Before long, Gen and the ANBU arrived outside the Hokage's office.
The two ANBU tactfully departed, and Gen stepped directly inside.
"Gen, you're here."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's wrinkled face broke into a broad smile. At his side stood Koharu and Homura.
In addition, two people in ANBU attire were standing with Tsunade.
"Mm, greetings everyone."
Gen smiled and gave a slight nod, and Hiruzen immediately chuckled.
"Gen, this time we just want to learn more about your actions. After all, it's truly unbelievable."
"That's right, there are some things I'm very curious about."
Senju Tobirama also nodded, and together with Senju Hashirama, he dispelled the Transformation Technique.
"Did you use Elder Brother's technique?"
"Mhm, I did."
Kitagawa Gen knew exactly what they were surprised about, so he simply nodded.
"Actually, with the First Hokage's research notes, Wood Release really isn't that difficult for me. Even though the notes are a bit of a mess…"
"…?"
Not difficult?
The notes are a mess?
Both Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama were left speechless by Gen's words.
Tsunade, the Third Hokage, and Koharu, however, all remained calm.
After all, the First's notes truly were scattered and incomplete—and Gen had demonstrated Dust Release right in front of them.
Still—
"Gen, Wood Release is no ordinary technique. There's someone in Konoha who can also use it, but his Wood Release…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his voice. Gen immediately understood what he meant.
"Not strong enough? That's not surprising. I'd guess his Wood Release is missing certain traits."
"Oh?"
Tobirama raised a brow and turned toward his elder brother.
"When you used Wood Release, did you employ any other methods alongside it?"
"Eh… I don't think so?"
Hashirama rubbed the back of his head. He honestly couldn't recall anything in particular.
"The key actually lies in the application of Yang Release."
Gen began to spout nonsense. He wasn't Senju Hashirama, so he naturally didn't know the details.
And besides, his Wood Release came directly from the Divine Tree's source. He couldn't possibly know how conventional Wood Release worked.
But that didn't stop him from bluffing—he just needed to come up with a reason most people couldn't dispute.
"Yang Release?"
Tobirama narrowed his eyes. Hiruzen and the others wore strange expressions, while Tsunade seemed to catch on to something.
"You mean… channeling the power of Yang Release to complement the use of Wood Release?"
"Exactly. I fought Uchiha Obito once—I've felt his Wood Release."
Gen nodded without hesitation, immediately pushing the blame away.
"He probably never even realized it himself, but when he used Wood Release, there was always a current of Yang Release flowing alongside it."
"Yang Release…"
Hashirama blinked, then slowly nodded, thoughtful.
"So that's how it is?"
"I also studied the piece of Obito's flesh. Inside, there was definitely a strange current of Yang Release power."
Tsunade spoke up at just the right moment, though her face showed deep confusion.
"But that force isn't easy to control. And Yang Release is extremely difficult to manifest or apply directly. You—"
"Uchiha Obito seemed to rely on the Yin Release of the Sharingan to balance the Yang Release."
Calmly, Gen sold Obito out again. His words left everyone stunned.
The Sharingan is Yin Release…
Using the Sharingan to suppress Hashirama's cells?
That line of thought… it actually made sense.
"Besides, for me personally, controlling Yang Release isn't as difficult as you'd imagine."
As the others mulled it over, Gen smiled lightly and raised his hand.
At once, a unique golden chakra gathered in his palm.
"This is…"
The instant that chakra appeared, everyone's eyes went wide.
Within that chakra, they actually sensed the breath of life!
"Manifested… Yang Release?"
Even Senju Tobirama could no longer keep calm, and the others were even more shaken.
Yang Release itself wasn't rare—but to directly manifest chakra like this was beyond anything they had ever imagined!
Not even the secret techniques of great clans had ever reached such a level…
"No wonder you were able to develop Dust Release on your own, and even use Wood Release."
Only after some time did Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a sigh.
