Chapter 277: Chapter 277: Sarutobi Hiruzen: Perfecting the Five-Element Puppets? Me?
Thump!
One by one, loud sounds came from the front.
Hatake Kakashi followed the sound and saw with his own eyes a wooden tower rising up, and then quickly collapsing and disappearing.
Wood Style? Is Kyohiko experimenting?
He flickered forward and soon arrived at the location. Then, he couldn’t help but show a look of surprise. It wasn’t Ryoho Kyohiko, but... Yamato?!!
How is that possible!
Although he was only an Anbu squad leader, the duties he had been performing during this time were not much different from a captain’s. He was aware of the personnel situation in the Anbu. He naturally understood Yamato’s strength as well. Yamato did know Wood Style, but it couldn’t be described as "strong." At most, it was at a usable, not weak level. His overall strength was between an elite chunin and a special jounin.
But the current Yamato, how could he only be at this level? The intensity of his Wood Style couldn’t compare to Kyohiko’s, but it was much stronger than before, definitely at the jounin level.
Soon, he noticed the puppet arm on Yamato’s hand. Is it that thing? He was secretly surprised. That arm can amplify Yamato’s ninjutsu? So strong!
Just as he was surprised... Swoosh!
A sound of breaking air came from beside him. Kakashi instinctively put his hand on the hilt of his sword. The next second, Kyohiko’s voice came from beside his ear.
"What brings you here all of a sudden?"
"Uh, oh, your secret channel just sent over a piece of tree bark. There was no other information. I wasn’t sure, so I rushed over to find you."
Hatake Kakashi explained the situation.
Ryoho Kyohiko did some calculations, then remembered. It was indeed time to update the curse mark for Pakura! He nodded.
"Got it. It’s not too late to go over with the Flying Thunder God Formation after things here are settled."
Ryoho Kyohiko looked down below.
"What is that thing?"
Hatake Kakashi found an opportunity and finally couldn’t hold back his curiosity. This kind of puppet arm looked too powerful.
Ryoho Kyohiko smiled and briefly explained the principle of the arm.
Hatake Kakashi was astonished and dazed.
"It can be done like that? So, this kind of puppet arm can be used now?"
Ryoho Kyohiko shook his head.
"It’s still too early. This kind of puppet device can only be used by Yamato for now. Others can’t mobilize the power in the cells; it would only unilaterally enhance the strength of the cells."
Orochimaru had, of course, tried to have ordinary people master Wood Style, but... for now, it was very difficult for this kind of puppet device to achieve that. The good news was that Yamato could control the power of the puppet device relatively perfectly. As long as the feasibility of this device and structure was confirmed, then arms, legs, and even body armor could be manufactured in the future.
According to Ryoho Kyohiko’s and Orochimaru’s complete vision, the final version was an "artificial Wood Human."
"What a grand vision!"
Hatake Kakashi couldn’t help but exclaim.
Not using the Chakra Armor for defense or to amplify chakra, but thinking in reverse to use it to defend against Hashirama’s cells. In this way, as long as the strength of Hashirama’s cells reached the set standard, it would naturally feed back to the "Chakra Armor." A grand vision!
Then...
"What a pity."
Hatake Kakashi sighed softly.
This kind of puppet device was destined to be used only by Yamato. Fortunately, with this device, Yamato’s strength would also be further enhanced. For Konoha, it was also a great good thing.
"Wait a little longer. After some time, I’ll have Orochimaru improve it again and see if we can make a chakra battery."
"I have plenty of chakra!"
Upon hearing this, Hatake Kakashi’s face immediately darkened.
Ryoho Kyohiko patted his shoulder.
"It’s not your fault that you have little chakra. There’s nothing wrong with admitting it."
"I have plenty of chakra! You’re just too abnormal!"
Hatake Kakashi reiterated.
Ryoho Kyohiko couldn’t help but smile.
"No matter what, if your chakra can be raised by a level, your strength will surely go up another level. You don’t know sealing jutsu, so you can’t be like Minato..."
"Thank you."
Hatake Kakashi finally said his thanks in a low voice.
He understood that the other’s plan was indeed a very simple and convenient path. However, relying on external objects was ultimately not enough. He himself had to become stronger!
