RADG: Chapter 136: Proper Leg

Yami didn’t care how Maruboshi Kosuke trained the team.

He had sparred with Kosuke before. Without using Flying Thunder God Technique, Kosuke could still hold his own for a long time with just taijutsu and kenjutsu.

Kosuke had a wealth of combat experience. He always found a way to protect himself at the lowest cost, and his taijutsu and swordsmanship were uniquely refined.

As long as the old man was willing to teach, Naruto and Sasuke would definitely benefit. How much they could learn in a month would be up to them.

After handing off the duties of leading the team, Yami focused on researching Hashirama cells and his own cells.

His own cells contained too much mixed energy and couldn’t be fused with Yugao and the others for now. But his research into Hashirama cells was nearing perfection.

The best method to control the devouring effect of Hashirama cells was using natural energy to counterbalance and form a state of equilibrium in cell activity.

The difficulty lay in extracting and preserving pure natural energy. Inspired by Orochimaru’s cursed seal technique, he spent a month perfecting the research.

The first test subject was Yuichi.

The Uchiha’s Sharingan naturally suppressed Hashirama cells, although "suppressed" might not be the most accurate term.

In pursuit of balance, the gods split yin and yang into two poles. They restrain and complement each other, creating all things.

The Sharingan suppressed the wild proliferation of Hashirama cells but also guided them into a stable state without causing backlash.

However, the tradeoff was a significant weakening of the power of Wood Release. It couldn’t compare to Senju Hashirama’s level at all.

Even Uchiha Madara, who acquired Hashirama’s flesh, treated it as a toy rather than a real trump card.

“I’m in.”

After Yami explained the potential risks and side effects, Yuichi didn’t hesitate to accept the injection.

“Can you increase the dose, sir?”

Yuichi asked impatiently while lying on the operating table, staring at the thick syringe in Yami’s hand.

“What’s the rush? You won’t just get one injection.”

Yami inserted the needle as he spoke.

The Hashirama cells took effect rapidly. Soon, Yuichi’s brow furrowed, and his entire body turned red like a cooked shrimp. He trembled slightly. The pain hit, but it was still within tolerable limits.

Yami didn’t look at him and quickly recorded the data with the experimental equipment.

After five minutes, Yuichi’s condition gradually stabilized.

He felt a surge of power, and even a casual punch sliced through the air.

“Amazing strength. My chakra has also increased dramatically. As expected of the First Hokage’s cells.”

Yuichi couldn’t help but marvel.

Due to his age, Yuichi didn’t possess much chakra for a Jōnin, but after being injected with Hashirama cells, it instantly doubled. His recovery speed also greatly improved, which was much more beneficial for long-term battles.

If just the cells could cause such a transformation, how terrifying was Senju Hashirama himself?

Yuichi suddenly understood how Uchiha Madara lost back then.

Yami recorded the data and told Yuichi to remove his shirt.

A faint white human face had appeared on his abdomen. Upon closer inspection, it was clearly the face of Senju Hashirama.

“It has no sense of shame at all,” Yami muttered. “It grows wherever it wants. What if it sprouts on your butt? Then is it the Uchiha’s butt or the Senju’s face that gets embarrassed?”

Yuichi couldn’t help but picture the image. His mouth twitched, but he didn’t care too much.

As long as it boosted his strength, even if Hashirama’s face grew all over his body, it didn’t matter.

“My calculations were off this time, so the energy input was relatively low. But it’s fine, the effectiveness wasn’t compromised.”

Yami glanced at the data and did some quick mental math. “You can probably handle three doses of purified Hashirama cells. Want to continue?”

“Of course!” Yuichi answered without hesitation.

Yami pulled out a larger syringe and filled it with a full dose of purified Hashirama cells, injecting Yuichi again.

The pain this time was far worse. Yuichi screamed for half an hour before calming down. Sweat had drenched the operating table.

But the results were outstanding. He grew five centimeters taller, and the muscles across his body became more defined, full of explosive power.

Truly the root of all evil in the shinobi world. It even had muscle-building effects.

Obito’s sudden height spurt that year—blame Hashirama cells, not Minato for failing to recognize him.

“Master Yami!”

Just as Yami was about to take Yuichi to the training ground for testing, Yushi came into the lab and knelt on one knee.

“Sarutobi Hiruzen requests your presence at an Anbu meeting in the Hokage Building.”

“Got it. Go help Yuichi with the test.”

Yami handed over the test clipboard to Yushi, removed his lab coat, and disappeared instantly.

“Test? What test?” Yushi was still confused.

“Don’t just stand there. Let’s go. We’re gonna be blessed now!”

Yuichi hooked his arm around Yushi’s neck and dragged him to the training ground.

Once they all transplanted Hashirama cells and grew stronger, they’d finally be able to challenge Uchiha Itachi.

Hokage Office.

By the time Yami arrived, the two elders were already there.

Hiruzen nodded slightly at him and motioned for him to sit where Danzō used to.

Lately, Danzō had been keeping a low profile and gradually fading from Konoha’s center of power.

Yami had taken over that position.

“Most of the Jōnin instructors will be here shortly. We need to finalize arrangements for the Chūnin Exams.”

Hiruzen explained while flipping through documents.

“This time, eight nations will participate in the joint Chūnin Exams. It’ll be the largest scale in history…”

“Yami, it’s quite similar to when you took the exam. The Land of Wind and the Land of Lightning will both be there.”

“Too bad I can’t take it again.”

