The fundamental difference between Yamato's Wood Style and Hashirama's came down to one thing: raw chakra volume.
During the Fourth Ninja World War, Hashirama Senju had made a casual observation about Naruto Uzumaki's chakra reserves. They were comparable to his own, he'd said. But Naruto had been in Nine-Tails mode at the time—meaning Hashirama's chakra alone matched Naruto plus half of Kurama's power.
With that kind of reserves, even basic Water or Fire Style would make someone unstoppable. Add in Sage Mode, and you had a god walking the earth.
Hanekawa stroked his chin thoughtfully.
The S-Rank entry his system had granted him—"Hashirama Senju's Wood Style"—didn't include Sage Mode. But he could learn that separately. Still, the synthesis requirements were... troublesome.
The easiest path was the A-Rank "Medical Jonin" entry. He was one step away from 100% proficiency, thanks largely to Danzo's endless parade of healing assignments.
The second option, "Seal Jonin," was far more difficult. He'd only scratched the surface of sealing techniques and was still stuck at D-Rank "Sealing Genin." Sealing ninjutsu was notoriously complex. That one would take time.
The third—and most ridiculous—was the S-Rank "Sage Body" entry. The trigger condition was deceptively simple: possess chakra reserves comparable to a tailed beast, without being a jinchuriki.
Yeah, that's totally reasonable, Hanekawa thought dryly. Just casually match the Nine-Tails in power. No big deal.
Though when he considered that Hashirama's chakra equaled Naruto plus half of Kurama, maybe it wasn't so absurd after all.
The only entry he currently had that boosted chakra capacity was the A-Rank "Almighty Jonin"—a 300% increase. Its S-Rank evolution, "Invincible Shadow," probably did the same. But even maxed out, he'd never reach tailed beast levels.
Becoming a jinchuriki was off the table. The system had rejected that path entirely.
That left two options: discover new entries related to chakra or the sage body, or find something in the ninja world that could artificially boost reserves.
Hero's Water, he mused. The legendary substance from Takigakure Village. Drink it, and your chakra skyrocketed—at the cost of your lifespan. Health for mana, in game terms.
Shibuki, the village leader, had drunk it once. And Kakuzu, the Akatsuki member, had come from Takigakure. He'd been a village hero for assassinating Hashirama. Maybe he'd used it too.
Beyond that, there were indirect options: the Dragon Vein, Grell's Stone, the Chest of Bliss. But nothing as straightforward as Hero's Water.
"Hanekawa, what are you thinking about?"
He blinked. Kurenai stood in front of him, waving her hand in front of his face. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail now—a style she'd adopted after he'd suggested it. A few strands framed her delicate features, swaying with her movements.
"Uncle Shinku mentioned he has a son," Hanekawa said, taking her soft hand. "Neji Hyuga."
"I see." Kurenai's face flushed crimson. Is he thinking about... having children? Isn't that a bit early?
"Why are you blushing?" Hanekawa tilted his head, genuinely confused.
"N-nothing!" She shook her head rapidly.
"Really?" He leaned forward, bending down until they were face-to-face. A faint fragrance reached him—something uniquely hers.
Kurenai's heart hammered. The distance was so close she could hear his breathing. Her mouth went dry.
Hanekawa watched her blush deepen, the color spreading from her cheeks to her delicate ears. Cute.
"So cute," he said, smiling.
"It's time to do the mission!" Kurenai pushed him away, her face burning. "Go move the supplies!"
"Ah." Hanekawa stopped teasing her, pinched her cheek playfully, and turned toward the warehouse. Chakra surged from his palms, lifting the supply crates with effortless grace and floating them inside.
Kurenai touched her still-hot face, watching him work. It's all his fault.
She was surprised by how easily he manipulated his chakra. She could do the same, but it required concentration. For him, it was as natural as breathing.
"Why didn't Rin come?" Hanekawa asked suddenly.
"She's keeping watch on Root operatives," Kurenai replied, refocusing.
"Find anything?"
"Not yet." Kurenai shook her head. "Danzo's being patient this time."
Hanekawa chuckled. "I think he's running out of options."
"Exactly!" Kurenai put her hands on her hips, looking smug. "If he had a way to move against us, he wouldn't still be waiting!"
Hanekawa turned to look at her proud expression and reached out, ruffling her hair.
"Did I say something wrong?" she asked, confused.
"No." He smiled. "I just wanted to touch you."
Kurenai's courage evaporated. She stepped forward and hugged his arm instead, suppressing her shyness. "Then... touch it."
"Don't interrupt me while I'm working," Hanekawa said, gently rubbing her face.
She didn't dare look at him, responding softly, "Okay."
Hanekawa continued moving supplies with his chakra. Within minutes, everything was stored.
"I'll report to Teacher," he said, dispersing his chakra. And ask about Wood Style ninjutsu.
"Mm." Kurenai nodded.
"Are you hungry?" Hanekawa tilted her chin up.
"A... a little," she admitted, blushing again.
"After I finish with Teacher, we'll get lunch." He gently stroked her face before heading toward Tsunade's tent.
