Konoha: Offer your heart to the Hokage!

He smiled and announced in the Hokage Building:

"Everyone, I'm back!"

Shen Er looked towards the pillar.

However, after several months apart, he appeared to be thinner, and the invisible pressure he exuded was even more powerful.

He simply stood there quietly, without a trace of murderous intent or hostility.

But when his gaze swept over me, I felt a sense of dread, as if my soul were being burned.

The Earth Grudge is an evil creation of Yang Dun, essentially a kind of demon or monster.

Hashirama Senju's Yang Release technique had reached its peak. He already possessed a Sage Body and absorbed a vast amount of natural energy in Shikkotsu Forest, making him an absolute nemesis to Jigureu.

Shen'er, who had absorbed the resentment of the earth, was also deeply affected by this instinct, and the urge to escape kept surging in his heart.

But with his strong willpower, he forcibly suppressed this instinct.

He couldn't show anything unusual in front of Hashirama, much less run away. This was a hurdle he had to overcome if he wanted to stand at the pinnacle of the ninja world.

She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and maintained her composure.

"Thank you all for your hard work. Tonight, it's BBQ Q, my treat!"

After arranging the trivial matters, Hashirama Senju summoned Senju alone and asked if there had been any unusual events in the village during his absence.

The words were phrased tactfully.

But Hashirama was a man who couldn't hide his thoughts, and the expression on his face immediately betrayed his intentions. What he was really asking was whether Tobirama had caused any more trouble or foolishness during this time.

"In the months that the Hokage has been away, everything in the village has remained as usual."

Shen replied, "Tobirama did not do anything out of line."

"That's good..." Hashirama said subconsciously, then quickly added, "Ahaha, I was asking about the village, not Tobirama. I still trust him."

"..."

Some were speechless.

Before leaving the village, they had already prepared for Mito Uzumaki to join forces with Chizuru Uchiha to take down Tobirama in an extreme situation. Who are they putting on an act for now?

The Senju and Uzumaki clans are known for their thick skin and thick nerves.

Tobirama Senju was definitely an outlier among them.

He didn't dwell on the question further, but instead asked, "Lord Hokage, how is your Sage Mode training progressing?"

"Sage Technique? Of course I've already mastered it." Hashirama's lips twitched, as if recalling the painful experience of his skin being constantly corroded by acid. "But even I don't want to experience that again."

"By the way, speaking of this... Shen'er, I'll tell you something in secret, but you absolutely mustn't tell anyone else."

"Please speak."

"My Senju clan is about to have another ninja with the Wood Release bloodline limit," Hashirama said mysteriously in a low voice. "Perhaps, it will be Takayuki's future child."

Shen Er was taken aback.

Hashirama treated him as a friend, so he wasn't surprised that Hashirama shared his family affairs so casually.

Upon hearing the words "Wood Release" and "Future," he quickly realized what was happening.

This must be a prophecy given to Hashirama by the Slug Sage.

Tsunade? Nawaki? Will inherit Wood Release? He immediately dismissed the guess in his heart. No one knew better than him that in the future, none of those in the ninja world who could use Wood Release would be of the true Senju bloodline.

So, could the new Wood Release ninja mentioned in the Slug Sage's prophecy be...?

"Congratulations, Hashirama!"

"Although I don't know where the news came from, it seems that the Senju clan will prosper and get better and better along with Konoha."

Shen Er's smile was very sincere.

The sage's prophecy was a great encouragement to him.

These words linked the Senju clan with the prosperity of Konoha, which delighted Hashirama.

"Thank you for your kind words! You absolutely must come to the baby's one-month celebration after the baby is born!"

Hashirama patted Shinji heavily on the shoulder and burst into laughter.

He could clearly sense that Shen'er's smile was not out of politeness or formality, but rather from genuine joy for him.

To have such a friend...

We are so lucky.

'If only Madara's personality could be as peaceful and detached as Jin's, with less of that competitive obsession, how wonderful that would be.'

It was probably looking at his current friend, Shen Er, that reminded Hashirama of his beloved Uchiha Madara at this moment.

