Simultaneous Time Travel: What Villain? I'm the Protagonist!

Upon seeing this, Night Hawk was shocked and quickly stepped forward to help Sheng Ren up: "Sheng Ren! Are you alright?"

"It's nothing... just excessive chakra depletion." Sheng Ren waved his hand, his face as pale as paper. "Help me to a safe place, I need time to recover."

Night Hawk dared not delay, immediately picking up Sheng Ren and running towards the depths of Hoshigakure. The surrounding Hoshigakure ninjas and civilians spontaneously made way, their eyes filled with awe and gratitude as they looked at Sheng Ren.

This eight-year-old child not only repelled the elite Jonin of Kirigakure and saved the entire village, but also displayed unprecedented power in front of them.

"Shengren is amazing!"

"Shengren, you should be a star!"

Cheers erupted again, but this time, they carried a sense of approval.

Night Hawk led Sheng Ren to the most secret underground chamber in Star Ninja Village—the place where successive Star Shadows had secluded themselves for training.

"Shengren, you can rest and recover here. I will guard you outside the door," Night Hawk said respectfully.

"Thank you for your hard work." Sheng Ren nodded, sat down cross-legged, and began to circulate the Ascension Scripture.

He had indeed reached his limit. The battle with Suigetsu Hozuki, though seemingly easy, actually consumed a huge amount of chakra and mental energy with every move. In particular, the final "Sage Art: Feather Transformation: Peacock Technique" almost completely drained his chakra.

But it's worth it.

This is because this is the first time Shengren has tried to use the chakra he cultivated from the stars to transform it into Sage Chakra, and he succeeded on the first try. This shows that the essence of the stars is the condensation of natural chakra.

Sheng Ren closed his eyes, introspecting. During his battle with Suigetsu Hozuki, his understanding of the Ascension Sutra had deepened. That absolute control over Water Release techniques, that skill in combining ordinary ninjutsu with Sage Mode, that ability to condense chakra into a tangible attack…

"Indeed, real-world experience is the best teacher," Sheng Ren thought to himself.

As he recovered his chakra, he reviewed the battle. Although Suigetsu Hozuki had lost, the strength he displayed was indeed formidable. If it weren't for his Sage Mode chakra, which countered Hozuki's, and if it weren't for the speed advantage of his Nine Palaces Divine Speed ​​Technique, the outcome would have been uncertain.

"The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist... truly the elite of Kirigakure." Shengren opened his eyes, a hint of seriousness flashing within them. "While I can defeat Suigetsu Hozuki now, what if I face the other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, or an even stronger opponent?"

He was aware of his weaknesses—he was too young, his body was not yet fully developed, and although his chakra reserves far exceeded those of his peers, they were still inferior to those of true powerhouses. More importantly, he had only just begun to learn the Ascension Scripture, and many powerful sage techniques were still beyond his reach.

"It will take time... and it will also take resources," Sheng Ren pondered.

Just then, Nighthawk's voice came from outside the door:

"Shengren, Xia Rixing is here. She says she has something important to report."

"Let her in," Sheng Ren said.

The door to the secret room opened, and Xia Rixing immediately spoke as soon as she entered: "Shengren, the Third Generation Lord has passed away, and the village is currently leaderless. We need someone to lead us."

Upon hearing this, Sheng Ren slowly opened his eyes. Although Xia Rixing's words were tactful, the meaning was very clear—Star Ninja Village needed a new leader, and he was the only one fit to be that leader.

"Night Hawk, come in too," Sheng Ren said.

Night Hawk pushed open the door and entered, standing next to Xia Rixing. Both of them looked at Sheng Ren with expectant eyes.

Sheng Ren did not answer immediately, but fell into deep thought.

He was only eight years old. Although he had shown extraordinary talent, he was still inexperienced and too young. Under normal circumstances, he would never have been chosen as the Star Shadow.

But this is a special situation. The Third Hoshikage died in battle, the village has just experienced a catastrophe, and the people are in a state of panic, desperately needing a strong leader to stabilize the situation. And Morihito has just defeated Suigetsu Hozuki and saved the entire village, his prestige is at its peak.

More importantly, to truly master the Ascension Scripture, one must have their own power.

"I understand." Sheng Ren finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "Since everyone trusts me, I will temporarily assume the position of Star Shadow. However—"

He then changed the subject: "I will not officially succeed to the throne immediately. The funeral of the Third Star Shadow must be held solemnly, and his achievements must be remembered by everyone. After that, I will publicly undergo a test, and if I pass, I will officially succeed to the throne as the Fourth Star Shadow."

Night Hawk and Summer Star exchanged a glance, both seeing approval in each other's eyes.

Sheng Ren's decision was very wise. It responded to everyone's expectations, maintained respect for the Third Star Shadow, and left himself room to maneuver. More importantly, publicly accepting the test would convince those who might be dissatisfied.

Moreover, what kind of test to conduct is entirely up to Sheng Ren!

"Shengren... no, the Fourth Generation Lord has considered everything thoroughly," Night Hawk said respectfully.

"Now is not the time to change your mind." Sheng Ren shook his head. "Night Hawk, Summer Star, there are a few things I need you to do next."

"Please give your instructions."

"First, hold a funeral for the Third Hoshikage immediately, with the highest honors. At the same time, announce to the entire village that the Third Hoshikage died heroically in battle against Suigetsu Fuguki while protecting the village."

"Second, organize manpower to repair the damaged facilities in the village, bury the dead, and comfort the living. The reconstruction of the village must begin immediately."

"Third, strengthen the village's defenses. Although Suigetsu Fuguki has been defeated, Kirigakure will not give up easily. We must prepare for an even greater crisis."

"Fourth," Sheng Ren paused, "starting tomorrow, I will publicly teach the basic cultivation method of the Ascension Scripture in the central square of the village. All ninjas of Xingren Village, regardless of age or seniority, are welcome to come and learn."

Night Hawk and Summer Star were both stunned.

Publicly teach it? That's a powerful ninjutsu capable of defeating the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist! Just like that, you're teaching it to everyone?

"Shengren, this..." Xia Rixing hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping herself.

"I understand your concerns," Sheng Ren said calmly. "But you must understand that one person's strength can never protect the entire village. Only when everyone becomes stronger can Xingren Village truly stand up and stop being bullied."

"Moreover," he added, "I only teach the basics. To learn more advanced immortal arts, one needs to pass tests and prove one's character and loyalty. But at least, everyone has a chance."

Night Hawk and Summer Star were silent for a moment, then bowed in unison:

"Yes! We understand!"

After the two left, Sheng Ren closed his eyes again.

He knew that his decision would completely change the fate of Hoshigakure.

Although the Ascension Scripture is a modified version by Yong Sheng Sheng Ren based on the rules of the Naruto world, its core concept still originates from a higher-dimensional cultivation world. In this ninja world where chakra is the primary element, this entirely new cultivation system is bound to create a massive upheaval.

"But Hoshinin Village has no way out," Shengren muttered to himself.

The Hidden Mist Village's retaliation could come at any time. Whether Suigetsu Hozuki's words are credible is secondary; the Land of Bears' location sandwiched between the two nations of water and fire means it will inevitably be affected before the end of the Fourth Shinobi World War.

Moreover, the chapters on "faith" in the Ascension Sutra need to be verified and perfected by a sufficient number of practitioners.

"Let me see what kind of sparks will fly when the path of cultivation is spread in this world."