"Kakashi was right, Chizan-sensei."
"Guy has told me before — he said you're the strongest in physique he's ever seen apart from his own father."
"To become a true powerhouse, a strong physique is essential!"
"Kakashi, as expected of my teammate — on this point, we're perfectly in sync!"
Uchiha Obito clapped Kakashi on the shoulder with excitement. After all, he had been training taijutsu with Guy for a long time to strengthen his own physique.
What left Gekko Chizan utterly bewildered was that even Rin started nodding and sharing her own opinion.
"Tsunade-sama once said that medical-nin shouldn't just focus on healing. To save one's comrades on the battlefield, a strong physique and the ability to protect oneself come first."
"Pakura-sensei also told me that on the battlefield, no one will spare me just because I'm a medical-nin. To ensure my comrades' safety, I must also have the ability to protect myself. Physique and strength are equally important!"
Gekko Chizan stared blankly at his three disciples before him. His very existence had completely changed the path of this team, which in the original timeline would have ended in tragedy.
It's just… this way of thinking was a little hard to accept.
"Fine, do whatever you want. I've got things to do — you're free to act on your own."
With a flash, Flying Thunder God activated, and Gekko Chizan returned once again to Island Turtle — only to almost get crushed by a massive tree the moment he landed.
"Boom!"
As the huge tree toppled, Gekko Chizan's temper flared instantly.
"What the hell? You trying to kill someone with a tree this big?"
Tagitsuhime burst out laughing, pointing at Chizan as she spoke between chuckles.
"Look at you, showing up at just the right moment, hahaha."
"Hmph! Tagitsuhime, what are you doing here?"
Seeing Tagitsuhime and Yugito, Gekko Chizan's face darkened.
"Training with her, of course. This kid's got great talent."
Tagitsuhime tilted her head toward the tree that had just flown up. Only now did Chizan notice the trunk was covered in fist and claw marks.
The fist marks he could understand… but claw marks?
"Yugito, you've already learned to use Matatabi's strength?"
Yugito raised her head proudly and nodded.
"This is strength Matatabi lent me — it lets my hands grow sharp claws!"
"My claw attacks are amazing!"
Swish!
Her claws extended, and Yugito slashed the air a few times. Chizan had to admit — they looked pretty good.
"Not bad. For Matatabi to lend you her strength so quickly — Yugito, you're doing well."
"Keep it up."
"Tagitsuhime, I came here to find you. Did you pass along my teacher's message?"
She rolled her eyes at him, clearly displeased.
"Knew you wouldn't be looking for me for anything good."
"Orochimaru's been notified. You can use Reverse Summoning to reach Ryūchi Cave right now."
Gekko Chizan nodded, then activated Reverse Summoning, reappearing in Ryūchi Cave.
This time, it was Jinlin and Manda who greeted him.
"Yo, Manda — been a while."
Manda gave him a resentful look.
"If I could help it, I wouldn't want to see you."
The words had barely left his mouth before a massive golden tail smacked him in the face.
"What was that? Hm? Little Manda? Getting cocky, are we?"
Jinlin's voice rumbled with menace.
Frightened, Manda quickly backed away, wary of another strike.
"Alright, Jinlin, stop bullying him."
"Manda, you're still my teacher's contract summon. Go and let him know to summon us over."
Manda nodded, then began contacting Orochimaru.
Soon, Reverse Summoning activated, and Manda, Jinlin, and Gekko Chizan all vanished from Ryūchi Cave.
When the white smoke cleared, Chizan found himself in a massive cavern.
"Hehehe… Chizan-kun."
"Yo, sensei. Where'd you find this place? So gloomy, tsk tsk."
The moment they met, Chizan greeted his teacher with thinly veiled disdain.
"I had no choice — the village isn't suitable for my research. This is a branch lab I set up in the Land of Fields."
"Although the war is urgent, it hasn't reached the final battle yet, so I had the time to come here."
"So? Was your trip to the daimyo's mansion smooth?"
Chizan shook his head, looking slightly helpless.
"Not at all. I ended up fighting the Seven Ninja Swordsmen."
"Jinlin, bring out my gift."
The enormous golden python glanced at Orochimaru, then placed a huge crystal in front of him.
Seeing it, Orochimaru paused slightly.
"This is crystal? Pretty hard… but what's inside?"
Chizan burst into hearty laughter.
"Sensei, this is a big gift from me to you."
"One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, the genius of the Hōzuki clan — Hōzuki Mangetsu!"
The name made Orochimaru raise his brows.
He'd heard of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and the Hōzuki clan was a central pillar of Kirigakure's power.
The Second Mizukage had been from the Hōzuki — this clan was mysterious and formidable.
"Hehehehe… Chizan-kun, your growth is beyond my expectations."
"I didn't think even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would be no match for you."
"The Hōzuki's secret Water Technique, hm? No wonder you had to trap him in crystal."
"This will make an excellent experiment subject. I'm very pleased!"
The two shared a knowing look, then burst out laughing together.
"But… what exactly is this crystal?"
Orochimaru stroked it, curiosity in his tone.
"Orochimaru, you really don't know your own disciple very well. This is one of the Gekko brat's kekkei genkai — Crystal Release."
"I only found out recently that this kid actually has two kekkei genkai."
Manda spoke with clear disdain, but his words shocked Orochimaru to the core.
Two kekkei genkai?
Gekko Chizan possessed two kekkei genkai?
"Sensei, don't look at me like that. This kekkei genkai isn't inherited from my clan — I developed it myself after more than ten years of training."
"I call it Crystal Release. As the name implies, I can create crystal."
Orochimaru knew that kekkei genkai could be created, but the difficulty was enormous.
Ordinary shinobi couldn't accomplish it — even he hadn't been able to create one suited for himself.
And yet his disciple had done it. And from the look of it, this Crystal Release was powerful.
"Chizan-kun, you've truly opened my eyes — creating an entirely new kekkei genkai?"
"Excellent! Absolutely excellent!"
Still laughing, Orochimaru dashed deeper into the cavern.
While the others were left staring in confusion, he returned — holding something in his hands.
The moment Chizan saw it, his whole body tensed.
"Quick, Chizan-kun — let me collect some of your blood! A brand-new kekkei genkai — your genes are even more worth studying!"
As expected, nothing could stop Orochimaru's thirst for research — not even if the subject was his own disciple!