Itachi arrived at the headquarters of the Police Force and was led straight to Fugaku.

“I remember you went to the Land of Demons with Kitazawa,” Fugaku said, studying him closely. “When did you get back?”

“Just now,” Itachi replied calmly. “I came to inform you of something that will soon shake all of Konoha.”

Fugaku raised an eyebrow, sensing the gravity behind his son’s words.

“What is it?”

“Kitazawa-sama… has mastered Wood Release.”

For a moment, the room fell deathly silent.

“…What?”

Fugaku’s eyes widened abruptly, disbelief written across his face.

“I saw it with my own eyes,” Itachi added evenly.

Fugaku took a long moment to recover.

“Why does Kitazawa possess Wood Release? Is he connected to the Senju?”

“I don’t know,” Itachi answered, shaking his head.

Fugaku exhaled slowly, his mind racing.

“Hokage-sama choosing to reveal this now… this is clearly to pave the way for him. The position of the next Hokage will undoubtedly be Kitazawa’s.”

Then, with a faint sense of relief, he added,

“It’s fortunate that the Uchiha Clan has maintained a good relationship with him.”

“Even without Wood Release,” Itachi said gravely, “no one in Konoha could realistically compete with him for the Hokage’s seat.”

“True—but Wood Release changes everything.” Fugaku’s gaze hardened with resolve.

“Some people within the clan need to calm down. From this point on, the Uchiha will offer Kitazawa our full support.”

So he’s finally made up his mind…

Itachi felt a quiet sense of relief rise in his chest.

With Tsunade and Kitazawa standing at Konoha’s helm, the village—and the Uchiha—would enjoy a long era of stability.

The wish he and Shisui once shared was already halfway fulfilled.

As the father and son spoke, the news of Kitazawa’s Wood Release spread through Konoha at a terrifying speed.

The village erupted into celebration, its atmosphere lively as if it were the New Year itself.

After all, Wood Release was more than just a rare Bloodline Limit—it symbolized the return of a supreme powerhouse.

Both civilians and ninja alike felt it in their bones.

Konoha’s future… is bright.

Ninja Academy – Training Grounds

Despite Kitazawa’s absence, the Genius Class training proceeded as usual.

Hiruzen, Kakashi, Kurenai, Chen, and Kosuke were instructing the students when a figure suddenly flashed down before them.

It was the ANBU kunoichi, Haru.

“Haru, long time no see,” Hiruzen said with a warm smile. “Did Tsunade call for me?”

“Hokage-sama ordered me to relay official news,” Haru said with a respectful bow.

“Kitazawa-sama has mastered Wood Release… and has defeated Mōryō of the Land of Demons.”

Hiruzen’s expression instantly stiffened.

Kakashi, Maruboshi, and the others froze in disbelief.

Only Kurenai remained completely calm.

Haru proceeded to recount the entire battle.

“So that’s how it happened…” Hiruzen murmured.

He immediately understood—Kitazawa’s Wood Release was fundamentally different from Yamato’s.

Yamato’s power would never be enough to suppress a demon like Mōryō, a being comparable to a Tailed Beast.

While Kitazawa’s Wood Release still fell short of Hashirama’s legendary level, its power was already terrifying.

Hiruzen stroked his beard deeply in thought.

How on earth did he master Wood Release without any Senju blood…?

“Kurenai,” Maruboshi asked, bewildered, “how did you and Kitazawa never even hint at this?”

“I was simply obeying Hokage-sama’s orders,” Kurenai replied with a gentle smile.

“Revealing it too early would’ve drawn unwanted attention.” Kakashi nodded thoughtfully.

“Now that he’s fully mastered it, announcing it now has the greatest impact.”

“Regardless, this is astonishing news!” Chen said excitedly.

“Indeed,” Hiruzen smiled. “Konoha now has no hidden worries.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

No one believed that was an exaggeration.

Iwagakure – Land of Earth

Because the Land of Earth bordered the Land of Demons, Kitsuchi arrived back at Iwagakure ahead of Baki and Ao.

After sending his squad to rest, he headed straight for the Tsuchikage Building.

He didn’t even knock.

