Chapter 220: Wood Release Progress 90%
Behind Tsunade's house.
Hoshikawa stood before a massive rock, forming hand signs.
Earth Release: Fist of Rock Technique!
Chakra surged out, transforming into hardened rock that enveloped his right arm. Hoshikawa clenched his fist, but realized the rock was too thick for flexible movements.
He slammed his fist into the rock before him.
The stone shattered into pieces, sending debris flying in all directions. Hoshikawa nodded in satisfaction, mainly because he couldn't feel any pain at all.
He considered this, then took out the Lightning-Fire Sword with his left hand and, using a small amount of force, swung it at his right arm.
$Dang!$
A shallow scratch appeared on the rock covering his right arm.
"The defense is decent." Hoshikawa put away the Lightning-Fire Sword and cancelled the Earth Release: Fist of Rock Technique.
A new title notification sounded, signaling that he had successfully mastered the jutsu. Hoshikawa had spent about four days on it, which was relatively fast, considering he was dedicating his focus to three different things simultaneously: Water Release jutsu and the Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
With the mastery of the Earth Release: Fist of Rock Technique, the progress bar for his A-rank Title, 'Earth Release Jōnin,' increased by 1%. Of course, this didn't mean one jutsu equaled 1%, but that this jutsu was just enough to accumulate to this point.
His 'Earth Release Jōnin' Title progress bar had now reached 80%. Hoshikawa felt that if he learned all the Earth Release jutsu provided by Iwagakure, he could easily push it to 90%. The remaining 10% would then require pure proficiency.
His other A-rank Title, 'Water Release Jōnin,' had an even higher progress bar, already sitting at 90%. This was because learning all of Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage's, Water Release jutsu met the quantity requirement. In Hoshikawa 's opinion, proficiency was harder and more time-consuming than sheer quantity.
In a sense, his Wood Release progress had already reached 90%. He just wondered if he could master Wood Release before the war ended. Hoshikawa definitely wanted to use Wood Release during the Third Great Ninja War; doing so would further expand his influence. And Tsunade becoming the Fourth Hokage would likely be a sure thing, given that she had a student who could use Wood Release.
Footsteps sounded. Hoshikawa instinctively turned around and saw Haru, an ANBU ninja.
"Hoshikawa -sama." Haru bowed slightly. "The signing ceremony with Kirigakure has been set for nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Understood," Hoshikawa nodded. "I will inform Master."
"Thank you." Haru acknowledged him and turned to leave.
"The little maid is leaving soon, huh?" Hoshikawa fell into thought. "Should I make her wear the maid dress one last time before she goes?"
He considered it, but ultimately abandoned the tempting idea. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future; there was no need to rush.
Hoshikawa glanced at the shattered rock, turned, and walked back to the open training ground outside Tsunade's house.
Kurenai Yūhi was standing still, controlling an ultra-high-pressure straight water jet expelled from her mouth. The water pillar cut through the ground like the sharpest water blade, leaving a deep furrow.
After a few seconds, the water jet trembled slightly and vanished. Kurenai immediately opened her mouth wide, sticking out her tongue like a dog.
"Did you hurt your tongue?" Hoshikawa quickly walked up to her and asked.
Kurenai nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with a pitiful, aggrieved look.
Seeing this, Hoshikawa extended his hand. Pale green chakra flowed out, enveloping her mouth.
"It's all better!" Kurenai licked her lips and withdrew her tongue.
"Good, I'm glad you're alright." Hoshikawa looked at her soft, glistening lips and gently ruffled her hair.
Kurenai felt his gaze. A faint blush, like peach blossoms, mysteriously bloomed on her cheeks.
"You are truly adorable," Hoshikawa said with a smile.
"Of course I am adorable!" Kurenai huffed.
"Then, adorable Kurenai, what do you want for lunch?" Hoshikawa let his finger trace her skin downward, poking her cheek.
"Wasabi octopus!" Kurenai felt her cheeks growing hotter, but she didn't dislike it; instead, her heart felt excited.
"Okay," Hoshikawa withdrew his hand. "I'll go out and buy some."
"I'll come with you." Kurenai walked up, grabbed his hand, and ran outside.
By the time they bought the octopus and returned, Tsunade had also come home from the casino.
"Master," Hoshikawa looked at Tsunade, who was sitting on the sofa. "Haru said the treaty with Kirigakure will be signed tomorrow at nine a.m."
"I'm not going." Tsunade waved her hand. "The one signing is the Old Man, not me."
