Chapter 171: Wood Release and Hyuga

The technique that revives the dead gave Shisui many thoughts.

Being able to develop the Copy Wheel Eye to this level, Shisui naturally has many regrets, but he rarely mentions them to others.

"The Second Hokage actually managed to create such a ninja technique; who does he intend to revive? The First, perhaps?"

But he wasn't too conflicted; using it or not is a matter for later, and taking the chance to learn and observe to improve himself is the real priority.

Shisui silently recorded every ninja technique he might need later, planning to set aside time to practice them slowly.

Shisui turned the scroll to the end, where Wood Release techniques were recorded.

Within the Uchiha clan, Wood Release techniques are also documented, but those aren't something that can be cultivated just by having a scroll; the hardest part of Wood Release is not going from one to one hundred, but from nothing to something.

However, after fusing the First's cells, Orochimaru had mentioned Wood Release cultivation, but Shisui never had time to try it.

Shisui had also heard rumors about Wood Release; now that he has a chance to cultivate it, he intends to give it a try.

At that moment, he left behind a clone and returned directly to the clan's territory.

"Hm? Why are you back so early today?"

In the study, Yan Shifan looked up, slightly surprised to see Shisui return suddenly.

"I'm preparing to cultivate a ninja technique; there's nothing major over there, so I left it to the clone. Are you writing a letter, teacher?"

Shisui gave a brief explanation, then noticed the envelope on the desk.

Yan Shifan laughed and said, "Long time no see, Sima Yi; today I found a moment to write a letter, just to express my longing."

That reminded Shisui; indeed, he had never written a letter to Sima Yi.

"By the way, do you still remember Osaka Yusuke?"

Yan Shifan put away the letter and then asked.

"Osaka Yusuke?"

Shisui was startled, his brows slightly furrowed; the name sounded familiar, and after a moment of recollection he instantly showed a flash of realization.

"That's him, the salt merchant."

In the past, Hui Uchiha, under Sima Yi's orders, targeted some merchants in the Village; Osaka Yusuke, as the chief salt merchant of Muye Cun, was naturally singled out. He alone accounted for nearly thirty percent of Muye Cun's salt market, earning two million taels per month.

Of course, the most important thing is that this person has another layer of identity.

"Indeed, before Sima Yi left, he told me this man is the nephew of the Fire Country's Finance Minister; though not highly regarded, he does have that connection."

"Are you, teacher, trying to reach the Finance Minister through this man?"

"Exactly. Now the daimyō and Muye Cun have grown apart; future allocations will only shrink, which is both a bad thing and a good thing."

"You're right, teacher. Fundamentally, Muye Cun's relationship with the daimyō is merely cooperative; he refuses to provide sufficient funds, and the Village's ninja will only grow more dissatisfied. Once we solve this, the daimyō's influence over Muye Cun will diminish until it becomes negligible."

Having heard Sima Yi speak often about dynastic changes, Shisui had long abandoned his earlier loyalty to the sovereign.

Casting aside that ideological shackles, Shisui grew increasingly dissatisfied with the daimyō's actions.

They fight for their lives out there, while those nobles sit like spectators on a high platform, only indulging in pleasure and watching.

What, then, are the Muye Cun ninja sacrificing for? The daimyō? Shisui shook his head; he knew clearly that even if other ninja villages invaded the Fire Country, they wouldn't go to the capital to harm the daimyō.

That would provoke discontent and a sense of crisis among the other daimyō.

"No need to overthink it; unless you have enough strength, the overt rules still must be followed.

When you accumulate sufficient power, the Son of Heaven will naturally favor the strong; the Sima family has always acted decisively on that, hahaha~"

Yan Shifan gave Shisui a glance and casually reminded him, then seemed to recall something pleasant and burst into laughter.

"."

"That's what you said, teacher, so I'll go cultivate first; I'll leave the clan's matters to you for now."

"Go ahead."

Leaving the study, Shisui took Jin Huo to the backyard.

"Lord Hokage actually has time to guide my cultivation today, hahaha, lucky me! Once the clan's training ends, Ying Shu will definitely be crying in regret!"

Jin Huo followed Shisui with an excited expression; since Shisui became Lord Hokage, he hadn't taken them to train, so Jin Huo naturally seized the opportunity.

Shisui felt a bit embarrassed; he had previously said he would teach them cultivation, but one thing followed another, leaving little free time, and over time he simply forgot.

"Today we'll cultivate some new ninja techniques; Jin Huo, come spar with me."

"Leave it to me, Lord Hokage!"

Jin Huo grinned, immediately creating distance, and Shisui cooperated, forming an opposing seal with him.

Jin Huo instantly activated his Copy Wheel Eye, went all out, and with both hands swiftly formed a seal to unleash a massive fireball.

The fireball, though huge, was highly condensed, indicating Jin Huo's control had greatly improved.

Having stayed here for a year, although Shisui's guidance time was limited, there was never a shortage of various masters, including Shisui's cultivation notes.

Sima Yi had also constantly emphasized the importance of chakra control to Jin Huo and Ying Shu; with the aid of the Copy Wheel Eye, Jin Huo's mastery over his own power made great strides.

"Has Jin Huo already grown to this level?"

Shisui was both surprised and pleased.

He then formed a seal with both hands, intending to surprise Jin Huo with a new ninja technique.

"Wood Release: Wooden Prison Wall."

A row of wooden pillars burst from the earth, bending to form an arched wall that tightly enveloped Shisui; the fireball struck the wall, instantly scattering flames and leaving only a swath of darkness ahead.

"Wood Release? That's Wood Release, right? I didn't mishear, did I? The clan head actually used Wood Release!"

Seeing the wooden wall before him, Jin Huo was stunned, eyes wide open.

Within the Uchiha, the reputation of Wood Release is on par with the Mangekyou, and almost everyone knows it.

As Jin Huo shouted in surprise, the wooden pillars slowly retracted, revealing Shisui's figure.

Feeling the defensive power of Wood Release, Shisui shook his head and sighed lightly, "First time using it; I've only grasped the basics."

Shisui, having fused the First's cells, with his innate talent can directly employ certain Wood Release ninja techniques, provided their difficulty isn't especially high, as long as he knows the method.

"Fur?"

Regardless of Jin Huo's shocked expression, Shisui looked up at Jin Huo and whispered, "Be careful!"

He clapped his hands together and swiftly formed a hand seal.

"Wood Release: Wood Clone!"

Eight heads burst out from Shisui's body, then slowly separated.

Jin Huo's eyelids twitched at the sight, and he instantly formed a seal, "Fire Release: Phoenix Fairy Fire Technique!"

Shisui's true body stepped back, while his eight clones lunged forward, the foremost one's three tomoe eyes instantly turning into a kaleidoscope, then summoning a green skeletal figure; the skeleton raised its hand and swiped, dispersing Jin Huo's ninjutsu.

"What? That's cheating!"

Jin Huo felt his scalp tingle, and as he hurried to retreat from the eight charging figures, he was surrounded by eight Shisui clones.

The Shisui clones didn't bully him; once close, they used only taijutsu, and Jin Huo was quickly beaten up by the eight, crying out in a pitiful voice, "I surrender!"

Shisui's true self smiled; the Wood Clone was indeed unusual, but this was not yet the most powerful aspect of Wood Release.

He formed another seal, and the eight clones seemed to sense something and immediately withdrew. Jin Huo was stunned, then saw a massive number of trees burst from the ground, some branches even winding around his body.

He hurriedly drew his sword to cut through, but other branches seized the opportunity to entangle his body.

"Wait, Elder Clan Leader, my chakra!"

Jin Huo tried to break free, but soon realized that once the branches bound him, his chakra rapidly flowed into the branches.

The bare branches, after receiving his chakra, began sprouting green leaves and new twigs, and their binding ability grew stronger.

Shisui was merely testing the power of Wood Release and had no intention of truly harming Jin Huo; seeing this, he immediately withdrew and released Jin Huo.

But even so, within just a few seconds, Jin Huo's chakra was reduced by half.

"Elder Clan Leader, this Wood Release absorbs chakra too quickly; if it slows another two seconds, I'll be drained completely."

Feeling the weakness inside, Jin Huo's forehead sweated lightly, and he still felt uneasy watching the nearby trees.

Shisui had anticipated this, yet he was still surprised when he saw it with his own eyes.

This was merely the birth of a forest sea, not the birth of a tree realm, and Shisui was using Wood Release for the first time; fearing to hurt Jin Huo, he did not exert his full strength.

Yet even so, it produced this effect.

"No wonder they say Wood Release can suppress tailed beasts; the First Hokage truly is the god of the ninja world—how terrifying!"

Even with a simple test, Shisui was already drawn to the power of Wood Release.

"If the kaleidoscope were combined with Wood Release, what kind of power would that be?"

Shisui recalled the clone that had used Susanoo, and his heart flared with excitement.

"Elder Clan Leader, the sky is getting dark; I just remembered I still have to pick up Ying Shu from school. If there's nothing else, I'll leave now."

Seeing the lingering gaze, Jin Huo's heart gave a sudden jolt; after forming a peace seal, he hurriedly slipped away.

Shisui smiled at the sight and did not block him; with Jin Huo's strength, using him for sparring was indeed unsuitable.

"Wait ten."

While Shisui was training, the Hinata clan also received some news.

"How could Nissatsu be so careless?"

Hinata Nissoku's expression was grim; his father, the previous clan head, and members of various branch families had all received the message and were now seated together discussing a plan.

"The Fifth Hokage is a Uchiha; will he help us retrieve Nissatsu?"

