Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Without natural essence, it is impossible to build a level 6 barracks [Forest Sanctuary]. Without building [Forest Sanctuary], the ancient tree cannot be upgraded, and therefore cannot produce natural essence (light cocoon).

"Natural essence..."

Qingwu landed on the roof of the wooden house and squatted down, deep in thought.

"Essence... should require an environment rich in natural energy."

"The sacred tree?"

"The sacred tree of Takigakure Village?"

"No, the sacred tree of Takigakure Village is only a secondary territory core (pseudo)."

Holding the "Light Cocoon" in his hands, Qingwu felt a more concentrated natural energy from it than from the "Hero's Water".

Clearly, the energy level of the sacred tree in Takigakure Village is not yet high enough.

"Gudong-"

I heard the sound of someone swallowing saliva next to me.

Tianzang stood not far to the side, his eyes fixed on the "cocoon of light," a look of longing on his face.

Qingwu recalled the "temptation" of "Hero's Water" when he was in Takigakure Village, and hurriedly put away the "Light Cocoon".

Tianzang then returned to its original state.

He asked, still shaken, "Qingwu, what was that just now?"

What Tianzang didn't dare say was... he almost attacked Qingwu, whom he always respected.

Qingwu did not answer, but instead asked, "Tianzang, do you know about the three holy lands?"

Aside from the sacred tree in Takigakure Village, the only other places with abundant natural energy that Seigo can think of are the three legendary sacred sites.

He had just taken the Natural Essence into his hands and studied it, and had already determined what it was.

If things go as expected, he should be able to absorb it like the "holy water" of Takigakure Village. To put it simply, it is a highly concentrated and purified natural crystal.

But for him, it was more important to save it for building barracks than to absorb and strengthen himself.

"Holy Land..."

Tianzang pondered deeply:

"I heard some things when I was in the Root. It is said that Lady Tsunade's summoning beast, the slug, lives in the sacred Shikkotsu Forest."

"And... there's Jiraiya-sama, who's known as the 'Toad Sage,' and Mount Myōboku is the home of those 'toads.'"

"That's all I know: Mount Myōboku, Shikkotsu Forest, and those two lords are the legendary Sannin!"

“There’s also Ryuchi Cave, which only Orochimaru should be able to find,” Qingwu added. “You’re right, only the Sannin know about it.”

He had harbored a sliver of hope...

Danzo, who was expected to be involved in everything, might have some useful information, but it was clear that Tenzo knew nothing.

"I see." Tianzang asked, "Qingwu, are you looking for the three holy lands? Perhaps you could ask the Hokage, after all, he is the teacher of the three legendary ninjas."

Qingwu thought for a moment and shook his head:

"I'm afraid it won't be easy. As far as I know, the three holy lands may not be in the ninja world, or they may be in another dimension."

"It seems that only those who have signed a psychic contract or are recognized by the Holy Land can find it."

What Qingwu didn't say was that the Third Generation's "good-natured" nature, whether genuine or not, meant he would never actively pry into other people's secrets, not even his disciples.

On the contrary, someone like Danzo, who has always cooperated with Orochimaru, might have some information that others don't know.

"It seems the only solution is to find the Three Legendary Sannin."

Tenzo frowned slightly. "But... Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama haven't appeared in the village for a long time."

"Yeah...it seems like there's no chance in the short term." Qingwu sighed.

The Legendary Sannin of Konoha... one whose whereabouts are unknown, one who travels the world, and the last one... is now an enemy!

Tenzo didn't mention Orochimaru either, which clearly shows he was aware of this.

"Qingwu, why do you want to find the Holy Land?" Tianzang asked, voicing the question that had been nagging at him.

"I need to find a place with abundant natural energy." Qingwu looked at Tianzang without hiding anything.

“What I had in my hand just now is called the Essence of Nature. I can use it to communicate with stronger beings, and I suspect that it can only be produced in places with abundant natural energy.”

“Is that so…” Tenzo was silent for a while, then stretched out his palm, and Wood Release chakra flowed slowly. Suddenly he said, “Qingwu, do you think… Wood Release is also a kind of application of natural energy?”

"Hmm...yes, but not entirely!" Qingwu said.

"It's a complicated topic, involving the origins of chakra and natural energy."

