Watching Hibari actually use Wood Release to make two small flowers bloom on the table, Hashirama's expression turned incredibly surprised, then filled with a look of pure joy, his eyes becoming exceptionally excited.
"I knew it! I knew it! I knew you wouldn't disappoint me, Hibari! Wood Release... You've finally learned Wood Release!" Hashirama exclaimed excitedly, even trembling slightly as he rose from his seat.
"Given my exceptional talent, Senju Hibari, isn't this a piece of cake?" Hibari said smugly, his expression as arrogant as could be.
However, aside from Hashirama's surprise and excitement, the others showed no unexpected expressions. It seemed they had already known that Hibari had learned and could use the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai.
Hashirama was excited for a while, then seemed to calm his emotions. He sat back down, looked at the expressions of the others, and then asked in a dazed tone, "What? You're not excited at all? So, you already knew?"
Tobirama smiled, plucked the two small flowers from the table, and tucked them into little Tsunade's hair bun, then said, "Yes, we knew a little earlier than you, Anija..."
Hearing this, Hashirama said with great dissatisfaction, "Why didn't you inform me about something like this immediately? You guys are too much!"
Mito chuckled along, then added, "It was less than a month ago. You were just preparing to come back then, so Hibari didn't let us say anything, wanting to give you a surprise when you returned."
Hashirama then turned his gaze back to Hibari, who said triumphantly, "That's right, that's how it is. How about it, Hashirama-jiisan? Is it surprising enough?"
Hearing Hibari's words, Hashirama finally gave a helpless laugh, then shook his head and said, "Surprising, truly surprising. My return this time is truly a double blessing."
After laughing, Hashirama seemed to recall something and asked, "How far have you trained it?"
Upon hearing this question, Hibari's expression became a little awkward. He then scratched his head and said, "It's only been less than a month since I grasped it... This Wood Release Kekkei Genkai seems different from other Kekkei Genkai. Currently, the most I can produce is a small sapling."
Hashirama listened, stroked his chin, and murmured softly, "A small sapling... huh? For just over a month, that's reasonable."
He paused there, then continued to instruct Hibari, "Hibari, just as you said, this Wood Release Kekkei Genkai is different from other Kekkei Genkai. It's an ability that requires continuous growth and cultivation. When I first awakened this Kekkei Genkai, I was pretty much like you, kid. But as time goes on, and you continuously cultivate this 'small sapling,' it will bring about earth-shattering changes."
The Senju clan's Wood Release Kekkei Genkai is actually similar in nature to the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. They are both growth-type Kekkei Genkai, unlike ordinary Kekkei Genkai like Lava Release or Storm Release, which are born from the fusion of two elemental chakra natures and can be fully utilized with enough chakra.
This Wood Release Kekkei Genkai, once mastered, requires you to treat yourself as that 'small sapling,' continuously nurturing it with your own life force and chakra.
Therefore, the longer it is mastered, and the longer it is 'nurtured,' the more powerful the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai will become.
Of course, this is how it works for those who inherit it naturally. For 'bootleg' versions like Yamato and Danzō, the Wood Release power within them cannot grow like Hibari's.
However, Yamato was slightly better off. At least his body adapted to Hashirama's cells, essentially making him a Wood Release Kekkei Genkai user. But ultimately, he was different from those who developed it themselves, like Hashirama and Hibari, so his growth was very slow, and he never reached a profound level with Wood Release.
Danzō's Wood Release was forcibly implanted into him. The Wood Release in his body was largely uncontrollable, growing wildly. As a result, not only was it impossible to 'nurture' it, but the Wood Release could even 'drain' him dry. That's why Danzō Shimura, in order to suppress the uncontrollable Wood Release Kekkei Genkai within him, thought of using Sharingan transplants to counteract it, ultimately turning himself into a grotesque being.
As for Madara's eventual mastery of Wood Release, we won't even mention it. He, like Hashirama, was a bug-level existence, an anomaly, not representative of the general phenomenon.
"I see, I did feel this thing absorbing chakra and life force from my body. Before, I didn't understand what was happening and didn't dare to let it act freely, so I've been suppressing its efficiency. Today, hearing you say this, Hashirama-jiisan, I understand. So, this is what the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai is all about... Oh, right, this won't drain my life force, will it? Are there any adverse effects in that regard?" Hibari asked, raising an eyebrow.
