Chapitre 43: Chapter 43: Hashirama Cells
"Duy, what kind of technique is this?" Sakumo asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
"I call it the Eight Inner Gates," Duy replied honestly. "But for now, I can only open the Sixth Gate."
"This technique... it can open the Eight Inner Gates and surpass Kage-level strength?" Nayuki chimed in, recalling Kawakaze's earlier words.
Duy nodded, his expression turning serious. "Yes, but the eighth gate— the Gate of Death—comes at the cost of one's life. It should only be used as a last resort."
Kawakaze's face grew solemn. He knew all too well what would happen if the eighth gate were opened. After all, Duy's eventual death would come from doing just that.
"Haha, it's too early to worry about that," Duy laughed, brushing off the gravity of the topic. "I'm nowhere near that level yet."
"Um... could I learn your technique?"
Sakumo hesitated, his face reddening slightly as he finally voiced his request. The Eight Gates tempted him, their potential power too alluring to ignore.
"Sakumo!" Nayuki's voice carried both concern and disapproval. She felt it was not only rude to make such a request but also dangerous for her husband to practice such a life-threatening technique.
"It's fine, it's just an Taijutsu Technique," Duy said warmly, brushing off Nayuki's worries. "If Big Brother Sakumo wants to learn, I'll be happy to teach him."
He smiled brightly. "How could I leave a comrade unaccompanied on the road of youth?"
Duy's generosity surprised Kawakaze. In the original timeline, Duy had only passed the Eight Gates down to his son.
"Thank you," Sakumo said sincerely. "Stay for lunch and drink sake with me. It's the least I can do."
Duy's forthrightness and cheerful spirit had won Sakumo over. He was thrilled at the idea of sparring with someone like Duy in the future—a refreshing alternative to Kawakaze's sharp, skill-driven style of fighting.
During lunch, Sakumo and Duy drank sake until their faces were flushed red. Kawakaze couldn't quite understand how his brother got along so well with Duy.
Could it be that the bond between Kakashi and Guy started with their fathers? Kawakaze mused, watching the two laugh like old friends.
When it was time for Duy to leave, Kawakaze saw him, face flushed, staggering toward the Hatake Clan gates.
"Unfortunately, I didn't get to see him perform his Drunken Fist," Kawakaze muttered to himself. Maybe that's exclusive to his son, Might Guy.
"Kawakaze, you don't need to see me off," Duy called back, his voice cheerful despite his unsteady steps. "I can manage."
Sake had worked wonders in bridging the gap between them. Duy no longer called Kawakaze formally.
"Alright, take care," Kawakaze said, watching him stumble off.
Looking at Duy's retreating figure, Kawakaze couldn't help but think that Konoha might soon have another legendary ninja, one whose name would be etched into history during the Second Shinobi World War.
...
The next day, Sakumo began training with Might Duy, earnestly learning the Eight Inner Gates.
Nayuki stayed home, focused on nurturing the baby, while Kawakaze, as usual, continued to act like he had nothing better to do.
Meanwhile, Minato was fully absorbed in developing the Rasengan, though he still had no clear idea how to proceed. Even Orochimaru had started to wonder if Kawakaze's suggestion was meant to tease the young genius.
"How could anyone condense a ball of chakra in their hand, without any elemental properties, spinning at high speed, and completely free of structure?" Orochimaru grumbled to himself. If Kawakaze is so brilliant at thinking of impossible techniques, why doesn't he create it himself?
Elsewhere, Tsunade had scheduled an important discussion with Kawakaze for the day and had told him to stay home. Not that it mattered—Kawakaze rarely left the house unless it was to meet her anyway.
She arrived just before lunch. After they ate, the two sat down in the meditation room, where Tsunade broached the topic. The conversation was both sensitive and weighty.
"Kawakaze, do you remember when I mentioned wanting to study my grandfather's cells?" Tsunade asked, her tone serious.
This time, Kawakaze didn't feel the least bit drowsy.
"Yes. Is it finally on the agenda?"
Kawakaze immediately recalled Orochimaru digging up the grave of the First Hokage in search of Hashirama's cells. The thought left him uneasy. Is Tsunade planning to take me grave-robbing too?
"I haven't decided yet. That's why I wanted to discuss it with you," Tsunade replied.
Kawakaze stayed silent for a moment, deliberating. If she really asks me to go grave-digging, should I agree? He quickly decided to keep these thoughts to himself. If I guess wrong, I'll probably end up getting smacked.
