Escape from Konoha.

Shiraishi raised an eyebrow: "That's really strange."

"strangeness?"

"Yes, Wood Release is a bloodline limit, right? This kind of ability can be inherited by the next generation, just like the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan and the Byakugan of the Hyuga clan. Wouldn't it be strange if Nawaki-senpai didn't awaken Wood Release? After all, Nawaki-senpai was only one generation away from the source of Wood Release bloodline, and his bloodline was very close to that of the First Hokage."

"As far as I know, even Junin Tsunade doesn't know how to use Wood Release."

Shiraishi was even more puzzled.

I didn't think so at first, but upon closer reflection, it's understandable that the other Senju clan members didn't inherit Wood Release. Shiraishi could consider Wood Release as a bloodline limit created by the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

In other words, the bloodstains from Wood Release will not awaken in other Senju clan members, but will definitely appear in their direct descendants.

Nawaki's lack of awakening of Wood Release can be explained by his young age and insufficient strength, but Tsunade is already a well-known Jonin in the village and one of the best among Jonin.

Even a Jonin like him hadn't awakened Wood Release.

Could it be that Wood Release isn't a bloodline limit at all? Or is there something special needed to awaken Wood Release?

Shiraishi couldn't understand this.

"I remember you once said that the First Generation Lord could also use something called Celestial Arts, right?"

"Ah, I did mention it. I only saw it by chance in the family's ancient books. It is said that there is a special kind of energy in nature called 'natural energy,' which seems to be related to immortal arts. I don't know anything else."

"Could this be related to Wood Release?"

"Who knows? Many things about our ancestors are hard to verify. After all, I've never heard of anyone in the Uchiha clan mastering Sage Mode, otherwise there would definitely be related cultivation methods passed down."

Liuli was also interested in the immortal techniques, but she didn't know how to obtain their power.

Compared to something intangible and invisible, the Sharingan felt more tangible to her.

This is the source of power for the Uchiha clan ninjas.

"What exactly is natural energy like?"

Shiraishi looked up at the sky, puzzled, but with a desire to explore in his eyes.

To understand magic, one must first master natural energy. To master natural energy, one must first discover and then accept it.

Liuli could tell that Baishi was also very interested in the so-called immortal arts. This was a common trait of his; once he encountered something unknown, his curiosity would become even stronger than hers.

"I'll bring you the books on immortal arts tomorrow."

"Huh? Is this alright? Those kinds of books must be very valuable, right?"

“Precious? It’s not precious at all, just a superficial understanding. It’s like how many people in the ninja world know that Wood Release exists, but only the First Hokage can use it. The same goes for Sage Mode; knowing that Sage Mode exists and learning to master it are two different things.”

◎

A day later, as promised, Ruri delivered some books about Sage Mode from the Uchiha clan to Shiraishi.

Anyway, this thing is just gathering dust in her house; it's completely useless.

Bai Shi, however, regarded it as a treasure.

Even if it was just a superficial understanding of immortal techniques, he still considered this information extremely valuable.

After spending some time cultivating with Liuli that evening, Baishi couldn't wait to go home and spread out the materials on immortal techniques on his desk with the lamp on.

The scroll recording the magical arts was very old and worn, covered in dust that couldn't be brushed off and remained firmly in place.

Bai Shi didn't pay any attention, opened the scroll, and began to read the text on it.

The scroll records information that, based on ordinary chakra, one absorbs and fuses external natural energy to form what is known as Sage Chakra.

Once you create Sage Chakra, you can use Sage Techniques.

When using magic, you must first enter Sage Mode.

A very brief introduction.

However, the most important element here is the so-called natural energy.

Ordinary chakra can be generated by fusing the physical and mental energy of a ninja.

Sage Chakra is formed by adding natural energy to the two other types of energy.

Natural energy exists in the air and the earth.

In other words, natural energy is actually everywhere.

To feel the energy of nature, you must become one with nature.

The recording ends here.

There is no record of how one can integrate with nature; there is absolutely no documentation.

There are no records of how to integrate with nature, how to receive natural energy, how much to receive, or the proportions needed to balance the three types of energy.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Liuli, I Don't Want to Try Anymore!

"..."

To be honest, Shiraishi was a little disappointed after reading the scroll, but upon reflection, it was understandable.

If the method of cultivating immortal arts was recorded above, Liuli wouldn't have given it to him on her own initiative.

