"Hoshikawa !"
As soon as Madara Uchiha left, Kurenai Yūhi, Rin Nohara, and the others gathered around him.
"I'm fine."
Hoshikawa dismissed his Shadow Clone and shook his head.
He knew Obito Uchiha had Double Kamui, so he had decided to adopt a kiting strategy. Although the Mangekyō Sharingan was powerful, it required the user to see the target to activate, and it needed a certain amount of time. By directly evading Obito Uchiha, Hoshikawa reduced him to helpless fury. As for killing him, with Madara Uchiha present, it would have been nearly impossible.
"I feel like he recognized you," Kurenai Yūhi said thoughtfully. "Have you ever offended an Uchiha ninja?"
"You know me, I'm always friendly to everyone," Hoshikawa said with a smile.
"That's true." Kurenai Yūhi tilted her head, analyzing, "Your reputation is huge now, so maybe he's just a ninja who's jealous of you."
"Hoshikawa , you fought him personally. Was that really Wood Release?" Hizashi Hyūga couldn't resist asking.
"It was Wood Release," Hoshikawa paused, then added, "but the power wasn't as great as the legends say."
Hizashi Hyūga was momentarily stunned, then nodded in agreement. The legends of Wood Release all stemmed from Hashirama Senju, a powerful figure who once swept across the ninja world. This mysterious Wood Release user, however, had been severely injured by Hoshikawa , showing none of that invincible power.
"Regarding the Wood Release, I hope everyone keeps this a secret." Hoshikawa suddenly realized this was a tremendous opportunity.
He didn't need to explain anything; he just needed to tell Tsunade. She would naturally fill in the blanks and find the reason. And that reason would most likely involve Danzō Shimura.
It was time for the "Potted Shadow" to take the blame! No, it wasn't exactly taking the blame, as Danzō really had done it.
Hoshikawa could use this opportunity to expose the Wood Release experiments, helping Tsunade eliminate her only remaining rival for the Hokage position.
"Understood." Kurenai Yūhi and Rin Nohara immediately agreed.
The four Hyūga ninja exchanged looks and offered no objection. In their view, Hoshikawa 's words represented Tsunade's, and Tsunade was the next Hokage. If the Hyūga Clan helped the Hokage keep a secret, they would maintain their deserved status.
"Let's return to the main camp." Hoshikawa looked in the direction of the Konoha camp.
He had previously felt the enormous chakra of the Three-Tails, but it was now completely gone. It was unlikely that Chiyo and Tsunade could have killed the Three-Tails. The only explanation was that Kirigakure had voluntarily retreated. This was likely related to him killing the Third Mizukage. With no one to lead, no one could command the forces.
The group headed toward the Konoha camp.
Hoshikawa 's attention, however, was on the Title System. Two prompt sounds had gone off earlier, but he had held back from checking while talking to Kurenai and the others. Now he finally had the time.
[B-Rank Talent Title: The Greening Ninja.]
[Trigger Condition: Defeat the enraged Obito Uchiha.]
[Effect: Wood Release Talent is increased by 150% above the original level.]
Hoshikawa 's eyes lit up. A Wood Release talent? This title was truly unexpected. After all, Obito Uchiha's Wood Release came from White Zetsu. Regardless, this was good news. Although Hoshikawa couldn't use it yet since he didn't know Wood Release, once he acquired it, this title would help him learn the ninjutsu much faster.
Hoshikawa composed himself and looked at the second title he had acquired.
[S-Rank Talent Title: Kamui Can't Hide the Tears.]
[Trigger Condition: Defeat the newly awakened Obito Uchiha.]
[Effect: Space-Time Talent is increased by 300% above the original level.]
Hoshikawa raised an eyebrow. This was the real treasure! The Space-Time talent he had been anticipating was finally here! With it, he could now learn Space-Time ninjutsu.
And what was the most famous Space-Time ninjutsu in Konoha? Of course, the Flying Thunder God Technique! (Hiraishin no Jutsu!)
Hoshikawa hadn't learned it before because he lacked the necessary Space-Time talent. Now that the fundamental conditions were met, he could try. After all, the Flying Thunder God Technique was incredibly convenient. It allowed for offense, defense, escape, and even the redirection of a Tailed Beast Ball, making it nearly as good as Obito Uchiha's right-eye Kamui.
Hoshikawa couldn't help but inwardly praise Obito as a good person, giving him two titles at once. However, Obito Uchiha must hate him to the core now.
Hoshikawa suspected that if the Nine-Tails Rampage were to happen again, Obito Uchiha would likely prioritize killing him over attacking Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. After all, you have to prioritize attacking the target that opened the taunt.
