The Root

Tsunade fell into deep thought.

She understood what the brat meant.

The reason Genma asked this was because of the state Tsunade was in when she fought Edo Madara.

Releasing the Yin Seal, combined with the Strength of a Hundred Technique and Creation Rebirth, allowed any injury to heal rapidly, even if her heart were pierced.

However, this state had a drawback: even the smallest wound would heal rapidly through the mechanism of accelerated cell division.

This led to two problems: excessive consumption of chakra and a shortened lifespan due to excessive cell division.

In other words, over-healing!

So, why did this situation occur?

Was it because Tsunade was unable to control her chakra usage in this state?

That was clearly impossible.

Genma believed the key lay in the intensity of the Yang Release nature transformation corresponding to the Creation Rebirth technique.

Tsunade could not freely regulate the strength of her Yang Release nature transformation, leading to the over-healing of minor wounds while simultaneously consuming more chakra.

As for Senju Hashirama's seal-less self-healing, Genma speculated that it was likely passive.

It originated from the Sage of Six Paths' Sage Body.

This was the same as Karin's special constitution; Karin also could not control her own abilities.

Their Yang Release was naturally fixed at an extremely high level.

Of course, these were speculations Genma made based on intelligence and his own training.

That was why he asked Tsunade these questions today.

As Tsunade pondered, Shizune whispered, "If one uses Yang Release nature transformation at the level of the Mystical Palm Technique, one must inevitably use chakra of a corresponding intensity, so why not just use the Mystical Palm Technique directly?"

"Even if the Healing Technique has lower requirements for chakra control, reaching the level of Yang Release nature transformation required for the Mystical Palm Technique itself necessitates an equivalent level of chakra control."

This was indeed the truth, which was why Genma's question had left Shizune confused; it was completely unreasonable, like taking off one's pants to fart.

Genma smiled, then raised his right palm, where a green glow of chakra ignited: "Shizune, this is Yang Release chakra. In terms of nature transformation, is there any difference from yours?"

Shizune sensed it carefully and then shook her head.

Genma looked at Tsunade: "Lady Tsunade, can you demonstrate a stronger Yang Release nature transformation than mine in this way?"

The way Tsunade looked at Genma had changed: this brat was truly different.

She had to admit that this brat had piqued her interest.

"Not right now, but if you give me some time, it shouldn't be a problem."

Tsunade was very confident in herself.

Shizune, also a clever girl, suddenly exclaimed: "Does that mean if you succeed, you could perform the Mystical Palm Technique without hand seals?"

Tsunade nodded: "It would be possible to perform it without seals."

But the most critical point did not lie in this aspect, though there was no need to explain it to Shizune now; her current level of understanding was not yet sufficient.

As Genma heard Shizune mention hand seals, he immediately thought of the Indra of the Creation Seal.

What was the purpose of hand seals?

To allow ninjas to perform ninjutsu more effectively.

And where was this reflected?

In shape transformation and nature transformation!

Therefore, the questions Genma repeatedly asked Tsunade were actually in pursuit of the essence of strengthening Yang Release nature transformation without hand seals.

Just like Wind Release nature transformation.

Tsunade was also intrigued, picking up a scroll from the desk and handing it to Genma: "This is the scroll for the Chakra Scalpel. It doesn't have high requirements for nature transformation; it mainly focuses on shape transformation and chakra control."

"Mastering this technique will greatly improve your chakra control."

"As for what you just proposed, I will teach it to you once I have mastered it myself."

Genma did not stand on ceremony, reaching out to take it: "Thank you, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade waved her hand and shooed him away: "Go practice on your own first, and come ask me if there is anything you don't understand. Go!"

Genma stood up, bid farewell, and left.

Afterward, Shizune was also sent off to practice, and Tsunade took a deep breath, beginning a long-overdue training session.

"Tsunade is currently the strongest medical ninja in the ninja world; her talent goes without saying. She should be able to handle it, right?"

After walking out of Tsunade's house, Genma looked back once more.

He was very much looking forward to Tsunade's results.

Withdrawing his gaze, Genma walked quickly back home and entered his study.

He opened the scroll and read it carefully.

The Chakra Scalpel is an A-rank jutsu, meaning it is at the Jonin level of difficulty.

Furthermore, it is a seal-less ninjutsu.

Just as Tsunade said, for him, the difficulty lies solely in shape transformation and chakra control.

It really suits me.

Genma smiled, then began his training with great enthusiasm.

Winter passed and spring arrived. Before he knew it, the spring break of Konoha 43 had ended, and Genma officially became a third-year student at the Ninja Academy.

"You guy, you were actually hiding a trick."

Genma opened his mouth to exhale smoke, his hair standing on end.

He had been electrocuted.

Opposite him, Kakashi showed no sign of apology, arguing righteously: "Don't forget, intelligence warfare is also part of a ninja's battle."

He had just mastered Lightning Release nature transformation, so he used his good friend Genma to test it out. It seemed the effect was quite good, even if it didn't knock Genma down.

"That's a fair point, in that case..."

The words had barely left his mouth when, two seconds later, Genma's figure suddenly appeared behind Kakashi, holding a kunai to his throat.

His scalp tingling, Kakashi's body involuntarily stiffened.

Then he saw Genma, whose hair was still standing up from the electricity, go poof and vanish into a cloud of smoke.

Kakashi's eyes widened: "Shadow Clone?"

"When?"

Genma sheathed his kunai.

This was the first time he had used the Substitution Technique during a sparring match with Kakashi.

Kakashi turned around and, seeing the marks left on Genma's body from the Lightning Release attack, immediately overturned his previous hypothesis.

The Lightning Release attack had indeed hit the real body.

So what had happened just now?

Clone plus genjutsu?

Genma smiled without explaining, waving his hand: "Let's call it a day."

"Come to think of it, you've already mastered two nature transformations. It seems I need to work even harder to surpass you."

Kakashi retorted: "Is there anyone who works harder than you?"

The two most competitive people in their year were Genma and Guy, which didn't allow him a moment of rest either.

"Besides, you've also mastered two nature transformations. You just used three genjutsu, while I've only mastered one Lightning Release ninjutsu," Kakashi added.

Genma wasn't happy when this was brought up: "My genjutsu is completely useless against you."

That was quite awkward.

Three genjutsu, all easily seen through by Kakashi.

The lower limit of genjutsu was indeed quite low.

Of course, although Kakashi hadn't graduated yet, his qualities in every aspect were considered top-tier, even among the ranks of Chunin.

So, low-level genjutsu could only be used to bully the weak?

Watching his friend's frustrated expression, Kakashi thought for a moment and suggested: "Your talent for genjutsu is higher than for medical ninjutsu. Why not try developing your own genjutsu?"

Genma raised an eyebrow: "Are you planning to develop your own ninjutsu?"

Kakashi's eye twitched: "You guy... you're too sensitive!"

Genma had guessed right!

Although his father, Hatake Sakumo, was proficient in Lightning Release, he didn't know many Lightning Release ninjutsu; instead, he excelled at combining Lightning Release with his chakra blade.

Therefore, he had the idea of developing his own Lightning Release ninjutsu.

Of course, the key was something his father, Hatake Sakumo, had said: what suits you best is the best!

Hatake Sakumo believed in his son's talent, which was why he provided such guidance.

After all, the young Kakashi had plenty of time to experiment.