Chương 198: Chapter 199: You Won’t Even Call Me Brother

Fortunately, Dongye zhen didn't have the full Sage Mode facial markings. The silver ring-like pattern on his forehead differed greatly from Hashirama's distinctive face paint. Hiruzen and the two elders quickly recovered from their lapse. The young man standing before them wasn't the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. He was Dongye zhen—a new-generation Konoha shinobi who had already grown to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the First. In their eyes, there was simply no one else worthy of comparison.

The reason was simple. To them, Hashirama represented the absolute pinnacle of shinobi power. Nearly every ninja in the world shared that belief. That was why he had been hailed as the God of Shinobi. As for the Otsutsuki Clan, they still lurked in the shadows of history. And after awakening the Rinnegan, Uchiha Madara had never openly revealed himself to the world. At present, only a handful of people even knew that the legendary Sage of Six Paths' eyes had reappeared.

"Ahem." Hiruzen forced his racing heart to settle and turned toward Dongye zhen.

"That's enough, Zhen. Well done. Truly worthy of being Konoha's greatest prodigy. Now then, everyone should head home and get some rest." He didn't bother reminding anyone to keep the matter secret. There was no need. Everyone present was a shinobi. Confidentiality had long since become second nature. Besides, Dongye zhen was no longer someone who needed protection while he matured. He had become Konoha's greatest safeguard. With Wood Release in his hands, what were jinchūriki and Tailed Beasts from other villages?

Nothing more than targets waiting to be grabbed. Back when Hashirama captured the Tailed Beasts, he'd basically smacked each one with a giant wooden hand and they immediately behaved. On top of that, the Uchiha problem suddenly seemed far less pressing. So what if another pair of Mangekyō Sharingan users appeared? Was Madara not powerful enough? He still got planted face-first into the dirt by Wood Release. At that moment, Hiruzen and the two advisors felt an enormous weight lift from their shoulders.

The Uchiha Clan had always been their greatest concern. Ever since childhood, Tobirama had drilled into them the idea that the Sharingan made the Uchiha emotionally unstable and prone to extremism—an internal threat to village security. After decades, that belief had hardened into prejudice. What if another pair of Mangekyō-wielding Uchiha brothers emerged? Now it no longer mattered. Dongye zhen possessed Wood Release, Flying Thunder God, and exceptional Water Release.

He was practically the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage rolled into one. As for whether Dongye zhen himself might become a problem? The three elders held an equally stubborn bias on that front. A boy with Wood Release, a Sage Mode resembling Hashirama's, and an unwavering Will of Fire? How could someone like that possibly turn evil? That was simply how things worked in Konoha. Once you inherited Hashirama's halo, people automatically viewed you through the lens of a saint. Just then, Dongye zhen spoke up.

"Um, Third Hokage-sama, Fourth Hokage-sama. Because of the changes and instability in my chakra, I may need to take an extended leave of absence." Minato smiled.

"No problem on my end." Hiruzen was even more direct.

"Zhen, you don't need to request leave. Focus on your training. Decide everything as you see fit."

"Is that so?" Dongye zhen considered for a moment before pointing toward a nearby mountain peak.

"I'd like to build a few houses over there for secluded cultivation. Would that be alright?"

"Of course. Would you like me to designate it a restricted area under the name of a special training ground? Many shinobi come to train in the hills behind the Hokage Monument. I wouldn't want them disturbing you." If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Oh, that won't be necessary. Lots of people are used to training here. It wouldn't be right to inconvenience them because of me." The three elders were extremely pleased by that answer. Look at that. Such a powerful embodiment of the Will of Fire. Even after reaching this level, he was still thinking about his fellow villagers. What was this? This was the spirit of Hashirama shining through. As for Dongye zhen's teammates and family, they no longer paid much attention to how generously the Hokage treated him.

It was normal. As one of Konoha's strongest shinobi, why shouldn't he enjoy a few privileges? What occupied their minds instead was another unfamiliar term they'd just heard. Their brains were still struggling to process the information. Back at the Dongye residence. Since they had arrived via Flying Thunder God, they naturally returned the same way. After Konoha's three elders and Minato departed, Hayami, Yugao, and Hayate remained behind. There were things they wanted to ask.

So Dongye Jiro proposed an impromptu family meeting. Truthfully, they all wanted answers. Dongye zhen's growth had always defied common sense. As his parents, Jiro and Hui were proud beyond words—but deep down, they couldn't help feeling uneasy. It was only human nature. If Dongye zhen had suddenly brought home a mountain of cash in his previous life, his father's first reaction wouldn't have been happiness. It would've been: You little brat, what illegal scheme have you gotten yourself into?

The seven of them gathered around the dining table. Dongye zhen understood the worries and doubts that had lingered in the hearts of his family and friends for years. So today, he decided to explain everything at once.

"Whatever you want to know, ask. I'll answer honestly today." Hayami shot his old friend a meaningful look. You've got the father buff. Take the lead. Jiro cleared his throat.

"Zhen, that pattern on your forehead—is that the Sage Mode you mentioned to the Third Hokage? What exactly is Sage Mode?" Among everyone present, only he and Hayami were jōnin. Even they knew little beyond scattered rumors. Dongye zhen gave a simple explanation.