Hatake Kakashi clenched his fist, then thought of Shiranui Genma who had been brought over by him as a "substitute," and was slightly relieved. These days won’t last too long! At most a few more months, and I can temporarily break free and return to improving my strength.
***
A morning passed.
After Yamato repeatedly recovered, performed jutsu, and recovered again, Orochimaru finally measured relatively accurate data. Without maintenance, after using a large amount of chakra twice, it would show signs of damage, and continuing to use it would become very dangerous. In the case of each chakra output being relatively low, it could be used three to four times. The repaired device could continue to be used without affecting its strength.
However, this did not satisfy Orochimaru. The current Yamato was too weak. When he grew up and his chakra was stronger, this level of strength might not be able to keep up with Yamato’s speed of improvement. In other words, he had to conduct such tests every once in a while.
Yamato agreed. It wasn’t because of Orochimaru’s coercion, but because this ninja tool was simply too powerful!
And now.
Orochimaru licked his lips.
"Kyohiko, can we start the next step?"
Full body armor. If such a creation was completed, any puppet technique would seem weak in his eyes! No matter how strong a puppet was, it was still just a puppet. How could it be as powerful as directly enhancing the ninja himself?
Ryoho Kyohiko proposed.
"I’ve already drawn the blueprint. But to make a full-body armor, there can’t be any gaps. I think we still need to create a complete Chakra Armor."
Orochimaru pondered for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
"Double protection is more secure. This is not difficult. It would be best to research and see if we can enhance the efficiency of the chakra, but this is not urgent."
Creating the full-body armor was more important than improving it. However, as they were preparing to research the next step, a system prompt appeared in Ryoho Kyohiko’s mind.
[Under your leadership, the new intelligence system with the summoning contract and summoning jutsu as its core has been improved, and Konoha’s intelligence network has been greatly enhanced.]
[Reward: Beast Modification Technique (Grandmaster)]
Sandaime-sama has finished his research? Good! Very good! Ryoho Kyohiko was secretly joyful. Then, he couldn’t help but think—I hope Sister Tsunade lets Sandaime-sama continue his research and doesn’t let him become idle!
***
In the Konoha office, Tsunade smiled and looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Sensei, how is it?"
"Hmm..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t answer for a moment.
He was shocked, surprised, and even felt a little absurd. The First Hokage’s cells, they had done a lot of experiments before, but all of them had failed without exception. So, Konoha had once sealed the development and research of Hashirama’s cells and gave up the idea of continuing to master Wood Style. Yamato was an accidental product of Orochimaru in private and did not have universality. Clearly, the limitations of Hashirama’s cells were great.
But now, Ryoho Kyohiko had walked out another path—cell technology? He didn’t know what to call it, but it was clear that just from the current creation, one could see that Kyohiko intended to create a series of amplifying ninja tools with Hashirama’s cells as the core.
Tsunade’s tone carried a hint of excitement.
"When a ninja reaches a certain level, it will be very difficult to improve their strength again. But those with Kekkei Genkai can more easily break through the bottleneck and reach a higher level..."
"It’s not hard to imagine that through this kind of ninja tool, everyone can use it to become stronger!"
The current situation was tense. Puppet ninja tools were more effective than simple training. It could be said to be the simplest and most direct way to improve, which could reduce Konoha’s losses in future wars. For her, nothing was more important than this!
Sarutobi Hiruzen was a little worried.
"I’m just afraid the enemy will snatch it away. At that time, this thing might be abused."
"Old man, you’re really overthinking it!"
Tsunade was a little speechless. "If we don’t use it, will Madara not give it to others? What is the Wood Style on Obito? And what is that black and white integrated guy?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was powerless to refute. He rubbed his brow. Indeed. Even if they didn’t use it, Madara was still abusing Hashirama’s cells—although he didn’t know how Uchiha Madara did it, that white life form could basically be identified as a clone of the Shodaime-sama in terms of its genetic sequence.
"I will apply for more funds from the Daimyo-sama."
Sarutobi Hiruzen was no longer hesitant. At this point, there was nothing to hesitate about. Throw money at research and manufacturing!
Tsunade glanced at Hiruzen, her eyes rolling.
