Infinite: Starting from Infiltrating Other Spaces

Li Xia lowered his hands and smiled slightly. Not only the immortal Fukasaku, but even the three apostles beside him perked up their ears, afraid of missing a single word.

"I have always been able to sense natural energy, but I didn't know how to incorporate it into my body and integrate it with my chakra and spirit."

Li Xia continued, "Moreover, I happen to have a very strong control over energy."

So after the sage Fukasaku told me the method of fusion, it was like a breakthrough had been achieved, resolving my long-standing doubts, and I naturally felt very relaxed.

Bullshit! What magic, what natural energy!

Li Xia only suddenly understood after listening to the sage Fukasaku explain the specific fusion method.

If we remove all the fancy descriptions and just look at the effects of Sage Mode in the story: enhanced perception, increased strength, speed, and everything else—isn't that just "demon transformation"?!

From an Eastern perspective, these toads can talk and walk upright, so aren't they what we call monsters?

Over their long lives, they mastered some rudimentary methods of gathering qi and absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which they named immortal arts.

However, their method of using spiritual energy was too brutal; they almost directly dispersed the spiritual energy with their will and forcibly integrated it into their bodies.

Like a stimulant, it can enhance physical attributes, but it cannot be sustained for long. Once the spiritual energy integrated into the body is exhausted, one will fall into a state of extreme fatigue.

This is completely different from the characteristics of orthodox cultivators, who have a long aura and strong combat endurance.

The magical arts practiced at the three sacred sites of Mount Myoboku, Ryuchi Cave, and Shikkotsu Forest are all different.

But the only thing they have in common is that they all have features that resemble animals.

Taking Mount Myoboku as an example, if one fails during the training process, one may even "turn into a toad".

This is because the rudimentary methods of qi cultivation that these spirits have come up with are entirely adapted to the characteristics of their own body's meridians.

If a person were to learn this, it would be like forcibly learning a demon's cultivation methods and following the demon's way of circulating qi, which would inevitably lead to changes.

What is Li Xiaxiu doing?

It's the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts!

It requires meditation and breath control from the very beginning, and is the most orthodox method. Although it is unclear whether it counts as cultivation, it does emphasize meridians and breath gathering.

Therefore, after hearing the Immortal Master Fukasaku explain the key points of immortal techniques, he, as a great cultivator who had worked extensively in this field, immediately understood all the essentials.

Furthermore, improvements have been made to make it more suitable for the human body.

That's why Li Xia's Sage Mode is different from other Sages who have learned the Myoboku Mountain Sage Mode.

His final breath converged at the glabella, leaving a mark there.

But he couldn't possibly tell these things to the Immortal Shenzuo. Even Li Xia suddenly understood why the apostles in the Hall of Light generally felt that cultivating the Immortal Mode was extremely difficult and that very few people succeeded.

You're making the apostles of the Hall of Light, who are filled with various cultivation systems similar to those in Western fantasy, meditate and draw qi into their bodies? Isn't that ridiculous?

The only mage with a relative advantage, who is also skilled at collecting magical elements, is not interested in Immortal Mode.

While Sage Mode energy can enhance some skills, it can conflict with the release of elements within their bodies.

"Is that so?"

Although it was still outrageous, Fukasaku Senjin felt much better knowing that at least there was an explanation.

It's not uncommon for people to be naturally extremely sensitive to natural energy; for example, wasn't the First Hokage like that?

He suppressed his doubts for the time being, stroked his beard and said, "Anyway, it's great that you were able to learn Sage Mode. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to thank you for saving Jiraiya and us."

The three apostles, who had been eavesdropping next door, were dumbfounded.

Wait, what do you mean by "rescued Jiraiya"? Weren't we the ones who rescued Jiraiya? When did this person arrive? I didn't see him.

"Damn! Does this guy have some kind of thieving skill? Can he steal other people's mission rewards?"

The hot-tempered apostle cursed in the team channel, unable to hold back any longer, and charged forward.

He was already furious that he couldn't learn Sage Mode, and now that he discovered his mission results seemed to have been stolen, he became even angrier.

He raised his hand, intending to fire a beacon—his special ability—to pull both parties into a special channel for private communication. However, he hadn't expected that this action would only be completed momentarily.