“Kitsuchi?” Ōnoki looked up in surprise. “What happened—did the mission fail? Did Mōryō escape?”

“The mission succeeded,” Kitsuchi said after steadying his breath.

“Mōryō has been sealed.”

“Then why do you look like that?” Ōnoki asked warily.

“The ninja Konoha sent was Kitazawa.”

Kitsuchi’s voice turned heavy.

“And during the battle… he used Wood Release.”

“What?!”

Ōnoki shot to his feet—then instantly winced in pain and grabbed his lower back.

“Father!” Kitsuchi rushed forward.

“I’m fine… just my old injury acting up,” Ōnoki waved him off.

Then his eyes sharpened.

“You’re absolutely certain it was Wood Release?”

“There’s no room for doubt.”

Kitsuchi recounted everything—Deep Forest Emergence, the Wood Dragon, the overwhelming scale of destruction.

In the entire Ninja World, only one man had ever displayed such techniques.

Ōnoki slowly sat back down, his face clouded with shock.

“The power he displayed…” Kitsuchi said quietly, “was far beyond ordinary Bloodline Limits. It might even rival the Wood Release of Senju Hashirama.”

“It doesn’t reach that level,” Ōnoki interrupted firmly.

“You weren’t alive in Hashirama’s era. His Wood Release was absolute terror.”

Memories surfaced in his eyes.

The day he and Second Tsuchikage Mū had faced Uchiha Madara.

The day they were crushed.

And how that same Madara had been repeatedly beaten down by Senju Hashirama.

“Still,” Ōnoki continued gravely, “Kage-level Wood Release is already enough to destabilize the balance of power.”

In the current Iwagakure, only he and the two Jinchūriki could even hope to contend with such a monster.

And now…

Konoha had gained another one.

“No wonder Senju Hashirama was revered as the God of Shinobi…” Kitsuchi couldn’t help but mutter in awe.

Before today, his understanding of Hashirama existed only in legends—a distant figure who used Wood Release to end an age of endless war. But after witnessing Kitazawa’s Wood Release with his own eyes, those legends finally gained weight and form.

And if this level of power was still far inferior to Hashirama’s…

Then just how monstrous had the First Hokage truly been?

“Fortunately,” Ōnoki said after regaining his composure, “Kitazawa does not yet approach Hashirama’s level.”

“That is indeed fortunate,” Kitsuchi agreed with a solemn nod.

If Kitazawa’s Wood Release had reached the level of dominating the entire Ninja World, the other villages would have had no choice but to submit—just as they once had under Hashirama.

Ōnoki rubbed his aching lower back and sighed.

“Compared to Konoha, Iwagakure’s new generation is… lacking. If someone could inherit my Dust Release, I could finally retire in peace.”

“I’m sorry,” Kitsuchi said with quiet shame. “My talent isn’t enough.”

He was already the finest of Iwagakure’s younger generation—yet even he could not grasp Dust Release.

“It isn’t your fault,” Ōnoki said, shaking his head. “Dust Release was never meant to be easy. Now all we can do is see whether Deidara or Kurotsuchi can succeed.”

“There’s something else,” Kitsuchi added, bringing up the four students Kitazawa had brought with him.

“Why does Konoha always produce so many prodigies…?”

After hearing the details, Ōnoki felt a headache coming on.

He had believed that producing even two geniuses in one generation was remarkable. Yet Konoha seemed to breed them endlessly.

“We must call Deidara back,” Kitsuchi suggested after some thought.

“And intensify the training of the younger generation—just like Konoha’s Genius Class.”

Ōnoki exhaled heavily.

“Very well. We’ll establish our own Genius Class.”

“Then… what about Kitazawa?” Kitsuchi asked carefully.

“What can we do?” Ōnoki replied coldly.

“With his current strength, unless I personally march into Konoha, no one in Iwagakure can touch him.”

After a pause, he added,

“For now, we observe. If Konoha ever initiates war, we will unite with the other villages.”

Hidden Sand Village – Land of Wind

Baki and his squad arrived several hours after Kitsuchi.

Unlike the Land of Earth, the Land of Wind was separated from the Land of Demons by the small Land of Bears, delaying their return.