If they swapped a branch ninja, they might not care, but this person is the current head's younger brother, also the head of a branch family, and likewise represents the Hinata's prestige.

"How could he be so careless, even with a self present and still be captured alive by the Raikage!"

"Now that he's been captured, rescuing him requires compromising with Kumo and also with the Uchiha."

Hinata Nissoku listened, clenched his fist in secret; now he was actually relieved that Nissatsu was from a branch family, for otherwise, with Kumo's desire for the Byakugan, they wouldn't even have a chance to ransom him.

"What about Higashihiko? Isn't he also on the front line?"

"He is probably on the Tano Country front line; we can ignore him for now. I received news from outside: the Konoha's finances are strained, and Zhuanqin Xiaochun suggested to the Fifth Hokage that the ninja clans voluntarily donate some money.

Perhaps we can start there; since everyone has to pay, if we take the initiative, maybe we won't have to bow again to the Fifth Hokage to ransom Nissatsu—we could cover Nissatsu's cost ourselves.

"In my view, there's no need to be so pessimistic; we fight for the Leaf, and the Fifth Hokage would never dare abandon Nissatsu. Even if we do nothing, he would still buy the person back."

"Indeed, the Hinata and Uchiha are both great families of the Leaf, and the Fifth Hokage differs from those old guys; negotiating with him isn't unacceptable."

Everyone was talking over each other; Hinata Nissoku, in his prime, listened to the constant talk of buying, feeling rather uncomfortable.

But this is reality; even as the head of the Hinata clan, he cannot effect any change.

"Head, elders, a member of the Zhuanqin clan requests an audience."

At that moment, someone hurried over to report; everyone was startled and furrowed their brows.

"What is the Zhuanqin clan doing here? Send them away directly!"

Zhuanqin Xiaochun had previously set a trap for them, so the crowd naturally wore sour faces.

At the crucial moment, Hinata Nissoku's father spoke up: "Since they're here, let them in."

Although the others were displeased, they still agreed.

Soon, the Zhuanqin clan members walked in slowly.

"Did Zhuanqin Xiaochun send you?"

In the past, even on clan land they would be called consultants, but now Zhuanqin Xiaochun has lost influence; the Hinata clan's resentment toward the three consultants is no less than the Uchiha's, and the three have suppressed them many times, both openly and covertly.

"Everyone, please stay calm; the consultant sent me here solely to clear past misunderstandings," the Zhuanqin clan hurriedly explained, fearing they'd be thrown out.

Hinata Nissoku immediately asked, "What does this mean?"

"The consultant already knows that the Hinata head's younger brother was captured by the Raikage, and also knows the Uchiha-Hinata relationship. I won't elaborate further."

Now the Konoha's finances are strained, and the Raikage is leading a massive army to attack; the consultant, concerned for the Leaf, wishes to raise funds for it.

If the Hinata head is willing to help, the consultant can step forward to ransom the Hinata head's younger brother.

Hmph, does she even qualify?

Hinata Rizoku had not spoken yet when an elder could no longer hold back and sneered, "She still thinks she's a consultant, but she's only a third‑generation member."

"Shut up!"

The elder clan head's expression changed, and he shouted angrily, halting him.

Hinata Rizoku glanced at him and then said, "We are also clear on the Zhuan Qin consultant's situation; how can she guarantee to get this done?"

"Head of the Hinata clan need not worry. As I said earlier, the consultant sent me to clear up the misunderstanding, so we will certainly not let the Hinata clan suffer losses. If we fail to bring the person back, the money Hinata spent will be counted on the Zhuan Qin head."

"Oh?"

Everyone was startled, looked at each other, then fell into thought.

When did that old Zhuan Qin Xiao Chun become so good? He didn't accomplish the task yet still refunds money? Something feels off.

"How does the Zhuan Qin consultant intend for me to help her?" Hinata Rizoku asked, suppressing his suspicion.

"It won't be too troublesome for the Hinata clan head. The consultant plans to convene all clan heads tomorrow to discuss donations. As long as the Hinata clan head donates according to his own wishes, that's fine; regarding the amount, the consultant will not press."

"Is it that simple?"

"Of course, I came with sincerity, solely to clear up the misunderstanding and ease the relations between the two clans."

Hinata Rizoku's gaze fell on his father and several other elders upon hearing this.

The elders nodded slightly; although they didn't understand Zhuan Qin Xiao Chun's intention, they were not at a loss.

The elder clan head, however, vaguely grasped the danger, but he already had a countermeasure, so he also nodded.

Having received permission, Hinata Rizoku immediately said, "Then please go back and inform the Zhuan Qin consultant that we have accepted her request."

"Thank you, Hinata clan head. The consultant is acquainted with Lord Zi Lai Ye, and Lord Zi Lai Ye will not abandon Hinata Rizoku."

Everyone's expression instantly turned to realization.

So they were seeking Lord Zi Lai Ye's help; now they feel relieved.

(End of chapter)