Chapter 66: Senju Tobirama's Scroll

A few days after the succession ceremony, news quickly spread across the ninja world about Konoha's discovery of a user with Wood Release.

Sato's profile reached the high-ranking officials of various factions, and his name appeared on the assassination lists of every ninja village. It even surfaced discreetly on the black market reward list.

In fact, Sato's bounty surpassed that of the Hyugas and the rare Sharingan.

The high black-market bounties for the Byakugan and Sharingan were due to their potential for transplantation into others' bodies, whether from the branch/main family or the Uchiha clan.

However, Sato's bounty was solely due to the influence of Wood Release.

Wood Release, the legendary Kekkei Genkai, was the power held by The God of Shinobi that brought peace to a time filled with war...

Compared to the uncertain nature of the Sage of Six Paths and the never-before-seen Rinnegan, Wood Release was considered one of the most powerful Kekkei Genkai.

Even the Uchiha clan's Mangekyō Sharingan couldn't rival Wood Style.

Now that weakened Konoha had produced another Wood Release user, it spelled trouble for the other four major ninja villages. Naturally, Sato's name was on their kill list.

However, Sato remained unaware of the actions of the other villages, and even if he were to find out, he would simply laugh it off.

After revealing his Wood Release, Sato's life remained largely unchanged.

Every day, upon waking up, he would take Karin to find Ino and Hinata, and then escort the three to the Hokage building to assist Shizune in sharing the Hokage's burdens. At the same time, he sought knowledge of medical ninjutsu from Shizune and Tsunade.

Speaking of this, Sato had to acknowledge the reality of Powerful Ninja Clans.

Previously, when visiting Hinata, Sato had to go with Ino-Shika-Chō, and sometimes he would visit Hinata alone with Ino. However, as soon as he went alone, the guards would say that the eldest lady was training and couldn't be disturbed.

But whenever Ino-Shika-Chō went to see Hinata together, there was never a mention of Hinata needing training.

Now, Sato didn't even need to visit Ino first. He could simply take Karin to Hinata, and the Hyuga clan allowed him entry.

This signified a change in status.

Previously, Sato, the top student among commoners with great potential in illusion techniques, was completely overshadowed by the Byakugan. However, the Hyuga clan no longer looked down on him.

Now that Sato possessed Wood Release and proudly wore the Senju clan crest, backed by the current Hokage and acknowledged by all major ninja clans and daimyo, he was destined to become the Seventh Hokage.

Facing the future Hokage, the Hyuga clan dared not neglect him.

As for Sato's relationship with the eldest lady, no one dared to interfere.

Currently, it wasn't just Sato who held a high position; the Hyuga clan did as well.

This was the Hyuga clan's present attitude, although it may seem too pragmatic.

Sato was also pleased with their change in attitude.

That's why he chose to reveal his Kekkei Genkai instead of the unique abilities of the Sharingan and Uzumaki clans.

By exposing Wood Release, he would gain the most attention and minimize resistance to his actions.

... "Sato, this scroll is for you."

On this day, as usual, Sato brought the three girls to the Hokage building to assist Tsunade and acquire knowledge of medical ninjutsu.

In the afternoon, Sato was about to take the three girls home to help them organize the knowledge they had gained.

Tsunade abruptly halted Sato and retrieved a scroll, neither too big nor too small, from under the table. She tossed it to him, and upon catching it, Sato noticed the seal with the title "Secrets of Water."

A hunch formed in Sato's mind, but he suspiciously questioned Tsunade, "Sister Tsunade, what is this?"

"This is Grand Uncle's Water Style scroll. I stumbled upon it while tidying up the mansion a few days ago," Tsunade replied, clasping her hands.

She continued with a serious expression, "Your Water Style and Illusion abilities are exceptional. Besides Wood Style, I believe you are also suitable to inherit Grand Uncle's Water techniques. That's why I brought this scroll for you."

While speaking, Tsunade secretly winked at Sato. It was their secret code.

Understanding the message, Sato knew that this scroll contained more than just Water Style ninjutsu.

"Thank you, sister. I will dedicate myself to practicing," Sato responded, assuring Tsunade with a sweet voice.

"Alright, let's head back," Tsunade waved her hand, returning to her work.

The siblings' seamless coordination left no room for suspicion, not even for Shizune.

Leaving the Hokage building, Sato took the three girls back to his home.

In the dim light, Sato commenced a study session in the living room, assisting the three in consolidating the medical knowledge they had acquired that day.

Rather than helping the girls sort out the knowledge, it was more like Sato repeating what Shizune had taught earlier.

As the subjects grew more numerous and challenging, the disparities among the three women became increasingly apparent.

Compared to Hinata and Karin, both descendants of Ōtsutsuki, Ino's talent seemed rather mediocre.

Unless she put in more effort, Ino would fall further behind.

In recent days, Ino seemed to have realized this as well.

During the study sessions, she refrained from flirting with Sato and attentively listened to the team. Later, she would review the material again at home.

After concluding today's study session, Sato first escorted Ino and Hinata home before having dinner with Karin. Then, he opened the "Water Style scroll" given by Tsunade.

As he skimmed through the fully unfurled scroll, a slight smirk formed at the corners of Sato's mouth.

Just as he suspected, this scroll contained more than just the Second Hokage's Water Style ninjutsu. Tsunade had included two remarkable treasures within the scroll.

These treasures were none other than the Forbidden Techniques written in the Book of Seals.

The two Forbidden Techniques were the Flying Thunder God Technique and the Dark Row Technique (Non-Canon).

With a space-time body flicker technique and a yin escape illusion (Dark Row Technique), combined with Senju Tobirama's Water Style ninjutsu, this scroll was a compilation of both low-level and high-level ninjutsu.

Acquiring this scroll also meant that Sato could proceed with his plan to absorb the knowledge of the previous Hokage from the Impure World Reincarnation.

Once he absorbed the past Hokage, Sato would unlock mastery of Senju Hashirama's Wood Release, Senju Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Technique, and all Water Styles.