[Konoha2] Chapter 101: Sakumo's Evaluation!

Back at the cabin, Hajime clapped his hands together, and a layer of Tailed Beast chakra swiftly spread across his body, a tail forming behind him.

"I have to admit, the quality of Tailed Beast chakra is top-notch. It's practically a replica of Sage Mode."

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Hajime's figure flickered as he moved at high speed around the cabin.

With the Tailed Beast chakra reinforcing him, his speed had increased dramatically.

It was quite similar to Sage Mode.

Of course, Sage Mode enhanced all aspects—ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu—while the chakra from the Four-Tails couldn't achieve that level of all-around amplification.

"Besides speed and power, Four-Tails’ chakra should also significantly boost Earth Style and Fire Style techniques."

In a flash, Hajime dashed out of the cabin. Placing both hands on the ground, the earth rumbled as a stone wall rose, intricately carved with a lifelike dragon head.

He then activated his Diamond Body, this time infused with Four-Tails chakra—both the hardening speed and strength had visibly improved.

Next up was Fire Style...

Hajime didn’t know how to use it.

Among the seven nature transformations, he had yet to master Fire and Lightning styles.

"This is a perfect opportunity to use the power of the Four-Tails to train in Fire Style. Once I master it, I can begin using Lava Release. With the Four-Tails’ chakra, I might even be able to synthesize my own version of Lava Release."

He thought to himself silently.

In truth, Hajime didn’t really like the current Tailed Beast Mode.

Without considering Lava Release, the power-up from Four-Tails chakra was inferior to Sage Mode.

He withdrew the Tailed Beast chakra and pressed his hands together again.

Inside the seal space, the Four-Tails, suppressed by the Gate of the Great God, was suddenly entangled by growing vines that wrapped around its massive body.

"You damn bastard..."

The Four-Tails opened its eyes, feeling its chakra being siphoned. It couldn’t help but curse under its breath before shutting its eyes again.

Drain it, then. His chakra was endless anyway.

...

A torrent of mighty energy surged out, and Hajime smiled.

This chakra battery really was amazing!

Earlier, he had used Tailed Beast chakra directly, just like other Jinchūriki.

But now it was different—he was using Wood Style to absorb the chakra, which passed through a transformation process. It no longer bore the traits of the Four-Tails, serving purely as a chakra supplement.

His eyes lowered, a mask pattern emerging on his face.

Sage Mode: Activated!

Hajime silently calculated. With this method, he could maintain Sage Mode for... about twenty minutes!

"But if..."

Hajime mused, "If I get more proficient at Sage Mode and can multitask—producing senjutsu chakra while fighting—then as long as the Four-Tails and I keep supplying chakra, I can keep Sage Mode going indefinitely."

Of course, part of the limitation was because the Four-Tails wasn’t cooperative.

It took time for him to extract its chakra.

Unlike Naruto later on, who received Nine-Tails chakra freely. In Sage Fox Mode, only when the Nine-Tails' chakra ran dry would Sage Mode end.

But if he could multitask, the effect would be very similar.

Alternatively, Hajime could extract a large amount of Four-Tails chakra in advance, convert it all into senjutsu chakra, and then maintain Sage Mode for a long time.

With the amount of chakra the Four-Tails had, an hour wouldn’t be a problem.

"That’s why the Yin Seal is still necessary."

Hajime noted inwardly.

The Four-Tails was still a bit lacking.

“Hmm?”

Hajime turned his head. “Tsunade!”

Tsunade, clad in armor, stepped forward.

Hajime dispersed Sage Mode and walked up to her. “Why are you here?”

He knew she had been busy with the medical corps, as the Four-Tails’ Jinchūriki had caused significant casualties in Konoha.

“I heard you captured the Four-Tails... and even made yourself the Jinchūriki.”

Tsunade wore a serious expression. “You’re aware that a Jinchūriki is affected by the Tailed Beast’s malevolent chakra, right?”

“And once the Tailed Beast is extracted, the Jinchūriki will inevitably die.”

