Uchiha Compound
If Sakura's Swamp of the Underworld submerging most of the Uchiha compound had been quiet, then Kimimaro's Dance of the Seedling Fern was anything but.
The towering, skeletal bones could be seen even from the center of Konoha. The Uchiha compound was located on the outskirts of Konoha, and after the clan's massacre, it was practically deserted. Thus, the initial stages of their fight hadn't attracted much attention.
Sakura couldn't estimate the height of the bone forest, but if one climbed to the highest peak, they would undoubtedly have a panoramic view of Konoha. She had already exited the forest, and Kimimaro still hadn't appeared, so he was likely dead.
It seemed her Storm Release blast had injured him. Combined with his bloodline limit illness, if Kimimaro hadn't died, the outcome of their fight would have been uncertain.
Even with the incredible speed of Lightning Release Chakra Mode, if bones occupied the entire space, Sakura would have nowhere to move. To move, she would have to clear the bone forest, which would slow her down.
"Sakura, are you alright?" Tsunade had been preparing to use her monstrous strength to shatter the bones and investigate when she saw a beam of light cut through the bones from within, followed by Sakura emerging.
"I'm..." Sakura saw it was Tsunade-sensei. As she deactivated her two enhanced states, she felt a sudden weakness in her legs, losing control and pitching forward.
Tsunade rushed forward to catch Sakura, holding her in her arms and scolding, "Didn't I tell you not to use that ninjutsu?"
Tsunade placed her hand on the back of Sakura's neck and began to heal her.
"This enemy was too strong. Without using it, I wouldn't have been able to defeat him," Sakura said, her heart still pounding with fear as she looked at the bone forest.
"Using bones as weapons... the Kaguya clan? There are still members of the Kaguya clan who have awakened the Shikotsumyaku?" Tsunade said, gazing at the bone forest. "Did you deal with the enemy?"
"No, but he's probably dead," Sakura replied. "He said he was terminally ill and about to die. I also inflicted a heavy blow. He released that ninjutsu, and I didn't see him again until I came out, so he should be dead, right?"
"I understand," Tsunade said to the assembled ninja behind her. "Form teams of three and search the bone forest. The enemy may still be alive. Be prepared for combat. If you find the enemy, send up a signal immediately."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!" Kakashi and the other ninja responded. It seemed the Third Hokage hadn't yet appointed a successor; otherwise, the address would have been "Fifth Hokage-sama."
Kakashi walked to the edge of the bone forest wall, intending to widen the opening Sakura had made. He drew his kunai and struck, but even though his hand vibrated with the impact, he didn't leave a single scratch on the bone.
"So hard, it can't even be called bone anymore," Kakashi muttered, touching the bone, which was comparable to steel. "Sakura's strength has improved again. As expected of Tsunade-sama's disciple."
Other ninja also tried to create entrances at different locations, but all failed. Neither blades nor ninjutsu could make even a dent.
Their gazes shifted to the seemingly frail girl lying in Tsunade's arms, their perspectives changing.
"Tsunade-sama, please assist us in opening an entrance," one ninja finally requested, after trying various methods without success.
Sakura's opening was too small, only allowing one person to pass through at a time. Given the uncertainty of the enemy's status, entering in such a manner was undoubtedly dangerous.
Sakura moved her body, feeling much better than before. She stood up and said, "I'll..."
"You stay put," Tsunade interrupted Sakura before she could finish.
Tsunade stepped forward and unleashed a monstrous-strength punch. The bone wall shattered layer by layer. After a few punches, a large entrance had formed.
Tsunade returned to Sakura's side and continued to heal her.
"This ninjutsu is forbidden until your body is fully developed," Tsunade said sternly, her eyes narrowed.
"Y-Yes~~~," Sakura weakly agreed, seeing Tsunade's serious expression. Then, suddenly remembering something, she asked urgently, "What about Sasuke? Has he been found?"
"Don't worry. Jiraiya and the Third Hokage went after him together," Tsunade said, thinking for a moment. "And that Uzumaki girl."
"The Third Hokage-sama went too?" Sakura was surprised to hear this.
"Yes, he insisted on going. We couldn't stop him, so I had to stay behind to oversee Konoha," Tsunade explained. "More people will be arriving soon; these are just the patrol units. You're coming back to the village with me."
"I want to go too," Sakura said. She was uneasy. Kabuto was very cunning, and she knew a little about him. She might be able to help.
"Hmph, if you want to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair, go ahead," Tsunade said coldly.
"Huh?" Sakura was startled by Tsunade's words. "It's not that serious, is it?"
"Didn't you notice that your body didn't hurt as much this time when you activated Lightning Release Chakra Mode...?" Tsunade said coldly.
"Y-Yes... I did..." Sakura said. "Isn't that proof that I'm training and adapting to the Lightning Release mode...?"
"Do you think Lightning Release body training is that easy?" Tsunade scoffed again, heartbroken by her naive apprentice. "Lightning Release training requires secret techniques in the later stages. Without the secret techniques to guide you, it will only harm your body. The Lightning Release Chakra Mode you're using has already damaged your nerve cells. Use it a few more times, and you can forget about ever standing again."
"Um... Sensei... I can control the Lightning Release Chakra so it doesn't damage my nerve cells," Sakura said weakly.
Tsunade stared at Sakura for a long time, suddenly wondering if her apprentice had been electrocuted silly. If she could avoid damaging them, then what had she just been treating...?
"Really," Sakura insisted, seeing Tsunade's disbelief, her voice growing stronger. "I'll show you."
Sakura immediately entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Tsunade tried to stop her, but it was too late. She could only place her hand on Sakura's body, carefully sensing with her chakra. After a while, Tsunade stopped her examination.
"That's enough, Sakura," Tsunade said.
"See, Sensei? I can control the Lightning Release so it doesn't stimulate my nerve cells," Sakura said, seeking praise.
"It seems you need to relearn your medical knowledge, Sakura," Tsunade said, shaking her head in disappointment. "Nerve cells are distributed throughout the entire body. You're only controlling the Lightning Release to avoid damaging the nerves in your brain. The reason you don't feel pain is because your nerve cells are numbed; they can't transmit the sensation to your brain."
Sakura was shocked by Tsunade's words. She had always thought nerve cells were only located in the brain. Hearing Tsunade say this, it seemed she had been mistaken... Tsunade hadn't gone into much detail about the nervous system at the time, since most ninja injuries were physical trauma. Nerve damage was less common, so Tsunade hadn't elaborated, and Sakura hadn't paid close attention. She wasn't a medical student in her previous life, so her knowledge was limited...
"Then... then... can I still be saved?" Sakura asked, trembling. She had just recklessly used it again; she didn't know if she had caused more damage.
"Well, you won't die immediately, but if you use it again before you're completely healed, your nerve cells will die. You'll probably need a wheelchair for the rest of your life," Tsunade said, stroking her chin and trying to scare Sakura.
In reality, nerve cells could be nourished and regenerated with chakra, but it took a long time. To prevent Sakura from using Lightning Release Chakra Mode again, Tsunade deliberately exaggerated the consequences.
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