After parting with Tsunade, Hikari formed hand seals.
"Yin Release: Clone Technique!"
Three pitch-black clones of Hikari appeared out of thin air before the four figures split up and headed in different directions.
Training in Wood Release required a large space and would inevitably cause significant commotion. If it drew unwanted attention, Hikari's plan—to have Tsunade play the pig to eat the tiger and strike back—would fall apart.
Yamato's Wood Release was one thing, but if Tsunade were to manifest it, not only would Kumo and Iwa react, but even Suna and Kiri might turn against Konoha.
After all, the previous user of Wood Release, Senju Hashirama, was hailed as the "God of Shinobi".
That title wasn't given to him out of courtesy—it was earned through his undefeated record, battle after battle.
If Tsunade, Hashirama's own granddaughter, were to awaken Wood Release, no one would dare underestimate her. Even if she inherited just a tenth of his power, she could easily overpower the other four Kage. That was how overwhelming Wood Release was.
Hikari soon arrived at the estimated location and formed another set of hand seals—this time far more complex than before, increasing from one to five.
"Yin Release: Dreamlike Barrier!"
A faint layer of spiritual energy enveloped a vast section of the Forest of Death. To the outside world, everything appeared normal. Even if someone probed with chakra, they wouldn't detect anything unusual—because Yin Release operated beyond the scope of ordinary chakra perception.
This was the power of the mind.
That said, if Tsunade didn't return, things could get problematic.
After setting up the barrier, Hikari formed seals once more.
"Yang Release: Clone Technique!"
An identical copy of Hikari appeared, indistinguishable from a normal person. Then, the figure morphed into Tsunade's likeness.
"Whoa, what a load!" the clone exclaimed. "Tsunade's really something, carrying such badonkers around without getting tired!"
Kamizuki Hikari's face darkened as he glared at the Yang clone. "Seriously, cut it out! Do I really sound that perverted?! Just go sit in the Hokage's office and make sure no one notices anything suspicious!"
The Tsunade clone swayed her hips. "Tch, buzzkill!"
Hikari's expression turned pitch-black.
Was he really like this?!
"Tch, no taste."
The clone rolled her eyes at Hikari before strutting away.
As for Hikari himself, he found a spot to sit and watched the clone's retreating figure with a silent prayer. 'Please, let nothing go wrong today...'
He couldn't help but worry—after all, the clone's behavior had been downright embarrassing.
The Tsunade clone arrived at the training grounds with practiced ease, spotting Team Gai in the middle of their drills.
"Hokage-sama!"
Maito Gai immediately halted his training and greeted her respectfully. His team quickly followed suit, bowing in unison.
"Keep up the good work! The future of Konoha rests on your shoulders!" The clone encouraged them with an air of authority.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama! Youth must never be tarnished!"
A flash of white teeth blinded the clone, forcing her to take a step back.
"Right, well... carry on! I have matters to attend to!"
Watching Tsunade hurry off, Tenten tilted her head curiously. "Why would the Hokage come to the training grounds? Was she here to see us?"
"Don't flatter yourself." Neji scoffed, having long abandoned any romantic notions about Tenten. To him now, women were fleeting—only taijutsu was eternal. "She was probably inspecting Training Ground 10 and just happened to pass by."
"What's so special about Training Ground 10?" Tenten pressed.
Neji opened his mouth, then glanced at Gai, who winked and gave him a thumbs-up. "Neji, your deduction skills are shining bright today!"
Neji's face fell.
'Gai-sensei, I was feeling good about myself until you said that...'
"You three are hiding something! Gai-sensei, what's going on?!" Tenten's patience wore thin. Being the only one out of the loop was frustrating.
"Nothing at all! Hehehe!" Gai tried to brush it off, only for Tenten to clench her fist and swing at him.
"Gai-sensei, you're the worst!"
"Whoa!"
Gai barely dodged in time.
*BOOM!*
The punch struck the tree beside him, leaving a gaping hole straight through the trunk.
'Thank goodness I didn't take that head-on—I'd be six feet under!'
Gai wiped his forehead and glanced at the fuming Tenten. There was no escaping an explanation now.
"Uh, Tenten, let Neji explain! Lee, with me!"
Lee, oblivious as ever, followed Gai back to training, leaving Neji alone with Tenten.
Under her sweetly smiling gaze, Neji gulped.
This wasn't temptation—this was fear.
'Scary! Thank goodness she's not into me. If we ever got married, I'd be a victim of domestic violence!'
'Hikari-senpai, please exorcise this demon!'
Neji prayed silently, but Hikari was no deity—his pleas went unheard.
"Neji, spill it." Tenten patted the tree she had just mutilated, grinning.
*Gulp.*
"Well... I just thought Tsunade-sama might've stopped by the restroom near the Danzo Tree. Nothing major!"
Tenten blinked.
That's it? That's it?!
Most girls might've feigned modesty in front of a handsome guy like Neji, but Tenten wasn't most girls. She'd trained with him, Gai, and Lee for over a year—if she were the type to fuss over appearances, she would've quit long ago.
"Pfft. And here I thought you had some grand theory." She waved him off. "Hurry up and catch up with training!"
A shinobi's prime years were between 12 and 18, and Tenten refused to waste them.
Back when she lacked proper training methods, she might've settled for being ordinary. But now?
If she was going to be a vase, she'd be a priceless antique—one with substance.
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