Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Moreover, judging from Xiyan's tone, the question was meant to be a test.

Damn it, whatever!

Qingwu's eyes hardened, and he pulled out a kunai and walked over.

"You..." Before Xi Yan could react at all, *poof*—

Qingwu had already plunged the kunai deep into the back of Hei Pi Yunyin's neck.

【Ding! 】

[Mission Complete!]

[Rewards: Natural Energy +20, Gold Coins +50]

Hearing the message that the mission was complete, Qingwu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Leaving one prisoner would allow him to explain to Xiyan and Iruka.

However, he had just turned around to speak...

【Ding! 】

[Natural energy and resources detected meet the conditions for unlocking the 'Tree of Life'!]

[The current environment has been detected as suitable for binding as territory!]

[Consume 50 Natural Energy and 50 Gold to build: Ancient Tree of Life (Sapling)]

[Effect: Territory Core, greatly increases natural energy regeneration and unlocks more buildings]

Qingwu: ? ?

it's here?

This is Konoha's Forest of Death. Although it is very large, it is mostly used as the testing ground for the Chunin Exams.

【Ding! 】

Should construction begin immediately?

[Note: The Heart of the Fortress must be situated within a territory centered on the Tree of Life. If it lacks territory within the specified time, it will permanently fall into slumber!]

"Permanently?" Qingwu just wanted to curse.

I just got a taste of the benefits after activating it, and now you're telling me this?

do not care!

What's wrong with Konoha's territory? My Senju clan isn't even qualified to occupy a forest?

Faced with a choice of "yes" or "no".

Qingwu immediately selected "Yes"!

[Consumes 50 Natural Energy and 50 Gold Coins]

[Construction: Ancient Tree of Life (Sapling)]

Construction has begun, estimated time: 6 hours.

"Hiss~ Another 6 hours?"

Just as Qingwu felt a toothache, the system notification sounded again:

【Ding! 】

[First-time construction grants 1 construction speed-up opportunity!]

[Consume all natural energy to accelerate construction?]

"??" Qingwu's eyes widened. So this system just wants to drain me dry, right?

"Qingwu, why did you kill him?" Qingwu's killing of the prisoner aroused Xiyang's suspicion once again.

Iruka also said, "They have lost the ability to resist, and bringing them back will yield more intelligence."

Given the nature of the ninja profession, what they said makes sense.

However, Qingwu waved his hand, ignoring the two of them.

He looked at his control panel:

[Heart of the Fortress (Level 1) Bound to: Thousand Hands Green Willow]

[Natural Energy: 5.8/120]

Gold Coins: 0

Timber: 0

[Stone Ore: 0]

When he first woke up, his natural energy level had recovered to 34.2 points.

Judging from the sky, Qingwu calculated that the energy was recovering at a rate of 10 points per hour. The task he just completed not only restored 20 points, but also increased the upper limit of natural energy by 20 points.

Building the Tree of Life (sapling) cost 50 points, and now I have 5.8 points left.

"value!"

"Use all resources to accelerate construction!"

As Qingwu gave the command, emerald green light burst forth from beneath his feet, seeping into the earth.

"Qingwu, what have you done?"

Sensing the energy fluctuations, Yugao and Iruka were greatly alarmed...

Chapter 4 Aburame Ryoma

Once the natural energy was depleted, the familiar dizziness returned.

at the same time.

The ground trembled slightly.

A tender green sapling, as if carved from jade, sprouted from the soil.

It is only half a person tall, with slender branches, but it exudes a soft and warm light of life.

The light spread slowly from the sapling, covering an area of ​​500 meters in radius.

Within this area, the air becomes fresh, the soil becomes soft, and even the dimly lit sky seems a few degrees clearer.

The construction of the Ancient Tree of Life (sapling) is complete.

[Territory Core Activated: Natural Energy Regeneration Speed ​​+50%, Wood/Stone Ore Acquisition Efficiency +20%]

[Unlock new buildings: Centaur Stable, Dwarf Village]

[Unlock New Feature: Weekly Natural Production (20 Wood, 20 Stone)]

Looking at the small tree emitting a faint light and feeling the natural energy around him becoming noticeably richer, Qingwu felt an indescribable sense of accomplishment and excitement welling up inside him.

The first step has been taken.

"This..." Iruka, feeling his chest tighten considerably, looked around in surprise: "What happened?"

Xiyan stared intently at the sapling. "Qingwu, is this also your Wood Release ninjutsu?"

"..." Qingwu rolled her eyes and fell forward to the ground again.

"Qingwu!" Iruka was about to go over to check.

The withered tree guardian, which had been motionless until now, suddenly pulled out soft roots from its body.

"!!" Iruka was so frightened that he covered his head and backed away.

The roots wrapped around and lifted the body of the Chinese parasol tree, gently placing it next to the sapling.

"Boom!"

Immediately, the withered tree guardian also left its original spot and came to the front of the sapling, bowing its huge head in a devout manner as if on a pilgrimage.

then……

Numerous roots sprouted from its two arms.

As Yugao and Iruka stared in disbelief, the roots wrapped around and took shape, building a wall around them.

No more, no less, exactly 500 meters in radius.

All the trees within the area swayed gently, as if making pleasant sounds.

……

Konoha Village, Root

In the dim candlelight, Shimura Danzo's one eye quickly scanned the intelligence report that was handed to him.

"Wood Release?"

Danzo's breathing quickened slightly for a moment, then returned to its icy tone. "How long has it been?"

Aburame Ryoma lowered his head slightly:

"According to surveillance records, the target had no abnormalities before, but during this mission, his chakra suddenly mutated, possibly awakening his bloodline limit when he was on the verge of death."

Danzo's fingers tapped lightly on the table, the rhythm slow and subdued.

His gaze shifted to another stack of intelligence reports—Qingwu's file was just one of them.

"A member of the Senju clan... has finally awakened Wood Release!"

Danzo coldly swept his gaze over Aburame Ryoma kneeling before him. "Go, bring him back!"

"Yes!" Aburame Ryoma bowed and was about to leave.

"Wait!" Danzo's tone was icy: "Those who participated in last night's operation..."

Aburame Ryoma secretly breathed a sigh of relief and replied:

"The escaped Cloud Village has been executed by me, but that brat's two teammates: Uzuki Yugao and Umino Iruka..."

Seeing Aburame Ryoma's hesitation, Danzo pondered for a moment:

"The brat from the Umino family is fine, but the daughter from the Uzuki family... we can't make it too obvious. Let's create an accident!"