Chapter 76: Naraku Masters Wood Release, Forges Mostima, and Teases Hiiro
While preparing to practice ninjutsu in a hidden forest, Naraku suddenly slapped his forehead—he seemed to have forgotten to ask Danzō for payment. Although he was forced by Danzō to forge, this felt a bit like being exploited after someone got leverage over him.
But now that he had joined Root, he was technically one of their own—this shouldn't be free labor, right? Still, that old fox Danzō didn't seem like a good person; who knew if he'd actually get paid.
But if that old thief Danzō refused, Naraku was ready to take it himself!
After thinking for a while, Naraku shifted his attention to Wood Release. He spread several Wood Release scrolls out on the ground one by one.
He planned to learn them in order—surely with his current Wood Release talent, he could master these techniques easily.
First was the signature Wood Release move that Yamato loved most—Cutting Technique.
Cutting Technique grows wooden long spikes from the arm, stabbing toward the enemy for piercing attacks. After piercing into the enemy's body, the user can consume their own chakra to make the Wood Release continue growing inside the target, eventually piercing through their vital organs and causing death.
The overall effect could be described as excessively brutal!
Additionally, from the way "Yamato bro" used it, once mastered this technique could be activated with zero-frame startup—no hand seals needed, which was a huge advantage.
Finally, this technique wasn't limited to close combat; it could also be used for ranged attacks. That is, condense Wood Release chakra into a wooden spike and hurl it at the enemy. As long as the spike embeds in the target, the user can form seals from a distance to control the wooden spike inside the enemy's body to grow rapidly.
It completely compensates for the drawback that ordinary piercing damage might not kill, eliminating the need for extra finishing blows.
After reading the technique scroll, Naraku began attempting it. He methodically formed the seals shown on the scroll a few times, then raised his right arm and extended it forward. Numerous wooden long spikes grew from Naraku's arm and shot straight toward the large tree in front of him.
The spikes quickly pierced through the tree. As Naraku poured chakra into them, the spikes finally burst out radially from inside the tree.
Perhaps because the technique was simple, or perhaps because Naraku's Wood Release talent level was relatively high, after just a few tries he could already use this ninjutsu with zero-frame startup.
Next, Naraku also tried the ranged attack version—condensing a wooden spear, throwing it from afar, then instantly piercing that unlucky tree. Naraku followed up by forming seals to activate the chakra inside the spear. The wooden spikes inside instantly pierced through the tree.
The remaining few techniques had all been used by Yamato in the original story and were fairly practical.
Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall — a defensive ninjutsu. A row of wooden pillars rises from the ground and bends to form an arched wall to protect oneself. Compared to Water Release defensive techniques, this has stronger defense and counters a wider range.
In theory, Wood Release should be weak to Fire Release, but in Naruto the power of Wood Release comes from the God Tree, so it has chakra-absorption properties—making Wood Release actually very effective against most ninjutsu.
Plus, the Naruto setting treats Wood Release as Earth + Water Release, so Wood Release somewhat counters Fire Release.
Finally, as long as chakra reserves are large enough, even when countered it can still hard-counter!
The second technique is Wood Release: Great Forest Technique. This ninjutsu extends multiple slightly thicker wooden branches from the arm to capture enemies. In emergencies it can also be used as a defensive ninjutsu—Yamato once used it to protect Naruto.
Next, Wood Clone and Wood Substitution can both be considered plus versions of Shadow Clone and Substitution Technique.
For example, Wood Clone is harder to distinguish than Shadow Clone. Its combat ability isn't as good as the original body but isn't as fragile as Shadow Clone either. When the clone is released, it can instantly turn into wooden branches to bind or attack the enemy.
Wood Substitution has nothing special to say—it simply replaces the user with a wooden substitute the instant an attack lands. Compared to ordinary Substitution Technique, it's easier to perform and harder for enemies to see through.
Half a day later, Naraku had mastered all five Wood Release techniques. After finishing Wood Release training, Naraku felt terrifyingly strong—he even wanted to cross worlds and challenge that certain plant-controlling god-king from Tang!
Looking at the messy scene, Naraku ignored the forest ranger's warnings and used Fire Release in this otherworld forest to erase all traces of his previous Wood Release usage. Seeing the site nicely charred, Naraku then released Water Release to extinguish the fire.
After thinking for a moment, Naraku decided to forge the last Teigu he could make immediately—Myriad Miles Flight [Mostima]. Once this was done, Naraku would have solid wings.
Flight ability was already quite rare in the ninja world, let alone free and flexible flight—so this Teigu was still very practical.
To forge this Teigu he needed to kill a flying Feather-Type Beast. Naraku planned to set up Four Violet Flames Formation right away—let's see where it could fly then!
Naraku once again called on his four subordinates: Uchiha Kashin, Kaizen, Kashi, and Kazero. Naraku noticed that because he hadn't asked them for help in a long time, all four seemed to have gotten a bit fat.
Naraku said to them: "Same as always—you four perform Four Violet Flames Formation. No matter what, don't open it, understand?"
The four nodded in agreement.
Afterward, Naraku took Uchiha Hiiro along again to hunt the special dangerous species. In truth, with Naraku's current strength he could easily kill this dangerous species alone, but Naraku thought sometimes it was good to train his subordinates more.
Naraku looked at the cute little face of Uchiha Hiiro beside him. He wasn't sure if it was because of recent training and eating heartily, but she also seemed to have gotten a bit chubby. Naraku thought back—he had been so busy either developing his forces and increasing strength or plotting against Danzō that he was never around.
But Uchiha Hiiro was still too weak right now—she couldn't shoulder major responsibilities. A wicked idea rose in Naraku's mind: if a subordinate couldn't provide help, then repay with her body!
Naraku reached out and gently pinched Hiiro's slightly baby-fat little mouth, feeling the soft touch on his fingertips. Hiiro's eyes widened, staring at Naraku somewhat blankly.
However, she didn't resist—she simply let Naraku play with her face quietly.
The corners of Naraku's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a teasing smile. While gently kneading Hiiro's cheeks, he observed the changes in her expression. Hiiro's face gradually turned red, her eyes showing confusion, but she still showed no sign of resistance.
Naraku found it very amusing and continued playing with Hiiro's little face.
After a while, he finally let go. This could also count as "using" this subordinate.
The four-man squad walking in front could only forcefully pretend they didn't notice.
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