"Sensei, how is your previous research on the Summoning Technique coming along?"
"Of course it’s completed. I’ve already given it to Yamashiro Aoba today and let him start working on it."
Sarutobi Hiruzen stroked his beard, very proud.
Upon hearing this, Tsunade nodded lightly. No wonder he has time to come over!
She immediately took out a scroll and smiled.
"Who in Konoha doesn’t know your strength? Your attainments in ninjutsu are almost unmatched!"
"Stop, stop! What is it, just say it!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hands repeatedly.
After working with the current Tsunade for a long time, he couldn’t stand hearing these good words—when Tsunade spoke good words, there was bound to be trouble!
"Ahem, it’s actually very simple. Now that the Wood Style puppet has been designed and manufactured, the next step is to further perfect it. But it’s only a first version. Our goal is to make it usable by everyone..."
???
A look of astonishment appeared on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face.
"You want me to research it?"
His first thought was—Ryoho Kyohiko and Orochimaru, working together, have only made the simplest Wood Style version. You want me to research a more complex and more universal Five-Element Puppet? Tsunade wants to work this old bone to death in the laboratory!
"Ahem, of course not for you to complete it alone. Mainly to have you research how to improve the Chakra Armor."
Tsunade quietly put away a scroll with one hand. Then, a booklet slid out from her right sleeve, and she handed it to Hiruzen.
"This is all the past research experience on the Chakra Armor. You can take a look and study it. According to the current research, different armors can be made with different functions..."
"Wait a minute!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately stopped her.
He took it, flipped through it for a while, and said as he read, "Tsunade, you have to take care of this old man. I’m not the same as I was a dozen years ago. My brain doesn’t turn as fast as you young people." He was already fifty-seven this year. How could he compare to when he was in his prime?
Tsunade smiled sheepishly and stopped talking to interrupt him. Let the old man think it over! Although Hiruzen was nagging, long-winded, and old-fashioned, Tsunade had to admit that her teacher’s attainments in ninjutsu were indeed very strong. Having Hiruzen research the Five-Element Puppet is definitely the right choice!
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a long time.
"It is indeed a good idea. Take my Five-Element Great Combo Bullets as an example. This jutsu is powerful, but the requirement to use five types of ninjutsu at the same time is too demanding."
"This kind of puppet, if it can accommodate five people at the same time, can then release the five elemental jutsu simultaneously, combining them into a special ninjutsu."
Although a combination ninjutsu was not a Kekkei Genkai after nature transformation fusion, through the mutual generation and restraint of attributes, it could erupt with even more terrifying power. If the power of these ninjutsu could be enhanced and their consumption reduced through puppets... five jounin controlling a puppet together could exert a combat power on the battlefield that was far greater than the simple cooperation of five people.
It was just that, how huge would such a puppet be?! To drive such a puppet, how to solve the problem of the energy core? Simple Hashirama cells were probably not enough to replace it. Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned, then glanced at Tsunade. The "Yin Seal" appeared in his mind, but he quickly rejected it. The Yin Seal was too difficult! As an S-rank sealing jutsu, even among jounin, few could master it. Then it was... a Tailed Beast, or another chakra storage technology.
Tsunade seemed to see through his thoughts.
"Semsei, you don’t have to worry about the chakra aspect. Kyohiko and Orochimaru will solve that. You just need to complete the design of the armor."
"Alright."
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately gave up thinking. "I’ll take this booklet back to study and ponder its principles."
"No problem."
Tsunade smiled and saw him off.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the booklet and, without lingering in the office, rushed out the door. After leaving the Hokage’s office, and almost reaching home, he suddenly stopped.
"That’s not right!"
"That girl Tsunade..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the booklet in his hand. At this moment, he had reacted. Tsunade had long since decided to continue giving him research tasks. Even if he hadn’t gone today, perhaps another day, after Tsunade learned that Yamashiro Aoba had completed the formation of the bird summoning beasts, she would probably have looked for him all the same.
"Those damn brats!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face was dark.
But soon, he sighed softly, feeling a bit of relief in his heart. This kind of research, besides Orochimaru and Kyohiko, he was probably the most suitable.
"Just think of it as making use of my remaining heat!"
"Sigh!"