After completing the initial cell fusion, Yakumo's body recovered at an astonishing rate.
Having lain in the special care ward for just one day, her utterly exhausted and weakened body had already healed, with all her metrics surpassing their previous levels by far.
Stepping out of the hospital bed, she felt an unprecedented lightness in her body, her heart and mind surging with excitement.
Shizune said with a smile, "Yakumo, congratulations! Your body has fully recovered!"
Under the stimulation of the First Hokage's cells, the innate deficiencies in Yakumo's organs had been swiftly corrected.
Normally, such deficiencies couldn't be so easily remedied.
But the Yang Release chakra contained within the First Hokage's cells was simply too formidable. Combined with the fusion of the Koryugan's Yin Release dojutsu power, it triggered a convergence of yin and yang, endlessly generating the All Creation Power—a force capable of reversing life and death and crafting matter from the void.
This was what allowed Yakumo's innate weaknesses to be smoothed over one by one.
"Thank you, Shizune-nee!"
Yakumo bowed to Shizune.
Shizune waved her hand dismissively. "No need to be so formal with me! Come on, Lady Tsunade is waiting at the training ground. Let's head over quickly!"
"Okay!"
Knowing this was Tsunade's way of checking her physical condition, Yakumo nodded, her eyes brimming with anticipation.
Soon enough, the two arrived at the secluded training ground from before, filled with various instruments.
"Yakumo, how do you feel?"
Before Yakumo could fully approach, Tsunade, who had been calibrating the equipment, paused her work and greeted her.
"Lady Tsunade, I feel like my body has endless strength!"
Yakumo was somewhat exhilarated.
Compared to when she first got out of bed, after a bit of movement, she felt her body seemed to still be growing stronger.
Tsunade said, "That's perfectly normal. You've only completed the basic cell fusion so far."
Yakumo clenched her fist. "You mean I'll keep getting stronger?"
"Of course!" Nodding, Tsunade explained patiently, "The surgery's completion is just the beginning of the fusion process. The entire fusion could even accompany you for your whole life. And as the fusion deepens, the power you can draw from the First Hokage's cells will grow stronger too!"
Shizune chimed in, "The power you can harness from the First Hokage's cells right now is actually still quite limited."
"This…"
Yakumo was deeply shaken.
She hadn't expected that the First Hokage's cells had already brought her such dramatic changes, yet she was only tapping into a small fraction of their power.
Noticing Yakumo's astonishment, Tsunade said slowly, "Even now, our research on the First Hokage's cells is still very limited."
Yakumo asked, "Lady Tsunade, is there a way to speed up the fusion process?"
"It's difficult. That requires you to constantly tap into your own potential!" Then, Tsunade warned, "And one thing you must always keep in mind: even now, the First Hokage's cells in your body carry the risk of going out of control. So don't let your chakra reserves drop too low, or the cells implanted in you might lose their balance."
"Yes, I'll remember that!"
Yakumo's heart tightened, and she nodded repeatedly.
Tsunade smiled again. "But you don't need to worry too much. You have the Koryugan—its Yin Release chakra can perfectly neutralize the Yang Release chakra in the First Hokage's cells, maintaining a delicate balance in your body. And as the fusion progresses, the risk of the cells running rampant will gradually decrease."
After going over some post-surgery precautions, Tsunade began a specialized physical examination for Yakumo.
As the test results came in one by one, Tsunade grew more and more satisfied, the corners of her mouth unconsciously lifting.
Perhaps because the Koryugan and the First Hokage's cells had merged in a yin-yang harmony, producing a trace of the 'Power of All Creation,' Yakumo's physical strength exceeded even Tsunade's best prior estimates by a significant margin.
It could be said that the current Yakumo now possessed a Sage Body rivaling Tsunade's own. In terms of pure physical strength, the only thing she lacked compared to Tsunade was decades of accumulated experience.
And so, Tsunade's eyes began to gleam as she looked at Yakumo!
She had long been searching for a successor to carry on her legacy.
Shizune, who had been by her side, was obedient and sensible, but because she lacked the Senju clan's Sage Body and wasn't particularly exceptional in chakra control, she had only learned medical ninjutsu-related skills from Tsunade.
As for techniques involving the Sage Body and precise chakra manipulation—like the 'Chakra Enhanced Strength' or the 'Yin Seal'—Shizune clearly couldn't keep up.
Or rather, it wasn't that Shizune was incapable, but shinobi who could inherit Tsunade's 'Chakra Enhanced Strength' and 'Yin Seal' were exceedingly rare to begin with.
Even Sakura from the original timeline had only barely mastered Tsunade's 'Chakra Enhanced Strength' and 'Yin Seal.'
And that was with Sakura possessing extraordinary chakra control.
For the average person, they couldn't even reach the threshold to begin training.
This was because both 'Chakra Enhanced Strength' and the 'Yin Seal' were deep explorations and refinements of one's own power.
If your innate potential was limited, how could you possibly refine it further?
But the current Yakumo perfectly met Tsunade's requirements.
First, after the surgery, Yakumo had gained a Sage Body comparable to Tsunade's, giving her the robust foundation needed to attempt training in both 'Chakra Enhanced Strength' and the 'Yin Seal.'
Second, Yakumo's ability to awaken a mutated Koryugan proved her exceptional talent. Her chakra control was likely impressive as well, meaning learning medical ninjutsu would be well within her grasp.
Having completed the series of tests, Yakumo's face wasn't flushed, nor was she out of breath—she seemed as relaxed as if she'd just taken a stroll.
She approached Tsunade and asked curiously, "Lady Tsunade, how can I boost my strength as quickly as possible?"
She hadn't forgotten their earlier agreement—once the surgery was done, she intended to challenge the geniuses of the shinobi academy one by one.
"Boost your strength, huh?" Tsunade smiled and offered a casual tip. "You now possess both a dojutsu bloodline limit and a Sage Body. After some time, once your body fully adapts, you'll even be able to activate 'Wood Release' through the First Hokage's cells in you, unleashing all sorts of 'Wood Release' ninjutsu. So instead of wasting time on ordinary ninjutsu, focus on solidifying your foundation and honing your taijutsu!"
"Taijutsu, huh…"
Yakumo recalled her previous bout with Sasuke and realized the importance of taijutsu.
At that moment, Tsunade walked over to a large tree. "Speaking of taijutsu, I have a secret taijutsu art here. I wonder if you'd be interested in learning it!"
With that, Tsunade lightly swung her fist, striking the tree beside her.
Boom!
In an instant, accompanied by a tremendous roar, the massive tree—thick enough to require two people to wrap their arms around it—was snapped in half at the trunk by Tsunade's seemingly effortless punch and sent flying.
Yakumo stared, dumbfounded. "This…"