She had spent the last two months negotiating with the Kirigakure ninja every day and was thoroughly fed up. If the ceasefire weren't already in place, she would have definitely beaten them up. In short, Tsunade never wanted to see them again.
"Then I won't go either," Hoshikawa said without hesitation. After all, he had already received the Lava Release and Vapor Release jutsu from Mei Terumi.
"Suit yourself," Tsunade said dismissively.
The next day, nine a.m.
The Hokage Tower conference room.
Mei Terumi looked around, grinding her teeth. That pervert didn't show up? He was looking down on her! She had given him her Lava Release and Vapor Release jutsu, after all.
In the front row, not far away, Ao, the representative of Kirigakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the representative of Konoha, and Baki, the representative of Sunagakure, each signed their names. This marked the end of the peace talks that had lasted over two months.
"Hokage-sama," Ao collected a copy of the contract. "We have stayed in Konoha long enough, so we will return to Kirigakure this afternoon."
"As will we," Baki agreed.
"I will send people to escort you then." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, not trying to dissuade them.
Ao returned to his seat and noticed Mei Terumi's expression. He looked confused.
"I'm fine," Mei Terumi quickly regained her composure.
"We should pack up and return to Kirigakure," Ao said, seeing her calm down and choosing not to ask further.
"Yes," Mei Terumi sighed. "Finally, we can leave."
"Indeed," Ao said with a hint of emotion. "Although Konoha is nice, it's not Kirigakure; it doesn't feel right to stay." There was another reason, of course: they were the defeated side, and they were constantly subjected to strange looks in Konoha.
Two hours later, at the gates of Konoha Village.
The Kirigakure ninja were all assembled. Mei Terumi looked at Homura Mitokado, who had come to see them off, and a look of disappointment crossed her face. She had thought it would be Tsunade and Hoshikawa , but it wasn't.
Mei Terumi pursed her lips, a surge of resentment bubbling up. Was she no longer worthy of Hoshikawa 's attention? Damn it! Mei Terumi vowed secretly that she would increase her strength when she got back. The next time she met Hoshikawa , she would beat him until he was utterly convinced of her power.
A rushing sound cut through the air. A figure suddenly appeared.
Mei Terumi was startled, her lips instinctively curling up, but she quickly set her face into a scowl.
"Can we talk privately?" Hoshikawa concocted an excuse. "I have a few questions about Lava Release and Vapor Release."
Mei Terumi frowned when she heard this. She looked at Ao. "Wait for us a moment."
Without waiting for his reply, she followed Hoshikawa to a nearby tree.
"What questions do you have?" Mei Terumi asked.
"No questions, really," Hoshikawa smiled. "I just came to see you off."
"I don't need you to see me off!" Mei Terumi said coldly.
"Don't forget you still owe me twenty-three hours," Hoshikawa reminded her, his eyes narrowing.
"I know!" Mei Terumi glared at him. "When you come to Kirigakure, I will pay you back!"
"Take this." Hoshikawa casually produced a scroll.
"What is it?" Mei Terumi looked at the scroll but didn't reach for it.
"A gift for you," Hoshikawa winked. "Twenty-three maid dresses."
"Pervert!" Mei Terumi instantly wore an expression of disgust.
"It would be even better if you were wearing a maid dress while you were insulting me," Hoshikawa recalled an anime.
"...?" Mei Terumi was startled and took half a step back, crossing her arms. "You really are a pervert!"
Body Flicker Jutsu!
Hoshikawa appeared right in front of her, lifting his hand. The scroll landed on her hip, causing a slight sway.
"Bastard!" Mei Terumi froze, her face flushed with shame, and she instantly kicked out.
"Are you insulting me again?" Hoshikawa easily dodged and threatened, "Do you want to see if I can do something even more perverted?"
Mei Terumi's heart pounded, and she dared not say anything more.
"Take it." Hoshikawa handed the scroll to her. "Next time, choose a maid dress you like and wear it."
"I understand!" Mei Terumi said through gritted teeth.
"Goodbye." Hoshikawa waved with a smile.
Mei Terumi took the scroll, turned, and walked away. She muttered insults under her breath the entire way.
It wasn't until she was leaving Konoha Village that she looked back. But Hoshikawa was already gone. Mei Terumi raised her hand and tapped her own forehead. Why was she thinking about that dead pervert?
Soon after the Kirigakure ninja delegation left, the Sunagakure ninja delegation followed suit. Konoha Village returned to its usual tranquility.
Time quickly moved to April.
Hoshikawa had learned three Earth Release jutsu over the past half-month.
