Some ideas shake the ninja world… others terrify even Tsunade.
"Sister—fine, I'll call you sister! Don't dump this kind of problem on me. There's no way to solve it!"
Souma rubbed his temples in frustration.
Tsunade leaned back in her chair.
"So the difficulty is that high?"
"You're the strongest medical ninja in the entire world," Souma replied dryly. "What do you think?"
Tsunade coughed lightly.
"Well… I just thought you might have a way."
Of course she understood Yamato's condition.
From the data, Yamato's body had already reached a delicate equilibrium.
Even implanting a tiny curse seal could disrupt that balance.
And the result?
Maybe—
Just maybe—
His Wood Release could mutate into something stronger.
Maybe he would gain a pseudo–Sage Body.
But the probability was extremely low.
The far more likely outcome was that Hashirama's cells would spiral out of control.
And Yamato would end up like the other fifty-nine failed experiments.
Souma knew that too.
He didn't even dare use his own curse seal on Yamato.
Let alone Hashirama cells.
In that sense—
Tsunade was even bolder than him.
But after thinking for a few seconds, Souma narrowed his eyes.
"…Actually, I do have a small idea."
Tsunade's eyes lit up immediately.
"Let's hear it!"
She knew it.
If anyone could come up with something ridiculous enough to work—
It would be Souma.
"But I should clarify first," Souma said.
"This solution isn't the one you're imagining."
"It's another form of assistance."
"It's actually a strategy I once thought of for Captain Yamato… but I couldn't bring it up back then."
Souma sat down beside her.
"I believe Yamato lacks three things."
"A Sage Body."
"Chakra."
"And life force."
"Those three factors are the biggest difference between his Wood Release and the First Hokage's."
"That's exactly what I think too."
Tsunade nodded vigorously.
Souma gave her a sideways look.
She coughed again and gestured for him to continue.
"So later I developed a chakra storage tool. Do you remember it?"
"You mean…"
Tsunade's eyes widened.
Using ninja tools to increase chakra?
No.
If that were the case, Souma wouldn't be hesitating like this.
She thought for a few seconds.
What had Souma been researching recently?
Tailed beasts.
Hashirama cells.
Suddenly—
Her expression changed.
"…You're planning to combine tailed beasts with my grandfather's cells?"
Souma thought for a moment.
"…Not exactly."
"But it's pretty close."
His real idea was to use Hashirama cells as a base to create a pseudo–Divine Tree.
A miniature Ten-Tails.
Of course, that required chakra from all nine tailed beasts.
If successful—
Then Yamato, paired with sealed Ten-Tails chakra, would possess terrifying Wood Release power.
Not quite at Hashirama's level.
But far beyond White Zetsu.
And if he could capture a living White Zetsu specimen—
That would be even better.
By studying its characteristics and making some modifications…
He might even gain control of the artificial Ten-Tails himself.
Of course—
Souma had no intention of collecting the entire chakra of all nine beasts.
Instead, he would extract small portions of their chakra for synthesis.
The rest would remain sealed in tools or clones.
Whether they cooperated or not—
That depended on their attitude.
Those who refused cooperation ended up like Gyūki.
Its clone in the Forest of Death was the weakest one.
Even the Insect King could pin it down and beat it senseless.
The most cooperative example was Shukaku.
Despite being the weakest tailed beast, half of its chakra remained intact.
Mainly because Shukaku cooperated enthusiastically.
At this point, it had practically become one of Souma's most diligent workers.
It even helped patrol parts of the Forest of Death.
Tsunade, of course, had no idea about the full plan.
But just hearing the words—
Tailed beast chakra combined with Hashirama cells…
Her imagination ran wild.
If that kind of development succeeded—
Yamato using Wood Golem Technique would become entirely possible.
Tsunade was tempted.
Very tempted.
What she didn't know—
Was that Souma had already completed the first step.
The tailed beast chakra batteries.
He hadn't told her about those yet.
They were too valuable.
Tenten and Kazusa were using them every day.
