Chapter 100: Hashirama Cells and Senjutsu Training (Bonus)

Ten days later, in Shikkotsu Forest.

As white smoke rose, Yuto appeared in the dense yet lifeless forest.

"Ah—Yuto-kun, you finally arrived."

A small slug saw Yuto and quickly stuck to him:

"Hurry up and take these things away, they're so scary."

"Scary?" Yuto looked at the ground, which was covered with various items—scrolls, containers, surgical instruments...

Ten days ago, he had entered his masked mode and caused chaos in Konoha, taking these spoils from Orochimaru's lab and then storing them in Shikkotsu Forest.

"Scary... Are you referring to this?" Yuto picked up a sealing scroll and spread it open. In the center was a red circle with a prominent "wood" character inside.

Inside this scroll were cells from Hashirama Senju.

Moreover, these were "original samples," directly taken from Hashirama's corpse!

The chunk of flesh was a version cultivated by Orochimaru, enhanced with many unique materials Yuto had never seen, forming "sub-cells."

"Yes! It's the stuff in the scroll!" the small slug screamed, "Yuto-kun, now that you're here, I don't have to guard these things anymore... I'm going back!"

With a pop, the small slug vanished.

Returning to the Sage's main body, the slug's memories and emotions were received by the Sage, causing a rumbling deep underground that shook the entire forest.

The Slug Sage spoke, its voice as gentle as ever,

"Those are Hashirama cells. Even sealed, they emit abundant chakra and life force."

"Sage, why was the small slug scared?"

"The First Hokage's cells remain highly active even after death. Besides chakra, they also attract natural energy... While slugs love nature, too much natural energy is toxic."

"I see..." Yuto blinked, recalling Naruto turning into a frog when he failed senjutsu training.

He thoughtfully weighed the scroll, curious:

"Sage, did you ever meet the First Hokage?"

"Yes." The Slug Sage, sometimes quite talkative, would often share many stories with Yuto when interested in a topic.

—Like a secluded woman finally finding someone to talk to.

"I've lived for over a thousand years and met many humans. Even in my long life, Hashirama Senju was extraordinary." She paused, then continued:

"Hashirama trained in senjutsu here. But even before formal training, he could sense natural energy. Entering Sage Mode was as easy as breathing for him."

"His senjutsu was different from the traditional senjutsu of Shikkotsu Forest. If compared, it resembled the Six Paths Sage's techniques."

Yuto's eyes lit up. His goal for obtaining Hashirama's cells was to complete his bloodline and break the Cage Bird seal, but hearing this from the Slug Sage sparked a bold idea:

Unconsciously attracting natural energy, isn't that like toad oil?

Naruto mastered senjutsu quickly, not just because of his vast chakra but also thanks to toad oil, which gathered natural energy when applied. Unfortunately, it evaporated outside Mount Myoboku, making it hard for Yuto to obtain.

Could Hashirama's cells have a similar effect as toad oil?

Anyway, it didn't require transplantation, so there would be no rejection.

Yuto shared this idea with the Slug Sage, leaving her speechless for a long time.

"Theoretically... it's possible, and failure won't have severe consequences."

"Then I'll try!" Yuto rubbed his hands together, about to act, but then stopped and sighed, "Not today. I have matters outside. I can't be gone too long. Sage, I must leave."

He left some of Hashirama's cells as a backup, taking the rest with him. After a few more words with the Slug Sage, Yuto performed the Summoning Technique and left Shikkotsu Forest.

He reappeared in a secret underground base in the Land of Hot Water.

Everything remained the same: the massive bloodline purifier, temperature-controlled cell culture room, neatly arranged medical tanks, and the precious corpse of Shinosuke from the main family.

"Only one piece of God's Mask remains, a real hassle, and I don't have the time to hunt for more..."

Yuto muttered to himself. He carefully stored the scroll containing Hashirama's original cells, checked the security and self-destruct mechanisms, and then left the underground lab.

As Yuto said, he was indeed very busy. It took him days to find the chance to briefly leave and retrieve the spoils from Shikkotsu Forest, and also maintain the equipment in the underground base.

On the surface, Yuto carried a corpse hidden behind a large rock and sprinted toward a certain location.

Before long, he arrived at a temporary camp.

"It's Yuto-sama!"

"The Lone Lion is back! Ha! That annoying Kiri shinobi finally died. He followed us all the way, so arrogant!"

"Yuto-sama, thank you for your hard work."

Yuto placed the corpse on the ground and said warmly, "Check his body for any information."

He leaned casually against a tree, appearing to rest but actually reflecting on recent events.

Ten days ago, Kirigakure and Kumogakure were ambushed, suffering heavy casualties. The Fourth Mizukage was also killed by Hiruzen.

To consolidate their victory and compensate for the loss of Orochimaru, Hiruzen temporarily stayed on the frontlines in the Land of Hot Water.

Subsequently, Konoha cleared the battlefield and pursued the retreating forces.

If not for Orochimaru's departure from the Land of Fire, this battle would have been a complete victory for Konoha.

Having endured the initial tough period, Hiruzen called Jiraiya to replace Orochimaru, leading Konoha's forces in the Land of Hot Water.

Then, the execution squad set off for Konoha, taking the corpse of the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura.

This was the biggest gain of the mission. A shinobi's corpse held vast information, and studying Yagura's body would be beneficial in future confrontations with Kiri shinobi.

Of course, Kiri would not let this slide. With the Mizukage dead, the council took over most of the village's power. Whether out of personal feelings or village pride, they had to send people to intercept Hiruzen's group.

Everyone knew it was a futile effort, but Kiri had to show a strong stance, similar to how Hiruzen reluctantly expelled Orochimaru. These were the rules and bottom lines for all shinobi villages.

Yuto and the Konoha shinobi with him were Hiruzen's rearguard, responsible for handling the pursuing Kiri shinobi until they reached the village.

Yuto had been exhausted, having not rested since his battle with Hiruzen in masked mode. He also used the The Ninja Art Creation Rebirth Strength of a Hundred Seal in his fight with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and the AB Combo. If not for Tsunade's care, he would have been bedridden.

Fortunately, they were only half a day away from the village...

Thinking this, Yuto closed his eyes slightly.

"Stay alert, I'm resting for a while."

His natural tone and attitude were normal for the Konoha shinobi.

After all, he was the Lone Lion.

(End of Chapter)