Chapter 93: Recommendation, I've Awakened Wood Release

Chapter 93: Recommendation, I’ve Awakened Wood Release

“Izayoi, Hinata Hyuga, these are your vests.”

Shizune handed Izayoi and Hinata Hyuga two pre-prepared green vests with a smile.

“Thank you, Miss Shizune,” Hinata Hyuga replied with a gentle smile. If not for her kimono making it inconvenient, she would’ve put the vest on immediately.

Though Izayoi wore a polite smile, he couldn’t bring himself to like the green vest. Not because of anything specific—just because it looked hideous.

He’d already decided: even after becoming a Jōnin, he’d dress however he wanted, just like Kurenai Yūhi. Once you built a reputation, people would recognize your name, not the Chūnin or Jōnin vest you wore.

Seeing them accept the vests, Tsunade relaxed and said, “You’re teammates now. In past Chūnin Exams, it’s rare for two members of the same squad to both advance to Chūnin. So discuss beforehand—who will be your team’s leader.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama,” Izayoi and Hinata Hyuga nodded, exchanging amused glances.

Tsunade, newly returned, either didn’t know them well or was teasing. After all, given Izayoi’s strength and his relationship with Hinata Hyuga, wasn’t the leader of Team 8 already obvious?

“Once you’re Chūnin, you’ll have privileges like leading missions and obtaining travel permits. Regarding mission pay distribution, if there’s no supervising Jōnin, the squad leader receives the highest share, followed by Chūnin teammates above Genin ones,” Tsunade added, then waved dismissively. “Alright, you’re dismissed.”

As Hinata Hyuga began bowing, Izayoi spoke up: “Hokage-sama, I’d like to recommend someone for Hidden Leaf Village.”

Tsunade, about to resume paperwork, and Shizune, placing her teacup on the desk, turned sharply toward him.

Tsunade frowned slightly. “As a Top Graduate and now a Hidden Leaf Chūnin, you should understand our village’s position in Fire Country. To prevent spies, whether ninja or civilians, we require ancestral records to verify one’s background. Does your candidate meet this requirement?”

“I believe so,” Izayoi nodded.

“Then tell me—who are you recommending? A civilian or a ninja?”

Tsunade, now curious, set down her brush and sipped tea Shizune had poured.

Before she could swallow, Izayoi’s next words made her spray tea everywhere.

“A ninja. She’s a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan.”

“Huh?”

Tea soaked some documents, but Tsunade ignored it, staring at Izayoi in shock, as if doubting her hearing. “What did you say? Which clan’s descendant?”

“The Uzumaki Clan. She’s my clanswoman.” Izayoi repeated, dropping another bomb.

“Cough—hack—”

The remaining tea choked Tsunade, sending her into a coughing fit, face flushed.

Shizune quickly patted her back, pressing an acupoint. Both women stared at Izayoi in stunned disbelief.

No wonder his chakra reserves were so vast in the intelligence reports—he’s Tsunade’s distant blood relative.

After recovering, Tsunade’s eyes gleamed with excitement and suspicion. “You… you’re an Uzumaki?”

“Yes.” Izayoi nodded, then rolled up his sleeve, extending his forearm to Hinata Hyuga.

Understanding, Hinata Hyuga cupped his arm and gently bit down.

Blue chakra surged where her mouth met his skin, flowing into her body like water.

“Physical Healing…”

Tsunade’s expression softened, memories stirring. Since her grandmother’s death, she hadn’t seen this familiar-yet-foreign technique in decades.

Regaining composure, her gaze toward Izayoi warmed.

She’d always known his strength and talent. When she first saw Shizune’s intelligence report, she’d been stunned by his Super Hurricane Barrage and the advanced nature transformation techniques he’d fused.

But despite his power, as Hokage, she couldn’t fawn over a mere Genin. At most, she’d quietly support his rise, helping him become another Kakashi-level prodigy.

Until now, the only one she’d favored among the new generation was Naruto Uzumaki—Jiraiya’s student, Minato and Kushina’s son—who’d helped her overcome her blood phobia and reminded her of Dan and Nawaki.

But now, another had joined that list.

The Uzumaki were distant relatives of the Senju. Favoring family was natural.

“I didn’t expect you to be a Uzumaki with an inherited awakening,” Tsunade mused, eyeing his black hair. “Even among Uzumakis, few awaken Physical Healing. Your blood purity must be extremely high. Though black hair instead of red is… unusual.”

“Perhaps because I also carry Senju blood,” Izayoi dropped another bomb, leaving Tsunade, Shizune, and even Hinata Hyuga staring blankly.

He raised his right hand, sprouting a green sapling from his palm.

The Hokage Office fell into deathly silence.

From Izayoi’s perspective, he watched Tsunade and Shizune’s expressions morph into exaggerated, wide-eyed shock.

Then a shriek shattered the stillness, shaking the office violently.

Had there been guards outside or Anbu nearby, they’d have burst in immediately.

“M-M-Mokuton…”

Staring at the sapling, even the formidable Tsunade stammered.

Shizune gaped at the plant, unable to fathom witnessing the legendary Kekkei Genkai manifesting like this.

The impact was like a starving beggar suddenly discovering he’s the sole heir to a billionaire’s fortune.

Hinata Hyuga clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with both shock and delight.

She knew more than Tsunade or Shizune—she was the only one aware of Izayoi’s Rinnegan.

She’d assumed that mysterious dōjutsu was his bloodline limit.

Never did she expect him to be a Senju-Uzumaki hybrid, awakening the legendary Wood Release.

