While Konoha Village buzzed with news of the Hokage's new apprentice, deep inside the Forest of Death a special training session was underway.
More than a dozen Shadow Clones dotted the clearing, each forming a different set of hand seals.
After a long while, Tejima Shinichi's real body stood at the center and focused his mind.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop…!
All the Shadow Clones dispersed at once; the flood of training memories and fatigue crashed into his brain, making Shinichi sway and his vision blur.
But his formidable mental strength bore the impact —he simply inhaled, and clarity returned to his eyes.
The next instant he kicked off the ground, leaping to the crown of the tallest ancient tree and landing steadily atop the foliage.
A breeze fluttered his sleeves; sunlight outlined his silhouette.
Looking down over the vast Forest of Death, he raised his hands. "Ram—Serpent—Tiger…"
The Chakra inside him mobilized in a way —and at a speed —he had never experienced before.
"Wood Release: Creation of a Forest!"
With a low shout, Shinichi clapped his palms together.
The earth quaked; within dozens of meters, thick roots burst through the soil, writhing and multiplying.
Towering trunks shot skyward, vines coiled like pythons, and the entire forest terrain was remade in an instant.
The original Forest of Death was swallowed by this newborn sea of trees; the groan of twisting limbs filled the air. Sunlight was chopped into fragments by the dense canopy, leaving only dappled shadows below.
Perched atop a tree, Shinichi's chest rose and fell as he surveyed the landscape he had created.
He felt the torrent of Chakra still surging within and the intoxicating thrill of Wood Release obliterating everything.
Startled at first, he could no longer hold back the storm inside him.
"Ha… haha… hahahaha—!!!"
The laughter began low and swelled into wild mirth.
This was Wood Release —this was HIS power!
Combined with his naturally vast Chakra, it now erupted with terrifying might.
"I've finally touched that legendary realm —no more beef for me!"
His unrestrained laughter echoed through the Forest of Death, sending the birds that had scattered earlier into flight once more.
This was the first time Tejima Shinichi had ever unleashed Wood Release; the sheer exhilaration of wielding such power flooded him with emotion he could barely contain.
Just then, a figure landed silently at the edge of the clearing.
Shinichi sensed it; his laughter faded and he looked down.
"Yamato-sensei."
Yamato, who had just arrived, stared at the completely transformed woodland and froze on the spot.
Half an hour ago he had been stunned by the news that the Hokage had taken Shinichi as a student. When summoned to the Hokage Office, hearing the Third say "Shinichi awakened Wood Release long ago," he'd thought nothing could top that shock.
But standing before this newborn forest, he now understood what true awe meant.
His gaze traveled from the twisted trunks to the fallen giants, finally settling on the black-haired boy atop the tree. He could feel the immense Chakra still lingering in the air—Wood Release power far greater than the transplanted cells inside him.
At last he grasped what the Hokage meant by "innate Wood Release."
"This… is your Wood Release…?"
Yamato's voice was hoarse.
Yamato, who had gained Wood Release through experimentation, was limited to barely twenty percent of First Hokage Senju Hashirama's strength.
Now, watching Shinichi's casual display surpass his utmost, Yamato recalled the life-and-death struggles he had endured to master Wood Release —and felt it had all been for nothing.
Yamato fell silent for a few seconds, then slowly spoke.
"Congratulations, Shinichi."
He meant becoming the Hokage's student… perhaps both things at once.
Shinichi nodded. "Thank you."
Yamato surveyed the training traces, pausing on the half-formed Wood Release techniques scattered about.
"The Hokage asked me to guide your Wood Release training," he said, tone complicated, "though now it looks more like mutual practice."
Seeing Shinichi's earnest expression and the transformed forest, Yamato finally gave a resigned smile.
An acceptance that said… he was out of options.
"No matter how astonishing your gift, as your teacher I have a duty to pass on every bit of understanding and experience I've gained with Wood Release. That is my responsibility."
Shinichi bowed slightly at the words.
"Then I'll be in your care, Yamato-sensei."
…The sun was setting, but the mood inside the Tejima house was different from usual.
Aroma drifted from the kitchen, yet Mori Chie's chopping often paused mid-motion.
She stared blankly at the ingredients, knife hanging in the air for seconds before moving again.
Occasionally she shook her head, as if to dispel something unreal.
In the living room, Tejima Kazuto was uncharacteristically quiet.
He sat on the sofa, hands clasped, gaze drifting repeatedly toward the entryway.
The ever-present smile was gone; his fingertips drummed his knee without conscious thought.
The house was silent except for faint sounds from the kitchen.
Both waited for that familiar figure to push open the door, as if only seeing their son in person could confirm today's events weren't a dream.
When the key finally turned in the lock—
Chie set down her spatula and hurried from the kitchen at the same moment Kazuto sprang from the sofa; both stared at the entrance in unison.
The door opened and Tejima Shinichi stepped inside.
Before he could even remove his shoes, his parents surrounded him.
"Shinichi!" Chie seized his arm, voice urgent. "Today… the whole village is saying the Third Hokage took you as his student. Is it true? Did Lord Hokage really…?"
Her eyes locked on him, afraid to miss the tiniest flicker of expression.
Behind her, Kazuto said nothing, but his clenched fists and tense shoulders betrayed his anxiety.
Shinichi looked at their worried, expectant faces and nodded. "It's true."
The simple words made Kazuto exhale in relief, then, as if remembering something, he rattled off questions.
"How did this happen? Why did the Hokage suddenly… What did he say? Did he set any conditions? You… you didn't agree to anything strange, did you?"