I, who just wanted to be lazy, was forced to become the Hokage.

Chapter 490 Arrival at the Temple of Fire!

The mountain temples are ancient, simple, tranquil, and serene.

Nara Rinka, dressed casually, stood in front of the gate of the Fire Temple, looking with great interest at the stone sculptures standing on both sides of the temple gate.

This was his second visit to the Temple of Fire, but the first time he had noticed the strangeness of the two stone statues.

When Nara Ranke last visited the Temple of Fire, his own strength was low, and he had not yet begun to cultivate the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique]. His perception of the omnipresent natural energy was completely zero.

However, this time, as soon as Nara Rinkei arrived at the Fire Temple, he noticed something special about the two stone statues.

The two stone statues are the two places where the natural energy surrounding the Temple of Fire is most concentrated.

It's as if these two stone statues are the "eyes" of some special formation in the Fire Temple.

The Fire Temple, which inherited the cultivation methods of the immortals, has two stone statues placed at its entrance...

"Judging from the condition of Mount Myōboku, could these two stone statues also be failed products of some kind of 'qi deviation' during cultivation?"

Nara Rinka stroked his chin.

The path of spiritual practice concerning natural energy is extremely dangerous.

In the process of absorbing external natural energy and synthesizing Sage Chakra, practitioners can be affected and assimilated by the natural energy if they are not careful. At best, their bodies will mutate; at worst, they will be completely petrified.

Seeing the two stone statues in front of the Fire Temple gate, surrounded by a very strong natural energy, Nara Rinka couldn't help but feel suspicious.

Just then, a respectful, aged voice rang in his ears.

"I apologize to the Fourth Hokage for failing to greet our distinguished guest."

"Master Zhongjue, you're too kind."

Nara Rinka came to his senses, faced the approaching old monk, and put his hands together in prayer.

"Several years have passed, yet the abbot's breathing remains calm and composed; his spiritual practice has reached its pinnacle."

According to the intelligence information obtained by the Nara clan.

Master Chukaku was not a ninja, nor did he refine chakra. He played the role of a master of ninjutsu in the Fire Temple, and many young monks in the Fire Temple had received his guidance.

But as the saying goes, seeing is believing.

While Nara Rinkei's current cultivation of natural energy may not be comparable to that of toad spirits like Fukasaku and Shima, who have cultivated for nearly a thousand years, it is still far superior to that of ordinary people.

Moreover, he had been practicing both the Immortal Clan Guiding Technique and the Immortal Clan Breathing Technique for several years.

Nara Rinkaku could clearly sense the natural energy that constantly surrounded Master Chungkaku!

obviously.

Master Zhongjue also practiced the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique] or the [Immortal Clan Breathing Technique]!

This old abbot, though not a ninja, was a true "cultivator"!

"You flatter me, Hokage."

Master Zhongjue clasped his hands together and respectfully returned the greeting.

The abbot was not surprised at all that the famous Dark Shadow could see through his secrets at a glance.

Since the Nara clan obtained several cultivation methods from the Fire Temple, Master Chungaku had foreseen the current situation.

The only thing Master Zhongjue hadn't anticipated was the speed at which Nara Ranka's strength increased.

fast!

too fast!

Master Zhongjue remembers it very clearly.

This young benefactor named Nara Rangsuke was just a junior ninja of similar skill level to Jiraiya when he visited and sought guidance at the Fire Temple years ago.

According to the ninja skill level classification in Konoha, "genin" is undoubtedly a very appropriate description.

Master Zhongjue never expected this.

Only a few years have passed?

A genin became a war hero of the Land of Fire and even became the Fourth Hokage of Konoha!

The Hokage is the most powerful and influential figure in the Land of Fire!

As the old saying goes, "A golden carp is no ordinary fish."

Even the "Golden Scales" still require twenty-two other ingredients (crossed out) – and also the "Wind and Clouds" to make it happen.

Master Zhongjue couldn't comprehend the speed at which the Dark Shadow was growing.

A few years ago, he could barely hold his own against Nara Rinka in a few rounds of fighting. Now, he is still working hard to strengthen his muscles, comprehend the [Immortal Clan Guiding Technique], and practice the [Immortal Clan Breathing Method].