It was as if some dangerous software had been installed in reality, with red prompts for the Hall of Light popping up frantically.

[WARNING!! You are attempting to attack a key character in the storyline of this world, a top-tier character in this world, or a king-level character in this world]

[WARNING!! You are attempting to attack the second in line to the Hyuga clan's throne, the acting Sixth Hokage of Konohagakure in the Land of Fire.]

[Warning: Your actions will cause your relationship with Konoha Village to reach its lowest point.]

This will cause your relationship with the Hyuga clan to deteriorate to hatred, your relationship with the Uchiha clan to despise, your relationship with Naruto Uzumaki to indifference, and your relationship with Mount Myōboku to indifference.

He froze, staring blankly at the lines of cold, blood-red text flashing before him, feeling utterly lost.

"Holy crap, what the hell did you do? Did you secretly dig up Konoha's ancestral graves behind our backs??"

The two companions were practically going crazy. Lines of prompts were flashing in front of them, and just looking at them gave them a chilling feeling.

Key plot point character, extreme figure, king-level figure, second in line to the Hyuga clan's throne, Sixth Hokage...

Is this something that should appear on an apostle?

That's not how derivative worlds work at all!!!

They should have finally found a place to stay, worked themselves to the bone doing these small tasks, racked their brains to devise a small plot to make a profit, and risked their lives to accomplish a small thing.

If they could change the plot, they would make a fortune.

How did you become Hokage?

If it weren't for the fact that the person opposite was undoubtedly an apostle, because the special connection between apostles is undeniable, unless the temple blocked that connection.

These three almost suspected that Naruto had changed its storyline!

"I... I haven't done anything yet..."

The apostle blankly lowered his hand, not even knowing where to put it.

Li Xia glanced at them indifferently, not taking it seriously at all. He simply turned around, nodded to the sage Fukasaku, and said, "There are still many things to do in the village. Now that I have learned it, I will take my leave. Thank you, sage Fukasaku."

Fukasaku also waved his hand: "Yes, I heard that the Five Kage Summit is about to be held. You are indeed very busy. Go quickly. As soon as Jiraiya recovers, I will send him back to the village to help you."

As he spoke, he groped around on his body, trying to send Li Xia back with the scroll, but Li Xia's body suddenly disappeared amidst a low, high-speed buzzing sound.

Fukasaku froze on the spot, then his eyes slowly widened.

Is this the Flying Thunder God Technique?

He suddenly remembered a young man with blond hair, the most perfect ninja he had ever seen, who had also said he wasn't good at Sage Mode...

Yes, that person's magical skills are much better than his teacher's.

....................

As Nara Shikamaru watched the retreating figure, the conversation his father, Nara Shikaku, had with him before he left involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

"This Hokage selection was extremely unusual. I've thought about it very deeply, but some things only came to my attention afterward. Hyuga Hiashi didn't have such a strategy."

This must be from Hyuga Natsu! This person... is not simple, I can't see through him, and I don't know if he's a blessing or a curse for Konoha...”

In my memory, my father's face was somewhat serious and bitter. After a long sigh, he said:

"Shikamaru, his choice of you to become the Hokage's bodyguard is not a good thing for our Nara clan. On the contrary, it has forcibly tied us to the Hyuga clan's chariot."

"It seems that the higher-ups in Konoha believe that our Nara clan has already formed some kind of alliance with the Hyuga clan."

Nara Shikaku said earnestly, "So this time, there's only one mission: don't show off too much, but observe carefully."

Observe the Sixth Hokage's character, temperament, and personality, and pay attention to his habits.

Do you understand?

Shikamaru sighed, scratching his head in annoyance. What a nuisance... Why did I have to encounter something like this?

Compared to being a Hokage's bodyguard or a high-ranking official, wouldn't it be more interesting to lie on the roof, enjoy the breeze, read a book, or play chess?

Shikamaru glanced at another figure ahead. It was Hyuga Neji, a genius ninja of the Hyuga clan who was quite famous in the village and had only recently been promoted to Jonin.

He seemed quite happy at the moment, and his whole demeanor was much more cheerful as he quietly followed beside the Sixth Hokage.