The moment he entered the village, Baki rushed straight for the Kazekage’s office.

After knocking and receiving permission, he pushed open the door.

“Kazekage-sama,” Baki said urgently,

“Kitazawa has mastered Wood Release!”

“Kitazawa? Wood Release?”

Rasa frowned in disbelief. “Are you joking? Isn’t he known for Water Release and Medical Ninjutsu?”

“We carried out the mission to seal Mōryō,” Baki said rapidly.

“The ninja from Konoha was Kitazawa—and he personally suppressed Mōryō with Wood Release.”

Rasa froze.

Then, two seconds later—

“Tell me everything. In detail.”

Baki recounted the battle from start to finish.

When he finished, Rasa stared forward in silence.

“…His Wood Release is no weaker than my Magnet Release,” Rasa finally said heavily.

His Magnet Release could suppress Shukaku, the One-Tail.

And although Mōryō was slightly weaker than Shukaku, it was close.

“Kazekage-sama… what should we do?” Baki asked cautiously.

“Konoha has too many monsters,” Rasa said bitterly.

“For Sunagakure to oppose them head-on… would be suicide.”

For a Kazekage to admit inferiority was humiliation.

But it was also the truth.

Baki fell into silence.

Konoha possessed Kitazawa, Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.

Meanwhile, Sunagakure had only Rasa—along with two aging advisors, Chiyo and Ebizō.

As for the younger generation… only Gaara carried the potential to become Kazekage.

“The only thing we can do,” Rasa said with a long sigh, “is wait and watch.”

Sunagakure was already struggling financially.

“Kazekage-sama,” Baki added,

“We should follow Konoha’s example and establish a Genius Class.”

He then described Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke’s battlefield performance.

“Konoha truly is favored by fate,” Rasa murmured.

“Very well. I’ll leave the Genius Class to you.”

“Yes, Kazekage-sama.”

Hidden Mist Village – Land of Water

That same afternoon, Ao stormed straight into the Mizukage’s office.

Mei Terumī looked up in confusion.

“What is it?”

“Kitazawa has mastered Wood Release.”

“What?!” Mei exclaimed.

Ao laid out everything that had happened in the Land of Demons without holding anything back.

“I thought his strength had already reached its limit,” Mei sighed once she finished listening.

“I never imagined he was still hiding something as monstrous as Wood Release.”

Unlike Ōnoki and Rasa, her shock was quickly tempered by calm.

After all… Hidden Mist had already lost to Konoha.

Her strategy had long been set in stone:

As long as Tsunade and Kitazawa lived, the Hidden Mist would remain Konoha’s ally.

Now that Kitazawa wielded Wood Release…

It only proved how correct that decision had been.

“In short, our village must not provoke Konoha until the gap in strength is closed,”

Mei finally concluded.

Ao gave a helpless nod in agreement.

—

While the Ninja World trembled at the reappearance of Wood Release, Kitazawa and his students were enjoying the celebrations in the Land of Demons.

To be honest, the atmosphere wasn’t all that different from Konoha’s festivals.

After wandering around for about an hour, Kitazawa allowed Sasuke and Naruto to move freely. He then made his way to meet Shion.

“Kitazawa-dono!”

Shion immediately stood up to greet him.

“Priestess, what are you reading? Why didn’t you join the celebration?” Kitazawa asked with a small nod.

“This is the alliance treaty between the Land of Demons and Konoha Village,” Shion replied.

“Once I confirm everything is in order, I’ll send a delegation to Konoha.”

“Aren’t you going personally?” Kitazawa asked with a smile.

“M-Me?” Shion blinked in surprise.

As the Priestess—and the de facto Daimyō—of the Land of Demons, it was unthinkable for her to leave under normal circumstances.

“Now that Mōryō has been sealed, the Land of Demons is finally safe,” Kitazawa said gently.

“Don’t you want to see the outside world?”

“T-This…”

Shion hesitated.

She had spent her entire life inside the Shrine. Forget leaving the Land of Demons—she had barely ever left the shrine itself.

Yet his words stirred something within her heart.

