Escape from Konoha.

It seems he's already enjoying what it's like to participate in battle.

He's rambling incoherently right now, which tells you how happy he is.

Chapter 82 Freedom

In the dimly lit room, a bright yellow light shone.

This is a rather rudimentary laboratory. Compared to the underground laboratory in Konoha, this laboratory does not have a sufficient supply of equipment and materials.

However, we originally intended this place as a place where we could resupply at any time, so of course we had to lower our standards.

This laboratory is located in a secret base somewhere in the Land of Tea. After securing sufficient funds, Shiraishi had his subordinates build such supply bases in many countries.

However, most data points are located within the territory of small countries, with only a few located within the territory of the five major countries. The personnel guarding these data points usually communicate using special codes.

Inside the massive floor-to-ceiling glass pillar, the Earth General was placed amidst a vibrant green solution containing abundant natural energy and restorative potions to help it recover.

Although the Earth General possesses a certain degree of 'immortality,' he is not truly immortal.

Having experienced such a devastating explosion, even with its strong vitality, it was already exhausted.

Most of the 'soil' has been integrated into the body, but a few pieces of 'soil' are still floating in the solution, slowly recovering.

A moment later, the laboratory door opened.

The insect-man walked in from outside.

"It's shattered like this, how can it possibly be restored?"

He walked to Bai Shi's side, looking with great interest at the Earth General inside the glass pillar, marveling at the incredible vitality of this artificial creature.

"After all, this thing's core is powered by natural energy. At the moment of the explosion, it drew a lot of energy from the ocean, which offset most of the explosive force."

"Does that mean that as long as natural energy doesn't perish, one cannot die?"

This was the first time the insect-man had ever heard of such a thing.

Shiraishi smiled and said, "Theoretically, that's true, but only in theory. There are limits to how much it can withstand. However, if it were to incorporate even stronger Sage Chakra in the future, it would be the perfect artificial human I envision."

The insect man didn't understand these things, but he did know that the creature that Shiraishi created had, to some extent, exceeded the limits that chakra could limit.

It's impossible to predict how terrifying it would become if it were to advance to its complete form.

However, thinking this way is a bit of an overreaction. As the creator, the white stone could not possibly leave nothing in its body.

How could the Creator allow a creature to betray Him?

There will definitely be comprehensive restrictions and control measures.

The clay figure, General Tu, merely peered left and right into the emerald green solution with eyes that glowed with a pale golden light, as if seriously considering something. He gurgled bubbles as he swam and frolicked inside the glass column.

Even the resentment in his eyes dissipated considerably.

"Is everything alright in Konoha? You've been gone for so long."

"It's alright. These two days are the weekend, and the Ninja Academy is closed. In another hour, the Earth General's body will recover. Then, we can let it sneak back to Konoha and summon me back. The total time will not exceed ten hours."

Even if something unexpected happens, Liuli will help him cover it up.

Moreover, for someone as inconspicuous as himself, the only one who could be connected to the Hokage faction was Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin.

As for Sakumo, he was a representative of the common people, and strictly speaking, he cannot be entirely considered part of the Hokage faction.

"Did you read the letter I sent you last time?"

Remembering something, Shiraishi looked at the insect man.

"Yes. The Akatsuki will no longer make contact, and the Land of Rain will be treated as a restricted area; all their outposts there will be reclaimed."

The insect-man answered like this.

Although he didn't know what had happened to make Shiraishi make such a decision, as a subordinate, he only needed to carry out orders.

"What has been done with the remnants of the Uzumaki clan?"

“We sent people to escort them back to the Land of Demons yesterday. Here is their blood and hair.”

The insect-man took out two transparent sanitary bags. One sanitary bag contained bright red hair, and the other sanitary bag contained several tubes of blood.

Shiraishi accepted these gifts, still trusting in Insect Man's abilities.

He is cautious and meticulous, decisive and ruthless, and has the demeanor of a great general.

Even for important tasks, Shiraishi would entrust them to him, and the degree to which he completed them would greatly satisfy Shiraishi.

"Didn't they reveal the whereabouts of the remaining Whirlpool survivors?"

Shiraishi believed that the remnants of the Uzumaki clan were likely maintaining contact in secret, and he hoped to find other survivors through this group of Uzumaki clan remnants.

Whether they are taught sealing techniques or transformed into combat personnel, they will be far superior to ordinary people.

They are born with stronger vitality and chakra than ordinary people, making them very suitable for cultivating the natural energy system.

No. But I believe it's only a matter of time.

"It's good that you're confident."

Shiraishi didn't ask how to take care of these vortex survivors, but he believed that the insect man definitely understood what he meant, and he could handle the specific details.

The organization has already gathered a number of talented individuals.

For example, well-known blacksmiths, engineers, doctors, etc. in the ninja world—basically anyone with real talent who was down on their luck—Shiraishi would have the Insect Man and his crew recruit them.

Then these people were gathered at the headquarters of the Demon Kingdom to work for the organization.

During the organization's initial accumulation phase, the help provided by these people may not be significant, but the initial accumulation will eventually be completed, and that is when the organization will truly take off.

Talented individuals from all walks of life need to be trained, because compared to combat personnel, the training of these talents is the most difficult.

The reason is that natural energy can be generated quickly, while knowledge and experience can only be accumulated over time.

The prosperity of an organization is inseparable from these ordinary yet extraordinary people.

"By the way, this is a letter from Lady Miroku, the priestess of the Land of Demons, to you, Chief."

The insect-man took out a letter from his pocket and placed it in Shiroishi's hand.

After finishing this task, the insect man left. As an organization leader, he still had many important things to do.

Shiraishi held the letter from the priestess of the Land of Demons, his expression showing surprise.

Because he sensed something familiar in the letter—

Natural energy.

Miroku, the priestess of the Land of Demons... also knows how to utilize natural energy?

Shiraishi found it novel.

He understood that many people in the ninja world were unaware of the existence of natural energy, and even if they knew about Sage Mode, that was a matter for the ninjas.

However, compared to the total human population, ninjas make up a very small percentage of the population.

Even among ninjas, only a very small number of people know about natural energy.

Shiraishi did not consider natural energy to be his own exclusive right; such a thought is incredibly arrogant.

Before him, some summoning beast clans had already learned to utilize natural energy, and even combined it with chakra to form the Sage Art system.

But this time, it was definitely the second person besides his own people that Shiraishi had seen who possessed natural energy.

"The Priestess of the Land of Demons..."

It is said that the priestess who holds power in the Land of Demons possesses a mysterious power that allows her to see into the future.

Moreover, it possesses unknown sealing techniques capable of sealing various demons and monsters passed down from ancient times.

"It seems the path of natural energy is not lonely at all..."

Shiroshi smiled, wiped away the natural energy from the letter, and took out the letter paper.

Shiraishi picked up the letter, which contained only one line of text—

Beware of Mount Myoboku.

Gone.

There are only these five words.

Shiraishi frowned.

"Beware of Mount Myōboku..."

What does it mean?

Why should we be careful around Mount Myoboku?

I shouldn't have any connection with Mount Myōboku.

Why should we be wary of these toads?

Shiraishi recalled the sudden increase in the number of toads in Konoha's underground waterways a few years ago, and his eyes narrowed, flickering with light.

"A shrine maiden? What an interesting existence..."

He didn't completely believe the contents of the priestess's letter, but a few years ago, the number of toads in Konoha suddenly increased, which alerted Ruri's ninja cat.

It is suspected that Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, was responsible.

Now, Shiraishi has increased his suspicions, believing that the probability of Jiraiya, one of the three legendary Sannin, doing this has become even higher.

Although he really wanted to go to the Land of Demons and talk to that priestess in person, he had too many things to do here and couldn't leave for the time being.

Wait a minute, it seems like there's still a way.

Shiraishi looked at the clay figure, General Tu, playing and frolicking in the huge floor-to-ceiling glass pillar. As a communication tool, there was no one more suitable than it.

Judging from its relaxed and carefree appearance, it's clear that it has plenty of free time to spare.

We need to find something for it to do, to keep it active, so it doesn't rust away.

◎

The return to Konoha took place more than nine hours later, by which time it was almost dawn the next day.

Today is Sunday, and the Ninja Academy is still on holiday, so Shiraishi is free to stay home.