Chapter 2

What exactly could the fully realized, official-version Kekkei Genkai, Wood Release, bring to Sen Chisato?

A powerful physique, superior recovery capabilities, an immense chakra reserve, a foundation of strength standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world, a massive boost to intimacy levels with allies, and a lethal taunt for his enemies!

He could attack and defend, tank and strike, boost the morale of his teammates, draw absolute fire from his foes, and even unleash large-scale AOE and total crowd-control effects.

Simply put, a hexagonal warrior!

Therefore, the long-term strategy of "conquering" Orochimaru over these past five years had been well worth it.

Since being selected by Orochimaru as a test subject for Wood Release, he had survived a total of three experiments!

Of course, that was Orochimaru's perspective.

In reality, the moment he buried those who died in the Wood Release experiments, his system panel had already signaled that his Wood Release was beginning to awaken.

Although his body suffered certain issues due to the low level of awakening and poor compatibility with the Wood Release, he had successfully avoided the crisis of dying from the experiments since the very first one.

And after "surviving" that first experiment, Orochimaru had truly taken notice of him.

From then on, he became the apple of Orochimaru's eye.

Orochimaru no longer treated him merely as a test subject; he began to cultivate him, teaching him various ninja skills and providing him with a wealth of combat experience.

Furthermore, among the corpses he had "planted," he had already harvested a mountain of rewards, even if the Wood Release fruit had yet to ripen.

Thus, even before leaving the "newbie village," his strength was far from weak.

Personal panel expanded.

[Name: Sen Chisato]

[Age: 10]

[Date of Birth: October 10th, Konoha Year 38]

[Chakra Natures: Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, Earth, Yang]

[Special Attribute: Kekkei Genkai - Wood Release (Not fully awakened)]

[Chakra Volume: 3 Kakashi (Measured by the chakra levels of an adult Kakashi)]

[Skills]

[Wood Release: Cutting Technique (After Wood Release awakens, wood spikes extend from all parts of the body to attack enemies. By utilizing chakra, the spikes can continue to branch and extend, causing systemic damage to the enemy)]

[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique (Gathers chakra to exhale a massive fireball; size depends on the amount of chakra gathered)]

[Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique (Exhales a continuous stream of fireballs; due to their varying trajectories, they possess both offensive and disruptive effects)]

[Earth Release: Earth Wall (Uses chakra to construct a sturdy wall, possessing excellent defensive properties)]

[Earth Release: Earth Dragon Gun (Uses chakra to create sharp, solid projectiles from the ground beneath the enemy to attack)]

[Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Uses chakra to exhale a gale of wind to blow enemies away)]

[Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique (Uses chakra to exhale a massive torrent of water to impact the enemy)]

[Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique (Uses chakra to condense a water dragon to impact and bite the enemy)]

[Taijutsu: Konoha-Style Taijutsu (Hard), Orochimaru-Style Taijutsu (Body not yet modified, unable to use)]

[Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique (Uses chakra to create a large number of shuriken shadow clones, possessing area-of-effect damage)]

"With my current strength, I can barely count as a 'Level 10-Slope Sword God.' As long as the Wood Release fruit ripens and the Wood Release fully awakens, I'll be a pseudo-max-level boss stepping out of the newbie village!"

Sen Chisato closed his personal panel, dusted off his backside, and stood up, his face filled with eager anticipation for the future.

"By then, the number of people who can threaten me will be greatly reduced!"

Although he wouldn't be instantly invincible after gaining Wood Release, limited by his age and body, he still had to remain cautious, especially with the group of old schemers lurking in the shadows of the ninja world.

But once the Wood Release fully awakened, he could finally go out and stir up some trouble!

It was currently Konoha Year 48, and the Great Ninja War was in full swing.

To others, war represented immense danger, death, fear, separation, and loss...

But to Sen Chisato, war was a massive treasure trove!

Just think about it: thousands upon thousands of corpses—if he buried them all, how many rewards would he receive?

Not to mention the potential Kekkei Genkai he might encounter, just the chakra and ninjutsu alone...

Heh, the "Professor of Ninjutsu" Sarutobi Hiruzen, the "Genius of the Century" Orochimaru, the "Copy Ninja" Kakashi—before him, Sen Chisato, they were all not worth mentioning!

Hmm, wait, Kakashi hadn't earned his title yet.

Tsk, he wasn't even a unit of chakra measurement yet.

"I must urge Lord Orochimaru to continue the experiments and let my Wood Release fully awaken as soon as possible. Then, it'll be time to trick... persuade Lord Orochimaru to take me to the battlefield!"

The wheat in the field was fully ripe; if he didn't go harvest it now, it would be a total waste!

"Waste is shameful, so I hope Lord Orochimaru doesn't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!"

Thinking this to himself, Sen Chisato pulled his wooden cart and sprinted back toward the secret laboratory located underground.

As soon as he stepped inside, Sen Chisato immediately shouted, "Lord Orochimaru, I'm back!"

His cheerful, lively voice sounded just like a child returning home for dinner after a day of wild play, and Orochimaru was, naturally, the parent in this scenario.

Sen Chisato was performing well, but unfortunately, there were unwelcome guests in the "house" right now.

Three people stood at the entrance of the laboratory. One of them had his face wrapped in bandages, his right arm slung across his chest, and his single eye was filled with ruthlessness and schemes, his gloomy expression suggesting that the whole world owed him money.

However, someone here did indeed owe him.

The renowned advisor to the Hokage, the feared "Darkness of Konoha," and leader of Root—Shimura Danzo—had arrived with two of his personal guards to collect his debt.

After all, he was Orochimaru's biggest angel investor.

Shimura Danzo glanced at Sen Chisato and then paid him no further mind.

Thump!

He slammed his cane heavily against the floor and asked coldly, "Orochimaru, how is your research coming along?"

"There has been some progress," Orochimaru said languidly.

Shimura Danzo's eyes lit up. "Does that mean someone has adapted to Lord Hashirama's cells and successfully survived?"

"That is indeed the case," Orochimaru did not deny it and nodded.

"Where is that person?" Shimura Danzo became even more impatient. "Hand him over to me at once!"

"That is not possible right now," Orochimaru refused point-blank. "The experiment is not yet finished, and the results are flawed."

Shimura Danzo's face turned cold in an instant. "I have given you so much funding and secretly captured so many people for you, and this is the answer you give me?"

"If I were to tell Hiruzen about the things you have done, you should know exactly what the consequences would be!"

The smile vanished from Orochimaru's face; he hated being threatened!

Shimura Danzo did not care at all about Orochimaru's expression and continued to threaten him, "If you don't want to lose your eligibility as a candidate for Hokage, don't try to play any tricks on me!"

Orochimaru's expression was grim, but he remained silent.

As a disciple of the Third Hokage and one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha, he currently held the greatest prestige in the village and was the prime candidate for the next Hokage.

Although he had long since set his sights on more ambitious goals, as a Konoha ninja, the position of Hokage still held a certain appeal for him.

If the secret of his human experiments were to leak out, let alone the position of Hokage, he wouldn't even be able to remain in Konoha and would be forced to become a rogue ninja.

This was the danger of dealing with a tiger for its skin!

Watching this scene, Sen Chisato's eyes darted around.

The opportunity had arrived!

He had been wondering how to "persuade" Orochimaru to take him to the battlefield, and Shimura Danzo had immediately provided an assist.

Sure enough, all the infamy Shimura Danzo bore was just slander from mediocre people!

Shimura Danzo was a good man!

With a heart full of gratitude, Sen Chisato dropped the wooden cart and asked in a childish voice, "Lord Orochimaru, do you need me to kill them?"