The Fusion of Taijutsu and Ninjutsu

"Big Brother, we have the advantage now. There's no need to risk yourself by dueling that Madara Uchiha."

The moment Tobirama Senju received the news, he hurried over to stop Hashirama Senju. He knew all too well that, given his brother's personality, he would definitely agree to the duel.

Hashirama Senju fell silent for a moment before asking, "Tobirama, do you know how many of our clansmen have died since this war began?"

Tobirama Senju choked up at the question.

Because it was a number that made one's heart ache just to think about.

Taking in his younger brother's expression, grief flashed through Hashirama Senju's eyes as he said solemnly, "Of course I understand that advancing steadily with our current advantage is the safest way to win. But it is also a victory bought with more lives, and I cannot bear it."

"When Itama and Kawama died, I swore that I would end this war as soon as possible."

"The sooner this war ends, the more people will survive."

Hearing this, Tobirama Senju knew that his elder brother had already made up his mind. No matter what he said, it would be useless.

Looking at his younger brother's conflicted expression, Tobirama Senju patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Tobirama, have a little faith in me. Do you really think I'll lose?"

"Of course you won't lose. I'm just worried that, at the crucial moment, you won't have the heart to strike hard." Tobirama Senju gave a bitter smile, then earnestly reminded him, "Remember that you are the head of the Senju clan. This is not a simple matter of victory or defeat. It concerns the fate of countless clansmen behind you. Don't forget that!"

Hashirama Senju nodded solemnly.

"I guarantee that no one will interfere with your duel." After saying that, Tobirama Senju left the room without even saying goodbye.

Hashirama Senju knew that his brother was upset, and he watched his departing back with guilt in his eyes.

After leaving the room, Tobirama Senju was restless.

He wandered the streets aimlessly, and before he knew it, he had arrived at Chu Yang's residence.

At that moment, Chu Yang was practicing Fish-Man Karate in the courtyard.

Tobirama Senju stood outside the courtyard and watched in silence, gradually becoming absorbed in this entirely new school of Taijutsu.

Once he stopped dwelling on those troubling matters, much of the gloom in Tobirama Senju's heart dissipated.

"Yang, your Taijutsu seems to contain some water-nature Chakra transformations as well." After observing for quite some time, Tobirama Senju could not help asking.

Chu Yang had actually sensed Tobirama Senju's presence long ago, but he had pretended not to notice. Only when Tobirama Senju spoke did he put on a delighted expression.

"Hello, Teacher." Chu Yang greeted him respectfully.

"Mm." Tobirama Senju answered casually, then impatiently asked, "This Taijutsu of yours is quite special. Can you explain it in detail?"

Chu Yang nodded.

In fact, what Chu Yang had just been practicing was a rather special technique within Fish-Man Karate.

Water Control!

Fish-Man Karate was a special Taijutsu that could manipulate water currents, but that was tied in part to the racial talents of the Fish-Men.

As an ordinary human, Chu Yang theoretically could not reach that realm.

Chu Yang understood this as well, so he decided to take another path and combine the power of Water Release to imitate this technique.

Wood Release itself was created through the fusion of water-nature Chakra and earth-nature Chakra.

Naturally, Chu Yang was also very familiar with the power of Water Release.

Chu Yang had only just begun trying it out and had gained a faint grasp of the idea when Tobirama Senju arrived. So, he simply explained his thoughts and asked the other man for advice.

After all, Tobirama Senju was the greatest inventor in shinobi history. His mind was far more capable than Chu Yang's.

As he listened to Chu Yang's explanation, Tobirama Senju smiled and nodded repeatedly.

Skills that combined Taijutsu and Ninjutsu were not unheard of in the shinobi world, but without exception, they were extremely difficult to develop. Yet Chu Yang had managed to create a rough prototype through his own efforts.

In Tobirama Senju's view, Chu Yang's way of thinking was already a cut above ordinary people's. It perfectly matched the nature of a researcher like himself.

"Not only can he inherit Big Brother's Wood Release, he can also inherit my Ninjutsu and continue innovating..." Tobirama Senju saw countless possibilities in Chu Yang.

After talking for so long, Chu Yang's mouth had gone dry, yet he had not received a single suggestion.

He raised his head, only to see Tobirama Senju looking at him with a warm smile.

Chu Yang shuddered in fright!

Did the sun rise in the west today? Tobirama Senju, who never smiled, actually smiled?

Could I be hallucinating?

When Chu Yang looked at Tobirama Senju again, he found that the man had returned to his usual cold expression.

So it really was a hallucination!

"Your line of thought for this Taijutsu is correct. The key is that you still do not understand the power of Water Release well enough. You have only grasped it at a very superficial level, and that will hold back the development of this Taijutsu."

"If you want to perfect this Taijutsu, then starting today, you must learn more about Water Release from me!"

Chu Yang's eyes lit up. What Ninjutsu was the Second Hokage best at?

Flying Thunder God?

No!

The answer was Water Release!

Before Tobirama Senju created Flying Thunder God, he had made his name through Water Release and slaughtered enemies in the clan wars!

Chu Yang immediately began enthusiastically seeking Tobirama Senju's guidance on Water Release. Tobirama Senju also entered teaching mode, explaining everything bit by bit from the basics.

The two of them were utterly immersed in it, and did not end the lesson until night had fallen.

Before leaving, Tobirama Senju stood hesitantly at the doorway, as though making some major decision.

"The clan head is preparing to duel Madara Uchiha. As for the location, only I know it within the clan for now. I intend to take you with me. What do you think?"

A duel between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha?

Was there even anything to think about?

This was one of the most spectacular battles in shinobi history, and with the Second Hokage serving as his bodyguard, what was there to hesitate over?

"I want to go!" Chu Yang said excitedly.

Tobirama Senju smiled, as if he had already anticipated Chu Yang's reaction. "Watching experts of that level fight may be dangerous, but it will benefit you immensely."

"As a fellow user of Wood Release, you must carefully observe the clan head's fighting style!"

Chu Yang understood that this was an exceptionally good opportunity.

On the battlefield before, he had been too busy trying to stay alive. How could he have had time to observe Hashirama Senju's battles?

Late the next night, two figures moved through the forest like ghosts and arrived at a hidden valley.

However, this place was different from the Valley of the End in Chu Yang's memories. There was no waterfall, only a small stream. It was probably somewhere else.

Besides, the story had not yet reached the point of the battle at the Valley of the End.

After arriving, Tobirama Senju concealed himself with Chu Yang and made a circuit around the area.

Although, given Madara Uchiha's personality, he would never set an ambush after agreeing to a duel, Tobirama Senju still left Flying Thunder God formulas in many places and set up quite a few Exploding Tag traps just to be safe.

At the slightest sign that something was wrong, he would stop the duel.