Inside the grotto, the atmosphere remained heavy.
Toyotomi Yinglang's analysis of "the evil of the shinobi system" and "the Sage of Six Paths hiding in the Pure Land" had swept away the last trace of unrealistic fantasy in the hearts of Nagato and his two companions like the most biting wind.
But then he changed the subject, bringing up something else directly connected to "power," something that had also sparked countless bloody conflicts in the shinobi world.
"Also, let me give you a warning." Toyotomi Yinglang's gaze swept over the contemplative Yahiko and Nagato. His tone was calm, yet carried unquestionable certainty.
"Don't waste any effort on Wood Release, or entertain any ideas you shouldn't."
Yahiko broke free of his heavy thoughts and froze at those words, asking instinctively, "Why? Wood Release was the power the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, used to pacify a world at war. If... if we could master that power, then changing the Land of Rain, or even..."
Before he could finish, Toyotomi Yinglang raised a hand and cut him off.
"Wood Release?" That familiar, mocking curve appeared at the corner of Toyotomi Yinglang's mouth again.
"You, along with the vast majority of people in the shinobi world, have misunderstood something. The fundamental reason Hashirama Senju was powerful enough to be called the God of Shinobi wasn't the Wood Release kekkei genkai itself."
Looking at Yahiko's and Nagato's puzzled eyes, he slowly revealed the answer:
"It was his Sage Body, and his being Asura's reincarnation."
"The Sage Body gave Hashirama Senju virtually limitless vitality and chakra reserves, along with terrifying abilities to heal himself and recover. Being Asura's reincarnation meant he was born bearing the vast, gentle, life-filled chakra essence of the Sage of Six Paths' second son, as well as an extremely high affinity for