Deep within the Land of Fire, in a vast, desolate forest spanning dozens of kilometers—
"Wood Release really is powerful."
After experimenting for hours, Yamanaka Shinno let out a long sigh.
There was no doubt about it.
Especially in the hands of Senju Hashirama, who not only possessed the Body of the Sage but had also mastered Sage Mode and carried the chakra of Asura himself.
In such a combination, Wood Release transcended the limits of any ordinary Kekkei Genkai.
But that wasn't what Shinno was referring to.
What he admired was not just the sheer power Wood Release exhibited due to the user's own strength—but rather, the way Hashirama had pushed its development to near perfection, with no exploitable weaknesses.
Whether it was an army of shinobi, massive summons, Jinchūriki, or even a fully realized Susanoo—
As long as he had enough chakra, Hashirama could counter them all with Wood Release.
Unparalleled destructive power, coupled with complete versatility.
Even without Hashirama himself wielding it, Wood Release still ranked far above most other Kekkei Genkai.
"Ah, I completely forgot about Yamato!"
Shinno smacked his forehead.
Just over two months ago, he had asked Nara Shikaku to secretly investigate the Hokage Office's classified records on the Senju Hashirama cell transplantation experiments.
But thanks to the unexpected interference from Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had ended up staying in Kumogakure for over a month.
When he returned, Kushina had given him the transcribed records from Shikaku.
However, with everything that followed—joining Root, taking control of Danzo, and seizing command over the organization—he had been too preoccupied to give it proper attention.
And so, time slipped by until now.
"I should head over there before I delay any longer."
Muttering to himself, Shinno recalled the research facility's name from Shikaku's notes and cross-referenced it with Danzo's memories to pinpoint its exact location.
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, he teleported into a dense forest less than a hundred kilometers from Konoha.
After confirming his bearings, he summoned a hawk and sent it soaring over the treetops, scanning the landscape.
It took circling the forest for several kilometers before he finally spotted the entrance—hidden beneath a rocky outcrop.
Using a special Root unsealing technique, he moved aside the massive boulder blocking the entrance.
As he pushed open the rusty metal door, a thick stench of decay, mixed with layers of dust, rushed to greet him.
Forming a series of hand seals, Shinno used a basic Wind Release technique to send a powerful gust sweeping through the corridor beyond.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
From hidden ventilation shafts, trapped foul air rushed out in waves, filling the forest with its rancid odor.
Birds took flight in panic. Beasts fled in terror.
"Not bad. Even after all this time, the airways haven't completely clogged."
Glancing at the vents, Shinno stood at the threshold, casting several more Wind Release jutsu before finally stepping into the pitch-black hallway.
The sound of his ninja sandals echoed clearly in the silence.
Spreading out his sensory field, he located the light switch and pressed it.
With a series of sputtering flickers, the ancient fluorescent tubes struggled to ignite.
And then, at last—the facility was bathed in light.
Deep within the laboratory's core.
Sixty glass incubation pods, each towering over two meters tall, were arranged in neat rows.
Five years had passed.
Of the sixty that had once been in operation, only two remained functional in the center of the room.
Inside the green-tinted fluid, the silhouettes of a boy and a girl—both small, fragile—lay submerged, their eyes shut in quiet slumber.
Dark cables extended from the top of the pods, coiling around their bodies, continuously supplying the vital nutrients needed to sustain them.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the stillness.
The boy's ears twitched.
His closed eyes snapped open, his gaze locking onto the entrance of the laboratory.
That's where the sound was coming from!
Across from him, the frail-looking girl stirred awake as well.
Pressing her small hands against the glass, she stared at him in confusion, as if silently asking:
What was that noise? Was it you calling me?
Faced with her bewildered expression—
Memories flashed in the boy's mind. He had watched, helpless, as one incubation pod after another cracked open. He had seen, with his own eyes, the other children perish, one by one.
The last light to accompany him in this darkness was about to fade.
Every child he had seen disappear had worn the same weak, powerless expression just before their light went out.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
He slammed his fists against the glass, over and over.
He didn't know why he was doing it.
He didn't know what he was hoping for.
His body simply told him—
That if he didn't do something, the light would be gone forever.
A sharp gust of wind followed by the groaning of metal hinges—
The laboratory door, sealed with layers of intricate sealing jutsu, was pulled open with force.
A sudden burst of white light flooded the room, freezing the boy in place.
Half-leaning against the glass, he turned to the girl—
And grinned brightly.
He didn't know why he was smiling.
But his instincts told him—
Maybe... just maybe...
The light wouldn't disappear after all.
Shinno reappeared between the two incubation pods in an instant.
Traits: Wood Release Experiment Subject (Purple), Compatibility (Blue), Survival Instinct (Green), Watchful (Green), Naïve (White)
Traits: Wood Release Experiment Subject (Purple), Vitality (Blue), Naïve (White), Weakness (Gray)
Wood Release Experiment Subject (Purple): A test subject who has undergone transplantation and fusion with Senju Hashirama's cells, successfully resisting cellular erosion, rejection, and assimilation. Possesses the potential for Wood Release and can learn and wield Wood Release techniques. Greatly enhances speed, power, and effectiveness of Wood, Water, and Earth jutsu. Increases affinity for Water and Earth Release. Slightly improves physical constitution.
"A degraded version of the 'Wood Release Inheritor'?"
Glancing over their status screens, Shinno quickly understood.
Though both children had obtained Wood Release, their abilities lacked the refined enhancements of true inheritance.
They had no improvements in creating or refining jutsu.
Their bodily enhancements were minor.
Their connection to life force and natural energy was missing.
The difference between them and Hashirama?
A father looking at his son?
No... perhaps more like a grandfather looking at his grandchild.
The boy—definitely Yamato.
Shinno searched his memory.
In the original story, she had died before Danzo even arrived, her name never recorded.
He glanced at their blue traits—'Compatibility' for Yamato, 'Vitality' for the girl.
Unlike Yamato, whose body naturally accepted Hashirama's cells, the girl had only survived through sheer resilience.
But over time, as her body grew, her energy needs surpassed what the incubation pod could provide.
That's why she had gained the negative trait—'Weakness.'
And when her requirements exceeded the pod's preset limits—
The system would have automatically determined that she was being consumed by Hashirama's cells.
Her fate would have been sealed.
"She can still be saved..."
Pls Drop some Power Stones
Fanfic is finished on (258 chapters in total.)
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