Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 108 The Three Ninjas and the Three Great Holy Lands

【Ding! 】

[Obtain Natural Essence*1]

Qingwu's heart stirred, and he immediately rode his flying horse to the center of the canopy that resembled a canopy.

The original "cocoon of light" was now completely empty, with no trace of its regeneration.

"this……"

Qingwu scratched his head in distress.

Good news: We now know what Natural Essence is, and we already have one, which we can use to build a level 5 barracks [Deadwood Arch].

Bad news: If Natural Essence won't continue to be produced naturally, does that mean we have to wait until the next Ancient Tree upgrade?

The problem is that, based on past experience, one of the prerequisites for upgrading the Tree of Life is to build all the unlocked barracks.

This is where we fall into a logical paradox.

Without natural essence, it is impossible to build a level 6 barracks [Forest Sanctuary]. Without building [Forest Sanctuary], the ancient tree cannot be upgraded, and therefore cannot produce natural essence (light cocoon).

"Natural essence..."

Qingwu landed on the roof of the wooden house and squatted down, deep in thought.

"Essence... should require an environment rich in natural energy."

"The sacred tree?"

"The sacred tree of Takigakure Village?"

"No, the sacred tree of Takigakure is only a secondary territory core (pseudo)."

Holding the "Light Cocoon" in his hand, Qingwu felt a more concentrated natural energy from it than from the "Hero's Water".

Clearly, the energy level of the sacred tree in Takigakure Village is not yet high enough.

"Plop—"

I heard the sound of someone swallowing saliva next to me.

Tianzang stood not far to the side, his eyes fixed on the "cocoon of light," a look of longing on his face.

Qingwu remembered the "temptation" of "Hero's Water" to him when he was in Takigakure Village, and quickly put away the "Light Cocoon".

Tianzang then returned to its original state.

He asked, still shaken, "Qingwu, what was that thing just now?"

What Tianzang didn't dare say was... he almost attacked Qingwu, whom he always respected.

Qingwu didn't answer, but instead asked, "Tianzang, do you know about the three holy lands?"

Aside from the sacred tree in Takigakure Village, the only other places with abundant natural energy that Seigo can think of are the three legendary sacred sites.

As for the essence of nature, he had just taken it into his hands and studied it, and had already determined what it was.

If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to absorb it like the "holy water" of Takigakure Village. In other words, it is a highly concentrated and purified natural crystal.

But for him, it was more important to save it for building barracks than to absorb and strengthen himself.

"Holy Land..."

Tianzang pondered deeply:

"I heard some things when I was in Root. It is said that Lady Tsunade's summoning beast, the slug, lives in the sacred Shikkotsu Forest."

"And... there's also Jiraiya-sama, who is known as the 'Toad Sage.' Mount Myōboku is the abode of those 'toads.'"

"That's all I know: Mount Myōboku, Shikkotsu Forest—those two are the legendary Sannin!"

"There's also Ryuchi Cave, which only Orochimaru should be able to find," Qingwu added. "You're right, only the Sannin know about it."

He had harbored a sliver of hope...

Danzo, who was expected to be involved in everything, might have some useful information, but it was clear that Tenzo knew nothing.

"I see." Tianzang asked, "Qingwu, are you looking for the three great holy lands? Perhaps you could ask the Hokage, after all, he is the teacher of the three legendary ninjas."

Qingwu thought for a moment and shook his head:

"I'm afraid it won't be easy. As far as I know, the three holy lands may not be in the ninja world, or they may be in another dimension."

"It seems that only those who have signed a psychic contract or are recognized by the Holy Land can find it."

What Qingwu didn't say was that the Third Generation's "good guy" persona, whether genuine or not, would never actively pry into other people's secrets, not even his disciples.

On the contrary, someone like Danzo, who has always cooperated with Orochimaru, might have some information that others don't know.

"It seems the only solution is to find the Three Legendary Sannin."

Tenzo frowned slightly. "But... Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama haven't appeared in the village for a long time."

"Yeah...it seems like there's no chance in the short term." Qingwu sighed.

The Legendary Sannin of Konoha... one whose whereabouts are unknown, one who travels the world, and the last one... is now an enemy!

Tenzo didn't mention Orochimaru either, which clearly shows he was aware of this.

"Qingwu, why do you want to find the Holy Land?" Tianzang asked, voicing the question that had been bothering him.

"I need to find a place with abundant natural energy." Qingwu looked at Tianzang without hiding anything:

"What I had in my hand just now is called the Essence of Nature. I can use it to communicate with stronger beings, and I suspect that it can only be produced in places with abundant natural energy."

"Is that so..." Tenzo was silent for a while, then stretched out his palm, and Wood Release chakra flowed slowly. Suddenly he said, "Qingwu, do you think... Wood Release is also a kind of application of natural energy?"

"Hmm...yes, but not entirely!" Qingwu said.

"It's a complicated topic, involving the origins of chakra and natural energy."

"However, the First Hokage's 'Sage Art: Wood Release' should be the highest level of combining natural energy and chakra. The reason why that person's Wood Release is so powerful is not only because of his bloodline limit, but also because of his special physique and his ability to mobilize more natural energy for Sage Art..."

"I'm still far from good enough," Tianzang said, slightly dejected.

"That person... is truly unique in the entire history of the ninja world!" Qingwu exclaimed.

"However, our Wood Release techniques all contain natural energy, Tenzo. There is no need to underestimate yourselves. Perhaps one day, even if we cannot reach the level of the First Hokage's Wood Release, we will still be able to shine brightly."

If Tenzo had always lived in his territory, his Wood Release technique, which contained natural energy, would undoubtedly be stronger than it was in the original story.

"I just remembered something..." Tianzang sat down beside him:

"If... we find places where the First Lord once fought or stayed for a long time, will there be any residual, rich natural energy left behind?"

Qingwu's body trembled!

Yeah, how come I didn't think of that?

Besides the three holy sites, there is another possibility!

How did the Forest of Death come about? It was created by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, through his Wood Release techniques.

His core territory was awakened in the Death Forest, and he immediately bound himself to the Death Forest after awakening.

Thinking further ahead, the "cocoon of light" formed by the ancient tree of life was also "born" in the forest of death.

"Tianzang, thank you!" Qingwu suddenly stood up. "I know where to look now!"

"Huh? Where?"

"The Valley of the End!!" Qingwu's eyes gleamed.

"The site of the final battle between the First Hokage and...that person, there must be something left there."

"You're going to the Valley of the End?" Tianzang asked with some concern. "After all these years, if there were anything good, it would probably have been discovered long ago."

"No!" Qingwu shook his head. "Natural essence is something that ordinary ninjas cannot perceive. It can even have a 'poisonous' effect on chakra."

"Then I'll go with you!" Tianzang stood up as well.