasn't an illusion.

Genma turned around, his cyan eyeshadow looking quite striking.

"You... how did you do that?"

Genma dispersed the Wood Release Chakra, and the eyeshadow vanished.

He returned to Kakashi's side, sat down, and said while eating, "Ordinary chakra is formed by refining the energy within human cells. When I was studying medical ninjutsu, I learned that plants also have unique plant cells."

"Since we can refine chakra from our own cells, why wouldn't it be possible with plant cells?"

Kakashi couldn't refute this.

But he felt something was off.

The idea seemed normal on the surface, but in reality, it shouldn't be.

Swallowing a rice dumpling, Kakashi asked, "That eyeshadow from just now, is it unique to this method?"

Genma nodded: "I call this chakra Wood Release Chakra, or Wood Release Chakra Mode. The eyeshadow is a manifestation of being influenced by plant chakra."

"However, I speculate that once my body gradually adapts and becomes assimilated, the eyeshadow will disappear."

Wood Release!?

Kakashi's mind reeled, and he exclaimed again: "So this chakra you call Wood Release can perform the same Wood Release secret techniques as the First Hokage?"

Genma gave an affirmative answer: "Yes."

"Kakashi, our own chakra carries our own genetic information; that is the foundation upon which the Shadow Clone technique is built."

"Likewise, chakra refined from plants possesses the same characteristics, which is why it can accelerate plant growth and directly create trees."

Genma explained carefully, then laughed: "You can try it later, Kakashi. Perhaps you can also master this method of refining chakra and gradually strengthen yourself through the power of plant cells."

Kakashi hesitated for a moment, then nodded and added: "Once I develop my Lightning Release ninjutsu, I'll teach it to you too."

Genma laughed, "Then I won't stand on ceremony."

Kakashi sped up his eating.

After the meal, Kakashi immediately began to try.

Genma taught him with all his effort.

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

"Perhaps this is a talent unique to you," Kakashi said.

This is normal in the Ninja World.

Genma had no choice but to say, "No rush. Try to spend some time on it every day; perhaps you'll master it."

"Hmm, Kakashi, your Transformation Technique can turn you into a bird, right?"

Kakashi was baffled: "Of course it can."

"Can it fly?"

Kakashi was speechless.

Are you even listening to yourself?

Genma put on a small show: "Mine can fly. Want to learn?"

Kakashi stared at Genma, unable to speak for a moment: Are you even human?

Genma enjoyed the look of shock on Kakashi's face as he questioned reality, then stood up with a grin and performed the Transformation Technique.

A giant eagle flapped its wings, whipping up a gale that forced Kakashi to shield his face with his hand, though his eyes remained locked on the figure soaring into the sky.

It flew—it actually flew!

"This guy... he really isn't human!"

"He's a complete monster!"

Kakashi could only use the word monster to describe the shock in his heart.

Genma quickly descended from the sky and taught the 1.0 version of the Transformation Technique to Kakashi.

For Kakashi, he could learn an ordinary Transformation Technique after seeing it just once.

The hand seals for this version hadn't changed, but the circulation of chakra within the body was far more complex.

Yet, he mastered it quickly, formed the seals, and with a poof, transformed into a majestic eagle.

Kakashi then leaped into the air.

Thud!

Kakashi, having just jumped, crashed headfirst into the ground. Genma couldn't help but cover his eyes.

The Transformation Technique dissipated. Kakashi, covered in dust and dirt, remained expressionless: "It's a bit difficult. I need some time to train."

"Good luck!"

Offering a perfunctory word of encouragement, Genma created a Shadow Clone and said, "I'm off to learn from Tsunade. Bye!"

Leaving the Shadow Clone behind, Genma leaped away.

Autumn days always make one drowsy.

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

He leaned in for a look and saw drool running down the corner of her mouth.

Tsk, tsk.

Genma shook his head, sat down opposite her, and casually picked up a scroll scattered on the floor to examine it.

He became so immersed in reading that he lost track of time.

"Want to learn?"

Tsunade's voice interrupted Genma's thoughts.

He looked up, let out a long breath, and smiled: "Sealing Technique is indeed very interesting."

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

Tsunade didn't commit to an answer. She reached out and pulled a deck of cards from who knows where, her eyes fixed on Genma: "Let's play a round!"

Genma sighed and nodded: "Something simple. You shuffle, we each draw one card, and we compare values."

"No problem!"

Tsunade agreed instantly. After removing the jokers, she began to shuffle the deck with a solemn and serious expression, as if she were about to engage in a great battle.

Genma remained calm and indifferent, not even watching her shuffle.

Tsunade gritted her teeth in secret: Damn brat, daring to look down on me. Hmph, I'll definitely win this time!

Slap!

Tsunade slammed the deck onto the table and spread the cards out in a line: "You go first!"

Without a second thought, Genma reached out, pulled a card, and flipped it onto the table.

Spade King!

"Haha, you're going to lose this time for sure!"

Tsunade was full of confidence. Her fair fingers, tipped with red nail polish, swept over the cards before she quickly drew one.

But when the card was flipped over, Tsunade's smile vanished instantly: How is that possible?

Genma glanced at the small 3 of clubs: "Looks like I've won again, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade gritted her teeth, unconvinced: "Again!"

Truly terrible, yet addicted to playing.

Genma shook his head: "Lady Tsunade, you should know when to stop."

"Tch~"

Tsunade curled her lip, gathered the playing cards, and tossed them aside before saying lazily: "Shouldn't you be at the academy? What are you doing here?"

Genma asked: "Lady Tsunade, you should have the secret Wood Release techniques left behind by the First Hokage, right?"

"Hm?"

The laziness vanished from Tsunade's body as she stared at the brat before her: "You want the Wood Release secret techniques?"

"This isn't a technique you can master just by having a ninjutsu scroll."

It wasn't that she was unwilling to part with them; if someone could master Wood Release, she would be more than happy.

Furthermore, she was a woman of her word when it came to gambling, and Genma's request wasn't unreasonable.

However, just as she said, Wood Release secret techniques couldn't be learned simply by possessing a scroll; otherwise, Sarutobi Hiruzen, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, might have mastered it long ago.

Genma smiled and said: "Lady Tsunade, just because I often skip class doesn't mean I don't study seriously."

"Of course I know that Wood Release belongs to the Kekkei Genkai."

Tsunade nodded: "As long as you know."

"So, why do you want the Wood Release secret techniques?"