"Huh?!"
When Sarutobi Hiruzen heard clearly what Mokgetsu said, his displeased expression turned into shock. Ignoring the fact that Mokgetsu hadn't knocked, he stood up directly and asked:
"What do you mean 'seems like you developed Wood Release'? Success is success, failure is failure."
Wood Release is different from ordinary kekkei genkai. It's a kekkei genkai that has only ever appeared on the God of Ninjas, and carries special significance.
If Mokgetsu really has managed to develop Wood Release, Sarutobi Hiruzen will have to overturn the arrangements he previously made for Mokgetsu.
Mokgetsu silently formed hand seals and condensed Wood Release Chakra. From the edge of the wooden desk in the Hokage Office, a tender green twig suddenly sprouted out.
The instant the twig appeared, Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils dilated sharply. He couldn't help leaning in, carefully scrutinizing the green branch.
Even though it's totally unscientific for a desk already processed into lumber to grow branches, this is very Ninja.
Looking at this twig that seemed full of life, stormy waves surged in Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart.
"You actually pulled it off!" Sarutobi Hiruzen was in disbelief.
Even though Mokgetsu's displayed level of genius had already surpassed his own, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still utterly shocked.
Because this is Wood Release, the unique kekkei genkai of the God of Ninjas. Not only did no one else possess it during the several decades when the God of Ninjas walked the Ninja World; even flipping back through another few hundred years of history, there's still no trace of Wood Release.
No matter how much of a genius Mokgetsu is, could he really be compared to the unparalleled Senju Hashirama, with no predecessors and no successors?
But the fact that Mokgetsu has successfully developed Wood Release is right before his eyes. Now Sarutobi Hiruzen has no choice but to consider a possibility: why couldn't Mokgetsu be the next Senju Hashirama?
Senju Hashirama had Wood Release, and now Mokgetsu does too. When Senju Hashirama was young he was already a powerhouse who shocked the entire Ninja World. Mokgetsu is now the famous Blazing Sun Mokgetsu of the Ninja World, so why exactly can't Mokgetsu become the next Senju Hashirama?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's emotions surged. With Mokgetsu's current performance, even if he doesn't become a second Senju Hashirama, there's an extremely high chance he'll become a powerhouse that surpasses him.
To be able to surpass his own peak strength, in the current era that would be synonymous with invincibility under heaven—after all, this era doesn't have Uchiha Madara.
"This should be Wood Release, right." Mokgetsu dispelled the hand seals and said.
"That's right, this is Wood Release!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said firmly, like cutting nails and severing iron.
As he spoke, a hint of kindness appeared between Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows, and there was a softness in his gaze toward Mokgetsu that had never been there before.
The eyes, the nose, the hair—The more Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Mokgetsu, the more he felt he resembled the Fourth Hokage.
"Although I've always had confidence in you, Mokgetsu, seeing you actually develop Wood Release is still shocking. Your talent has already surpassed mine and is approaching the First Hokage." Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed.
In order to have another Wood Release Ninja, not only have descendants of the Senju Clan been diligently cultivating, trying to awaken Wood Release, but Konoha's authorities have also spent enormous manpower and resources researching Hashirama Cells, hoping to crack the secret behind the First Hokage's Wood Release. Unfortunately, all of it was futile, with no results whatsoever.
Yet Mokgetsu, relying only on the information Senju Hashirama left behind, has managed to develop Wood Release on his own.
One can only say: the flowers you tend deliberately refuse to bloom, while the willows you plant without thinking take root and flourish.
"Not really. I just happened to catch a fleeting spark of inspiration—only by luck did I manage to grasp Wood Release." Mokgetsu shook his head slightly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's claim that Mokgetsu had surpassed him was praise, but Mokgetsu couldn't directly accept it; otherwise it would be a bit disrespectful.
There's still a pretty big difference between saying it yourself and having others say it.
"Was mastering Ice Release also just luck?" Sarutobi Hiruzen said in a teasing tone.
"More or less, my flashes of inspiration are just a bit more frequent than the average person's."
"Hahaha, then isn't that your special talent." Sarutobi Hiruzen smoothed his robes as he sat back down, laughing cheerfully.
After he finished, Sarutobi Hiruzen remembered something and asked:
"How's the recent work with the training squad going?"
"Teaching is progressing very smoothly. We should be able to see initial results in about two months." Mokgetsu replied.
"Mm, with you, Mokgetsu, serving as captain of the training squad, I'm very at ease. But don't overwork yourself either—saving some time to strengthen yourself is also important." Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a kindly expression.
If Konoha could produce another Senju Hashirama, that would be far more meaningful than having one more Root division, or even an enhanced Root. So right now Sarutobi Hiruzen hopes Mokgetsu can devote more time to improving himself.
"I will." Mokgetsu nodded.
Just as Mokgetsu was bidding farewell to Sarutobi Hiruzen and preparing to leave the Hokage Office, he stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and said apologetically:
"Sorry, Third Hokage-sama. I was too excited just now and forgot to knock."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled and shook his head, indicating he didn't mind.
If Mokgetsu really can become the next Senju Hashirama, then even if he never knocks again when coming to the Hokage Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen could accept it.
However, he felt Mokgetsu definitely wouldn't do that—after all, Mokgetsu isn't Danzo.
"The second Wood Release Ninja..." Watching Mokgetsu's departing back, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but recall the mighty scene of Senju Hashirama clapping his hands and instantly creating a vast forest.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes, the news that Mokgetsu has developed Wood Release is even more important than the war intel Namikaze Minato sent back.
The deterrent power of a second Senju Hashirama is far greater than that of any Tailed Beast Jinchuriki.
After leaving the Hokage Building, Mokgetsu returned home.
Normally Mokgetsu would go straight to the training squad, but since Namikaze Minato now needs to learn Breath of Wind, Mokgetsu has to carve out some time from his schedule for instruction.
Mokgetsu first spent an hour in his living room explaining theory to Namikaze Minato, then made lunch. After they finished eating, he brought Namikaze Minato to the training field for cultivation.