Yami shook his head in mock regret. “Nowadays, kids are way too soft. Most haven’t even killed anyone.”

“Well, we are in a time of peace. The times have changed.”

Koharu nodded, recalling Yami’s legendary performance. “Because of you, the rules of the second round had to be revised. Killing six candidates would allow advancement to the third round, and attacks on other participants were banned.”

“We’re allies with the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth now. Too much killing isn’t ideal.”

Hiruzen summarized the point. “Killing doesn’t solve everything. As long as we show strength, the alliance remains firm. No need to go to extremes.”

Yami ignored him and started trimming his nails with a kunai.

“We also need to pay attention to security within the village. The arrival of so many foreign shinobi will inevitably cause friction. Yami, I’ll have the Fourth and Fifth Anbu Divisions assist the Third.”

After realizing he had lost control of the Third Division, Hiruzen had established the Fifth to retain some military power.

“I’ll let Kurenai know.”

Yami casually nodded.

Seeing his attitude, Hiruzen reminded him, “Be careful. With so many foreign shinobi around, one wrong move could escalate into a village-level conflict.”

“What can I do?”

Yami spread his hands. “Kill all the troublemakers?”

“You absolutely must not kill anyone.”

Homura immediately rejected that idea. “Just separate the agitators. As long as it doesn’t affect life in Konoha, let them be once they leave.”

“Yeah, I agree. Don’t let it disrupt the villagers' lives.”

After Hiruzen added a few details, a group of Jōnin and academy Chūnin instructors arrived, lining up in front of the four elders.

“Yo, Kakashi.”

Yami greeted his old subordinate. “How’s being a sensei treating you?”

“Barely manageable.”

Kakashi still looked lazy. “All three of them have inherited secret techniques, so it saves me a lot of trouble. But Shikamaru’s lazier than I am. Got any advice?”

Yami rubbed his chin, thinking seriously. “I heard Nara men are afraid of troublesome women. Why don’t you complain to Shikamaru’s mom?”

“…Yami, you’re out of line. Don’t drag innocent people into this.”

As the class monitor of the Jōnin group, Nara Shikaku had shown up even though he didn’t lead a team.

Originally, he had planned to just go through the motions quietly. But upon hearing Yami’s "evil plan," he couldn’t sit still.

His wife might discipline their son, but halfway through the scolding, she’d always turn it back on him.

This wasn’t targeting Shikamaru—it was clearly aimed at him.

“Kakashi, I’ll talk to Shikamaru myself. Don’t listen to Yami’s nonsense,” Shikaku said with a serious face.

Kakashi squinted and smiled. The mood between the three was light and cheerful.

“Alright, let’s talk about student matters after the meeting.”

Hiruzen, puffing on his pipe, began discussing the rules of the Chūnin Exams.

As long as a Genin team had eight completed missions, including at least one C-rank, they could participate in the exams. The team had to apply together, with their respective Jōnin recommending them.

There was a minor incident during the meeting. Iruka felt that letting fresh graduates participate in the harsh exams was too hasty, but Kakashi shut him down.

Mainly, Iruka was targeting Yami, since Yami had been the first to submit Class 7’s application, and the rest followed.

Kakashi was worried that Iruka would offend Yami and end up getting beaten by Anbu at home. He had done that type of mission many times in the past.

After that, Hiruzen distributed the application forms to the Jōnin instructors. Yami filled out the forms for all three members on the spot.

No one commented on his informal behavior. It was just paperwork anyway.

While the Jōnin were chatting and exchanging info on their students, an Anbu suddenly rushed in.

“Hokage-sama! Yami-sama’s team had a conflict with Genin from the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth!”

The room fell silent for a moment. Everyone turned toward Yami.

“Bu—”

Before Hiruzen could speak, Yami had already vanished.

He sighed helplessly. “Kakashi, go check it out. Don’t let things escalate.”

Kakashi closed the Icha Icha book he had just taken out and walked out with a sigh.

On a street in Konoha.

Sasuke stood with one foot on a smashed puppet. Several of Naruto’s Shadow Clones pinned down an Iwa Genin with short, dark blue hair.

“Is this how foreign shinobi behave when visiting someone else’s village? So rude.”

Sasuke smirked coldly and looked disdainfully at Kankurō, who was still manipulating the puppet.

“Sasuke’s right. I don’t know where you’re from, but this is Konoha. You can’t just act however you want.”

The two had just separated from Maruboshi Kosuke when they heard the commotion nearby.

They rushed over and saw two teams of foreign shinobi in a standoff. Some had even started fighting.

Konohamaru and his two followers had just dashed out from another street and accidentally ended up in the middle of the fight. Fortunately, Naruto and Sasuke rescued them in time.

After a month of training, both boys had changed significantly.

Sasuke’s aura was fiercer. Naruto had shed much of his goofiness. Maruboshi really had been diligent.

“Konoha’s got some decent Genin, huh?”

The Iwa kunoichi with short hair smirked.

She vanished in an instant and reappeared beside her restrained teammate.

With a powerful sweep kick, she broke through Naruto’s Shadow Clone and aimed a deadly kick at Naruto himself.

Smack!

In Kurotsuchi's stunned gaze, a hand caught her ankle firmly and slid upward, briefly caressing her leg.

“Well now… that’s a proper leg.”

Giving the leg a perfect score in silence, Yami smiled and greeted her in a tone that made the air go cold.

“Little girl, do you have a death wish?”

(To be continued.)