Chapter 172 : Wood Release Awakened

The verdant liquid shimmered with an enigmatic brilliance, exuding an aura that was both mysterious and perilous. It flowed down Takeshi's throat, leaving Orochimaru astounded as he witnessed the scene unfold before him.

"Is this the purest intercellular essence of Hashirama? Bastard Danzo!"

Indeed, it was the serum that Nightingale had just handed to Takeshi. Both Danzo and Tobirama had passed this concoction to Nightingale with great expectations.

Today Lord Gen also received this serum, injected with the anticipation of Danzo and Tobirama. After administering the substance, it was believed to be a potent elixir of life, and somehow, Lord Gen miraculously survived.

This event had inflated Danzo's confidence to the point of bursting, attributing his dubious experimental outcomes to his own credit, ignorant of the accidental role played by the Gelel Stone.

While Tobirama was a forbidden jutsu prodigy, excelling in water release and space ninjutsu like the Flying Thunder God and Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, he was not adept at dealing with biological cells.

As for the technique of the impure world reincarnation, it was in fact a form of summoning jutsu. While Tobirama introduced the concept, it was Orochimaru who ultimately perfected it through his extensive research.

Due to this, Tobirama, lacking comprehensive knowledge, remained unaware of Danzo's research findings. He merely observed how Lord Gen, a non-Senju clan member, wielded an astonishing wooden technique.

Despite the monumental costs and inhumane transformation, Tobirama failed to understand that this was due to the accidental interference of the Gelel Stone. Danzo wrongfully claimed credit for the astonishing results.

Fortunately, Nightingale's timely intervention, driven by her observation of Lord Gen's rampage within the Anbu and her adherence to Takeshi's advice, prevented her from falling into Danzo's trap.

Danzo, though manipulative, was shrewd for his goals. He had Nightingale present within the room to make the choice of injecting the serum, in case things went awry, to prevent himself from being a scapegoat.

Despite her disdain, Nightingale took the serum crafted by Takeshi from the Gelel Stone, consumed it, and then discreetly took away the intercellular essence.

Once consumed, the potion increased Nightingale's Wood Release capabilities, but due to congenital limitations, her Wood Release remained at the level of Yamato for now. Her age and chakra constraints prohibited her from achieving the power of a Jonin.

Danzo and Tobirama were thrilled by Nightingale's transformation, their suspicions alleviated. While Danzo eagerly sought more "volunteer" subjects for experimentation, Nightingale used the opportunity to slip away.

The pivotal moment had come for Takeshi to awaken his Wood Release. With enough preparation, Takeshi consumed the intercellular essence. This would enable him to harness the Ashura Yang Chakra within the cells, stimulating his Senju bloodline he just devoured and unlocking a breakthrough.

"Boom!"

The consumed essence ignited a tremendous explosion within Takeshi's body. His skin swelled, but if not for the resilience of snake skin, he would have likely ruptured on the spot.

"Ahhh! It burns!" Takeshi's voice strained, mirroring Lord Gen's original state. Despite the torment, he refrained from employing his phagocytic power to dissolve the riotous intercellular essence, allowing it to churn within.

Subtle traces of Yang Chakra began materializing within Takeshi, like a spark kindling a prairie fire.

"Ha! Your greed delayed your awakening. Absorbing the blood of so many Senju is your folly. Otherwise, this surge of chakra would have already triggered your awakening."

Orochimaru jeered, "Your extraordinary constitution, along with your audaciousness, conspired to hinder your awakening."

"Roar—!"

A cyan radiance emanated from Takeshi's serpentine eye, reminiscent of a beam. The excruciating pain fueled his rage, igniting the ferocity of his White-Scaled Serpent heritage. Even Orochimaru seemed momentarily entranced by the energy surging through Takeshi.

Takeshi howled into the sky as scales erupted from his body, encapsulating his swollen form. Surrounding flora, defying conventional growth patterns, broke free from earth's constraints to cocoon Takeshi in cyan.

"Curse it! Breakthrough!"

Orochimaru's composure wavered as he witnessed the process, realizing that his chakra had been channelled into the colossal cocoon. Wood Release's power was at play.

"Boom!"

Cyan brilliance erupted from the cocoon, splitting it in two before disintegrating into myriad fragments. The cave instantly transformed into a verdant haven as plants surged forth. Orochimaru's protective barrier, shattered by the light, crumbled.

Emerging from the plant sea stood Takeshi, his visage fierce, his body covered in serpentine scales. His skin eventually resumed normalcy as the infusion of clarity empowered his form, revealing Takeshi's true appearance.

Compared to before, Takeshi's chakra surged. Against Orochimaru, he wielded a formidable might.

"At last, you awaken. This has been an arduous journey."

Takeshi's once-pale skin now bore a weathered patina, akin to mystic markings, radiating vitality.

"Is this the essence of Wood Release? Familiar, yet profoundly potent!"

Takeshi pondered, extending his hand. Dark-green plants promptly sprouted, forming a bamboo-thick screen. Any nearby ninja would have been ensnared and eradicated.

Takeshi continued, orchestrating the growth of thorny vines, coating the cave's floor. An amalgamation of sharp grass followed suit, creating a bed of blades.

His hands formed seals, and towering trees sprung forth, entwined by thorn-covered vines. Takeshi manipulated the surroundings into a veritable subterranean forest.

"How does it feel?" Orochimaru inquired, observing Takeshi's mastery over the newfound power.

"Powerful. These plants are robust and agile, an extension of my being."

Takeshi revelled in his newfound ability.

"I sense dominion over my surroundings, a closeness like none other. My chakra surges, the result of awakening Wood Release."

Takeshi plucked a branch, its metallic sheen and resilience distinct from standard jutsu.

With a swift motion, he thrust the branch into the wall, triggering a thunderous explosion.

"What an astounding force! What plant is this?" Orochimaru marvelled, recognizing the devastating potential.

"This is my Wood Release, a consequence of absorbing hundreds of Senju' blood. These ever-shifting forms grant me control over their appearance."

Takeshi formed seals, birthing towering trees. Vines enshrouded them, blades of grass emerged, a forest of sharp flora transmuted by his will.

"Such fluency with Wood Release! Your strength now..." Orochimaru marvelled at Takeshi's true essence in his body.

"It's not as spectacular as you surmise. The power stems from absorbing residual Gelel crystals. To craft these wooden constructs on my own would pose a formidable challenge. My Wood Release's potency outstrips my own capacity."

Descending from the wooden pillar, Takeshi found himself uplifted by a network of living vines, akin to constellations illuminating the night sky.

"This... a sentient plant, or merely your command?" Orochimaru inquired.

"...Strangely, I merely guide it, as if it possesses an inherent sentience."

Takeshi mused on the phenomenon as vines undulated beneath him.

"Perhaps I can still..."

Takeshi's hand stretched toward the robust branch, eliciting vibrations.

"Hmm? What's occurring?"

As Takeshi probed the plant's vibrations, a revelation struck, surprising both Orochimaru and Takeshi.

"Someone approaches—likely our barrier breached, drawing Konoha's attention."

"Let's retreat for now."

Summoning serpents, they departed for the laboratory. Before departure, they neutralized the wooden tunnel and activated the exploding tags.

"Boom!"

The tunnel constricted, detonating upon a collapsing cave, masking their presence with smoke and dust.

Minutes later, Anbu operatives scouted the scene, baffled by the aftermath in the forest. Failing to uncover any leads, they retreated empty-handed, unaware of the enigma that had unfolded within the labyrinthine depths.