When Neji returned to the main tent, Tsunade and Hashirama were chatting and laughing together.
The two were about the same age and looked like old friends reunited after many years. Who would have known they were actually grandfather and granddaughter?
"You came at just the right time!"
Hashirama waved Neji over to sit closer, then said, "I have nothing more to teach you about chakra nature and form. You've already done very well. Everyone understands chakra differently, so I won't interfere with your creativity."
Hashirama took a sip of tea and continued, "As for the use of Sage Art, I have some experience. Let me tell you about it."
At that, Tsunade said indifferently, "Just tell Neji. I can't even sense natural energy, so Sage Art has nothing to do with me."
Seeing that Tsunade was unwilling to listen, Hashirama did not grow impatient. Instead, he said mysteriously, "Just listen for now. You'll find it useful."
"Fine?!" Sensing the certainty in Hashirama's tone, Tsunade accepted with some confusion.
Hashirama poured the final drop of tea into his palm. Verdant chakra suddenly wound upward like vines, lifting the droplet into a crystalline sphere.
"Speaking of Sage Art..."
With a flick of his finger, the water sphere instantly transformed into three leaf-shaped chakra crystals, floating before the three of them. "You should have noticed that my Sage Mode is very different from Neji's."
Tsunade pinched the crystal that drifted before her eyes, her amber pupils narrowing slightly—the inside of the leaf held flowing wood-like grain, like a living specimen.
"You force Sage Mode open with life force?"
Neji's Byakugan clearly saw natural energy and life essence tangled together within the crystal. "Like using glue to piece together shattered porcelain..."
"Smart."
Hashirama formed hand seals with both hands, and crimson Sage Art