Tree-planting experiments proved unsuccessful. Trees directly catalyzed using Wood Release power, after losing caster chakra support, proved difficult maintaining. Even when transferring partial Tailed Beast chakra, it was easily immediately absorbed, becoming nutrients maintaining life.
Wood Release also had methods catalyzing ordinary trees. However, grown wood lacked capacity containing Tailed Beast chakra.
As for whether slightly weaker output levels existed, Shuji searched. Among Wood Release's existing techniques, no suitable choices existed.
After all, Senju Hashirama might use Wood Release absorbing chakra, might use Wood Release for afforestation, might even use Wood Release constructing houses.
However, he need not consider controlling Wood Release, making it become carriers cultivating Tailed Beast chakra. After all, the First Hokage's interest in Tailed Beasts meant directly capturing them.
Therefore, this skill point required Shuji's personal development. Selecting appropriate tree species, catalyzing and vitalizing with Wood Release.
Regarding tree species portions, he had already searched once through Konoha Village's existing varieties, conducting one experimental round. Effects all proved less than ideal.
Subsequently, perhaps requiring seeking farther locations, seeing whether more suitable tree species choices existed.
Konoha Year 56 had unknowingly passed some days. Shuji turned sixteen, growing somewhat taller, currently approximately 175 cm. When he again stepped into the Hokage's office this day, Tsunade, who was reviewing documents, raised her head and obviously froze.
Shuji had not appeared at the Hokage Tower for over a month. At that time, he focused on experimenting with various village-existing tree species, specifically requesting extended leave while also reporting to Tsunade.
Therefore Konoha's Fifth Hokage rarely gave him freedom for some time.
Seeing Shuji again now, she stood up from her chair at once, circling around him.
"You... did you grow taller again?"
"As you see, yes."
Tsunade was 163 cm. At this moment, standing together, their height difference became more obvious than before. Shuji stood nearly half a head taller than her.
"Hmph, as expected, still a brat in puberty."
"Are you envious? After all, you already left this stage for..." Before Shuji finished speaking, Tsunade's gaze radiated especially intimidating killing intent.
"Continue speaking," she stepped forward, single-handedly grabbing Shuji's collar and pulling him closer. Her fist was already poised. "Come, continue downward. At this distance, I guarantee absolutely not missing."
"Already several months."
"Hmph, though height grew somewhat, still a stubborn guy who can't say any nice words," Princess Senju released her hand, turning to sit on the nearby sofa while lazily pointing at the office desk. "Go look at that document on the desk."
"After reading, incidentally bring things from the side cabinet over."
Shuji walked to the desk, picking up that document and rapidly scanning. "Chūnin Exam... candidate list?" He scanned a few glances, gaze pausing on one familiar name.
Umino Iruka? He was still a genin?
Not strange either. He seemed to have promoted to chūnin at sixteen. At this time point, his name appearing on Chūnin Exam participation lists also proved reasonable.
"Yes," Tsunade's voice transmitted from the sofa. "In about two more months, Cloud Village's hosted Chūnin Exam will begin. The Raikage specifically sent letters hoping our Konoha's participating squads can depart early."
"Not many shinobi villages participating this time. Besides us agreeing to participate due to last year's transactions, those clearly expressing participation are only two smaller-scale villages—Shimogakure and Yugakure."
Shuji found this somewhat strange. "Why do we need departing so early? Last year, Cloud Village's squads also only arrived at Konoha near exam commencement, right?"
"Bring things over first."
Tsunade urged. Shuji opened the low cabinet beside the office desk.
This time, besides several bottles of sake that regularly appeared, it was not drinking snacks but some individually packaged snacks.
Looking carefully, various snacks suitable accompanying sake—flavored small sausages, spicy squid tentacles, dried scallops, plus grilled dried salmon.
"It's still daytime," Shuji reminded.
"Shut up! Today you work. People who rested such long leaves have no qualification complaining!"
After Shuji placed snacks and one sake bottle on the tea table beside the sofa, Tsunade continued, "Cloud Village's side long ago publicly announced Konoha's participation in this Chūnin Exam. Borrowing this reputation, considerable wealthy merchants from various locations already pre-reserved exam spectator seats."
"They even already began publicly selling tickets."
"Hoping we arrive early largely also stems from this reason."
"After all, with only Shimogakure and Yugakure, spectator seats wouldn't prove valuable."
Speaking thus, Tsunade again somewhat unhappily clicked her tongue. "Cloud Village guys, didn't expect quite business-savvy. Heard currently just finals stage tickets have been hyped to several tens of thousands of ryō per ticket."
This price indeed proved somewhat shocking. Recalling last year's Konoha-hosted Three Village Joint Chūnin Exam, seemingly no such high ticket prices were sold.
Of course, this mainly stemmed from Konoha inviting more daimyo and nobles, emphasizing mission quota negotiations. This year's Cloud Village appeared more like placing focus on ticket revenue itself.
Thinking carefully, this also matched Cloud Village's circumstances. Cloud Village's geographical location proved relatively remote. Its influence most directly radiated mainly Frost Country, Hot Water Country, plus more distant Forest Country.
Lacking Konoha's geographical advantages positioned at transportation hubs, naturally possessing massive mission commissions, rather than laboriously negotiating possibly limited mission quotas, better seizing opportunities properly managing ticket income, raising reputation. If competitions proved sufficiently exciting, these wealthy merchants would naturally also proactively seek cooperation.
Tsunade leisurely sipped beside him. Shuji continued flipping through candidate lists.
"Uzuki Yūgao? She joined ANBU should already be not a short time, right?"
"Also Gekkō Hayate..."
"I remember these two already promoted to chūnin long ago, correct?"
"Yes, indeed," Tsunade said unconcernedly. "Cloud Village made scenes so big, publicizing boisterously. Can't guarantee not arranging some experts with strength exceeding conventions among participants."
"We must make corresponding preparations."
"If Cloud Village only dispatches ordinary genin participating, then Hayate and Yūgao will naturally show restraint, possibly even voluntarily forfeiting depending on circumstances. After all, must leave hosts some face."
"However, if we prepare nothing, in case dispatched genin lose too embarrassingly, somewhat affecting village image this year, potentially influencing mission commission quantities."
"Doesn't the village still have one genin? Maruboshi Kosuke..."
Tsunade seemed slightly surprised. "You also know?"
"He somewhat possesses shinobi world reputation. Dispatching him appearing would prove too unseemly. Hayate and Yūgao are your same cohort, ages not large, still passable."
"If you restrained somewhat, not showing off everywhere so early, this year perhaps you'd be dispatched participating."
"However, though participating has nothing to do with you, this Cloud Village trip still requires you leading squads."
Looking at Shuji, Tsunade's tone became slightly more formal. "Regarding competition specific processes and detailed arrangements, Cloud Village's side still has some schedule problems wishing to negotiate with us before competitions."
"If you go, whatever problems can be decided on-site. Anyway, ultimately just a Chūnin Exam."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild