Seeing Kazuku so thrilled, Tobirama froze.
He recalled his own excitement when his younger brothers were born, vowing…
No matter what, he'd protect them.
Protect Big Brother Hashirama.
But later…
He failed to save even one brother.
They all died on the battlefield.
"Yes, Kazuku now has someone to protect."
Thinking this, Tobirama's lips curved into a fond smile.
His resolve strengthened.
He must teach Kazuku the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Let him use this technique…
This power, to protect his sister, Tsunade!
Tobirama took a deep breath, waiting for Kazuku's excitement to settle.
Then he stepped into the courtyard.
Kazuku, meanwhile, opened his status panel.
[Host: Kazuku]
[Strength: 42]
[Speed: 39]
[Stamina: 48]
[Abilities: Hashirama Chakra lv1, Eight Gates Technique lv6, Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet lv10, Water Release: Water Wall lv10, Water Release: Water Prison lv10, Water Release: Water Clone lv10, Shadow Clone Technique lv10, Rasengan lv10, Wood Release: Four-Pillar House lv10, Wood Release: Wood Human lv10, Wood Release: Wood Dragon lv10, Wood Release: Wood Clone lv1, Flying Thunder God Technique lv10!]
Seeing his mastered techniques…
Kazuku's mood soared.
He was undoubtedly among Konoha's elite.
Besides Hashirama and Tobirama…
He couldn't think of anyone in the village who could match him.
No…
Kazuku shook his head.
Perhaps even Tobirama…
Might not be his match now!
Though dubbed the God of Ninjutsu, Tobirama's strength wasn't to be underestimated, but most of his techniques were banned!
Without them, his power was significantly reduced.
In a real fight…
Kazuku might not lose.
"Kazuku."
As he pondered, a familiar voice came from behind.
He turned, spotting Tobirama.
"Grandpa Tobirama."
Kazuku snapped out of his thoughts, grinning. "When are you promoting me to Jonin?"
With his strength, he could sweep Konoha's Jonin.
But his mission count and village contributions were lacking.
Though the Land of Waves mission earned Konoha two million ryo.
That should count for something.
"We'll talk about that later." Tobirama shook his head, changing the subject.
Kazuku: "???"
Later, huh?
"Are you free now?" Tobirama asked after a moment. He adored Tsunade…
But lately, he'd been with her constantly.
Kazuku, meanwhile, was sent on missions, barely spending days in the village.
It was time to spend with him.
Plus…
He was grooming Kazuku as a future Hokage.
Investing time in him was justified.
"Nothing going on."
Unsure why Tobirama asked, Kazuku's gut told him…
He had something in mind.
"Follow me." Tobirama said, turning to leave.
"What's this about?"
Kazuku blinked, unable to guess Tobirama's intent, but he didn't bother asking.
He hurried to catch up.
Soon, they reached the training field.
Might Guy and Kazuku often trained here.
Tobirama stopped, turning, arms crossed, looking down at Kazuku.
"You've done well lately."
"So I've decided it's time to teach you something real."
"Something real?" Kazuku studied Tobirama, his mind racing through Tobirama's "real" techniques.
If he had to pick…
Impure World Reincarnation.
But given Tobirama's nature…
He wouldn't teach it.
As for the rest…
Kazuku wasn't too excited.
Eight-Headed Serpent Technique? Too gross, not his style.
Shadow Clone? Already learned.
Water Release? Same.
Mutual Multi-Detonating Tags?
That was strong.
If Deidara saw it, he'd call it true art.
But it was meant for use with Impure World Reincarnation.
The rest…
Only Flying Thunder God interested him.
But!
He'd just learned it via check-in.
With that, his anticipation faded.
Kazuku's calm demeanor made Tobirama question reality.
Hey, hey, hey.
I'm the God of Ninjutsu.
Your second grandfather.
I'm personally teaching you, and you should be thrilled.
What's with this indifference?
For some reason, Tobirama felt defeated.
Did Kazuku know how many begged for his guidance, and he had no time?
Like Danzo.
He'd kill to learn from him!
Damn it.
Fine.
Tobirama suppressed his frustration.
Once he showed the technique…
Kazuku would react.
"Kazuku, watch closely."
Tobirama raised his voice, pulling a kunai from his pouch.
Kazuku's eyes narrowed, noting the kunai wrapped in cloth…
Marked with a circle and lines.
The Flying Thunder God seal.
As expected…
Tobirama was teaching him Flying Thunder God.
Confirming this, Kazuku's excitement waned further.
Meanwhile…
In a hellish crevice…
A middle-aged man with long, unkempt hair meditated.
His skin sagged, his face weary.
Behind him hung a fan.
It was…
Uchiha Madara!
Gurgle, gurgle.
A sound came from his right. A white mass emerged from the rock.
Plop. It hit the ground, forming a human shape.
White Zetsu!
Though Madara hid in this sunless place…
He tracked the ninja world through White Zetsu's intel.
"Gengetsu Hozuki is dead."
White Zetsu spoke gravely, sharing the news.
Such tidbits were Madara's only entertainment.
"That mustache from Mist? I thought he'd become Mizukage. Seems he wasn't much."
"How'd he die?"
Madara asked casually.
"Killed by Hashirama's grandson."
Madara: "???"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter 147: Shocking Uchiha Madara for a Year (4th Update)
Hearing White Zetsu's news of Gengetsu's death, Madara's mind conjured several suspects.
That guy, Tobirama.
Or Iwa's Mu.
Though Mu was half his strength, he was a Warring States veteran.
His Dust Release was impressive.
Or someone from Mist.
Never did he imagine Gengetsu's killer was Hashirama's grandson.
Actually…
This wasn't White Zetsu's first report on Kazuku.
The first was when Kazuku used Wood Release to defeat Kumo's Gold and Silver Brothers.
Madara was stunned for hours.
Especially when White Zetsu said Hashirama's grandson, Kazuku…
Was seven!
Seven, and he beat the Gold and Silver Brothers!
What was Madara doing at seven?
Forget seven.
At fifteen, he barely awakened a one-tomoe Sharingan.
Twice Kazuku's age!
At seven, Madara lamented lacking strength to protect his brothers.
Kazuku was wielding Wood Release!
Ridiculous!
Hashirama's genes were too strong!
"No, it's not just Hashirama."
White Zetsu mentioned Kazuku's chakra was terrifying.
Sensing confirmed he was another Hashirama.
"His chakra likely owes to Mito too."
Madara recalled Kazuku's not just from a great grandfather.
His grandmother was exceptional!
The famed Uzumaki princess.
She sealed the Nine-Tails in herself.
A capable woman.
Her union with Hashirama birthed Kazuku.
"How old is Kazuku now?"
Madara took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his shock, asking White Zetsu.
He never dreamed Kazuku would grow to defeat Gengetsu.
"It feels like it wasn't long since he beat the Gold and Silver Brothers."
"Have I lost my sense of time in this crevice?"
To Madara, Gengetsu's raw strength surpassed the brothers.
Without their Six Paths tools, they were nothing.
So, Madara assumed Kazuku grew stronger over time to match Gengetsu.
"Kazuku? Still seven."
White Zetsu looked puzzled.
Lord Madara, you thought years passed?
Madara: "???"
Still seven?
"Wait, how long since Kazuku beat the Gold and Silver Brothers?"
Madara blinked, realizing the gravity.
"A month… or so?" White Zetsu gestured, unsure.
Definitely under two months.
Madara: "???"
What's going on?
Hashirama's seven-year-old grandson killed Gengetsu?
It wasn't his time in the crevice warping his sense.
It really hadn't been long?
Was Kazuku cheating?
Madara's eyes widened, unable to comprehend.
Why was Kazuku so absurd?
Just because he's Hashirama's grandson?
No…
No…
Madara clutched his forehead, feeling a headache.
Initially, he and Hashirama shared a dream.
To bring peace to the world.
Let children trust openly.
But Madara realized it was unattainable.
So he followed the Uchiha stone tablet, seeking answers his way.
Hashirama entrusted his dream to the next generation.
In other words, Kazuku's existence could affect Madara's plans!
The stronger he got, the harder he'd be to handle!
And his growth rate was scarier than Hashirama's.
Not good news for Madara.
But…
Kill Kazuku?
Madara looked at his hands. Since grafting Hashirama's cells, his body weakened.
Forget not being as strong as at the Valley of the End.
Killing Kazuku risked leaving traces, revealing he was alive, ruining his plans.
"Kazuku is Hashirama's cherished bloodline, inheriting his Wood Release."
"If anything happened to him, Hashirama would be heartbroken."
"We both had brothers we wanted to protect."
"Now, Hashirama has a grandson to protect."
Crucially, Hashirama was terminally ill.
Nearing death.
"Forget it…"
"White Zetsu, monitor Kazuku closely. Report his every move."
For now, observe Kazuku.
Konoha.
Training field.
Tobirama drew a kunai, demonstrating for Kazuku.
He took a deep breath, hurling it.
Flying Thunder God!
Next second…
Tobirama vanished.
Kazuku looked where the kunai flew.
As expected…
Tobirama reappeared, grabbing the kunai, stabbing a wooden post.
Boom!
A loud crash, the kunai piercing deeply, air rippling outward.
Powerful.
Satisfied, Tobirama turned, tossing the kunai, smirking confidently.
"Well, Kazuku?"
"This is the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"My own creation."
"It strikes from angles enemies can't predict."
"By the time they sense danger, it's too late."
"I once used it to kill…"
At his peak excitement, Tobirama stopped.
Izuna's unwilling face flashed in his mind.
"Hm? Killed who?" Kazuku asked instinctively.
"Nothing, old stories. Never mind."
Tobirama replied, sensing something off.
Huh?
Kazuku?
Why no excitement?
He just showed Flying Thunder God!
Why was Kazuku focused on who he killed?
What was this defeat?
"Kazuku, that wasn't Body Flicker."
"It was…"
"Flying Thunder God!"
(End of Chapter)