Deep beneath the Hokage Tower.
Unlike the Forbidden Technique Room storing forbidden jutsu scrolls, this place more resembled an archive. Rows of metal cabinets aligned neatly, marked with complex codes while also bearing sealing talismans.
Tsunade stopped before a metal cabinet door, her hands skillfully forming several seals before pressing them on the door's runes.
Accompanied by slight mechanical sounds, the heavy cabinet door slowly slid open.
"Grandfather's chakra reached incomprehensibly powerful levels," Tsunade said, retrieving several scrolls from the cabinet. "According to Grandfather Tobirama, though powerful in his youth, Grandfather had not reached his later extent."
"Wood Release's appearance seemed a key turning point."
"Accompanying deep Wood Release development, plus pressure Uchiha Madara repeatedly brought, Grandfather's power seemingly grew without upper limits."
"That feeling, Grandfather Tobirama once described it as resembling some kind of destiny."
She handed one scroll to Shuji, leaning against the metal cabinet while watching him carefully unfold the scroll.
"Honestly, Grandfather Tobirama held numerous speculations regarding Hashirama's cells and conducted some preliminary experiments. However, ultimately limited by technical conditions at the time, no implementable results ever materialized."
Shuji listened to Tsunade's words, but his attention had mostly immersed itself in the scroll at hand.
The scroll's opening section recorded some basic cellular activity observation data. As reading deepened, he saw more regarding cellular energy reaction patterns and natural energy affinity test records.
What truly drew his attention was the scroll's latter half.
"...Elder Brother's cellular abnormal activity holds high correlation with Wood Release chakra manifestation. Not special cells preceding Wood Release, but very likely this bloodline limit of Wood Release itself conversely produced deep-level transformation and evolution of the bearer's body... This is bidirectional influence, not simple causality."
"Cells display extremely strong predatory and fusion properties, possessing overwhelming assimilation capability toward foreign chakra..."
Subsequent content mostly comprised extended thinking and hypotheses regarding these theories, yet never involved those ancient myths circulating the shinobi world, such as Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, Sage of Six Paths, and such legendary figures.
Perhaps this was because as an extreme realist, Senju Tobirama did not believe those ethereal legends, never attempting to seek explanations within them.
Or perhaps, after Senju Hashirama's passing, successive turbulent eras and imminent crises truly left him no leisure to systematically collect and verify that seemingly absurd information.
Shuji rolled up the scroll. Overall, content did not exceed expectations based on his own experiences much.
However, some specific observation data and Tobirama's unique perspective truly provided new thinking approaches. Combined with details supplemented in Orochimaru's scroll, he felt his cognition of this power within him seemed to clarify somewhat more.
"How was it?" Tsunade asked, seeing him finish reading.
"Lord Tobirama's speculations prove highly enlightening."
Tsunade nodded, not expecting Shuji to discern much from one visit. "You can come review these materials anytime. You remember the seals from earlier, right?"
Seeing Shuji indicate he remembered, she continued, "Reviewing here is acceptable, but under any circumstances, absolutely never remove these scrolls from this place. Everything regarding Hashirama's cells remains the village's highest secret."
"I understand."
After returning the scroll to its original place, securing the cabinet door, and reapplying seals, Shuji followed Tsunade out of this underground chamber.
Just as Shuji prepared to depart, Tsunade called him back.
"By the way, after you left yesterday, I explained current circumstances to Itachi."
"That child... proactively proposed wanting to join ANBU."
"Regarding reasons, you should be able to understand."
"However, Itachi currently is your direct subordinate, so regarding his destination, I need to hear your perspective."
Shuji considered briefly. "Purely regarding personal capability, mentality, and loyalty, Itachi undoubtedly can competently handle ANBU duties."
"As for other matters, let me chat with him first before saying more."
After the previous harassment failure, Ao, who had withdrawn to Wave Country camp, received an urgent order.
When he clearly saw the scroll's contents, he rarely displayed a relieved expression.
The order proved simple: cease all harassment operations toward Konoha borders. Front line forces should orderly withdraw to preset defense lines within Land of Water territory.
"Did the Fourth finally come to his senses?"
Ao murmured quietly. Though feeling somewhat puzzled by the order's sudden reversal, ending this meaningless harassment warfare ultimately proved beneficial.
He immediately ordered all squads to organize luggage, preparing to withdraw.
Within Kirigakure, Elder Genshi held a duplicate of the same order, his brow tightly furrowed.
This order was not deliberated by the Elder Council, not even notified to him beforehand, but directly issued by Fourth Mizukage Yagura under the Mizukage Office's authority.
Involving border friction with Konoha should not be so casual.
Even if Genshi himself did not support such harassment operations, this did not mean the Mizukage could so casually open hostilities before so abruptly unilaterally ordering termination while completely setting aside the Elder Council and village decision-making institutions.
Subsequent equipment recovery, supply line adjustments, personnel rotation arrangements, and a series of problems had not undergone discussion and arrangement. How could front line forces receive orders this way?
Harboring doubts and dissatisfaction, Genshi rarely actively proceeded to the Mizukage's office, requesting to meet the Fourth.
"Not stopping operations but replacing forces executing harassment missions," Yagura answered.
"What?" Genshi grew more puzzled. "However, orders did not specify which forces would take over. Moreover, as an elder, I received no related notifications or discussion records."
This elder felt rising confusion. What exactly was the Fourth thinking?
He could not help suspecting whether prolonged service as Three-Tails jinchūriki meant the tailed beast's chakra had begun eroding the Mizukage's sanity.
A perfectly good person, how did assuming Mizukage transform him this way?
He did not consider the Mizukage being controlled as possible. Kage represented a village's topmost tier shinobi, even the strongest. They could be killed. How could they be controlled?
"Considering village shinobi's recent low morale, I decided to secretly hire some wandering shinobi and mercenary organizations, having them take over subsequent harassment missions."
Genshi gripped his snake staff tightly. He stammered, "Fourth, hiring external shinobi requires massive funds."
"Moreover, their credibility proves questionable."
"More importantly, how will villagers view us using outsiders to conduct battles that should be borne by Kirigakure shinobi?"
"The daimyo's side will likely also have opinions."
Regarding these above problems, Yagura's tone did not change. "Funds will first be transferred from this year's military budget and mission commission reserves."
"Other matters, I will arrange handling. Elder Genshi need not worry excessively."
Genshi looked at the Fourth Mizukage, raising no further objections but merely responding, "...Yes, this old man understands."
Exiting the Mizukage Building, walking Kirigakure's somewhat damp, cold streets, Genshi's heart had determined one matter.
Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, definitely had problems!
Whether due to tailed beast influence or other unknown reasons, he no longer proved suitable to continue occupying the Mizukage's position.
However, Yagura was a perfect jinchūriki successfully controlling Three-Tails' power, possessing formidable strength. Moreover, some directly subordinate ANBU still remained loyal to him.
Therefore, absolutely no rash actions. He must secretly contact other trustworthy shinobi, awaiting suitable opportunities...
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild