Chapter 15: The Fusion of Body Technique and Ninjutsu

“Big brother, we currently hold the advantage; there’s no need to risk yourself in a duel with Uchiha Madara.”

Upon receiving the news, Hashirama Senju rushed over immediately to stop him, knowing full well that his brother’s nature would lead him to accept the duel.

Hashirama Senju fell silent for a moment, then asked: “Tobirama, do Itachi know how many of our clan members have died in this war so far?”

Hearing this, Tobirama Senju fell still.

Because the number was one that brought unbearable sorrow to recall.

Seeing his brother’s expression, Hashirama Senju’s eyes flickered with grief as he said gravely: “I know that advancing cautiously with our current advantage is the safest way to win—but it’s a victory paid for with more lives. I cannot bear it.”

“When Madara and Wa died, I swore to end this war as soon as possible.”

“Every day we delay, more people will die.”

Hearing this, Tobirama Senju knew his elder brother had made up his mind—no matter what he said now, it would be useless.

Looking at his brother’s troubled face, Hashirama Senju clapped him on the shoulder and laughed heartily: “Tobirama, have some faith in me. Do Itachi really think I’ll lose?”

“Of course Itachi won’t lose—I’m just afraid that at the critical moment, Itachi won’t have the heart to strike hard.” Tobirama Senju gave a bitter smile, then solemnly warned: “Remember—Itachi are the head of the Senju clan. This isn’t just a simple contest of victory or defeat; it determines the fate of thousands behind Itachi. Do not forget!”

Hashirama Senju nodded solemnly.

“No one will disturb your duel.” With that, Tobirama Senju turned and walked out of the room without even bidding farewell.

Hashirama Senju understood his brother was angry; he watched his retreating back with regret.

Outside the room, Tobirama Senju was restless.

He wandered aimlessly through the streets, and in a daze, found himself standing before Xiang Chuyang’s residence.

At that moment, Xiang Chuyang was practicing Fishman Karate in the courtyard.

Tobirama Senju stood just outside the courtyard, silently watching, gradually drawn in by this entirely new body technique style.

Once he stopped dwelling on his troubles, the gloom inside him lifted considerably.

“Yang, your body technique seems to incorporate some water-natured chakra manipulation,” Tobirama Senju said, unable to hold back after observing for a long time.

Xiang Chuyang had sensed Tobirama Senju’s presence long ago, but pretended not to notice—until Tobirama spoke, at which point he feigned a look of delighted surprise.

“Master, hello,” Xiang Chuyang greeted respectfully.

“Hmm,” Tobirama Senju replied absently, then pressed eagerly: “Your body technique is unusual—can Itachi explain it in detail?”

Xiang Chuyang nodded.

In fact, what Xiang Chuyang had just practiced was a special technique within Fishman Karate.

Water Control!

Fishman Karate is a unique body technique capable of manipulating water currents, but this ability is tied in part to the Fishman race’s innate traits.

As an ordinary human, Xiang Chuyang theoretically could never reach this level.

Xiang Chuyang knew this well, so he decided to forge a new path—combining Water Release techniques to simulate this art.

Wood Release itself was born from the fusion of water-natured and earth-natured chakra.

Xiang Chuyang was naturally very familiar with Water Release.

He had just begun experimenting and made slight progress when Tobirama Senju arrived—so he decided to voice his idea outright and ask for his advice.

After all, Tobirama Senju was the greatest inventor in ninja history; his intellect far surpassed Xiang Chuyang’s.

Listening to Xiang Chuyang’s explanation, Tobirama Senju smiled and nodded repeatedly.

Techniques that blend body technique and ninjutsu were not unheard of in the ninja world—but all had proven extraordinarily difficult to develop. Yet Xiang Chuyang had already created a prototype through his own efforts.

To Tobirama Senju, Xiang Chuyang’s thinking was inherently superior to ordinary people’s, aligning perfectly with his own researcher’s nature.

“Not only can he inherit Big Brother’s Wood Release—he can also inherit my ninjutsu and continue innovating…” Tobirama Senju saw countless possibilities in Xiang Chuyang.

After speaking at length, Xiang Chuyang’s throat was dry—but received no advice.

He looked up and saw Tobirama Senju watching him with a warm smile.

Xiang Chuyang startled violently!

Had the sun risen from the west? Even Tobirama Senju, who never smiled, was smiling now?

Was he hallucinating?

When Xiang Chuyang looked again, Tobirama Senju had returned to his usual cold, expressionless demeanor.

Definitely a hallucination.

“Your body technique’s concept is sound, but your understanding of Water Release is still shallow—Itachi’re only at a very basic stage, and this will hinder its progress.”

“To perfect this technique, from today on, Itachi must study more Water Release under me!”

Xiang Chuyang’s eyes lit up. What was Tobirama Senju’s most renowned ninjutsu?

Flying Thunder God?

No!

The answer was Water Release!

Before creating Flying Thunder God, Tobirama Senju had risen to fame through Water Release, slaughtering enemies in clan warfare.

Xiang Chuyang eagerly began asking Tobirama Senju about Water Release, and the latter immediately switched into teaching mode, starting from the fundamentals.

Both were fully absorbed, and only ended the lesson when night fell.

Before leaving, Tobirama Senju hesitated at the door, as if making a momentous decision.

“The clan head is preparing to duel Uchiha Madara. As for the location—only I know it. I plan to take Itachi along. What do Itachi think?”

The duel between Hashirama Senju and Uchiha Madara?

What was there to think about?

This was the most spectacular battle in ninja history—and with the Second Hokage as bodyguard, what was there to hesitate over?

“I want to go!” Xiang Chuyang exclaimed excitedly.

Tobirama Senju smiled, as if he had expected this reaction: “Watching a battle between such powerful warriors carries danger—but it will benefit Itachi immensely.”

“As another Wood Release user, Itachi must carefully observe the clan head’s fighting style!”

Xiang Chuyang understood this was an excellent opportunity.

On the battlefield before, he had been too busy surviving to observe Hashirama Senju’s combat.

That night, two figures moved like ghosts through the forest, arriving at a secluded valley.

But this place differed from Xiang Chuyang’s memory of the Valley of the End—no waterfall, only a small stream; it must be somewhere else.

Besides, the story had not yet reached the point of the final battle at the Valley of the End.

Upon arrival, Tobirama Senju and Xiang Chuyang concealed their presence and circled the area.

Though Uchiha Madara’s nature meant he would never set ambushes after agreeing to a duel, Tobirama Senju still placed Flying Thunder God seals in many spots and set up numerous explosive tags as traps.

If anything seemed amiss, he would stop the duel.

(End of Chapter)