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

Sheng Ren stopped thinking about it and began to focus on restoring his chakra.

"The essence of Sage Chakra is the perfect fusion of spiritual energy, physical energy, and natural energy." Sheng Ren looked inward at himself, feeling the chakra flowing through his meridians. "And the role of the stars is to provide a high-concentration source of natural energy to accelerate this fusion process."

He finally understood why the ninjas of Star Village generally had short lifespans—because they simply absorbed the radiation energy of the "star" without the correct method of refining it, causing the natural energy to erode their bodies and ultimately leading to premature aging and death.

The Ascension Scripture solves this problem perfectly. It not only provides the correct refining method, but also allows for further purification and enhancement of Sage Chakra through visualization and the power of faith.

"Once everyone has mastered the basics, perhaps we can try to build a faith network..." A glint of light flashed in Sheng Ren's eyes.

In Eternal Shengren's memory, some cultivation worlds accelerate cultivation by establishing sects and collecting faith. Although the Naruto world doesn't have the concept of "spiritual energy," chakra is essentially a form of energy, so perhaps those methods could be borrowed.

After a long while, Sheng Ren opened his eyes. His chakra had recovered to 70%. He stood up, stretched his body, and felt pretty good.

"It's time to go out." Sheng Ren pushed open the door and found that Night Hawk was still guarding outside.

"Shengren, you've recovered?" Night Hawk asked in surprise.

"Almost done." Sheng Ren nodded. "How are the funeral preparations going?"

"Everything is ready. The whole village is waiting in the square," Nighthawk said. "Summer Star is presiding over the ceremony."

"Take me there."

The two arrived at the square in the center of the village. Hundreds of people had already gathered there, including ninjas, civilians, the elderly, and children, all dressed in black and with solemn expressions.

A simple platform was erected in the center of the square, upon which the remains of the Third Hoshikage lay, surrounded by flowers. Summer Star stood beside the platform, reading a eulogy.

Upon seeing Sheng Ren arrive, everyone spontaneously made way for him, their eyes filled with respect and anticipation.

Sheng Ren walked to the platform and bowed deeply to the remains of the Third Hoshikage. Although he hadn't had much contact with this old Hoshikage, his sacrifice for the village was worthy of his bow.

"Everyone," Sheng Ren turned to face everyone, his voice clearly echoing throughout the plaza, "The Third Hoshikage died a heroic death to protect the village. His sacrifice will not be in vain, and Hoshigakure will not fall."

He paused, then continued, "From today onward, I will temporarily assume the role of Star Shadow, leading everyone to rebuild our homeland and become stronger. And my first decision is—"

Everyone held their breath.

"Starting tomorrow, I will publicly teach a brand new training method in the plaza. This method is called visualization, and its purpose is to allow ordinary people to cultivate chakra and eliminate the side effects of stars."

A gasp of surprise rang out from the crowd.

The visualization method was a tool given to him by the immortal Shengren to collect faith. It allowed people to connect and combine their spiritual and physical energy with the power of the stars by visualizing him, thereby cultivating chakra.

If a person gains power by worshipping Shengren day and night, the chance of him betraying them is almost zero. This is the best method when the method of rebirth cannot be used.

Just as Shengren was succeeding as the acting star shadow, Suigetsu Hozuki also returned to Kirigakure.

Suigetsu Hozuki dragged his heavy body and stumbled into Kirigakure. "I must report to the Mizukage immediately..." Suigetsu Hozuki gritted his teeth and headed towards the Mizukage Building.

The Hidden Mist ninjas along the way were all shocked to see him in this state. As one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, Suigetsu Hozuki's status in Hidden Mist was second only to the Mizukage and a few elders, and he had never been so disheveled.

"That's... Lord Suigetsuyama Fugu-oni?"

"He's injured? Who would dare hurt him?"

"Could it be Konoha's Yellow Flash?"

Whispers spread through the crowd. Kisame Hozuki's face was grim, but he didn't stop walking. He couldn't care less about the gossip; he only wanted to report the events in Hoshigakure as quickly as possible.

"...In the end, he let me go," Suigetsu Hozuki said, bowing his head and awaiting the Mizukage's judgment.

Yagura remained silent for a long time; the air in the room almost froze.

"You mean, an eight-year-old child not only defeated you, but also claimed to be establishing some kind of 'Immortal Sect'?" Yagura finally spoke, his tone tinged with amusement.

"Yes...yes." Cold sweat beaded on Suigetsu Hobuki's forehead. "This subordinate is incompetent. Please punish me, Mizukage-sama."

Yagura did not answer immediately, but walked to the window and looked in the direction of the Land of Bears, his eyes flashing red.

"Go and call Kishida, Muramoto, and the members of the Phantom Killers," the Anbu next to Yagura immediately sprang into action upon hearing Yagura's words.

About fifteen minutes later, the secret agent led a group of people in.

"Kishida, Muramoto, you said that during the fight with Kakashi of Konoha, someone impersonated Hatachi, joined the Anbu, and assassinated Yamagishi."

Kishida and Muramoto exchanged a glance; they were the two Jonin who had accompanied Yamagishi. Kishida stepped forward: "Yes, at that time..."

Yagura unconsciously wiped the windowpane as he pondered Kishida's words. When Kishida finished speaking, he stopped wiping and turned to the Phantom Assassination Squad: "You reported before that someone impersonated Mikami and asked you for Yamagishi's location."

"That's right. Shimoda said there was some noise, and then that person suddenly appeared in front of us, saying that he was sent by Lord Yamagishi to carry out a mission, and asked us where Lord Yamagishi was. At the time, we felt strange, but we didn't think too much about it, so..." The Chunin in charge of the team was too embarrassed to finish his sentence.

"You also said that the person moved as fast as teleportation." Upon hearing the word "teleportation," Suigetsu Hozuki sat up abruptly.

"Indeed, he appeared out of nowhere; we hadn't seen a trace of him before that."

Yagura remained motionless and silent for a long time, but no one present dared to move. An indescribable sense of oppression enveloped everyone in the room.

With a loud "bang," Yagura's fist slammed into the window, shattering glass and unimaginable rage instantly flooding the room.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash! You were completely outmaneuvered by a kid! What are you all good for, especially you?" Yagura pointed the finger directly at Suigetsu Hozuki, "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist can't even beat a little brat, and you even got your lives spared! Aren't you ashamed?!"

Suigetsu Hozuki didn't reply, but his trembling body, filled with rage, showed that he was definitely not without emotion.

Moreover, he lost this time unjustly. If he hadn't been shocked by that ninjutsu that could control the flow of water, he wouldn't have been seriously injured in one blow. With his skills, even if he couldn't dodge it, he could have been prepared.

"Go and heal your injuries first," Yagura waved for everyone to leave. "Hoshi-nin—Morihito!" He murmured Morihito's name, and crimson once again filled his eyes.