NOVEL WEB Chapter 127: Chapter 127: Does the Fourth Hokage Really Know Wood Release?
Chapter 127: Does the Fourth Hokage Really Know Wood Release?
The one who had spoken was none other than Uchiha Dali.
Upon hearing him claim that he could use Wood Release, every ninja in the meeting room was stunned and turned to look at him in disbelief.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened in shock.
"Fourth Lord, you... you can use Wood Release??"
Uchiha Fugaku stared at him in astonishment.
"Wood Release is a Bloodline Limit ability of the First Hokage. Until now, no one else has ever been able to master it."
"That's right. That power was just too overwhelming. It's a pity even the First Hokage's direct descendants weren't able to inherit it…"
"So the Fourth Lord has really mastered Wood Release? Is this true?"
"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose it's not entirely impossible. After all, the Fourth Lord's strength is unfathomable. No one has ever witnessed his full power."
"…"
All around the meeting room, over a hundred elite shinobi began murmuring among themselves.
There had always been countless legends about Wood Release circulating within the village.
Those who had witnessed its power firsthand were even more awed by it.
People like Hiruzen Sarutobi, Mitokado Homura, and Koharu Utatane, for example.
They were the students of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
And Tobirama was the younger brother of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
Because of that close relationship, the three of them had always shared an extraordinary connection with the First Hokage.
Back in the day, the First Hokage was called the "God of Shinobi" not only for his earth-shattering Sage Techniques, but also for his peerless Wood Release, a Bloodline Limit ability of mythical status.
If Uchiha Dali had really mastered Wood Release, that would be a huge deal.
"Looks like you all don't quite believe me."
"Well, truth be told, I haven't actually used this power yet myself—I only recently awakened it by chance."
"But since everyone's so curious—and even doubtful—how about we go outside and see for ourselves? Honestly, even I'm not sure whether this is truly Wood Release."
With that, Uchiha Dali stood up and started walking out without waiting for a response.
The others glanced at each other, then also stood up and followed him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was the first to catch up.
As he walked, he explained, "Back in the day, the First Hokage told us that the principle behind Wood Release is actually very simple. It's the combination of Water Release and Earth Release, with chakra transforming into an endless source of life to foster growth."
"But while the theory is simple, actually performing it is incredibly difficult."
"When ordinary people combine Water and Earth Releases, all they can manage are combination techniques—certainly not real Wood Release."
Hiruzen's explanation drew nods from the surrounding ninjas.
Years ago, Konoha had conducted many secret experiments in an attempt to bring back Wood Release.
They had tried every method imaginable.
But simply combining Water and Earth Releases never produced true Wood Release.
Eventually, research concluded that the key lay in the unique cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Only his cells made it possible to use Wood Release.
In order to cultivate users of Wood Release, the village had secretly conducted live experiments, implanting Hashirama's cells into numerous test subjects. Tragically, most of them died.
In the end, the project had to be shut down.
Any ninja with some seniority in the village knew about this research.
Now, they were all intensely curious—had Uchiha Dali really mastered Wood Release? And if so, how?
…
The group followed Uchiha Dali in a large procession to the mountains behind Konoha.
Dali stood atop a summit, gazing into the distance.
The view here was wide and open, offering a panoramic view of much of Konoha.
Mountains loomed in the distance, and ancient forests stretched out below.
"So this is the terrain the First Hokage created with his Wood Release… Incredible!"
Hands on his hips, Uchiha Dali looked around in admiration.
Beside him, Mitokado Homura reminded him, "This entire terrain was created in a single burst by the First Hokage."
"Not just what you're seeing now—even the forests far beyond were created by him."
"In fact, the First Hokage generated over several dozen square kilometers of forest in one go."
As he spoke, Homura couldn't help but show deep reverence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and the others nodded in agreement, visibly moved.
Hashirama Senju's Wood Release had left a permanent impression—one that was impossible to forget.
Even after all these decades, they still felt incredibly small in the presence of his legend.
Sadly, that godlike figure had long since passed on.
The God of Shinobi now lived only in legend.
"Fourth Lord, do you truly have command over Wood Release?"
Minato Namikaze asked, his tone full of curiosity.
"I don't know if it really qualifies as Wood Release. See for yourselves."
Uchiha Dali pulled his gaze back from the horizon.
Then, facing the forest behind him, he clapped his hands together. "Ha!"
His chakra surged within him like a stormy sea, instantly becoming wild and unstoppable.
That overwhelming flow of chakra quickly transformed into a flood of life energy, which then sank deep into the earth.
In the next moment, everyone clearly saw the forest begin to change.
The towering, verdant trees were suddenly pushed upward from below, tilting and shaking.
The ground itself quaked and split, as though something enormous was about to burst forth.
Everything happened in an instant.
Before anyone could react, countless plants and trees erupted from underground, growing at an astonishing, almost barbaric speed.
In the blink of an eye, the surrounding forest was completely replaced.
In its place was a new forest, even lusher and more vibrant, brimming with life.
Summoning an entire forest with a single motion—what could it be but Wood Release?
Seeing such a miraculous display, everyone present wore expressions of utter shock and disbelief.
Uchiha Dali, meanwhile, looked drained—his body suddenly felt hollow, and he quietly caught his breath.
"This Wood Release really isn't something just anyone can use… Just this small stretch of forest, not even one percent of what Hashirama created, and it already drained all my chakra…"
Looking out over the vibrant, expansive new forest blanketing the Konoha mountainside, Dali's heart was filled with bitterness and frustration.
He had thought that if he used his Wood Release at full power, he could at least cover half of Konoha.
But the reality proved him terribly wrong.
Even at full strength, this was all he could manage.
It was clear: the gap between him and the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was still vast.
This level of power was nowhere near enough to defeat Uchiha Madara—much less stand against the powerful Ōtsutsuki clan…
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslation. Thanks for your support! Don't forget to send Power Stones—300 Power Stones = +1 bonus chapter!)