"Wood Release Gift Pack!"
Kazuku's pupils dilated, staring at the reward, afraid to blink.
As if blinking would make it vanish.
He even…
Pinched his thigh hard.
Pain.
Ouch, ouch, ouch.
Really painful.
Not a dream.
He actually got the Wood Release Gift Pack!
"Calm down, calm down."
Kazuku tried to suppress his excitement but couldn't.
No doubt, Wood Release was among the strongest kekkei genkai in the Naruto world!
Few in the ninja world could rival it.
And…
Some of those few hadn't been born yet!
Kazuku envisioned slashing his Hokage goal's timeline, becoming Hokage!
If…
Shadow Clone and Rasengan qualitatively boosted his strength…
Wood Release was a game-changer.
"Crucially…"
"Wood Release isn't just powerful ninjutsu—it's a status symbol!"
When Sarutobi Hiruzen became Third Hokage, his first act…
Was to regain Wood Release for Konohagakure.
He and Danzo collaborated on human experiments.
This showed Konohagakure's reverence for Wood Release!
Though Kazuku was Hashirama's eldest grandson, Konohagakure's ultimate insider…
With Wood Release…
He'd be the people's choice!
Kazuku noticed a detail.
His previous check-ins glowed white.
This time, it was gold!
Even the check-in system deemed Wood Release a rare reward!
His breathing quickened.
"Open the Wood Release Gift Pack!"
After calming down, Kazuku activated the reward.
[Wood Release Gift Pack opened!]
[Congratulations, host, for obtaining: Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Jutsu, Wood Release: Wood Human Jutsu Lv10, Wood Release: Wood Dragon Jutsu Lv10!]
The Four-Pillar House Jutsu was useless to Kazuku.
But Wood Human and Wood Dragon Jutsu thrilled him!
These were highly practical in combat.
They could even counter Nine-Tails' Tailed Beast Ball!
Crucially…
Unlike Yamato, with limited chakra, unable to fully unleash Wood Release's terror…
Hence the saying: Hashirama's Wood Release conquered, Yamato's greened.
"Though my chakra's limited, I have Hashirama's chakra."
Hashirama's chakra.
Plus Wood Human and Wood Dragon Jutsu.
What was that?
Hashirama's Wood Release!
Kazuku itched to test it.
"Kagami's perfect."
He muttered.
But mentioning Uchiha brought another figure to mind.
Uchiha Madara.
Before drawing Wood Release, Kazuku said…
He'd trade ten years of Madara's lifespan for it.
He thought there was no way he'd get it.
What were the odds?
Yet…
He got Wood Release!
Not just any, but two powerful techniques!
"It's not that mystical, right?"
"Maybe I'm just an Emperor of Luck."
Kazuku quipped.
"Whatever, I'm Hashirama's grandson."
"Madara shouldn't mind."
Kazuku knew Madara didn't die at the Valley of the End.
He was alive, hiding.
But Madara wasn't petty.
He'd revive eventually.
Ten years wouldn't matter.
With that, Kazuku headed to the outpost.
From afar, he saw Kagami, waving.
"Kagami!"
"Hm?" Kagami set down his task, turning to Kazuku, noting his lively steps and beaming smile.
Clearly, Kazuku was in high spirits.
Rare for him.
Patrolling and training were dull.
His cooking, prioritizing edibility, drew Kazuku's complaints.
"What's up, Captain Kazuku? You seem in a great mood." Kagami smiled.
Life at the outpost was boring.
If Kazuku had something happy to share, that'd be nice.
"Nothing too exciting."
Kazuku replied, but his smile betrayed him.
Just exciting?
Super ultra exciting!
"You free, Kagami?" Kazuku asked cautiously.
"Yeah." Kagami frowned, eyeing Kazuku, unsure what he meant.
"Just finished patrolling. There's time before dinner. I was going to maintain my tools and rest."
"Perfect." Kazuku nodded. "Since you're free, spar with me."
"Combat training!"
Sakumo and Kosuke were only genin-level.
Even together, they couldn't match Kazuku using just taijutsu.
Using Wood Release might scare them stiff.
What fun was that?
Kagami was the better choice.
But Kagami looked baffled.
A bad feeling crept in.
His instincts screamed…
Kazuku was up to something.
Kazuku's usual training followed Might Guy's grueling methods.
Suddenly wanting to spar?
"Captain Kazuku, can I say no?"
"Combat training? You can do that with your shadow clones."
Kagami suggested.
But Kazuku wouldn't let him off, shaking his head. Sparring clones was boring.
And…
"Kagami, it's been a while since you fought, right?"
"Ninja should…"
Before he finished, figures descended, surrounding the outpost.
Kazuku scanned, recognizing them.
Kumogakure ninja.
Among them…
Gold and Silver Horn, familiar faces.
"Gold Horn, Silver Horn?"
Kagami exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"This is the Land of Fire's border."
"Are you trying to start a war between our nations?"
In a panic, Kagami shouted.
(End of Chapter)