As soon as he thought about the future, Tōshirō imagined Tsunade playing with clay, and he felt that things hadn't developed any better than in the original story...
It seems that developing Wood Release (Mokuton) requires a combination of Water Release, Earth Release, and Ashura's chakra.
Based on Madara Uchiha's experience, who transplanted a small piece of Hashirama's flesh onto his wound to summon Ashura's chakra, it seems possible to attempt a similar approach by grafting a small piece of Hashirama's flesh into Tsunade to achieve the same result.
But this would require stealing cells from Hashirama's corpse, and that's purely theoretical.
Tōshirō shook his head, dismissing those thoughts. It was better for Tsunade to develop Wood Release on her own.
Old Itachi asked him, "Why are you asking about this?"
Tōshirō replied, "I was just thinking, the Wood Release used by the First Hokage was extremely powerful. If our Uchiha clan could produce a ninja who combines Wood Release with the power of Konoha's founders, wouldn't that be amazing?"
Old Itachi laughed and answered, "Your idea is bold, but unfortunately, Hashirama was a special case. Even if you successfully combine Water and Earth elements to create a Kekkei Genkai, I don't think it would result in Wood Release."
Then he added with a smile, "Don't burden yourself with these thoughts. Focus on training your own technique."
Tōshirō asked about training: "I've heard of a ninjutsu that allows controlling objects with chakra, is that true?"
Old Itachi nodded.
Tōshirō mentioned the idea of using Ice Release (Hyōton) to create ice and then attempting to mimic Gaara's sand manipulation technique, asking if such an idea was feasible.
Old Itachi thought for a moment, then said, "The idea seems similar to Magnet Release, but it has many flaws."
Tōshirō asked, "What flaws?"
Old Itachi replied, "Ice is vulnerable to fire. It melts when exposed to it. If you want to pursue your idea, it's better to use sand. But even if you use sand, you won't reach the speed of control provided by Magnet Release unless you possess the power of a Jinchūriki."
Kuzan asked in surprise, "The power of a Bijū?"
Itachi explained, "The Bijū refers to the Jinchūriki, the person in whom a Bijū is sealed. You can consider the Bijū as tailed beasts that possess immense chakra. There are nine Bijū, the strongest being the Kyūbi, which was sealed inside the body of the First Hokage's wife, Uzumaki Mito."
Tōshirō's eyes widened in shock: "This seems like important information. Is it okay for me to know this as a child?"
Old Itachi replied, "It's fine. You'll learn these things as you grow up. It doesn't matter if you learn them now or later."
He added, "Regardless of the risks, every Jinchūriki gains immense power, and that power depends on the type of Bijū inside them. This power is also naturally passed on to their offspring. For instance, someone who possesses the Ichibi gains the ability to control sand. It's not a Kekkei Genkai, but it's strong enough to rival Kekkei Genkai like Magnet Release."
(Note: Gaara's ability to control sand was touched upon in Gaara's secrets, and the author mentioned that his mother might be a descendant of the "Fūnfuku" clan, something that can be explained given the age gap.)
Tōshirō felt enlightened, as if the clouds that obscured his vision had cleared.
Old Itachi continued to teach: "Based on these principles, your attempt to use chakra to manipulate objects in order to mimic Magnet Release is futile."
Tōshirō sighed: "It seems my dream of mimicking someone who can kill enemies with just a flick of his fingers while sitting idly is shattered."
Old Itachi added, "Even if you reach a level where you can control ice, I don't recommend following this path to enhance your strength."
Tōshirō: "???"
Itachi explained further: "A ninja's strength should be evaluated based on several factors, and the most important and fundamental of them is Taijutsu skills. The fighting style you imagined would make you slow in Taijutsu, and if someone physically reaches you, you'd be in a bad situation."
To clarify his point, Old Itachi gave the example of Hashirama and Madara: "With their strength, even without using any Ninjutsu, they could reach the level of a Kage just by using Taijutsu."
Tōshirō admired Old Itachi's advice and felt it made perfect sense.
Perhaps some people wouldn't agree with Itachi's advice and would argue that Taijutsu has no future.
But as the fight progresses, one would realize that Taijutsu is the most effective.
Itachi said, "I have two ninjutsu techniques here. You can train with them."
Old Itachi pulled out two scrolls and handed them to Kuzan: "Ice Release: Shuriken and Ice Release: Kunai. As the names suggest, I don't think I need to explain the details. Although they're ranked C, they are very practical techniques."
Tōshirō replied, "Alright."
Tōshirō's eyes sparkled with excitement at the prospect of learning new Ninjutsu techniques.
But wait...
Where did you get these Ice techniques?
When Tōshirō expressed his surprise, Itachi simply answered, "I bought them," leaving Tōshirō completely bewildered.
It made sense that Ninjutsu techniques could be bought, but why could Kekkei Genkai techniques, which can only be used by those with hereditary abilities, be purchased?
Itachi seemed to realize what Tōshirō was thinking and calmly said, "While gathering information about Ice techniques, I came across a mysterious person selling Ice techniques. I decided to buy a few for experimentation."
Tōshirō still didn't get it: "But why would someone sell Ice techniques?"
Itachi coldly replied, "Are you asking me? You should ask yourself."
"Ah..."
"Anyway, you can test them in your spare time to verify their authenticity."
Although he didn't understand why Ice techniques were being sold, Tōshirō felt that Itachi was genuinely looking out for him, and it increased his certainty that perhaps Itachi knew he had the Sharingan.
Despite everything, Tōshirō felt grateful and sincerely thanked him.
Old Itachi said calmly, "Don't rush to thank me. You have to pay for these two techniques. But since you don't have the money now, you can pay later."
Tōshirō's eyes widened in shock, "Pay?!"
Suddenly, all the gratitude he felt vanished.
Itachi continued in a calm tone, "Of course, you're the only one in the clan who can use Ice techniques, and these techniques are of no use to anyone else. So, you're responsible for covering the cost."
Tōshirō had no response.
Itachi added calmly, "There's a famous saying: 'Loyal brothers account for money.'"
Tōshirō gritted his teeth and asked, "How much?"
"Two million."
"Why don't you just go rob someone instead?!"
This price for C-rank techniques was like the reward for an S-rank mission.
Itachi coldly replied, "Considering the cost and effort involved, the price is very reasonable."
Tōshirō tried to negotiate kindly for a discount: "Talking about money ruins relationships. We're from the same clan, aren't we?"
Itachi answered with a sarcastic smile, "And now you realize that talking about money ruins relationships? I'm just treating you the way you treat others."
"That's not the same."
"How is it different? Isn't this a double standard?"
Tōshirō sighed and started to leave angrily, determined not to buy them. But before he got far, he heard Itachi's voice: "Are you sure you don't want them? Developing Ninjutsu techniques takes a long time, and you know well that time is valuable."
Tōshirō was affected by his words, so he quickly returned and snatched the scrolls from Itachi's hand: "You owe me, remember that!"
Itachi replied with a smile, "A wise choice."
Itachi understood Tōshirō's character well and knew that the best way to deal with him was through money.
Tōshirō looked at him thoughtfully and asked, "Itachi, do you have more Ice techniques?"
Itachi smiled mysteriously.
Tōshirō understood. It seems Itachi had more Ice techniques.
Clearly, Itachi was holding back higher-level techniques than the ones he gave Tōshirō.
Tōshirō imagined his future working for Itachi to pay off his debts.
That's a tragedy.
He had planned to make the Uchiha clan work for him, but it seems the opposite would happen.
(End of Chapter)
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