The moment this news spreads, it will undoubtedly spark a massive upheaval across the Hidden Leaf Village, Fire Country, and even the entire Ninja World.

After all, the God of Shinobi who pacified the Warring States Era and established the current "one country, one village" system is as legendary as the Six Paths Sage who founded the ninja world itself. But unlike the mythical tales of the Six Paths Sage—whose authenticity remains uncertain—the God of Shinobi’s story is far more recent, having occurred just decades ago. Many elder experts across the Ninja World still remember that era firsthand.

For the Hidden Leaf Village, the Bloodline Limit that ended the Warring States Era holds unparalleled significance. It’s not merely a legendary kekkei genkai but also the symbol of the village’s noble lineage. If Izayoi reveals his Wood Release, neither his father nor the Hyuga elders would dare oppose his relationship with Hinata Hyuga.

At this thought, Hinata’s heart soared with excitement.

A sudden gust of wind heralded Tsunade’s Body Flicker technique as she appeared before Izayoi, seizing his wrist and channeling green chakra into his body.

As if sensing something profound, Tsunade’s expression gradually shifted to ecstatic delight.

“Hahahaha! This vitality and Yang Release chakra—it’s truly Wood Release!” Tsunade clapped Izayoi’s shoulder, laughing. “You brat, you’ve had this kekkei genkai all along but kept it hidden? How did you resist the urge to use it?”

“I wanted to,” Izayoi replied with a meaningful smile. “But when a thirteen-year-old suddenly wipes out the strongest clan in the Ninja World and escapes the Hidden Leaf’s barrier, who dares to reveal their power?”

Tsunade’s laughter faltered slightly.

Gazing at Izayoi’s precocious, knowing eyes, Tsunade instantly deduced he’d also awakened the Kagura Shingan. Her heart ached, but she nodded approvingly. “Smart move. You did the right thing.”

Then she flashed a proud grin, thumping his shoulder again. “But from now on, you’ve got my protection.”

“That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear, Hokage-sama,” Izayoi said, crushing a withered sapling as he exchanged a smile with Tsunade.

From this moment, Izayoi’s status would undergo a complete transformation.

Previously, he might have had to overpower the Hyuga Clan with strength or prove his worth through talent. But now, the mere revelation of Wood Release would turn the Hyuga into desperate sycophants. No one in the Hidden Leaf—or the Ninja World—could resist the allure of this power.

“Oh, right. Where’s the person you recommended?”

Suddenly recalling something, Tsunade asked, “Is she another Uzumaki descendant like you, or a red-haired descendant of the Whirlpool?”

“She’s Karin—a red-haired Whirlpool descendant I’ve stationed in Fire Country’s Cherry Blossom Street,” Izayoi explained. “Hinata and I met her during the Chūnin Exams in the Forest of Death. She was a Grass Village ninja then, but they treated her as a medical tool after she awakened Physical Healing. If I hadn’t recognized her Uzumaki lineage and my Kagura Shingan hadn’t sensed her chakra affinity, she’d likely have died from chakra exhaustion.”

Tsunade’s eyes darkened. “Typical fools. Just because her chakra is weak, they dismiss her as a Uzumaki? Since when did red hair become ordinary in the Ninja World? No wonder the Hidden Leaf has declined so rapidly in just decades.”

She turned sharply to Izayoi. “Your recommendation isn’t enough. Bring Karin here—I’ll personally vouch for her.”

“Understood.”

Izayoi nodded, smiling. This was one reason he revealed his Wood Release. If only a Chūnin or Jōnin recommended Karin, the interrogation unit would subject the former Grass ninja to brutal methods—torture chambers, genjutsu, or mind-reading techniques. Such methods might expose his secrets, like possessing Tenzō. But with the Legendary Sannin or Hokage’s endorsement, such concerns vanished. These figures had the authority to override any rule.

“Izayoi-kun, this is wonderful!”

Stepping out of the Hokage’s office, Hinata could no longer contain her joy, throwing herself into Izayoi’s arms and hugging his waist tightly, muffling a cheer against his chest.

Izayoi embraced her fiercely, resting his forehead against hers. “Happy?”

“Mm-hmm…”

She nodded vigorously—not just thrilled about becoming a Chūnin, but ecstatic that no obstacles remained between them.

Overcome by emotion, Hinata suddenly tilted her head up, boldly whispering, “Izayoi-kun, I…”

Her words were silenced by Izayoi’s finger on her lips.

He glanced around, smirking. “We’re being watched. Let’s go.”

“Okay…”

Hinata murmured, following him away.

Turning into a narrow alley, Izayoi asked, “Hinata, what did you want to say back there?”

“N-nothing…”

She blushed, fidgeting with her fingers. Though her face wasn’t steaming, its crimson hue betrayed her embarrassment. Only Hinata knew how daring she’d been in that moment. Now sobered, she lacked the courage to repeat it.

But she missed the tenderness in Izayoi’s gaze. He understood her unspoken words perfectly—and chose to interrupt them.

Such confessions deserved a more romantic setting. And besides, how could he let the girl make the first move?

Taking her hand, he grinned. “Hungry? Let’s get barbecue.”

“Mm-hmm…”

She nodded, then glanced at the scrolls on her belt. “Izayoi-kun, since we’re both Chūnin now, should we treat everyone to dinner?”

“They’re probably on missions. Let’s wait until our new home’s ready,” he said.

“Okay. Let’s find Hanabi then.”

“Good idea. She starts school soon—let’s spend these days with her.”

“Mm-hmm…”

Hand in hand, the young couple walked down the path. Sunlight bathed them, casting faint shadows behind—two figures in training gear, mirroring their youthful joy.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end