"What do you think?" he asked, keeping a neutral expression.
Tsunade exhaled softly, her brow furrowed. "The village has already sealed off all research on my grandfather's cells under Sensei's orders."
"Not only is the experimental data locked away, but actual samples of his cells are also in their possession," she continued. "I was thinking about asking Sensei for access to them."
She hesitated before adding, "But I'm not sure what kind of consequences this might bring."
It was clear that Tsunade, despite her strength and confidence, understood her limitations when it came to dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other political heavyweights of the village. Seeking Kawakaze's counsel wasn't something she did lightly.
Normally, with her personality, she'd already be in her Sensei's office demanding answers.
"Let me think about it," Kawakaze said thoughtfully.
He pondered for a moment. If there were still any of Hashirama's Cells in the village's lab, Orochimaru wouldn't have risked everything to dig up the First Hokage's grave. With Danzo long gone—eliminated by Kawakaze himself—there was no imminent threat of misuse.
The Third Hokage's goal had always been to cultivate a Wood Release user for the village, which didn't conflict with Kawakaze's own stance. But realistically, the success rate for fusing Hashirama's Cells was abysmally low. Even in Boruto's timeline, only a handful of people had successfully managed the fusion.
Even Might Guy, crippled after opening the Eighth Gate, hadn't been given transplants of Hashirama's Cells, a clear indication of their limited utility. They required incredibly specific conditions and compatibility with the user's body.
Having thought it through, Kawakaze reached a conclusion:
"You can ask for it," he said at last, meeting Tsunade's gaze. "But you have to promise that once the technology is developed, you'll create a Wood Release ninja for the village. That's non-negotiable."
Tsunade nodded seriously, indicating her willingness to comply.
"However," Kawakaze added, "no one from the Third Hokage's generation can be involved in the experiments. That's the bottom line."
Kawakaze knew better than to let anyone from Hiruzen's circle interfere. Years of research had yielded no results, which was a testament to the inadequacy of their scientific capabilities. Having meddling hands would only slow the process further.
"Alright," Tsunade agreed, a look of relief crossing her face. "I'll go talk to Sensei about it."
Her eagerness was palpable. The underground research lab at the hospital was fully equipped, and she was ready to dive into the project.
"Don't rush," Kawakaze said with a grin, reaching out to grab Tsunade's hand as she passed by.
With a sudden pull, Tsunade fell into his arms.
"What are you doing? There are people here," she protested, her hands pressing lightly against his chest, her tone a mix of coyness and irritation.
"There's no one here," Kawakaze replied smoothly. "I told the butler to keep watch outside while we talked."
Tsunade blinked, momentarily speechless. "...You even made arrangements for that?"
"Kiss me, and I'll let you go," Kawakaze teased, leaning closer.
"No." Tsunade turned her face away, her voice firm.
"No means yes," Kawakaze said cheekily, turning her face back toward him and planting a kiss on her blushing cheek.
"Mm!" Tsunade's fists pounded weakly against Kawakaze's shoulders, but there was no strength in her resistance.
When his lips found hers, his tongue boldly explored, and Tsunade's eyes fluttered shut as her face turned redder than ever.
"You only know how to take advantage of me," she muttered, pulling away at last. Her hair was disheveled, her expression flustered, and her voice carried a seductive lilt that sent a jolt through Kawakaze.
Without a word, he opened his arms and lunged toward her legs.
Seeing his intentions, Tsunade dodged nimbly, retreating quickly. "I said later. It's later!" she called as she disappeared from the room.
Kawakaze let out a defeated sigh, plopping back onto the floor in a lazy manner. He poured himself a cup of tea, muttering to himself.
"This vixen... No matter how you avoid, you'll still have to bear me a child someday."
He drained the tea in one gulp, then stood and left the meditation room. The silence was too stifling.
In the dojo, Nayuki was basking in the sun while Sakumo was off training again. Kawakaze couldn't help but chuckle. Those two training fanatics really were a perfect match.
In high spirits, he slowed his pace and reached down to scratch Onimaru, who immediately leaned into his touch.
Onimaru purred softly in contentment, thinking, I never would've believed this scary man had such good massage skills. He's only ever bullied me before.
Meanwhile, Tsunade had arrived at the Hokage Building. She stood before Hiruzen Sarutobi's office and knocked firmly on the door.
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