“I—I’ll discuss it with them!”

She finally made up her mind, eyes shining.

“If possible, I want to go to Konoha Village and play for a few days!”

“Konoha would be honored to welcome you,” Kitazawa replied.

“When the time comes, I definitely want to visit the Ninja Academy!” Shion said excitedly.

After witnessing Naruto and Sasuke’s strength, her curiosity toward ninja had grown uncontrollably.

“You won’t be disappointed,” Kitazawa said with a knowing smile.

Half his goal was already accomplished.

No matter how sacred her identity, Shion was still just a little girl. Once she experienced Konoha’s liveliness and the atmosphere of the Ninja Academy, she surely wouldn’t want to leave.

At that point, introducing her to the Genius Class would be easy.

“I’m going to find Suhō and the others right now!”

Shion ran off eagerly.

Kitazawa watched her go before quietly leaving the capital himself.

He wasn’t particularly interested in festivities—he preferred training.

The next day, the celebration ended, and the return journey began.

Shion personally led the Land of Demons delegation.

However, since most of them were ordinary civilians, the journey took twice as long.

By the time they reached Konoha Village, it was already August.

All in all, the Land of Demons mission had taken nearly half a month.

[Current Mission: Let the Ninja World know and tremble from your Wood Release.]

[Mission Reward: One-tail of Chakra.]

[Mission Complete. Reward issued.]

A surge of power flowed through Kitazawa’s body.

He nodded in quiet satisfaction.

Once Yang Release Chakra Mode was activated, it would instantly double.

In the entire Ninja World, only monsters like Nagato of the Uzumaki Clan could rival him in raw chakra.

“So many people!”

Shion looked around in awe.

As one of the Five Great Villages, Konoha dwarfed the Land of Demons in both population and scale.

Even as the ruler of a nation, she felt genuine novelty here.

“Kitazawa.”

Shikaku stepped forward to greet him.

Though the Land of Demons was small, diplomatic etiquette could not be neglected.

Tsunade had personally assigned Shikaku to oversee the delegation and alliance treaty.

“Shikaku-san,” Kitazawa said with a chuckle.

“I guessed Tsunade-sensei would leave this to you.”

“These are trivial matters,” Shikaku sighed.

“Your Wood Release is what truly shook the Ninja World.”

“It’s not worth exaggerating,” Kitazawa replied modestly.

“…”

Shikaku’s mouth twitched.

If Wood Release wasn’t worth exaggerating, then what was?

“This is Shion,” Kitazawa said lightly,

“The Priestess of the Land of Demons.”

“Priestess, it is an honor,” Shikaku greeted politely.

“I am Nara Shikaku, Hokage Advisor and head of this alliance negotiation.”

“They’ve traveled for nearly a week. Let them rest first,” Kitazawa added.

“Tomorrow will be fine for the talks.”

“My lady, please follow me,” Shikaku nodded.

“Konoha has already prepared proper accommodations.”

After exchanging farewells with Kitazawa, Shion left with Suhō and the delegation.

“The four of you did well,” Kitazawa said to Sasuke, Hinata, Neji, and Naruto.

“Go home and rest.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-sensei!”

After they departed, Kitazawa decided not to visit Tsunade yet and instead headed for a nearby training ground.

At last, it was time to test the Demon-Slaying Bow.

He drew the bowstring.

A Yin Release Arrow formed instantly.

The moment he released it, the arrow pierced clean through a wooden stake.

Kitazawa nodded.

Without injecting Chakra, the bow’s base performance already surpassed Neji and Hinata’s bows.

That difference came from the spirit sealed within.

In raw hierarchy:

Mōryō > Satori > Zero-tails.

Explosive Arrow, he realized, would suit this bow perfectly.

He drew again.

Purple-black Chakra surged, forming a twisted Yin Release Arrow.

BOOM!

The arrow detonated upon impact.

Nearby stakes were obliterated, and an invisible mental shockwave burst outward.

Kitazawa deliberately did not defend.

A splitting headache crashed through his mind.

He pressed a hand to his forehead as medical chakra flowed out, finally dispelling the pain.

The Demon-Slaying Bow…was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

——————

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