"Your control over chakra has already surpassed the limits of common understanding."
His words made everyone present nod in agreement. Kitagawa Gen's control over chakra truly was terrifying.
Back when he had just graduated, he had already developed Purple Lightning, a technique that pushed both form transformation and nature transformation to the extreme!
"Thanks for the compliment."
Gen gave a faint smile, but soon his expression turned regretful.
"Still, I'm not very skilled in using Wood Release yet."
"Not… skilled?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief.
"That's right."
Gen nodded seriously.
"This was my first time using it in real combat, so my precision with Wood Release wasn't great."
"…"
"So I had no choice but to go all out and use True Several Thousand Hands to settle the fight."
"…"
Everyone was at a loss for words—except Hashirama, who rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Come to think of it… that does sound about right."
"Shut up already!"
Tobirama glared fiercely at his elder brother before taking a deep breath and turning back to Gen.
"Your Wood Release still needs training. Though my brother may not be reliable in other respects, he should be able to help you with that much."
"Indeed, Gen, Wood Release is far from ordinary. You should take the time to hone it properly."
Not waiting for Hashirama to argue back, Hiruzen quickly picked up the thread and changed the subject. The last thing he wanted was to watch these two brothers quarrel.
"By the way, since you were the ones who brought down Kumogakure, what are your thoughts on the matter?"
At that, everyone grew serious. Gen was certain to become Hokage—his opinions carried particular weight.
"You mean the postwar distribution of Kumogakure's spoils?"
Gen's eyes lit up at the question.
"Actually, Deidara, Terumī Mei, and I already discussed it thoroughly on the road to Kumogakure!"
"Oh? And what did you conclude?"
"We all agreed that Kumogakure should cede part of its mining zones to us!"
"…"
"On top of that, a massive amount of war reparations—and every single secret technique they've stolen—all of it must be handed over!"
"…"
"And their mission quotas must be transferred to us as well. That way, everyone benefits."
"Hiss—"
At this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Senju Hashirama could hardly keep listening.
The earlier demands were harsh but still reasonable. But this? This was practically a death sentence for Kumogakure!
"Not bad. That plan could work."
Tobirama, however, nodded and then asked with curiosity, "Any other specifics?"
"Of course!"
Gen lit up as if he'd found a kindred spirit, continuing cheerfully.
"Since they won't have any mission quotas anymore, why should they maintain such a large shinobi force?"
"You mean… to reduce their shinobi numbers?"
Hiruzen and the others all stared wide-eyed, while Tobirama's eyes gleamed.
"That's excellent. Without enough quotas, there's no need for so many shinobi. That way, they won't cause us trouble—and we could even turn it to our advantage!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Gen nodded, his smile growing broader.
"Deidara, that idiot, suggested dragging them off to work once their forces were cut down. But I think that's unnecessary. Just turn them into local security troops on the spot."
"Security troops? Keep draining their treasury, force the Daimyō of the Land of Lightning to keep bleeding funds, and deepen their internal conflicts?"
"That's right. And we could also see if they'd dare break the unspoken rules of the shinobi world to do something desperate—for example…"
"Assassinating their own Daimyō to seize finances. If they don't, they'll be left destitute. If they do, then others across the shinobi world will follow suit."
At this point, Tobirama was visibly excited—while the rest couldn't help showing pained expressions.
This plan truly was excellent for Konoha… but it was nothing short of crippling Kumogakure.
Wasn't this going too far? Wasn't it too ruthless?
"You're being too extreme. This will only provoke even greater resistance from Kumogakure…"
Hiruzen hesitated, finally speaking up to object.
But Gen didn't care. After a brief pause in thought, he replied seriously, "That may be true, but…"
"As long as bread doesn't sell for five hundred thousand ryō a loaf, there shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"…"
"Oh, and shut down all their taverns while we're at it. That way, there really won't be any issues!"
"…"
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