No, given Obito Uchiha's personality, he might not even wait for the Nine-Tails Rampage.
But that was a minor issue. Obito Uchiha's severe injuries would require half a year of recuperation, and he still had to execute Madara Uchiha's Eye of the Moon Plan, so he wouldn't be back quickly. Hoshikawa could use this time to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Once he put a Flying Thunder God Seal on Tsunade, Kurenai, and the others, he wouldn't have to worry too much about Obito Uchiha. Moreover, besides the Flying Thunder God Technique, he also had the imminent Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Both ninjutsu were known for their speed, capable of being equally fast. Combining them, if Obito Uchiha dared to come to Konoha, it wouldn't just be a severe injury. After all, by then, Madara Uchiha would be dead, and no one would be there to save him.
Soon, the group returned to the Konoha main camp.
"How could this happen?" Kurenai Yūhi gasped instinctively.
The Konoha main camp was completely transformed. The previously neatly lined tents were now scattered and ruined, as if a hurricane had passed through. Besides the tents, a thick smell of blood hung in the air.
"The destructive power of a Tailed Beast is truly astonishing," Hizashi Hyūga sighed.
Although Tsunade had rushed back to the main camp in time to provide support, she had few effective methods against a giant monster like the Tailed Beast. The resulting battle had affected many ninja.
"Help the wounded!" Hoshikawa wasted no time, rushing to the nearest injured ninja.
"I'll help you!" Rin Nohara hurried to join him.
"We will too." Although Kurenai Yūhi was not a Medical Ninja, she could help rebuild the camp.
Tsunade noticed them and was relieved to see they were all unharmed. The fact that he could escape from the Third Mizukage proved that this brat's strength was growing exponentially. She didn't rush to greet them but continued treating the wounded.
Time slowly passed. The sun reached its zenith. It wasn't until noon that they finally had a moment of rest.
"Lady Tsunade!"
The ninja who went to reinforce the watchtower returned.
"What's the situation?" Tsunade looked at Maki from Sunagakure.
"Kirigakure has retreated entirely from the Land of Rivers for some unknown reason," Maki said, looking puzzled.
Tsunade was stunned. What was going on?
First, they had sent a huge force with the Third Mizukage and the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, making it seem like they were going for a decisive battle. But why did they stop fighting halfway through?
"I know why." Hizashi Hyūga smiled. "Hoshikawa killed the Third Mizukage."
"What?!" Many ninja showed shocked expressions. Tsunade was also stunned. She had previously lamented the cruelty of war, where even the Third Raikage could be killed. She never thought that, in the blink of an eye, her student would kill the Third Mizukage.
Chiyo opened her mouth, unsure what to say. She thought Hoshikawa was strong, but she hadn't expected him to be this strong. If she remembered correctly, the Third Mizukage specialized in Water Release. This was... truly bizarre.
At the same time, Chiyo greatly envied Tsunade for having such an incredible student. She herself once had a grandson who could inherit her puppet mastery, but fate had other plans.
"No wonder Kirigakure retreated," Tsunade said, recovering her composure. "Well done."
"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Master," Hoshikawa replied modestly.
The corner of Tsunade's mouth curled up, but she then glared at him. She quickly realized such behavior was unbecoming of her status, and her expression immediately became serious.
"Although Kirigakure has retreated, we cannot lower our guard," Tsunade said gravely. "Maki and Hizashi, you are responsible for vigilance and patrols."
"Yes." Hizashi Hyūga and Maki said in unison.
"Everyone has worked hard today. Go back to your tents and rest," Tsunade paused, then instructed, "Hizashi, remember to send the intelligence back to Konoha."
Hoshikawa killing the Third Mizukage was certainly worth highlighting. Since it was her own student, Tsunade would definitely lend a hand.
The crowd turned to leave. However, before departing, everyone was scrutinizing Hoshikawa , seemingly unable to believe he had killed the Third Mizukage. The Sunagakure ninja, in particular, had complex emotions. The emergence of such a genius and powerful ninja in Konoha was not good for them. They wished it were false, but there was no need to lie about such a thing. If the Third Mizukage truly died, the entire ninja world would know about it soon enough.
"Master." Finally, only Hoshikawa remained.
"Hmm." Tsunade nodded slightly. "Let's talk in my tent."
Hoshikawa followed her into the tent.
"Ah, I'm exhausted!" Tsunade dropped her formal demeanor, took off her light green haori, and lay unceremoniously on the mat. From last night until this afternoon, she had been either fighting the Tailed Beast or treating the wounded. Even with her Creation Rebirth seal, she felt mentally and physically drained.
