As soon as Torifū spoke, the entire room fell silent. He could clearly see that Hashirama no longer knew what kind of expression to make.
After a long pause, it was Tobirama who spoke first.
"Torifū, are you saying… Cloud Release? You've mastered it?"
Torifū couldn't help but complain inwardly. 'Good grief! This guy really is a snob! The moment he hears I've learned Cloud Release, he doesn't call me 'brat' anymore?'
"Yes, Tobirama-sama, I've mastered Cloud Release."
"HAHAHAHA!"
A burst of hearty laughter rang out—Hashirama had finally snapped out of his daze!
"That's incredible! Torifū, you truly deserve the title of Konoha's greatest genius! Dual Kekkei Genkai!"
Hearing this, Torifū immediately understood—while Hashirama and Tobirama knew about Cloud Release, they weren't actually familiar with its details.
He deliberately put on a troubled expression.
"Uh… Sensei… actually, Cloud Release is a Kekkei Tōta…"
Hashirama, who had just managed to compose himself, was once again thrown into chaos. One revelation after another had completely overwhelmed his brain.
Even Mito was stunned.
Kekkei Genkai weren't all that rare—after all, her own husband possessed one. Having one or even two didn't make much of a difference; if trained properly, one could be called a genius, but if handled poorly, one might end up a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.
But Kekkei Tōta? That was different! Throughout the entire ninja world, the number of known users could be counted on one hand!
She had heard rumors of Cloud Release's terrifying power, but since the Kumotsuru Clan had always remained secluded and never participated in the wars of the great clans, she had never seen it in action.
And now, to learn that Cloud Release was actually a Kekkei Tōta?
No wonder the Kumotsuru Clan, despite being so small, had managed to hold onto their legacy for so long!
"Ahem! Torifū, you've truly surprised me today. To successfully master a Kekkei Tōta… you are undoubtedly a genius of Konoha!"
Unlike his brother and sister-in-law, Tobirama wasn't particularly shocked.
He had seen Cloud Release in action before and had long suspected that it wasn't just a Kekkei Genkai. The more he developed his own jutsu, the more convinced he became of this theory.
And now, Torifū had confirmed it for him.
He was in a good mood. This meant his understanding of ninjutsu was even deeper than he thought.
…Though most of the jutsu he had developed had ended up being banned by his brother.
"Let's eat first. We'll test it after dinner."
Mito had already seen the eager expressions on both brothers' faces, but since she had prepared such a lavish meal, there was no way she would let it go to waste.
"Yes, let's eat first! Afterward, I want to see both Cloud Release and Crystal Release in action," Hashirama said excitedly.
There was no denying Mito's cooking skills—the meal was so delicious that the entire table was cleared in no time.
After finishing, they left the Senju compound and headed to a spacious clearing with no one else around. Mito, seemingly interested in Torifū's abilities, also tagged along.
"Wood Release: Wood Clone Technique."
Tree branches extended from Hashirama's body, converging on his left side and forming a humanoid figure identical to him.
"Go ahead, use your jutsu on the Wood Clone. Don't worry about damaging it."
Torifū nodded, his expression turning serious.
"Crystal Release: One-Petal Lotus."
After forming hand seals at high speed, a delicate crystalline lotus bud formed in Torifū's hand. It looked more like an exquisite piece of art than a dangerous weapon.
He threw it like a spear toward Hashirama's Wood Clone.
The clone raised its left hand to block, and the moment the crystal flower made contact—
BANG!
The lotus bloomed instantly, its petals expanding several times their original size, transforming into a magnificent crystal flower.
The Wood Clone casually shook its hand. The attack hadn't damaged it—this level of jutsu wasn't enough unless the opponent's chakra was on par with Hashirama's.
The lotus fell to the ground and shattered into glittering fragments. Hashirama smiled, "Very impressive! That's a powerful jutsu! Did you develop it yourself?"
Torifū nodded. He was particularly fond of Crystal Release and had been diligently creating new jutsu for it.
Although he had learned some techniques from Guren, they weren't truly his. With his natural talent, it was better to create his own.
"It's strong. A careless enemy would lose their life in an instant."
Hashirama was satisfied. For a six-year-old to develop such a jutsu was nothing short of astonishing.
Even Tobirama, a master of ninjutsu development, found it commendable.
Meanwhile, Mito was more interested in something else. "Can that crystal be used to make jewelry?"
Torifū confirmed with a nod.
Unlike ordinary ninjutsu that dispersed after use, his crystals remained—real, solid crystal.
To prove it, he generated a large crystalline pillar on the spot, offering it to Mito so she could make accessories from it.
Tobirama, growing increasingly fond of this talented child, asked,
"Have you developed any other jutsu?"
Torifū nodded again. "Yes. Tobirama-sama, do you have a living creature for testing?"
Without hesitation, Tobirama pulled out a sealing scroll and released a rooster from it.
Hashirama blinked in confusion.
"Wouldn't a Wood Clone work just fine?"
Torifū scratched his head.
"Sensei, Wood Clones are too strong. This jutsu wouldn't have much effect on them, and the results wouldn't be as clear."
Hashirama nodded in understanding and stepped back to observe.
"Crystal Release: Crystal Poison."
Torifū formed a short, sharp crystal spike in the palm of his right hand and swiftly stabbed the rooster in the back.
The rooster immediately let out an ear-piercing screech, flapping its wings wildly, but Torifū held it firmly in place.
A minute passed.
The rooster's movements slowed, and its body began to crystallize, starting from the wound and rapidly spreading outward.
Even its feathers turned into shimmering crystal.
Finally, after one last agonized cry, the rooster became a perfect crystal sculpture.
Tobirama was the first to speak.
"Excellent technique!"
This kind of jutsu was perfect for assassinations—an enemy struck mid-battle wouldn't even realize what was happening until they turned into crystal!
Hashirama looked at the crystallized rooster, feeling as if he had taken in a truly remarkable disciple.
At just six years old, Torifū had already developed such complex techniques.
While it might not be lethal against stronger foes, anyone who got hit would be forced to expend chakra to resist it—splitting their focus in battle.
And if they didn't resist? They would slowly turn into crystal.
A brutal technique. But on the battlefield, the more terrifying a jutsu, the better—it was fear that prevented wars.
"Very good. Your Crystal Release is extremely powerful. You should continue developing it—I have no doubt you have the ability to do so."
Receiving such praise from the God of Shinobi himself, Torifū felt exhilarated.
After all, this was the Senju Hashirama—one of the strongest shinobi in history!
"Now then," Hashirama said eagerly.
"Let's see Cloud Release in action."