Chapter 15: The Fusion of Taijutsu and Ninjutsu

"Big brother, we currently have the advantage; there is no need to risk your life to duel that guy, Uchiha Madara."

Upon receiving the news, Senju Tobirama rushed over immediately to stop Senju Hashirama. He knew full well that given his brother's personality, he would definitely agree to this duel.

Senju Hashirama was silent for a moment before asking, "Tobirama, do you know how many of our clansmen have sacrificed their lives since this war began?"

Senju Tobirama choked on his words.

Because it was a number that made one's heart ache just to think about.

Taking in his younger brother's expression, Senju Hashirama felt a flash of grief in his eyes and said in a low voice, "Of course I understand that playing it safe and advancing step-by-step with our current advantage is the most secure way to win. But that is a way of winning at the cost of even more lives, and I cannot bear it."

"When Itama and Kawarama sacrificed themselves back then, I swore that I would end this war as soon as possible."

"Ending this war even one day earlier means more people can survive."

Hearing this, Senju Tobirama knew that his big brother had already made up his mind, and nothing he said would be of any use.

Looking at his brother, whose expression was shifting between light and shadow, Senju Hashirama patted him on the shoulder and laughed heroically, "Tobirama, have a little faith in me. Do you really think I would lose?"

"You certainly won't lose, I'm just worried that at the critical moment, you won't have the heart to strike hard." Senju Tobirama gave a bitter smile, then solemnly cautioned, "You must remember that you are the head of the Senju clan. This isn't just a simple win or loss; it concerns the fate of the thousands of clansmen behind you. Remember that!"

Senju Hashirama nodded with a serious expression.

"I guarantee that no one will disturb your duel." After saying this, Senju Tobirama walked out of the room without even saying goodbye, not looking back once.

Senju Hashirama knew he was angry, and he watched his brother's departing back with an apologetic look.

After leaving the room, Senju Tobirama felt restless.

He wandered aimlessly through the streets, and in a daze, he found himself at Chuyang's residence.

At this moment, Chuyang was in the courtyard practicing Fish-Man Karate.

Senju Tobirama stood outside the courtyard, watching silently, gradually becoming fascinated by this brand-new style of taijutsu.

Once he stopped thinking about those troublesome matters, the depression in Senju Tobirama's heart dissipated quite a bit.

"Yang, this taijutsu of yours seems to contain some water-style chakra transformation." After observing for a long time, Senju Tobirama couldn't help but ask.

Chuyang had actually sensed Senju Tobirama's presence long ago, but he had pretended not to know. It wasn't until Tobirama spoke that he feigned a look of surprise.

"Teacher, hello." Chuyang greeted him respectfully.

"Hmm." Senju Tobirama responded casually, then impatiently pressed, "This taijutsu of yours is very unique. Can you explain it in detail?"

Chuyang nodded.

In fact, what Chuyang had been practicing just now was a rather special technique within Fish-Man Karate.

Water manipulation!

Fish-Man Karate is a special taijutsu that possesses the ability to control water currents, but to a certain extent, this is related to the racial talents of the Fish-Man race.

As an ordinary human, it was theoretically impossible for Chuyang to reach this level.

Chuyang was aware of this, so he decided to take a different path, preparing to combine the power of Water Release to simulate this skill.

Wood Release itself is formed by the fusion of water-attribute chakra and earth-attribute chakra.

Chuyang was naturally very familiar with the power of Water Release.

Chuyang had just started experimenting and had made a little progress when Senju Tobirama arrived, so he simply laid out his thoughts to let the other man offer some advice.

After all, as the number one inventor in the history of the ninja world, Senju Tobirama's brain was far superior to Chuyang's.

Listening to Chuyang's description, Senju Tobirama smiled and nodded frequently.

It wasn't as if skills combining taijutsu and ninjutsu didn't exist in the ninja world, but without exception, they were all extremely difficult to develop. Yet, Chuyang had managed to complete a prototype through his own efforts.

In Senju Tobirama's view, Chuyang was already a cut above the average person in terms of thinking, which coincided perfectly with his own attributes as a researcher.

"Not only can he inherit Big Brother's Wood Release, but he can also inherit my ninjutsu and continue to innovate..." Senju Tobirama saw many possibilities in Chuyang.

Chuyang, who had been talking for a long time, was parched, yet he hadn't received any suggestions.

He looked up, only to see Senju Tobirama watching him with a smile.

Chuyang was so startled he shivered!

The sun must be rising from the west today; the usually stern Senju Tobirama was actually smiling?

Could he be hallucinating?

When Chuyang looked at Senju Tobirama again, he found that the man had returned to his usual cold, icy demeanor.

It really was a hallucination!

"Your approach to this taijutsu is fine, but the point is that your understanding of Water Release power is not enough; it remains at a very superficial stage, which will drag down the progress of this taijutsu."

"If you want to perfect this taijutsu, from today on, you must learn more Water Release knowledge from me!"

Chuyang's eyes lit up. What was the Second Hokage's most proficient ninjutsu?

Flying Raijin?

No!

The answer was Water Release!

Before creating the Flying Raijin, Senju Tobirama made his name with Water Release, using it to slaughter his way through clan wars!

Thus, Chuyang began to enthusiastically ask Senju Tobirama for advice on Water Release, and the latter began his teaching mode, explaining things bit by bit from the basics.

Both were so immersed in it that they didn't finish the lesson until the sky turned dark.

Before leaving, Senju Tobirama stood at the door, hesitating as if making a major decision.

"The Clan Head is preparing to duel Uchiha Madara. As for the location of the duel, I am the only one in the clan who knows it so far. I intend to take you with me. What do you think?"

A duel between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara?

Did he even need to think about it?

This was the most spectacular battle in the history of the ninja world, and with the Second Hokage acting as a bodyguard, what was there to hesitate about!

"I want to go!" Chuyang said excitedly.

Senju Tobirama smiled, as if he had long anticipated Chuyang's reaction, and said, "Watching a battle between powerhouses of that level, while dangerous, will also benefit you immensely."

"As a fellow Wood Release user, you must carefully observe the Clan Head's fighting style!"

Chuyang understood that this was an excellent opportunity.

Previously on the battlefield, he had been busy trying to save his own life; he had no time to observe Senju Hashirama's combat.

Late the next night, two figures moved like ghosts through the forest, arriving at a secluded valley.

However, this place was different from the Valley of the End in Chuyang's memory; there was no waterfall, only a small stream. It must have been somewhere else.

Moreover, the plot had not yet reached the moment of the decisive battle at the Valley of the End.

Upon arriving, Senju Tobirama and Chuyang hid their figures and circled the area.

Although, given Uchiha Madara's personality, he would never set an ambush if he agreed to a duel, for the sake of safety, Senju Tobirama still left Flying Raijin seals in many places and set up quite a few explosive tag traps.

If there was even the slightest sign of something wrong, he would stop the duel.