"That's enough. Stop."
Naoki Senju cut off the supply of chakra. Deprived of its energy source, the wildly expanding Deep Forest Emergence gradually stopped growing.
The Katsuyu Sage was no stranger to the sight before her, because every member of the Senju Clan who had awakened Wood Release had created a Wood Release forest here. Compared with the others, however, Naoki Senju was undoubtedly the youngest-so young it was almost inconceivable.
If the Katsuyu Sage knew that Naoki Senju had been training for less than half a year, she would probably have been even more astonished. Although he had borrowed Hashirama Senju's chakra this time, his aptitude for Wood Release was what mattered most.
Even among members of the Senju Clan who had awakened Wood Release, there were differences between individuals. Hashirama Senju, who had founded Konoha Ninja Village, was undoubtedly the pinnacle among them. But the title of the greatest Wood Release user would probably change hands in the future.
"Little Naoki, did you sense that hidden power?"
The Katsuyu Sage gently stroked the tree trunk with her feelers, a nostalgic look appearing on her face. She had thought she would never see it again...
Senjutsu chakra...? Naoki Senju nodded and answered:
"I sensed it, but I still can't control it." Naoki Senju sighed regretfully.
Tsunade, who was examining Deep Forest Emergence, rolled her eyes in exasperation. Naoki's talent was indeed extraordinarily rare, but sometimes the things he said were simply infuriating. How could anyone master senjutsu chakra just like that?
"Very good! Little Naoki, next you need to master it completely, and the first thing you must do is understand it thoroughly." The Katsuyu Sage paused, and all the natural energy scattered nearby gathered around Naoki Senju.
"This power is called senjutsu chakra. It is formed by combining chakra, mental power, and natural energy from the outside world. Chakra represents physical energy, while mental power represents spiritual energy. By combining these three in a stable balance, you can ultimately obtain senjutsu chakra."
Naoki Senju slowly raised his right hand. Dense, active natural energy flowed between his fingers. This was the first time he had truly touched this wondrous power.
"Because you have the senjutsu chakra little Hashirama left behind inside you, I can let you experience this power ahead of time, little Naoki."
The Katsuyu Sage waved her pair of feelers, and the natural energy lingering around Naoki Senju rushed into his body.
Even Tsunade felt the air currents stirred up by the natural energy. She immediately looked at Naoki in concern, then turned to the Katsuyu Sage beside her.
Tsunade knew all too well how aggressively natural energy could erode the human body. Naoki absolutely could not withstand it as he was now.
The Katsuyu Sage reassured her, "Don't worry, little Tsunade. Little Naoki won't be in danger. If he can become fully familiar with Sage Mode, his subsequent training will be much easier."
With the Katsuyu Sage's assurance, Tsunade breathed a sigh of relief and patted her ample chest, sending alluring ripples through it.
"That's good. Thank you, Katsuyu Sage."
"It's nothing. Watch closely. Little Naoki's Sage Mode is about to appear."
After the immense natural energy poured into his body, it headed straight for the uncontrollable strand of senjutsu chakra with a clear target. When the senjutsu chakra came into contact with the natural energy, it seemed to activate, rapidly merging into Naoki Senju's body.
In the eyes of the Katsuyu Sage and Tsunade, Naoki Senju's presence slowly changed. It did not suddenly grow stronger, but became elusive, as though he had become one with his surroundings.
Black divine markings gradually spread around Naoki Senju's eyes, continuing down toward his neck.
Yet the Katsuyu Sage showed no joy. Instead, she grew somewhat nervous, because more of the divine markings produced by senjutsu chakra was not better. On the contrary, fewer was better. The fewer the markings and changes, the more perfect the Sage Mode.
"Is it going to fail...?"
The Katsuyu Sage prepared to interrupt Sage Mode at any moment.
Tsunade's heart rose into her throat. "Naoki, please don't let anything happen to you!"
At that moment, Naoki Senju could not sense any changes in the outside world, or even perceive the changes in himself.
Within a completely white space, Naoki Senju was like a tiny black dot at its center. But he did not panic. After looking around, he arrived at a guess.
"A mental space? Then its owner is..."
A burst of hearty laughter came from behind him, interrupting Naoki Senju's thoughts.
"Ahahaha! I never imagined I'd get to appear again!"
Without turning around, Naoki already knew who stood behind him.
The God of Shinobi, the man who had founded Konoha, the First Hokage-Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama Senju slowly walked over to Naoki Senju and sat cross-legged before him. The vermilion armor he wore was covered in scars, all traces left by countless battles.
"No need to stand on ceremony. Come, sit down."
Naoki Senju did not refuse. After a polite bow, he sat opposite Hashirama Senju.
Hashirama Senju wore an easygoing smile and sat very casually, without the slightest "dignity of the strong." Unless they knew him very well, probably no one would believe that this kindly middle-aged man before them was the legendary God of Shinobi!
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Hashirama Senju. This is my mental space, but what you see before you is only a strand of chakra I left behind long ago. Introduce yourself too, and tell me how Konoha is doing while you're at it." Hashirama Senju greeted him warmly.
Sure enough, that last part was the real point. As expected of Lord First, who devoted everything to Konoha. Naoki Senju sighed inwardly but let nothing show.
Instead, he spoke with a hint of "excitement." "Greetings, Lord First. My name is Naoki Senju. My grandfather is Konoha's Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju."
Hashirama Senju looked at Naoki Senju's face and hair. After a slow moment, realization finally dawned on him.
"No wonder you looked so familiar! You're Tobirama's grandson!"
A moment later, Hashirama Senju could not help staring at Naoki Senju for a long time again. In the end, he could no longer hold back and asked:
"Are you really Tobirama's grandson? I remember that kid Tobirama didn't have any descendants..."
"Our branch has continued in the Land of Fire's capital. We were involved only in the Land of Fire's political and business circles and did not pass down ninjutsu. Naturally, you wouldn't know about us, Lord First."
"So that's how it is..."
Hashirama Senju nodded, seeming to understand, yet also seeming to have understood nothing. Inwardly, however, he could not help sighing. Tobirama, oh, Tobirama, just what were you guarding against?
But Hashirama Senju had never paid much mind to such things. Tobirama was naturally like that, and there was nothing wrong with being a little cautious. He changed the subject and asked:
"What about Konoha? Since you could come into contact with this strand of chakra, that means you've already learned ninjutsu, and have even begun learning senjutsu. How is Konoha doing now?"
Hashirama Senju's eager questioning only made Naoki Senju's attitude toward him grow colder inwardly. Hashirama Senju was indeed a great shinobi, but his goals were too idealistic and his thinking too naive, at odds with this cruel world.
Compared with Hashirama's benevolent ideals, Naoki Senju agreed more with the philosophies of Tobirama Senju and Madara Uchiha: submit or be destroyed!