Chapter 256

To use Wood Style, one also requires Yang Release chakra of the highest quality.

That’s exactly what Yamato lacks.

On the surface, Wood Style appears to be a kekkei genkai, a bloodline limit. But in truth, it’s a kekkei tōta—an advanced element—because genuine Wood Style requires the fusion of Water Release, Earth Release, and Ultimate Yang Release chakra.

And ordinary Yang Release isn’t enough—it must be the ultimate form.

Secondly, an immense amount of chakra is required, and that’s where Yamato hits his limit.

To be fair, Yamato’s chakra reserves aren’t small. You can tell from the large-scale Earth and Water Style techniques he uses—his chakra levels are considerable.

But even then, it’s still not enough to support large-scale Wood Style ninjutsu.

His chakra reserves are definitely on the high end for an Elite Jonin.

In fact, he may even have more chakra than Kakashi—if you remove the drain caused by Kakashi’s Sharingan, that is. Still, Yamato has even more than that.

Which makes it impossible to develop real Wood Style without inheriting the bloodline of the Sage of Six Paths.

In over a thousand years of ninja history, only two true users have emerged: Asura and Hashirama Senju.

Everyone else, Yamato included, is a replication of Hashirama’s abilities.

So how did Riku do it?

There’s only one answer—he must possess the blood of the Sage of Six Paths.

At least, that’s what Kurama believed.

Riku looked at the Nine Tails and said calmly, "Actually, it’s not necessary to be a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths to learn Wood Style. Do you know how I acquired mine?"

"When I was eleven, I synthesized it myself by combining chakra natures. I wasn’t born with the Wood Style kekkei genkai—but when I created it... it was incredibly dangerous. I nearly died during the process."

Kurama stared at him, dumbfounded. "Impossible! You’re telling me you synthesized Wood Style without the Sage’s blood? Are you insane?"

Kurama knew full well what Wood Style was.

In fact, it could be said that Wood Style originated as a derivative of the Divine Tree itself.

Riku smiled. "Is it really that impossible? I’m proof, aren’t I? I’m not a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, nor the Senju, nor the Uchiha—yet I’ve mastered Wood Style."

"To synthesize it, all I needed was chakra with both the Water and Earth elements, plus chakra with Ultimate Yang Release."

It sounded almost like Riku was bragging to Kurama.

"You really don’t understand the nature of Wood Style," Kurama scoffed. "It’s not just Water and Earth mixed with Yang. You need a Sage Body to handle the chakra load. Those Konoha shinobi who can use Wood Style? Without the First Hokage’s cells, they wouldn’t be able to use it at all."

"You must have a Sage Body. Otherwise, where would you get that kind of chakra?"

Riku smiled. "Let’s not talk about this anymore. And don’t mention Wood Style to Naruto. You know how he is—he’d blab it to the entire world."

Kurama chuckled. "You’ve mastered Wood Style, and you’re capable of using something on the level of True Several Thousand Hands. Why hide it? If the world found out, who would dare challenge you? Back then, the First Hokage suppressed an entire era with his Wood Style. You’re too cautious."

"Besides," Kurama continued, "even without Wood Style, your Lightning Release is terrifying. No one in the current shinobi world could match you. That alone puts you at the top."

Riku sighed. "Still, I want to keep a low profile. Only a handful of people know I can use Wood Style. I regretted it last time—I shouldn’t have used the Myojin Gate. I could’ve sealed it with a different technique."

From the way Riku talked, it seemed he still had other means of subduing even Naruto in full Nine Tails mode.

Not that Kurama planned on telling Naruto anything either.

"Fine," Kurama said. "But I know why the Akatsuki are after the Tailed Beasts. I think I can guess what they’re really trying to do. The other Tailed Beasts might not understand—but I do."

Riku turned to him. "What’s their goal?"

Kurama grew serious. "You just mentioned the Gedo Statue, right?"

Riku nodded. "Yeah. Why?"

Kurama asked, "Do you know what the Gedo Statue is for?"

Of course, Riku already knew—but he still asked, "What’s it for?"

Kurama looked him in the eye. "It’s meant to collect Tailed Beast chakra."

Riku smiled. "I know that. But that’s it?"

Kurama gave him a look. "Don’t interrupt. The reason they’re gathering chakra is to summon something... something terrifying."

Riku frowned. "A terrifying creature? I just took one down a few days ago."

Kurama paused, then realized what Riku meant. He gave a dry laugh.

"That thing you fought? It doesn’t even compare. It’s not even a hair on what I’m talking about. There are nine Tailed Beasts in this world. Do you know where we came from?"

Riku was intrigued. He sat down and gave Kurama a curious smile. "Go on."

Kurama thought for a moment, then said, "There used to be a monstrous being in this world—something with ten tails. Its power was so overwhelming, it could have destroyed the entire world. It was known as the Ten Tails."

"And the chakra of the nine Tailed Beasts came from that creature."

"The Ten Tails was originally the Tailed Beast of the Sage of Six Paths himself. When it tried to destroy the world, the Sage defeated it and sealed it within his own body. Before he died, he split its chakra into nine parts. Those became us—the nine Tailed Beasts."

Riku nodded. "So you’re saying the Akatsuki’s goal might be to reunite those pieces, summon the Ten Tails, and end the world?"

Kurama nodded gravely. "Exactly. Since they’ve summoned the Gedo Statue, someone must have awakened the Rinnegan. I don’t know how—but someone has it."

"And the Rinnegan comes from the Ten Tails. The Sage’s mother didn’t have Rinnegan—she had the Byakugan."

Riku blinked. "Wait. The mother of the Sage of Six Paths? What do you mean?"

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