That makes sense; since they're both from the Hyuga clan, they should know each other very well...

Shikamaru sighed again and quickened his pace to catch up. It was a troublesome situation, but there was nothing he could do about it.

In short, let's just take it one step at a time...

Li Xia, who was walking at the front, had no idea what Shikamaru was thinking, nor did he care.

He chose Neji and Shikamaru simply because as the Hokage, he needed to bring people along for negotiations, but he didn't want to bring two strangers and burdens, so he chose the more reliable Neji and Shikamaru.

At that moment, he had only one thought...

I've already given you the Nine-Tails, and you still haven't gathered all nine tailed beasts? Are you going to summon the Ten-Tails yet? Why is it taking so long?

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1. Monthly pass 2. Recommendation vote

Chapter 24: You were put in charge as an undercover agent, and you became the boss?

The three of them did not travel fast on their way to the Land of Iron.

If they traveled at breakneck speed, they would arrive in the Land of Iron in just a few hours, but 'Ōmura's diplomacy is certainly magnanimous.'

Arriving at a meeting of this level too early is considered a sign of low importance, just like how heavyweights always make their grand entrance last, no matter how early they arrive or how much importance they place on the event.

Until the agreed-upon last day, no one from other villages would possibly arrive.

So he simply slowed down and walked at a leisurely pace, taking his time to appreciate the beautiful scenery.

The Land of Iron is located directly north of Konoha. The further north you go, the lower the temperature becomes, and the lush forests are gradually colored by autumn, turning red like fire and yellow like gold.

A few minutes further north, snowflakes began to fall sporadically. The fiery red and golden leaves withered and curled up, flying away from the branches, yet reluctant to leave. They were carried by the wind, fluttering down and gathering under the tree, forming a small pile that served as a scarf for the tree.

As the fine snowflakes gradually grew larger, covering the world before them like goose feathers, they finally arrived at the Land of Iron.

Here, everything is covered in silver, with distant mountains and nearby forests all covered in white snow. It seems that only black and white remain in the world, as if all impurities have been erased by an eraser.

"Neji..."

Li Xia walked at the front, his divine robe leaving a faint trail in the snow, and suddenly spoke.

"Lord Hokage!"

Neji immediately responded, his steps faltering slightly.

"Do you know what the most important thing is in battle?"

Li Xia didn't turn around. His voice was particularly clear on the empty snowfield. Such conversations had happened many times during the journey. After all, the journey was boring, and they had to do something. Shikamaru was probably taught a lesson by his father. He was as quiet as a mute the whole way. Even if you tried to chat with him, you would only get perfunctory replies like "uh-huh".

So the only one I can chat with is Neji.

Neji thought for a moment, then answered seriously, "Defeat the enemy."

"Hmm... yes and no, but for the vast majority of people..."

Li Xia shook her head: "It's about surviving!"

He stopped and turned around to look at his disciple.

The wind and snow ruffled the black hair on his forehead, and his eyes, instead of their usual laziness, revealed a seriousness that could only be cultivated after experiencing countless life-and-death situations.

"There are a hundred ways to defeat an enemy, but the prerequisite is that you have to live. Only when you have to fight to the death is it worth risking your life, understand?"

“...This disciple understands.” Neji lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought.

"Good to know." Li Xia waved his hand: "Remember, for our lineage, safety comes first, output second."

When it's time to sell out your teammates... cough, I mean, when it's time for a strategic retreat, don't hesitate.

As long as the green hills remain, there's always firewood to burn. When you live to my age, you'll realize—"

He paused, then said in a tone of someone who'd been there all along, "Well... those who survive are the winners."

Just kidding. Actually, the whole of Meishan is all about fighting. Safety first, output second. When you encounter an enemy, you just charge in. If you can't kill them, you're considered a bomb.

When a fight breaks out, who cares about their life?

Bah! Die!

Shikamaru listened from behind, his lips twitching. All the way, he kept his father's instructions in mind: speak less, observe more, summarize more, and draw conclusions more.

But as time went on, his impression of the acting Hokage changed again and again, as if the other party was a huge collection of contradictions, and no matter which direction you looked at it, it was only one side of him.