Tsunade stood to one side, her expression grave. Since Pain's invasion, Konoha had suffered devastating losses, and the village's prestige had hit rock bottom. Now, the Wood Release power Toru Kujyo had displayed in the battle at the Uchiha Clan Compound was undoubtedly Konoha's best bargaining chip for a comeback.
"This is Konoha's chance to rise again!" an elder said solemnly. "A ninja who can use Wood Release offers a strategic deterrent comparable to the First Hokage himself! This will completely reshape the balance of power in the Shinobi World and keep those restless opportunists from making any rash moves!"
"Exactly!" another adviser added. "We need a powerful symbol to deter the wolves eyeing Konoha. Toru Kujyo is that banner!"
And so, urgent letters and detailed reports flew to the major hidden villages across the Shinobi World as though they had sprouted wings. Konoha openly publicized Toru Kujyo's Wood Release abilities, even embellishing descriptions of that world-shattering power. They thrust him into the eye of the storm, making him their last trump card against the village's decline.
The news reached Iwagakure in the Land of Earth.
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales, a short yet imposing old man, sat in his office with a confidential report from Konoha in his hand. When he saw the words "Wood Release," his clouded eyes flew wide, as though he had been struck by lightning.
"Wood Release... Wood Release again?" Ōnoki muttered, his expression growing deeply conflicted. He had lived through the First Hokage's era and witnessed that absolute power, powerful enough to subdue the tailed beasts. And now, another such figure had appeared in Konoha?
For a moment, he felt dazed, as though he had returned to the age ruled by the First Hokage's power. Konoha, the village that had once produced