"Shigure… you…"
Mei Terumī stood frozen, staring at the young man before her.
Shigure was bathed in a radiant golden Chakra, its glow illuminating the ruined training ground.
What on earth…?
Was this Tailed Beast Chakra? It didn't look like what she had seen before. Tailed Beast Chakra was supposed to be red—wild and violent. But this… this golden hue felt calm yet overwhelmingly powerful.
Before she could find her voice, Shigure spoke, sounding slightly exasperated.
"Have you seen enough? At least show me some respect!"
The familiar tone instantly eased Mei Terumī's tension.
"You're alright?!" she asked quickly.
"I'm fine," Shigure replied, shaking his head.
"Then what exactly are you doing?"
"I just… developed something new. Based on the power of the Tailed Beasts."
Mei blinked. "Developed something new?"
Her voice rose slightly. "You call this a small experiment?"
Shigure followed her gaze around the room — and his expression turned sheepish.
The entire training ground was in ruins. Not a single wall was intact; even the reinforced flooring was cracked from the energy discharge.
"Ah… sorry about that," Shigure said awkwardly.
Mei sighed. "Next time, try not to blow up half the training grounds. Because of you, this area has been completely sealed off."
Shigure chuckled softly. "Yeah, I noticed. The entire perimeter's surrounded, and there's a sealing barrier outside too."
"Good," Mei said, crossing her arms. "Now, why don't you explain that golden Chakra of yours?"
Shigure smiled faintly. "You probably wouldn't understand the details, but to put it simply — the Three-Tails and Six-Tails have completely synchronized with me. Their power has evolved, allowing me to unleash a new level of strength."
That was an understatement.
By mastering Three-Tails Mode and Six-Tails Mode, Shigure had helped both Isobu and Saiken awaken their own versions of Sage Mode. In return, they could now assist him in refining Sage Chakra, drastically reducing the time needed to reach his full Sage state.
More importantly, by using Natural Energy as a medium, his Tailed Beast Mode and Sage Mode could now overlap — just like Naruto's Kurama Sage Mode.
Once activated, both energies merged instantly, producing a harmony of raw might and divine balance.
Today had been a major breakthrough.
Still, one problem remained unresolved — Tsunade's condition.
He hadn't yet figured out how to help her.
"Come on," Mei said, breaking his thoughts.
"You should come outside and explain yourself. The guards won't relax unless they see you're fine."
A Tailed Beast rampage was no small matter for any Hidden Village. It was no surprise that Kirigakure had gone on full alert.
Once Shigure stepped outside, the gathered Mist-nin immediately tensed. But when they saw him calm, uninjured, and standing beside the Mizukage herself, their fear eased. They realized the tremors had only come from another of Shigure's "experiments."
Soon, the barriers were withdrawn, and order returned.
By then, the sky had already darkened. The sea breeze carried the faint scent of salt through the village.
"Not heading back yet?" Shigure asked as Mei turned to leave.
Mei rolled her eyes. "Thanks to you, I've got a pile of paperwork waiting."
She stopped mid-step and walked back toward him, her expression softening slightly as she looked him over.
"You know, you've grown a lot these past few days," she said, realizing he now stood almost at her nose level.
Shigure smiled. The fusion of Shikotsumyaku within his body was still progressing. In another two days, it would be complete — and by then, he'd likely be taller than her.
"I'm still growing," he said lightly. "Give it a little time, and I'll be looking down at you, Lady Mizukage."
"Keep dreaming," Mei said, though there was amusement in her tone.
As Shigure turned to leave, Mei's eyes lingered on his back.
He was changing — not just in height, but in presence. His aura felt sharper, steadier, and undeniably powerful.
And yet, as she noticed his too-small clothes straining against his frame, Mei couldn't help but sigh.
"For someone about to surpass a Kage," she murmured, "you really should learn to buy new clothes."
I'll have to ask someone to make that kid a few more sets of clothes…
Tsunade sighed softly to herself as she sat on the sofa, lost in thought.
The front door creaked open.
Shigure stepped in, the faint scent of mist and ozone clinging to him after his latest training session. The moment she heard the sound, Tsunade immediately stood up, her movements unusually quick.
Shigure blinked in surprise. Why is she reacting like this?
"You're… back?" Tsunade said first, her tone awkwardly casual.
He raised an eyebrow.
She greeted me? That's new.
"Ah—do you want to eat something? Or… take a rest?" she added hastily, almost fumbling over her words.
Shigure frowned slightly. "No need. I'll handle it myself."
Without waiting for her reply, he walked past her and headed upstairs. Tsunade stood frozen in place, watching his back disappear up the steps, an unreadable expression flickering across her face.
Shigure shut the door behind him, exhaled, and made his way to the bathroom. The fatigue from battle and training washed away under the hot water. His mind, however, remained sharp—focused.
Both Sage Mode and Tailed Beast Mode had now been successfully developed.
The next step was fusing the two together.
That wouldn't be difficult at all.
With the immense amount of Chakra flowing through his body, Shigure could finally begin developing more powerful Ninjutsu—techniques that once seemed impossible.
And among all possible paths, one stood above the rest—
Wood Release.
Until now, Shigure hadn't truly explored the Wood Release kekkei genkai. His earlier limitations in Chakra control and consumption had forced him to rely on passive skill slots to minimize cost. But that was no longer necessary.
Now, with this seemingly infinite well of Chakra, the legendary power of Senju Hashirama could finally be unleashed to its fullest potential.
Shigure leaned back in the warm water, his gaze distant.
He raised his hand—and from his palm, a tender green sapling sprouted, pulsing faintly with life energy.
"Let's start with all of Hashirama's Wood Release techniques," he murmured.
'Great Sage.'
Great Sage: "Analysis and computation initiated. Estimated time: one day."
"One day, huh? That's fine."
He rose from the bath, grabbed a towel, and wrapped it around himself. With a subtle pulse of Chakra, the remaining droplets of water evaporated instantly.
Still examining the sapling growing from his palm, Shigure pushed open the bathroom door—
—and stopped.
Standing right in front of him was Tsunade, holding a neatly folded set of pajamas.
For a moment, they both froze.
Tsunade's gaze dropped to Shigure's hand, and her pupils dilated.
"You… this is…" she breathed.
Shigure frowned slightly. "Who said you could come into my room?"
But Tsunade didn't answer. Her eyes were fixed on the sapling sprouting from his palm.
There was no mistaking it.
That was Wood Release—her grandfather's Bloodline Limit, the power of the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
"Why do you… have Wood Release?" Tsunade whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
When Shigure finally met her eyes, he paused.
Her expression wasn't filled with anger or shock—it was something deeper. Nostalgia, disbelief, and an almost painful longing.
And in that moment, Shigure noticed something strange.
For the first time in years, Tsunade's eyes… had light in them again.
...
TN:
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