The first was the Earth Release: Rock Clone Technique (Doton: Iwa Bunshin no Jutsu). It created a clone made of rock. Compared to a normal clone, the Rock Clone was more durable and not easily dispersed.
The second was the Earth Release: Hand of Stone (Doton: Iwa no Ude). It was similar to the Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, causing a hand made of rock to emerge from the ground to protect the user or a teammate.
The third was the Earth Release: Moving Earth Core (Doton: Chidōkaku). It could raise or lower a square area of land.
Hoshikawa finished washing the dishes and left the kitchen.
"Let's go." Tsunade put on her jacket emblazoned with the character for 'Gambling' (Kake).
Today was April 1st, and they were heading to the Hokage Tower to attend the Jōnin conference. The subject, undoubtedly, would concern Kumogakure.
"Master, let me help you put on your shoes." Hoshikawa walked to the door, then half-squatted.
"You truly have a foot fetish," Tsunade said, raising her fair, slender foot.
"Nonsense," Hoshikawa said, unfazed. "This is called respecting my teacher."
"Is that so?" Tsunade put on her high-heeled sandals and raised her other foot.
"Of course!" Hoshikawa said, looking righteous as he eyed the ankle chain around her ankle.
"Do you think I'll believe that?" Tsunade's tone shifted, and she asked with a smile, "Do they look good?"
"They look great," Hoshikawa said subconsciously.
"Tch." Tsunade crossed her arms. "And you still deny it?"
"I was just speaking the truth," Hoshikawa tried to recover. "Because Master's feet are indeed lovely."
Tsunade glared at him, somewhat speechless. This was the first time she realized her student had such a shameless side.
"Master, we should go," Hoshikawa quickly changed the subject. "It's almost time for the meeting." He felt that if they continued the conversation, his life might be in danger.
Tsunade walked out of the house. As she passed Hoshikawa , she stomped on his foot.
What kind of childish behavior is that? Hoshikawa complained inwardly, though he dared not speak his thoughts. He only hoped she wouldn't be wearing shoes the next time she did it.
Hokage Tower Conference Room.
When Tsunade and Hoshikawa arrived, the room was already half-full.
"Tsunade-sama," Minato Namikaze saw them and quickly greeted them. "Hoshikawa ." His seat was also in the front row. After all, he was Jiraiya's student, and the Flying Thunder God Jutsu held significant strategic value.
"Didn't Kushina come?" Tsunade asked as she approached her seat. The reason she asked was that Hiruzen Sarutobi had previously told her that the war was going to end. Kumogakure possessed the Two-Tails and the Eight-Tails; the Eight-Tails, in particular, was untouchable by ordinary ninja. The most suitable counter was Konoha's Nine-Tails. If the war was to end, Kushina Uzumaki was indispensable.
"She didn't come," Minato Namikaze shook his head.
"Didn't the Old Man make arrangements?" Tsunade felt confused.
"He did," Minato Namikaze lowered his voice. "The Hokage-sama instructed me to stick with Kushina. I'm to take her to the Land of Frost at a crucial moment."
"I see." Tsunade nodded slightly.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's intention was clear: use the Nine-Tails only when the tides of war became clearer. Until then, Minato Namikaze would guard Kushina Uzumaki. With the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, he could transport her instantly onto the battlefield.
The time reached eight-thirty. Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane arrived promptly.
The Jōnin conference officially began.
"The purpose of today's meeting is to support Orochimaru and his forces and to bring the war with Kumogakure to an end," Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly announced.
The attendees were surprised, followed by a surge of excitement. After enduring so many defensive battles, Konoha was finally going on the offensive. And Hiruzen Sarutobi's meaning was clear: they intended to defeat Kumogakure in one decisive battle.
"Tsunade will lead three thousand ninja to the Land of Frost," Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment. "Orochimaru will remain the commander in the Land of Frost, with Tsunade serving as the deputy commander."
Replacing a general before a battle was a grave mistake. And if he did that, Orochimaru would undoubtedly feel discontent.
"Minato will remain on standby in Konoha," Hiruzen Sarutobi continued. "If the situation changes, you will lead one thousand ninja to reinforce them."
"Yes, sir." Minato Namikaze quickly agreed.
In reality, the one thousand ninja were a smokescreen; the true killing blow would be the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Kushina Uzumaki.
"You may go and prepare now," Hiruzen Sarutobi waved his hand. "We will depart early tomorrow morning."
The Jōnin conference had started suddenly and ended just as abruptly. Hoshikawa found it efficient, with no unnecessary chatter.
He stood up and left the conference room with Tsunade.