Hajime smiled and nodded. “I know that.”

“But don’t worry, Tsunade. While in Sage Mode, I can already use the ‘Gate of the Great God’ sealing technique. Though it’s far weaker than what the First Hokage could do, it’s enough to suppress the Four-Tails.”

“As for the influence of its evil chakra—Tsunade, my Wood Style can absorb others’ chakra and convert it into life force.”

Tsunade shook her head. “Iwagakure won’t give up the Four-Tails.”

Hajime replied casually, “The First Hokage handed it out back in the day. As his successor, isn’t it reasonable for me to take it back?”

“The Four-Tails isn’t really Iwa’s to begin with—it has always belonged to Konoha.”

Even setting aside Hashirama’s claim, if you trace it back far enough—the Senju clan’s ancestor was Asura, and Asura’s father was the Sage of Six Paths.

The Tailed Beasts were created by the Sage of Six Paths.

So by that logic, the Tailed Beasts naturally belong to Konoha. Perfectly reasonable. Nothing wrong with that!

Tsunade couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

The situation was already set in motion. She had only come to give him a reminder.

But clearly, this guy already understood it all.

“The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, will probably arrive soon. What’s your plan for dealing with him?” she asked, changing the subject.

Hajime considered it. “That is a problem.”

“Stopping him won’t be hard, but capturing him... that’s not so easy.”

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. “Hey, aren’t you getting a little full of yourself?”

“That’s the Third Tsuchikage we’re talking about—he’s the only one in the shinobi world who’s mastered a Kekkei Tōta.”

Hajime responded seriously, “I’ve faced Dust Release before. It’s definitely powerful.”

“But for me, his casting speed is too slow.”

“Of course, that’s not the real issue.”

“The problem is whether he’ll go all out over the Four-Tails.”

Ōnoki was currently in his prime. Beyond his combat experience, all of his capabilities were at their peak.

If he went all out, Dust Release could cover an extremely large area.

However, since Hajime had the intel, he would prepare accordingly.

In fact, he was more wary of Uchiha Madara, who was still lurking in the shadows.

He was drawing too much attention—especially since he had mastered Wood Style.

...

“Well, since you know what you're doing, I’ll take my leave.”

Tsunade waved her hand, not wasting any time, and leapt away.

Hajime watched her go without trying to stop her.

This wasn’t the time for romance—he needed time to familiarize himself with the Four-Tails’ power and continue leveling up.

If the sky were to fall, the tallest would hold it up.

Hajime had grown taller now.

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, it was dawn.

Though he had only slept two hours, Hajime was full of energy.

After filling his stomach, he was about to create Wood Clones for training when Namikaze Minato rushed in.

“Hajime-senpai, the Third Tsuchikage has arrived!”

Hajime’s spirit stirred as he nodded. “Got it.”

Without delay, he created two Wood Clones to stay behind—just in case.

“Let’s go. Time to test out your Flying Thunder God.”

Hajime chuckled.

His relaxed demeanor eased Minato’s nerves a little. Embarrassed, Minato said, “I’m still not fully proficient at using it yet.”

Hajime patted Minato’s shoulder. “Take your time. I believe in your ability.”

Minato nodded, then placed one hand on Hajime’s arm. In the next instant, both vanished from their spot.

Frontlines.

Minato and Hajime suddenly appeared beside Jiraiya.

Orochimaru and Tsunade were also there, along with Sakumo Hatake. Behind them stood a large force of Konoha shinobi, with Mitokado Homura at the forefront.

On the opposite side stood a similarly large number of Iwa-nin, and three figures floated in the air. Leading them was none other than the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.

Looking up at Ōnoki’s gaze locked onto him, Hajime smiled, formed hand seals, and summoned three Wood Clones.

Then, his true body stepped forward into the sky.

In that moment, all eyes—friend and foe alike—fell upon Hajime.

Sakumo Hatake stared at Hajime’s back and couldn’t help but think to himself:

“One day, he’ll become someone like the First Hokage...”

(End of Chapter)