Fish-Man Karate vs. Shadow Clone Technique

Hashirama Senju taking on disciples was no secret, but the specific list of candidates had not spread.

So, the clan members had only just learned that Chu Yang was the clan head's disciple.

"So far, I haven't heard of anyone successfully learning Wood Release. Yang is the first!"

"Not only that, his Wood Release is incredibly powerful. So many skilled members of the Uchiha clan suffered badly just now."

"Yang is a genius when it comes to Wood Release! He can absolutely carry on the clan head's Wood Release legacy!"

A group that had completed their mission returned to the clan.

News that Chu Yang's squad had been ambushed and then wiped out their enemies instantly spread through the entire Senju clan.

What truly shocked everyone was not how many Uchiha clansmen he had killed, but the fact that he had mastered Wood Release.

No one understood the power of Wood Release better than the Senju clan. As the second clansman to master this Kekkei Genkai, Chu Yang was destined to draw the attention of the entire clan.

Not long after the news spread, Chu Yang received a summons from Hashirama Senju.

He followed the guards all the way to the clan head's residence.

The ever-forthright Hashirama Senju did not keep Chu Yang waiting long. He soon appeared before him, with his younger brother Tobirama Senju always at his side.

The Second Hokage.

With a smile on his face, Hashirama Senju led Chu Yang into the courtyard and said, "Show me your Wood Release."

Chu Yang did as instructed, performing several basic techniques—all Ninjutsu that Hashirama Senju had taught him.

Watching Chu Yang control the trees freely and fluidly, without the slightest hesitation, Hashirama Senju's gaze filled with appreciation.

A glimpse was enough to reveal the whole. This alone was sufficient to show Chu Yang's talent for Wood Release.

Kekkei Genkai differed from ordinary Ninjutsu. They were extremely difficult and dangerous to cultivate.

If one failed, the fusion of Chakra with different attributes could leave indelible aftereffects in a ninja's bloodline.

Only those with similar bloodlines could reduce that risk to the greatest extent.

Originally, Hashirama Senju had not held much hope for finding a successor, until Chu Yang appeared.

The sheer dominance of Wood Release was difficult for most Kekkei Genkai to compare with, and failures in cultivating it were Constantly with desire.

Failing to cultivate Wood Release would drain the practitioner's vitality to varying degrees.

Even though sharing the same bloodline exempted them from most of the backlash, most of the young people selected by Hashirama Senju had spent a long time bedridden.

That showed just how precious Chu Yang was.

Hashirama Senju vaguely felt that there would not be a second clansman capable of inheriting his Wood Release.

The moment Tobirama Senju entered, he began sizing Chu Yang up. Unlike Hashirama Senju's warmth, Tobirama Senju's gaze was highly invasive.

Tobirama Senju knew very well how difficult it was to successfully cultivate Wood Release, let alone reach such a level in so short a time.

Like a machine, he coldly scanned Chu Yang.

Chu Yang greatly disliked the feeling and glared fiercely back at him!

Tobirama Senju froze...

Someone actually dared to glare at him?

And it was a child from the clan?

"Ha ha ha!" Seeing his younger brother suffer a setback, Hashirama Senju burst into hearty laughter. "Tobirama, that's too rude. He's still a child."

"Big Brother, he may be a child, but he is no ordinary child." Tobirama Senju withdrew his gaze and said quietly, "He actually cultivated Wood Release to the point of using its ultimate techniques in such a short time. He surpasses even what you achieved back then."

Hashirama Senju nodded. As the creator of Wood Release, he naturally understood the meaning behind Tobirama Senju's words.

This was an exceptionally gifted young man. He needed proper guidance, and in time, he could shoulder great responsibilities.

But Hashirama Senju was not a qualified teacher. When it came to teaching young people, his younger brother Tobirama was more suitable than he was.

That was indeed the case. As the founder of the ninja academy, Tobirama Senju had made enormous contributions to Konoha's educational system.

Hashirama Senju smiled and patted Chu Yang's shoulder. "Starting today, study Ninjutsu properly under Tobirama. Build a solid foundation. As a ninja, it won't do to know only Wood Release."

Though Chu Yang appeared calm on the surface, his heart was bursting with joy.

Who was Tobirama Senju?

He was one of the few great inventors in ninja history, having developed countless Ninjutsu and forbidden techniques.

Orochimaru did not even measure up before him. If Chu Yang could study Ninjutsu at his side, he would undoubtedly improve enormously.

"Master Taijutsu first."

Tobirama Senju stared expressionlessly at Chu Yang. It sounded both like advice and a warning. "People often speak of Nintai Gen, but in truth, Taijutsu is a ninja's most important foundation."

"No matter how gifted you are in Ninjutsu, if your Taijutsu is weak, you will be more likely than others to lose your life on the battlefield."

Tobirama Senju's expression softened somewhat. "I originally intended to test your Taijutsu, but considering that you have just returned from a mission, rest first. Come find me early tomorrow morning."

This time, Chu Yang obediently nodded.

After Chu Yang left, the two brothers once again discussed how to train him, talking until late into the night.

Early the next morning, Chu Yang went to see Tobirama Senju and, incidentally, mooched a breakfast at the clan head's home.

Much like Pirate Chu Yang's background, Hokage Chu Yang had no relatives either. So most of the time, he either ate at restaurants or mooched meals at other people's homes, with the former being more common.

Being an orphan was also one of Hashirama Senju's criteria for choosing disciples. If any of them could change their fate through Wood Release, Hashirama Senju would be glad to see it.

Just like Chu Yang.

After breakfast, Tobirama Senju took Chu Yang to a training ground he had often used in the past. It was actually a place in the wilderness where he had frequently trained as a child.

The training ground was not large, but it had everything it should—targets, dummies, and the like. The surrounding trees were also covered in marks left behind by training.

"Let me see your Taijutsu."

With that, Tobirama Senju formed a hand seal with one hand and summoned a Shadow Clone. He intended to use the clone to test Chu Yang's capabilities.

Chu Yang did not let his guard down just because the opponent was a Shadow Clone. It depended on who had created it. A Hokage-level Shadow Clone was certainly stronger than him.

Before going to the Soul Palace, Chu Yang's weakness had indeed been Taijutsu, because he had devoted most of his energy to studying Wood Release.

But after returning from the Soul Palace, things were different.

The Shadow Clone rushed toward Chu Yang at tremendous speed. Tobirama Senju, standing behind and observing Chu Yang's movements, frowned slightly. Chu Yang's reaction seemed somewhat sluggish?

Just as Tobirama Senju was about to give Chu Yang a zero, Chu Yang suddenly moved. He dropped into a broad, solid horse stance, drew his right fist back to his waist like a spring, then exhaled softly before violently throwing his punch.

The instant Chu Yang threw his fist, Tobirama Senju, standing some distance away, sensed the surging airflow and was abruptly shocked.

Fish-Man Karate: Two Thousand Tile True Fist

This punch carried the might to split mountains!

With overwhelming force, the Shadow Clone tried to counterattack, only to be shattered by a single punch!