If Tsunade discovered them, others might start borrowing them.
Better to keep them secret as long as possible.
"By the way, Lady Tsunade—"
"If it's useful, you call me sister."
"If not, it's 'Lady Tsunade.'"
"Hmph. Brat."
Tsunade rolled her eyes.
Souma paused for a second.
"…Tsunade-sis."
He continued calmly.
"How is the bone regeneration technique going with Shizune?"
"Pretty well."
Tsunade nodded.
"Based on your observations, we tried artificially creating bone material."
"We've already made good progress."
"As for extracting life force to regenerate bone marrow…"
She shook her head.
"That part is still extremely difficult."
"We'll need more research."
"That's fine."
Souma pulled a sheet of paper from his robe.
"Since we can create bone…"
"And combine it with this neural technology…"
Tsunade took the paper.
After reading it for a few seconds—
Her expression became strangely complicated.
Almost emotional.
After a long moment, she sighed.
"You really…"
"It should work."
Souma shrugged.
"Even if we can't regenerate bone marrow yet…"
"At least disabled ninja can use better prosthetics."
Konoha had many injured veterans.
One of the most notable—
Was Kosuke Maruboshi.
Tsunade immediately thought of him.
A shinobi who had lived through four Hokage eras.
Still technically a genin.
Though the Third Hokage had tried assigning him safer missions, the truth remained—
He had lost a leg and an eye.
If those could be restored…
That would be invaluable.
Tsunade wanted to keep discussing the idea.
Whenever she talked with Souma—
All the paperwork could conveniently be dumped on Shizune.
It was wonderful.
But then—
Souma and Tsunade looked at each other at the same time.
The Raikage had returned.
"Raikage-sama, perhaps I should handle the negotiations this time," Samui suggested quietly.
"I can discuss conditions. Even if we fail, at least we won't lose face."
"Face?" the Raikage snorted.
"What's face worth?"
He paused.
"Konoha will cooperate eventually."
"It's just a matter of terms."
"I'll handle it."
"But you should speak up at the right moment."
"…Understood."
Samui sighed inwardly.
Convincing the Raikage when he was angry was nearly impossible.
But she had no choice.
They entered the Hokage's office.
Then Samui froze.
He's here too?
She bowed slightly.
"Souma-kun. I didn't expect to see you here."
"I was discussing something with Lady Tsunade."
Souma nodded politely toward the Raikage.
"Raikage-sama. A pleasure."
"Yagyū Souma."
"This is our second meeting."
The Raikage smiled.
"Thanks to you, I managed to arrive in Konoha directly from Kumogakure."
"Truly worthy of the title—genius of the ninja world."
"You flatter me."
Souma turned toward Tsunade.
"If you and the Raikage have matters to discuss—"
"Souma."
Tsunade interrupted casually.
"You're a Konoha jōnin."
"And many of these techniques were developed by you."
"Stay and help me negotiate."
Souma sighed.
"…Understood."
Sooner or later this conversation had to happen.
The Raikage raised an eyebrow.
"You?"
"You want to negotiate with me?"
He acknowledged Souma's strength.
And his brilliance in developing techniques.
But negotiating with a teenager?
It seemed ridiculous.
Souma smiled calmly.
"Raikage-sama."
"I heard about your conditions."
"In your view, you probably think Konoha desperately needs Kumogakure's ninjutsu knowledge."
"Our village techniques are confidential," the Raikage replied coldly.
"They cannot be shared."
Souma chuckled.
"That response alone tells me everything."
"Instead of arguing…"
"Why don't we hold a spar?"
"Not to decide a winner."
"Just to show you the strength of Konoha's taijutsu."
"Oh?"
The Raikage narrowed his eyes.
Provoking me?
"I admit you're strong, boy."
"But that speed of yours last time relied on surprise."
"You had the advantage then."
"You could fight me if you want," Souma replied.
"But the one I had in mind isn't me."
"It's Jōnin Might Guy."