Now, Shiraishi's research on chakra has reached a bottleneck, and he needs something new to break through his further understanding of chakra.

He had hoped to gain some inspiration from the magic of immortality, but the knowledge on the scroll was of little use to him.

No...giving up so early isn't like me.

Actually, the things on the scroll are still somewhat useful.

Although it doesn't specifically explain how to integrate with nature and feel its energy, if this assumption is true and correct, how can one enter a state of integration with nature and feel its energy?

Therefore, the key is to integrate with nature.

How do we integrate them?

Shiraishi took out his old notes about chakra.

Through his research, Shiraishi has uncovered some hidden information about chakra.

For example, the synthesis of chakra is traceable. It is a combination of physical energy and mental energy, which has formed a stable 'system'. By following the route of this 'system', chakra can be stably produced.

Sage Chakra, on the other hand, is based on the 'system' and adds natural energy.

It transformed from a system with two energies into a stable system with three energies.

The Sage Chakra system must exist, and it must be stable and sustainable for someone to control.

There is a deep connection between ordinary chakra and sage chakra.

This connection may be the key to drawing out natural energy.

So, how can we use ordinary chakra to draw out natural energy?

When merging with nature, what role does ordinary chakra play?

"Physical energy can be generated through physical exercise, or rather, by maintaining the body's essential life-sustaining resources. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—these three substances, when oxidized in the body, are essential for maintaining bodily functions..."

Spiritual energy is related to consciousness; more generally, it is something connected to the soul.

The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan is awakened based on emotions and requires a high degree of emotional stimulation. According to Ruri, this is also a kind of spiritual energy.

Therefore, emotions are also a form of mental energy... To be more precise, the fluctuation of emotions depends on the strength of each person's mindset.

At the end of his notes, Shiraishi wrote down his conclusions.

The amount of life substance one can extract chakra is related to the amount of life substance one takes in that day, one's emotional state that day, and one's innate strength of soul and body.

These factors all affect the efficiency of chakra extraction.

The problem of the source of ordinary chakra has been solved, and the specific sources of physical and mental energy have been further analyzed.

Natural energy comes from the air and the earth; it is everywhere.

"I'm breathing air every moment now, so wouldn't that count as absorbing natural energy?"

Shiraishi looked out the window at the pitch-black night view, the evening breeze refreshing and dry, and murmured to himself.

Hmm, this seems like it has potential.

◎

Another round of Sundays off.

Shiroishi arrived at the renowned Uchiha clan's territory.

This place resembles a village within a village.

The Uchiha clan's territory is located in the middle of Konoha Village. To be honest, for a powerful clan, this location is somewhat remote from the village's core.

After all, the Uchiha clan controls a powerful department like the security forces.

How powerful are they? For example, under normal circumstances, the Hokage's direct subordinates in the Anbu are not authorized to arrest people directly; they need to present the Hokage's order.

The Uchiha clan's security force does not require such orders; they can arrest people at will, although the final judgment requires the Hokage's arbitration.

But this also means that the Uchiha clan's security forces have power above the Hokage's directly subordinate Anbu.

For a ninja clan, such excessive power will inevitably lead to a bad end.

However, this is the Uchiha clan. They co-founded Konoha Village with the Senju clan. As the two founding ninja clans of the village, it is normal for them to have such power.

Moreover, only members of this clan are qualified and capable of commanding the guard force.

Upon entering the Uchiha clan's territory, Shiraishi immediately saw a huge and luxurious building, which was the headquarters of the Uchiha clan's security force.

Two Uchiha Chunin, as usual, stood guard at the entrance of the security headquarters building.

They saw that Shiraishi, an outsider, was entering Uchiha territory, but they did not stop him or drive him away.

The Uchiha clan's territory doesn't prohibit outsiders from visiting. As long as you don't provoke them, they're actually quite easy to talk to... right?

Following the map provided by Ruri, Shiraishi searched for the location of Ruri's house.

The Uchiha clan's territory covers a vast area. While searching for the Ruri residence, Shiraishi saw many large training grounds and mansions one after another.

The shop was in a lively location, and I occasionally saw adults who weren't from the Uchiha clan shopping there. They seemed to get along quite well.

Although Shiraishi had heard that the Uchiha ninjas in the security force were arrogant and unruly, he had only heard it from others and had never actually seen what those arrogant security ninjas were like.