At the village gates, Tsunade stood in her Hokage Ceremonial Robe, her expression solemn. Behind her stood two guards. One was Kakashi Hatake, masked and looking as laid-back as ever. The other was Toru Kujyo, dressed in fitted black clothing, his expression impassive.
This was Konoha's delegation to the Five Kage Summit-the current Hokage, the Copy Ninja, and a future candidate for Hokage. The lineup demonstrated their strength while carrying considerable political significance.
The three set out for the Land of Iron. The wind bit cold, and no one spoke along the way.
Only after they were far from the village did Tsunade finally break the silence. She looked at Toru Kujyo beside her, her gaze complicated. "Come to think of it, your Wood Release feels somewhat different from the First Hokage's. The activity and vitality of your cells seem... purer."
"Is that so?" Toru Kujyo replied indifferently.
"More than just pure," Tsunade said with a sigh of admiration. "I've studied your cells. They're practically a perfect creation, with almost no rejection response. Their compatibility even surpasses the First Hokage's. It really is... an extraordinary bloodline."
Beside them, Kakashi raised his eyelids slightly. He knew what Tsunade was about to say.
Sure enough, Tsunade changed the subject. "Thanks to your cells, that boy Sasuke has successfully awakened Wood Release too."
The news landed like a boulder thrown into a lake. Even Kakashi could not help glancing over. Sasuke Uchiha, that boy who had defected, now possessed the legendary power that had brought an end to an age of war?
Toru Kujyo showed no surprise, as though he were merely hearing about something trivial.
Tsunade turned to Kakashi, a hint of regret in her voice. "I originally wanted to give you some too, to grow a new eye and solve your