"However, the First Hokage's 'Sage Art: Wood Release' should be the highest level of combining natural energy and chakra. The reason why that person's Wood Release is so powerful is not only because of his bloodline limit, but also because of his special physique and his ability to mobilize more natural energy for Sage Techniques..."

"I'm still far from good enough," Tianzang said, sounding slightly dejected.

"That person... is truly unique in the entire history of the ninja world!" Qingwu exclaimed.

"However, our Wood Release techniques all contain natural energy, Tenzo. There is no need to underestimate yourselves. Perhaps one day, even if we cannot reach the level of the First Hokage's Wood Release, we will still be able to shine brightly."

If Tenzo had always lived in his territory, his Wood Release technique, which contained natural energy, would undoubtedly be stronger than it was in the original story.

"I just remembered something..." Tianzang sat down beside him:

"If... we find the places where the First Lord once fought or stayed for a long time, will there be any residual natural energy left behind?"

Qingwu's body trembled!

Yeah, how come I didn't think of that?

Besides the three holy sites, there is another possibility!

Where did the Forest of Death come from? It was created by the "Wood Release" of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

His core territory was awakened in the Death Forest, and he immediately bound himself to the Death Forest after awakening.

Thinking further ahead, the "cocoon of light" formed by the ancient tree of life was also "born" in the forest of death.

"Tianzang, thank you!" Qingwu suddenly stood up. "I know where to look now!"

"Huh? Where?"

"The Valley of the End!!" Qingwu's eyes gleamed.

"The site of the final battle between the First Hokage and...that person, there must be something left there."

"You're going to the Valley of the End?" Tianzang asked with some concern. "So many years have passed; if there were any good things there, they would probably have been discovered long ago."

“No!” Qingwu shook his head. “Natural essence is something that ordinary ninjas cannot perceive. It can even have a ‘poison’ effect on chakra.”

“Then I’ll go with you!” Tianzang also stood up.

Chapter 109 What do you want with Jiraiya?

Valley of the End

Two enormous stone statues face each other across the lake.

Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, like eternal rivals, cast long shadows under the moonlight.

The roar of the waterfall echoed through the canyon, drowning out any other subtle sounds.

In the darkness, Qingwu and Tianzang appeared on the rocky platform on the east bank of the lake.

The two looked up at the enormous stone statue of Hashirama Senju.

Even though it's a stone sculpture, the imposing aura of the "God of Ninjas" seems to still emanate from it through the ages.

"This is it!"

Qingwu closed his eyes, fully activating his natural senses!

Now, his natural energy level has exceeded 10,000, and his perception ability is naturally far beyond what it used to be.

The sensory domain continuously expands outward from the body, and in Qingwu's "vision," the world seems to have become a scroll of flowing energy.

He "saw":

The waterfall contains violent water energy, but it becomes exceptionally gentle and clear when it flows through the pool below the stone statue.

He "saw":

Deep at the bottom of the lake, there are two huge, intersecting cracks, which should be the "scars" left by the clash between two top ninjas in the past.

He "saw":

Directly beneath the Thousand-Armed Hashirama statue, deep underground... there is a point of emerald green light, like a sleeping star...

"found it!"

Qingwu opened her eyes and said with delight, "It really is here."

"Where is it?" Tianzang was also very happy.

Qingwu pointed to the base of the stone statue between the pillars, "It's below, very deep, it'll probably take some effort."

"I'll help you!" Tenzang said without hesitation, "Wood Release: Wood Digging Technique!"

Several thick roots sprouted from his palm and silently seeped into the rock strata. "Qingwu, you direct the direction of my spell."

Using Wood Release is a good method because it doesn't easily damage the ley lines and the foundation, but...

Qingwu shook his head and laughed, "Tianzang, it would be difficult for your chakra to reach a depth of more than 200 meters underground."

"Ah, I just wanted to help you."

"Can you keep watch for me? I don't know if bringing it back will cause any trouble."

"...Alright, Qingwu, then be careful."

"Okay, recall your Wood Release. I'll handle this!"

In terms of the strength and application of his roots, with his current natural energy exceeding ten thousand, he must be superior to Tianzang, not to mention that he also knows a bit of earth escape.

Slowly sinking into the ground, Qingwu constantly adjusted its direction, using earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a technique in Chinese fantasy novels) and roots to approach the light.

Thirty meters...