"This... This... This..."
Araki's face showed no visible changes, but internally he was in a state of extreme shock.
It was an unprecedented sensation.
He felt refreshed and invigorated, all exhaustion vanishing from his body. It was as if he had been reborn, becoming light and buoyant all over.
Such a situation astonished Araki. After retracting his finger, he could clearly sense the chakra remaining within his body. As it circulated along his chakra pathways, his cells eagerly absorbed it, thirstily drinking in this chakra like a traveler in a desert stumbling upon a clear spring.
Within just a few breaths, the energy of the chakra weakened significantly. However, it continued to circulate through his chakra pathways, creating a refreshing sensation that touched his heart and soul.
Araki was filled with immense excitement.
That simple circulation had provided him with a noticeable improvement, far surpassing countless nights of training.
An opportunity!
This was an opportunity!
Araki wasn't sure about the connection between himself and the First Hokage's necklace, or if it was solely related to his Wood Release kekkei genkai.
But...
He was acutely aware of the presence of an opportunity.
If he could regularly absorb the energy from the chakra crystal, it would greatly enhance his own chakra. This was an opportunity of tremendous value.
Of course...
It also came with high risks!
Araki didn't know if anyone else knew about the special properties of the First Hokage's necklace, such as the renowned scientist of Konoha, Orochimaru.
If news like this got out, revealing that he possessed the Wood Release kekkei genkai, it would be extremely dangerous.
He absolutely couldn't wear the First Hokage's necklace!
According to Araki's judgment, it was likely that the item would remain illuminated until fully absorbed. It would practically be like announcing to the whole world that something was amiss with him.
Moreover...
This necklace had a curse attribute!
It was safer to leave it hanging around Nawaki's neck and then bind himself to Nawaki. Then, whenever he was free, he could "practice" with it.
"I saw it again!"
Taking advantage of Tsunade and Nawaki's astonishment, Araki spoke again. He had completely regained his ability to speak.
"Just when I touched the First Hokage's necklace earlier, I saw Nawaki dead in a detonation tag trap. He had the First Hokage's necklace around his neck, and his organs were all hollowed out!"
Araki's tone became stern. This was part of his plan, utilizing both the ability to see the future through the necklace and his rapid restoration of language ability.
"Araki, you're speaking..."
Tsunade's face turned pale upon hearing Araki's description of Nawaki's horrifying state, but she also noticed the change in Araki's language ability.
"Yeah, Araki, you can speak normally now!"
Nawaki suddenly widened his eyes. If Tsunade hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have noticed. When they were chatting in the afternoon, he was so exhausted from listening to Araki speak that he almost fell asleep several times.
"I... I didn't notice!"
Araki feigned surprise, his acting skills instantly kicked in. It was as if he had entered the role within a second, without any sense of incongruity. Coupled with his childlike appearance, it was highly deceptive and believable.
"I can speak!"
Araki's tone became excited, filled with joy and surprise. The expression on his face changed from indifference to a genuine smile, perfectly capturing the innocent and unassuming demeanor of a child who had overcome a mental barrier. Every emotion was portrayed just right, neither excessive nor insufficient, as if it were meant to be.
This performance was also part of Araki's audacious plan. He wanted to make Tsunade and Nawaki, this sibling duo, believe that the mental shock he had experienced was cured by the First Hokage's necklace. In other words, it was healed by Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage.
In doing so, everything would fall into place.
He didn't need to explain much.
Tsunade and Nawaki could come up with the answers themselves.
Of course, Araki wasn't satisfied with just that.
Since he had already started gambling, he might as well try to mooch a little more. What if he succeeded!
"Teacher Tsunade, what's going on? How can I speak normally?"
Araki suddenly took the initiative, directing his questions to Tsunade, adopting a posture of curiosity as if consulting his attending physician.
Well, in a way, it wasn't wrong to say that. Tsunade was a medical ninja.
Araki's probing step forward shifted the burden of the questions to Tsunade.
The risk of doing this was that he was giving up control.
He couldn't define his own changes anymore.
He wouldn't be able to actively state what kind of situation it was.
But the benefit was that Tsunade's answer would be authoritative and unquestionably recognized by her!
"Hmm..."
Tsunade's brow furrowed slightly as she fell into silence. She touched the chakra crystal of the First Hokage's necklace in her hand once again, but there were no changes. Then she released the crystal and reached out to touch Araki's wrist.
At that moment, Araki's nervousness reached its peak.
He didn't know the level of Tsunade's medical ninjutsu or if she could detect bloodline limits. It was an unknown territory for him.
Now, he could only gamble!
He bet that Tsunade wouldn't be able to detect it!
Tsunade's palm emitted a gentle chakra imbued with vitality as it slid along Araki's wrist toward his throat. When it reached his throat, it lingered there for about three minutes.
"Your vocal cords are completely fine."
Tsunade withdrew her hand, her expression extremely serious. She didn't know what Araki's vocal cords were like before, as she hadn't examined them, but she knew their current condition.
"Based on the miraculous speed of your recovery, I speculate that it might be related to my grandfather's necklace!"
"If my grandfather could project the future onto you, then you are the one chosen by him!"
"Naturally, if my grandfather wants to convey something to us through your mouth, he would have to heal your condition. There's no problem with that understanding."
Tsunade spoke in a deep voice, each sentence carrying weight. She didn't know what changes had occurred in Araki when the green light appeared earlier, but during a brief examination of his body, she discovered that he was exceptionally healthy.
Especially his powerful life force, comparable to their Senju clan.
"Araki, I've decided to conduct several tests and closely study my grandfather's necklace. I hope you can cooperate with me." Tsunade immediately put forth her idea, and after thinking for a moment, she added, "Don't mention anything that happened today to anyone outside of us."
"Yes."
Araki nodded in agreement. He appeared to be a participant, but in reality, he was the one in control. Beneath his serious expression, there was a heart that had already begun to smile. It seemed he had won the gamble this time.
In fact, the reason he dared to make such a bold gamble was not because he was reckless or impulsive...
It was simply because the aura surrounding his gambling partner was too formidable!
After all, it was Tsunade, who was unbeatable when it came to gambling!