The difference becomes obvious when compared.

Master Chung-kaku always believed that Chi-rai could grow into a capable ninja monk, and even become a new generation of the Twelve Guardian Ninjas of the Land of Fire.

After all, Jiroku is the "talent of the immortal race" of the Fire Temple in this era, and his talent should not be underestimated.

However, Master Zhongjue also believes that Dilu still needs a long time to improve and refine himself.

In comparison.

The Fourth Hokage of Konoha can only be described as a "super monster that appears only once every few centuries in the ninja profession"...

Master Zhongjue was experiencing a surge of emotions, but he showed no sign of it on the surface.

He turned his gaze to the two stone statues that Nara Rinka had just examined and slowly began to introduce them.

"Just now, this humble monk saw the Hokage observing these two stone statues."

"Yes."

Nara Rinka nodded and said casually.

"These two stone statues are subtly connected to their surroundings."

"Actually, this is a special barrier technique called 'Sealed Iron Wall'."

Master Zhongjue introduced it in a calm tone.

"This is a unique barrier ninjutsu of the Fire Temple. The stone statue and the gate are combined to form a huge protective barrier. When the barrier is activated, only the monks of the Fire Temple can freely pass through it."

Nara Lan Gui nodded slightly.

In his view, Master Zhongjue's statement should be correct.

However, the other party was still hiding some details.

The two stone statues in front of the Fire Temple are indeed connected to the surrounding environment.

However, the "connection channel" between them is not chakra, but natural energy!

Although the Fire Temple is the successor of the Ninja Sect, it retains many special training methods.

However, Nara Rinkei does not believe that all the ninja monks of the Fire Temple possess the talent and ability to cultivate natural energy!

If the ninja monks of the Fire Temple are really that abnormal.

Then the immortal duo (Kakuzu and Hidan) wouldn't have been able to completely destroy the Fire Temple with just the two of them, and even take the head of the then Fire Temple abbot, Jiriku.

There must be practitioners of natural energy within the Temple of Fire.

Moreover, these people should be the so-called "talented individuals of the immortal race"!

Nara Rangsuke's purpose in coming to the Fire Temple was to exchange and communicate with the masters there about knowledge related to natural energy.

Sensing that no one was around, Nara Rinkei made no attempt to conceal his purpose and asked directly.

"Master Zhongjue, are there any other special requirements for the 'Buddhist monks of the Fire Temple' you mentioned? For example, must they be 'talented individuals of the Celestial Race'?"

"Indeed."

Master Zhongjue did not hesitate and immediately replied.

"If one is not a celestial being, one must smash these two stone statues in front of the temple if one wants to force one way in."

"If I may be so bold as to ask..."

Nara Rinka glanced at the two stone statues.

The appearance of these two stone statues is quite unique.

Although he wore a monk's robe, he did not look human. Behind his towering, several-meter-tall body grew a pair of huge and exaggerated wings.

To give a somewhat inappropriate example.

These two stone statues resemble the petrified, fully formed Susanoo.

Of course, it's a scaled-down version.

Besides toads, the stone statues on Mount Myōboku also depict many human practitioners.

However, the two stone statues in front of the Fire Temple do not appear to be transformed from normal living beings.

Nara Rinka paused for a moment, then continued.

"These two stone statues shouldn't be some 'immortal talents' who failed in their cultivation, right?"

"The Hokage is thinking too far ahead..."

Master Zhongjue chuckled to himself.

"These two stone statues are just ordinary stone statues. Apart from being able to resonate with natural energy, they have nothing special about them."

Nara Rinka pursed her lips.

Two such large stones that can resonate with natural energy!

He was quite envious of what he saw.

Then why would you need a bicycle?

This characteristic alone is the most unique feature of stone carvings!

"Shikaku has already explained to me the purpose of the Hokage's visit."

Master Chukaku and Nara Rangsuke exchanged pleasantries and chatted for a while in front of the Fire Temple. The former took the initiative to raise his right hand and lead the latter into the temple.

"plz follow me!"

Today's update is a little earlier than before.

Let's see if we can pay off the debt today...

(End of this chapter)