Upon hearing Hibari's question, Hashirama leisurely tapped the table with his finger, making two light sounds, then said, "It's normal for you to have such concerns, but don't worry. You and the Wood Release Kekkei Genkai now have a harmonious relationship. It was born from within you, so it naturally belongs entirely to you. You nourish it with your life force, and once it grows, it will replenish that life force back to you. At the same time, this life force will contain the power of Wood Release, which will greatly benefit you... Therefore, feel free to nourish it boldly. One day, you will develop this Wood Release Kekkei Genkai to my level... Hmm... to my former level!"
At this point, Hashirama looked Hibari over a few more times, then stroked his chin and said, "But seriously, I feel your life force, kid, is even more vigorous than mine was back then. If I remember correctly, you're still under fifteen years old, aren't you? You were born in spring, so you won't truly be fifteen until next spring, right?"
Hibari grinned, a smile spreading across his face, and said, "That's right, but it's almost here, isn't it?"
"Barely fifteen years old, but your body has grown so robust already. You look completely like an adult young man... Come, stand up, let me compare..." Hashirama said as he stood up from his seat.
Hibari also chuckled and didn't refuse. He too stood up and walked behind Hashirama. As the two stood back-to-back, a closer look revealed that Hibari was actually slightly taller than Hashirama by about a fingernail's length.
Seeing Tobirama and Mito's 'I knew it' expressions, it was clear they had already guessed, whereas Hashirama looked completely stunned. He turned around, looked at Hibari, and said, "You're actually a bit taller than me! What have you been eating these past three years, kid? Have you been secretly fertilizing yourself?"
"What 'fertilizing' are you talking about? You make it sound like I grew up eating... well, you know..." Hibari said with a darkened expression.
Tobirama then laughed and said, "Hibari's growth is indeed somewhat surprising. That's why I've checked his body multiple times before to see if there was anything wrong..."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow and asked, "And the results of the examination?"
"The results were completely normal. There's nothing wrong with him. But his life force, it's astonishingly vigorous, more beast-like than actual beasts. So I think he simply has an overly abundant life force, which is why he matured so quickly during this period of physical development and growth," Tobirama said with a chuckle.
"His life force was very strong before, but I didn't expect it to be even stronger now. It's truly strange... Hibari, have you figured out why?" Hashirama asked after sitting down and taking a sip of tea.
Hibari smiled and said, "I have some idea. I think it might be because I've been continuously cultivating the 'Raikage's Legacy' that I got from Kumogakure for the past three years. The Lightning Release Chakra Mode within it stimulates the body's cells, thereby improving physical qualities and comprehensively enhancing nerve response, resilience, strength, and speed. I think this stimulation must have affected my vigorous life force, making it even more incredible, perhaps?"
Hashirama nodded thoughtfully at Hibari's explanation, then said, "The Raikage is indeed like that. Perhaps you really did stumble upon a treasure... That Lightning Release Chakra Mode should suit you very well..."
Actually, Hibari hadn't fully explained it to Hashirama Senju. The Human-Human Fruit ability was also playing a role in this.
Ever since he messed around with that bizarre Shadow Clone 'Hiyoko' a few years ago, Hibari had always wanted to train and develop the Devil Fruit ability within him.
However, for a long time, he couldn't find any direction in this regard. After all, he himself was human, and asking him to develop the Human-Human Fruit based on being human was indeed a bit difficult.
Later, during a few interactions with Kagami and Hitenn, Hibari recalled the restlessness he felt when he made Madara close his eyes. He had also sought opportunities to touch their eyes, and indeed, he still had that familiar feeling, but not much urge.
Moreover, Hibari couldn't possibly actually dig out their eyeballs to research them, so this matter was dropped and not pursued further, with him thinking he'd ponder it when a suitable opportunity arose someday.
After that, Hibari thought that the Human-Human Fruit was an Zoan-type ability after all, so strengthening his physical abilities and taijutsu should also aid in its development.
This training had been continuous, and Hibari hadn't given up on it even now. But in Hibari's opinion, the returns weren't very significant. There were effects, but Hibari couldn't tell if these were results he would naturally achieve through diligent training as a human, or if they were due to the Human-Human Fruit's ability... After all, anyone who undergoes continuous training will have their physical qualities steadily improve.
It wasn't until three years ago, when he began training in Lightning Release Chakra Mode...
This time, he truly felt an inexplicable power within him being constantly stimulated. The more he trained in this Lightning Release Chakra Mode, the stronger his life force became, and the faster his body grew, making him look like a young adult in just three years...
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