Hoshikawa blinked. His view was dominated by the full, beautiful curves of Tsunade, which made her outfit look particularly alluring.
Hoshikawa made himself comfortable, lying down parallel to her. He turned his head slightly and immediately understood four words: Tilted View is Best. Tsunade was truly outstandingly well-developed. Moreover, her alabaster skin shimmered with a captivating beauty.
"What are you looking at?" Tsunade suddenly looked at him, and their eyes met.
"Master, I have something important to tell you," Hoshikawa said, adopting a serious expression.
Tsunade pouted. With her strength, she naturally felt Hoshikawa 's less-than-proper gaze just now.
"Go on," Tsunade forgave him.
"After I killed the Third Mizukage, a mysterious ninja appeared," Hoshikawa slowly began. "He possessed not only the Sharingan but also Wood Release."
Tsunade's expression instantly froze. She instinctively sat up and blurted out, "Wood Release? That's impossible!"
Hoshikawa 's eyes twitched slightly as her clothes shifted. He sat up with her, saying earnestly, "It's absolutely true. I fought him, and it was indeed Wood Release."
Tsunade clenched and unclenched her fists repeatedly, looking somewhat bewildered.
"But his Wood Release power was average," Hoshikawa added pointedly. "It was just an ordinary Kekkei Genkai, nowhere near the level of the First Hokage."
Tsunade suddenly recalled something. A long time ago, Hiruzen Sarutobi had conducted Wood Release experiments. As a Konoha elder and the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju, she was aware of this. At the time, she had reluctantly agreed to the experiments after hearing Sarutobi's justification. However, after the volunteer test subjects died, Sarutobi ordered the Wood Release experiments to be halted.
Could someone have restarted the Wood Release experiments? Tsunade frowned, deep in thought.
No, that wasn't right. How could he also have the Sharingan? Uchiha ninja would never agree to participate in Wood Release experiments.
"This mysterious ninja holds great hostility toward Konoha," Hoshikawa said, blending truth and fabrication. "He was only driven back because his strength was slightly inferior to ours."
"Hostility?" Tsunade's heart stirred.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already forbidden the Wood Release experiments. So, any restart of the Wood Release experiments would certainly not be conducted humanely. Could this mysterious ninja be one of the test subjects? And forced to participate?
But who would dare use an Uchiha ninja as a test subject?
The name Danzō Shimura surfaced in Tsunade's mind.
As a Konoha elder, Danzō could access Hashirama Senju's body, and he had the funds and personnel to restart the Wood Release experiments. Most importantly, he greatly disliked and hated the Uchiha Clan.
"Master, have you thought of anything?" Hoshikawa asked curiously, watching her changing expression.
"There's no harm in telling you this." Tsunade then recounted Sarutobi's Wood Release experiments and offered her conjecture about Danzō Shimura. Since Hoshikawa was the person she trusted most, she didn't hide anything.
"There are experiments like that?" Hoshikawa asked, feigning surprise.
"The significance of Wood Release is too great," Tsunade sighed.
"Then Danzō Shimura definitely couldn't resist the temptation of Wood Release. I think he is conducting Wood Release experiments in private," Hoshikawa agreed completely.
"Hmm." Tsunade reached up and rubbed her forehead. "This matter is very troublesome." Although Danzō Shimura was no longer the leader of Root, he was still a Konoha elder and the Hokage's Advisor.
"Investigate first," Hoshikawa suggested.
"You're right." Tsunade paused, then said with a headache, "But I don't have a suitable person to investigate Danzō Shimura." Although she was highly reputed and widely considered the next Hokage, she wasn't the Hokage yet and lacked confidants. Especially for a matter as sensitive as Danzō Shimura and the Wood Release experiments, she couldn't entrust the investigation to just anyone. She could ask Hiruzen Sarutobi to investigate, but his relationship with Danzō was too close, and he might go easy on him.
"Jiraiya-sensei," Hoshikawa suggested after a moment of thought.
"Jiraiya?" Tsunade was momentarily surprised, then her eyes brightened. "He is indeed an excellent candidate."
Jiraiya held high status and would not fear Danzō Shimura. Moreover, he was a man who hated evil and would not shield Danzō. Most importantly, he had the Toad Summoning contract with Mount Myōboku and could command the toads to conduct the investigation.
"I'll have Katsuyu contact Mount Myōboku, then contact Jiraiya." Tsunade formed hand signs and used the Summoning Technique.
Katsuyu appeared in a puff of smoke.
Hoshikawa watched her converse with Katsuyu, inwardly thinking how decisive she was. However, given that Wood Release was involved, her urgency was understandable.
(End of Chapter)
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