He found her sprawled on a carpet, eyes closed, legs crossed. Her clothes shifted with each breath, her posture radiating boredom and irritation.
"Teacher," Hanekawa said, patting her raised knee.
Tsunade kicked at him. "What?"
"Do you remember the bet we made?" Hanekawa caught her foot easily, but she yanked it free.
"What bet?" Tsunade sat up, genuinely confused.
She hadn't forgotten—she'd just ignored it. There was no way Hanekawa could master Wood Style in a year. The original agreement had been three years.
"Wood Style," he reminded her.
Tsunade's eyes widened as memory returned. "Oh. That." She smiled. "Why? Having second thoughts?"
"No." Hanekawa shook his head and sat down across from her, extending his hand. "I'm ready to show you."
"What are you—" Tsunade started, then placed her hand in his.
Hanekawa was momentarily surprised. When did she learn to do that? He didn't hesitate, gently touching her slender fingers and the soft back of her hand. Tsunade glared at him, and he smiled back.
Then he released her and placed a withered rose branch in his palm.
"Teacher, look. A dead rose branch."
"So?" Tsunade asked, curious despite herself.
"Now you'll see a miracle."
Hanekawa's chakra flowed into the branch. Life surged through it—vibrant, pulsing energy. The wood swelled and filled out. Tsunade's eyes widened. She understood what was happening, but couldn't quite believe it.
For Tsunade, that was rare.
Finally, under the stimulation of Wood Style chakra, beautiful crimson roses bloomed along the branch, each petal perfect and radiant.
"You... you learned Wood Style?" Tsunade's voice shook.
"Yeah." Hanekawa smiled and offered her the branch. "This is for you, Teacher."
Tsunade took it automatically, her mind reeling. She wanted to speak but couldn't find words.
Her heart flooded with shock and confusion. She'd never seen anyone learn Wood Style before. The previous Wood Style users had all undergone artificial experiments—which explained her anger at the very concept. But Hanekawa had been with her almost constantly. There was no way he'd undergone any procedure.
That left only one explanation: he'd taught himself.
"Teacher." Hanekawa poked her cheek. "You're spacing out."
"What are you doing? Show some respect!" Tsunade rolled her eyes at him, but her voice lacked heat.
"You were in a daze," he said with a smile.
"I'm just... surprised you learned it so quickly." Tsunade paused, thinking. "So Wood Style really is just combining earth and water attributes."
"You didn't know that before?" Hanekawa blinked.
"I knew theoretically, but no one's ever succeeded, so I wasn't certain." Tsunade looked at the rose, suddenly aware of its symbolic meaning. Her heart skipped. "I see."
"With my example, maybe there will be another Wood Style user someday," Hanekawa said.
"Don't be ridiculous." Tsunade flicked his forehead. "In all my years in The Hidden Leaf, there are fewer than three ninjas with your talent."
She meant Hashirama and Tobirama Senju. Even Tobirama, for all his genius, had failed to master Wood Style.
Hanekawa didn't argue. It was true. Without his system, synthesizing earth and water attributes would be nearly impossible.
"Maybe you have Senju blood," Tsunade said suddenly, laughing. "You're a war orphan with unknown parents. It's possible."
"Maybe so." Hanekawa smiled along.
In truth, all ninja descended from the Ōtsutsuki clan. The difference was bloodline density. Clans like the Uchiha, Senju, and Kaguya had thick bloodlines and powerful kekkei genkai. Thinner bloodlines produced ordinary ninja.
"Teacher, I want to learn Wood Style ninjutsu," Hanekawa said. "Does Konoha have the First Hokage's techniques?"
"I have them," Tsunade said, sighing as she retrieved a scroll. "I never thought I'd actually need to use them."
Hanekawa took it and unrolled it. Dozens of Wood Style techniques were documented—but the most powerful ones were missing. Techniques like the Thousand Hands Buddha were beyond his current reach anyway.
He quickly selected his first technique: Wood Style: Tree World Descent.
It was Wood Style's signature jutsu. The user created a forest and controlled it for offense and defense. The forest's size depended on the user's chakra reserves.
Yamato's version created a small grove. For Hashirama, it was a primeval forest—like the Death Forest outside Konoha that still stood today.
With his chakra reserves, Hanekawa figured he could manage something in between.
"Nothing to thank me for," Tsunade said. "You should thank The Hidden Leaf."
"I will work hard," Hanekawa promised.
Tsunade looked at him, her expression distant. She reached out and ruffled his hair, her emotions churning.
"I'm going to cook, Teacher," Hanekawa said, heading for the door. He paused. "If that rose wilts, come find me."
Tsunade stared at the bloom in her hand. With his Wood Style, it would never truly die. It would bloom forever.
"You learned Wood Style, so you won the bet," she said suddenly. "What do you want as your prize?"
Hanekawa thought for a moment. "I don't have any requests, really. If I had to ask for one thing..." He smiled. "Just that you don't leave me, Teacher."
Tsunade froze, her heart skipping several beats.