"The chakra shinobi use is a fusion of physical energy and spiritual energy. But beyond that, there exists another, far more mysterious and powerful force throughout heaven and earth—natural energy.

"When someone can stably integrate natural energy into their body, they enter a state known as Sage Mode. That state usually leaves visible markings on the face. The symbol on my forehead is one such marker." Hayami nodded thoughtfully.

"I've heard Konoha possesses inheritances connected to the Three Great Sage Regions. Senjutsu can supposedly be learned there. Zhen, did you learn yours from the Fourth Hokage?"

"No." Dongye zhen shook his head.

"This Sage Mode is unique to me. It doesn't belong to any of the Three Great Sage Regions." Jiro blinked.

"Then where did you learn it? Our Dongye family doesn't have anything like that. Unless your grandfather died before passing down some secret inheritance and you somehow found it hidden at home?"

"Father, you're overthinking it. I awakened naturally. I was born with it."

"Naturally awakened?" Jiro suddenly snapped his fingers.

"Oh! Like when you first revealed your sensory abilities to me?"

"Actually, a little earlier than that. I awakened it on the very night I first extracted chakra. At the time, I didn't know what it was. Later, after Minato-senpai explained things to me, I realized I'd been instinctively using natural energy from birth." Hui finally felt several long-standing mysteries click into place.

"So this is the reason for your extraordinary talent?"

"Yes, Mom. Natural energy constantly strengthens my body. It greatly accelerated both my growth and my power." At last, the couple understood. They hadn't given birth to some monster. Their son had simply been capable of using natural energy since childhood. Yet Hayami still frowned.

"That doesn't sound right. Natural energy shouldn't be that easy to use. The intelligence I've seen says otherwise." As the de facto leader of the ANBU, he had access to more classified information than the others. Meanwhile, for Hayate, Yugao, and Yamato, this was the first time they had ever heard any of it. So beyond the chakra system, there was also a Senjutsu system. And natural energy. It sounded almost unbelievable.

Most importantly, they had finally uncovered the secret behind Dongye zhen's overwhelming talent and strength. It wasn't that they were lacking. The man had been born with cheat codes enabled. How were they supposed to compete with that? At that moment, their desire to grow stronger burned brighter than ever. Hayate spoke first.

"Um, Zhen... can we learn it too?" Yamato immediately followed.

"If I learned it, would my Wood Release become as strong as yours?" Yugao tilted her head.

"It must be incredibly difficult, right? Otherwise you would've taught us long ago. I know you, Zhen-nii. You're not selfish." Dongye zhen grinned.

"Oh? So now you're calling me nii-san, huh?" Yugao froze.

"..."

"But Yugao's right," Dongye zhen continued.

"Like I just explained, natural energy isn't easy to use. Remember that time we roasted wild boar on the eastern front?" Hayate's eyes widened.

"Wait. You killed that boar with natural energy?"

"Exactly.

"I've always wanted to teach you all, which is why I experimented on animals first. The result? I only injected the tiniest trace of natural energy, and the boar died instantly.

"And I'm sure you remember what happened to the meat afterward." Everyone nodded. How could they forget?

"Later, I conducted further experiments during missions right in front of you." Dongye zhen shrugged.

"What happened to those ninja?"

"Not a single one survived," Hayate muttered.

"Exactly." Dongye zhen's expression turned serious.

"Natural energy is incredibly dangerous. Recklessly coming into contact with it leads to only one outcome.

"Death." Hui immediately looked alarmed.

"That natural energy is that dangerous? Zhen, are you sure your body's alright? I'm giving you a full examination later."

"Relax, Mom. I'm fine. My constitution is special. I was born capable of adapting to natural energy." Hui studied her son. Considering how absurdly robust he had become, she knew he wasn't joking. Only then did she relax.

"That's good. As for whether we can learn it or not... it doesn't really matter." Hayami nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. If it requires a special physique, then there's nothing we can do. Besides, having you around is enough." The others weren't particularly disappointed either. That was simply how the ninja world worked. Some people possessed gifts that others could never acquire. Dongye zhen sighed dramatically and shook his head.

"Oh dear. Judging from your reactions, it seems none of you are interested in learning after all."

"Looks like the method I found will be wasted."

"..." ×6 There it was again. That awful personality of his. Yugao practically leapt out of her chair.

"Zhen-nii! You're not joking, right? You actually found a way?"

"Would I joke about something like this?" Dongye zhen chuckled.

"In fact, after successfully developing Wood Release today, I really did discover a possible method.

"It still needs testing, though. That's why I asked the Third Hokage for that mountain. I intend to establish a dojo of my own there." Jiro blinked.

"So that's why you wanted to train in the back mountain?"

"Of course.

"Once I perfect the method, everyone will be able to learn." Then his gaze shifted toward Yamato.

"Though when it comes to you, I may need to think about it a bit more." Yamato looked bewildered.

"Why me? Zhen, have I offended you somehow?" Dongye zhen placed a hand dramatically over his chest.

"My foolish little brother."

"You still refuse to call me big brother." Yamato: "..."