The joy in my heart also faded a bit.

He was originally a ninja who abhorred fighting and did not crave power; his initial goal was simply to create a peaceful ninja world free from war. However, along the way, in order to defeat his best friend, Uchiha Madara, he was forced to become stronger and gain near-godlike power.

This trip to the Wet Bone Forest to practice immortal arts was no exception.

Ultimately, it's all preparation for the inevitable battle against Madara.

He might kill Madara in this battle, or Madara might kill him; this is something even a sage couldn't predict.

However, the sacrifices of the older generation of ninjas will inspire the younger generation to protect the village and safeguard peace.

Hashirama firmly believed this.

He will die one day, but the Senju clan's descendant who will awaken Wood Release in the future will surely inherit his will and grow strong.

The smile gradually faded.

Hashirama coughed lightly: "Shen'er, you should also reflect on yourself. You're not young anymore. Find someone to settle down with soon, don't end up like Tobirama."

"Besides, weren't the Yin Seals all handed over to you?"

They're still pressuring me to get married.

Fortunately, before Hashirama returned, Shen had already devised a meticulous plan for the artificial kaleidoscope project.

He feigned modesty and slowly said, "I already have someone I like."

"Oh? Who is it?" Hashirama's interest was instantly piqued, and his eyes lit up.

He remained silent.

Hashirama immediately revealed a knowing, mischievous grin: "Who is it? It's hard to guess... Could it be Uchiha Chiri?"

"If the Hokage finds it amusing to make fun of an ordinary ninja, then please continue."

Shen Er spoke without any expression.

He admitted nothing; it's all just your own imagination.

"Ahem, Shen'er, you're no ordinary ninja. I didn't mean to make fun of you; this is a very serious matter."

Hashirama forced a smile onto his face.

He never expected that Shen Er would have such a human side, making it feel even more real.

Sure enough, when it comes to personal matters, no one can avoid it.

"When do you plan to set a date? If you get married, I will definitely be there in person to show my support. This is a major event in Konoha! A grand occasion!"

Shen replied calmly, "It's too early to talk about these things now, for reasons I've already explained before. In short, I plan to pass the Yin Seal to Zhili in a while, and we'll talk about the rest later."

"Tsk, you young people are so awkward." Hashirama nodded, his tone full of anticipation. "I'll wait for that day."

"Yes, I'm waiting for that day too."

Hashirama awaited the day of peace, the day when the descendants of Wood Release would be born.

What Shen'er is hoping for is...

Chapter 44 The Uchiha clan unleashes its imperial engine.

"Shadow Clone Release!"

Bang!

The two shadow clones placed in the underground laboratory dissipated in response, turning into two wisps of white smoke and dissipating.

Shen Er slowly withdrew his gaze and began to take stock of today's gains.

As expected of him.

Even the shadow clones are making progress in research that is in no way inferior to the original body, and have already achieved a breakthrough.

"Yin Seal".

He whispered, forming a hand seal.

The next moment, a diamond-shaped black mark appeared at the sword tip, like Ultraman's timer. The core for storing chakra had been completed and was slowly absorbing the body energy that overflowed from the body daily.

He only needs to complete two steps—storing spiritual energy and combining the two into chakra—before he can officially activate his chakra reserves.

We are one step closer to truly rewriting the Yin Seal and making it our own.

This breakthrough is not the kind of useless, decorative product that existed before, but one that truly has practical energy storage effectiveness.

What does storing energy in the body mean?

This means that even when you are awake during the day, you can continuously collect the excess energy in your body. When you feel tired at night, you can release this accumulated energy to replenish your strength simply by thinking about it.

Simply remove the human instinct of "sleeping" from his daily activities.

Have you ever seen Konoha at four in the morning?

I think I'll see him soon.

The increased energy will also further increase the amount of time he can freely use each day.

With his main body and shadow clones, while others only have 24 hours in a day, he has 48 or even 72 hours.

You can't live forever, you simply can't live forever.

Of course, maintaining this near-perpetual motion state comes at a price.