"Your ninja Atsui has been training with him lately, hasn't he?"
"Might Guy…"
The Raikage thought for a moment.
Yes.
Both Atsui and Samui had mentioned him.
A taijutsu specialist.
Fighting him…
The Raikage clenched his fist.
"Fine."
"Let's see how strong Konoha's taijutsu really is."
"Call this Might Guy."
"I'll spar with him."
Souma nodded.
That was simple.
He sent a Flying Thunder God message immediately.
The Raikage watched carefully.
This space-time ninjutsu again.
The boy's mastery might even surpass Mabui.
Taijutsu.
Kenjutsu.
Stealth.
Space-time ninjutsu.
How the hell is this kid's brain built?
The Raikage suddenly felt a bit existential.
"Let's move outside the village," Souma said.
"We'd better not destroy Konoha."
"Agreed."
Moments later—
They arrived at an open field outside the Forest of Death.
Soon—
Guy, Lee, and Atsui arrived.
Lee swallowed nervously.
The Hokage.
The Raikage.
Souma.
Multiple elite shinobi.
And him.
I'm the weakest person here…
His legs nearly trembled.
Guy placed a hand on his shoulder and gave a thumbs-up.
"Lee!"
"Believe in yourself!"
"Our taijutsu is the strongest!"
"Today I'll show you my improved Sixth Gate technique!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
Lee burst into tears.
The two hugged while crying passionately.
Tsunade fell silent.
Why does Guy always do this at critical moments…
The Raikage also fell silent.
This guy…
Is really a master of taijutsu?
Is Konoha okay?
Souma remained expressionless.
He turned to the Raikage calmly.
"What do you think now, Raikage-sama?"
"Hmph."
"No thoughts."
The Raikage obviously couldn't say—
Change the opponent.
Souma grinned.
"You probably think Guy-sensei looks weak."
"But how do you know…"
"…this isn't his strategy?"
"..."
The Raikage almost rolled his eyes.
He stepped forward impatiently.
"You're Might Guy?"
"Souma claims your taijutsu is impressive."
"Let's spar."
"You attack first, or should I?"
"This is Konoha," Guy replied politely.
"The guest should strike first."
The Raikage flicked a pebble with his foot.
It shot toward Guy.
Guy didn't move.
The pebble flew past his ear.
"I've already attacked," the Raikage said smugly.
"Very well."
Guy's expression suddenly changed.
His aura exploded.
"Sixth Gate—Open!"
The Raikage's pupils shrank.
An enormous surge of chakra erupted from Guy's body.
Chakra flowed across his skin and muscles.
Forming a protective layer around him.
What technique is this?
The Raikage remembered Souma's earlier words.
How do you know it isn't a disguise?
The next instant—
Guy appeared directly in front of him.
Lightning exploded across the Raikage's body.
Lightning Armor.
BOOM!
Their fists collided.
Guy jumped backward several steps.
Atsui clenched his fist in excitement.
As expected!
The Raikage is stronger!
But Samui frowned.
Something was wrong.
If the Raikage truly had the advantage—
He would already be attacking again.
Instead—
He was standing still.
Watching.
Then she noticed.
The Raikage…
Was avoiding direct exchanges.
Why?
Samui couldn't understand.
Souma and Tsunade understood perfectly.
That punch hadn't been just Strong Fist.
Guy had mixed Gentle Fist principles into his attacks.
Through relentless training—
He could use subtle chakra control even with the Eight Gates active.
The Raikage wanted to avoid direct clashes.
But it wasn't easy.
In the Sixth Gate—
Guy's speed rivaled his.
Each time they exchanged blows—
The Raikage felt something strange.
A layer of chakra surrounded Guy's body.
Half of his power was absorbed before it even reached Guy.
The rest—
Was dispersed by Guy's reinforced muscles and bones.
This was the effect of Chakra Armor.
The Raikage's expression hardened.
He finally understood.
This wasn't an ordinary jōnin.
This man—
Was a taijutsu monster capable of rivaling him.
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