A-Rank Ninja Tool: Chakra Crystal!

Chakra Crystal?

Nara Kaikei made a puzzled face again.

Was there really such a type of ninja tool in the shinobi world?

It sounded like a restorative item capable of replenishing one's own Chakra.

But the question was, would the First Hokage need something like that?

Information about Hashirama Senju, the First Hokage, surfaced in Nara Kaikei's mind.

The "true God of Shinobi" who had pacified the chaotic era;

The most representative figure of "Chakra";

The legendary "Strongest Ninja";

The reincarnation of "Asura";

Known as the "Humanoid God Tree";

"Hashirama," who had deceived Uchiha Madara's feelings—cross that one out...

In Nara Kaikei's impression, Hashirama Senju had never had any issue with "lacking Chakra."

How should one describe Hashirama Senju's Chakra amount?

It could roughly be considered "seventeen-year-old Uzumaki Naruto himself" plus "half of the Nine-Tails, the Yang Nine-Tails."

The so-called Jinchuriki.

Its full name was actually "a human body containing Chakra power comparable to a miniature Hashirama." (Nonsense.)

A normal reincarnation of Asura: join forces with the Nine-Tails to contend against the reincarnation of Indra.

An abnormal Hashirama Senju: pin down Uchiha Madara, the reincarnation of Indra, and the Nine-Tails, then beat them both senseless.

Nara Kaikei had once suspected that Hashirama Senju had undergone some kind of mutated atavism...

Just as Nara Kaikei continued marveling at Big Hashirama's absurd strength.

The Old Clan Head continued dutifully explaining what a "Chakra Crystal" was.

"A Chakra Crystal."

Nara Shikano spoke unhurriedly.

"You can regard it as a solidified, physical aggregate of Chakra.

"For ordinary shinobi like us, the energy contained within a Chakra Crystal can practically be called inexhaustible.

"The energy we consume while using it may not even compare to the energy the Chakra Crystal replenishes on its own."

After hearing Nara Shikano's explanation, a question arose in Nara Kaikei's mind.

"Clan Head, from what you're saying, the Chakra Crystal really is an incredibly powerful ninja tool."

Nara Kaikei asked curiously.

"So how did our clan obtain this ninja tool from the First Hokage?"

"Hm? Obtain it from the First Lord?"

Nara Shikano stroked his beard.

"No, Kaikei, I think you may have misunderstood.

"Although they are both Chakra Crystals, the one our clan possesses is different from the one the First Lord had.

"Besides, our clan simply cannot use the First Lord's Chakra Crystal!

"And if I remember correctly, the First Lord's Chakra Crystal should have been inherited by Princess Tsunade by now."

A relic of the First Hokage inherited by Tsunade?

Nara Kaikei rapidly searched through his memories.

Could this so-called Chakra Crystal actually be the First Hokage's Necklace?

The First Hokage's Necklace was a special item Hashirama Senju had left to Tsunade.

Tsunade first gave the necklace to Nawaki, who then died in the Second Shinobi World War...

Later, Tsunade gave it to Dan Katō, who also died on the battlefield, with even his kidney blown away...

Finally, Tsunade gave it to Uzumaki Naruto. Naruto was fine this time, but the necklace was gone...

In short, it was a highly dangerous legendary necklace that seemed to carry some terrifying curse.

The Nara Clan's Chakra Crystal probably has nothing to do with the First Hokage's Necklace Tsunade possesses, right?

Nara Kaikei quietly broke into a cold sweat.

They were about to arrive at the Temple of Fire.

At that moment, both Nara Shikano and Nara Kaikei fell silent, no longer discussing private matters.

The Old Clan Head seemed to have notified the Temple of Fire of his visit in advance through some means.

When the two arrived before the gates of the Temple of Fire, a bald monk dressed in plain robes emerged from within the temple.

"Shikano."

The monk pressed his palms together, smiling warmly.

"And this young benefactor."

"Kaikei, this is the Abbot of the Temple of Fire."

After returning the monk's greeting, Nara Shikano hurriedly introduced him to Nara Kaikei.

"Master Chūkaku."

Watching the Old Clan Head's actions, Nara Kaikei followed suit and bowed to greet Chūkaku.

"Chūkaku, these are this year's medicinal herbs."

Nara Shikano removed the enormous scroll he had carried all the way and handed it to Chūkaku.

"War is coming soon, so the quantity of herbs has been reduced considerably compared to previous years, but their quality has not declined."

It had been mentioned before that the Nara Clan sold medicinal herbs to the wealthy and powerful throughout the Land of Fire almost every year.

However, since the Nara Clan was a shinobi clan primarily active in Konoha, coupled with their family-wide tendency toward "universal laziness"...

The Nara Clan did not personally conduct business. Instead, they entrusted the task of selling the herbs to the Temple of Fire.

This could also be considered a way for the Nara Clan and the Temple of Fire to maintain friendly relations.

"For medicinal herbs produced by the Nara Clan, this humble monk naturally has absolute trust in their quality."

Chūkaku accepted the scroll with ease.

"I simply wonder whether those wealthy merchants and nobles in Kyoto will be satisfied with this year's reduced supply."

The Nara Clan's secret medical texts recorded, "Deer antler nourishes the kidneys and strengthens virility, generates essence and enriches the blood, replenishes marrow and fortifies bones."

Such medicinal herbs were useless to children Nara Kaikei's age.

But to certain adults, they were incomparably important.

"They will understand."

Nara Shikano nodded, then moved past the subject.

"Chūkaku, aside from delivering the medicinal herbs, I came to the Temple of Fire this time for another reason.

"To retrieve the Chakra Crystal our clan has stored in the Temple of Fire."

Chūkaku neither hesitated nor wasted words.

"Please follow me."

Nara Kaikei and Nara Shikano followed the old monk deep into the Temple of Fire, eventually arriving before a wooden building resembling a scripture repository.

After leading the two members of the Nara Clan inside, Chūkaku retrieved a wooden box from somewhere within the building and placed it before them, then quietly took his leave.

The atmosphere inside the loft was tranquil.

"This is the Chakra Crystal."

Nara Shikano pushed the wooden box toward Nara Kaikei.

"Kaikei, open it and have a look first."

At the Clan Head's words, Nara Kaikei opened the wooden box.

Inside the unremarkable wooden case, resting quietly atop blue-green velvet, was a translucent indigo gemstone with a perfect hexagonal shape.

Nara Kaikei stared at the dark gemstone, then looked up.

"Clan Head, what should I do now?"

Nara Kaikei remembered the example the Clan Head had mentioned earlier.

Tailed beasts and Jinchuriki.

Did that mean he should seal this "stone" inside his body as well?

It was certainly easier to accept than sealing a living creature...

"Do you remember the concept I mentioned before?"

Nara Shikano spoke calmly.

"Chakra Resonance."

Nara Kaikei nodded.

"You understand the basic principles behind the Shadow Clone Technique and the Shadow Humanization Technique."

Nara Shikano continued.

"Chakra originating from the same source—that is, Chakra of identical nature—can resonate with one another, allowing them to transfer and replenish Chakra between themselves.

"But what you may not know is that Chakra with similar natures also has a certain chance of achieving Chakra Resonance!

"This is also the core principle behind why a Jinchuriki can seal a tailed beast within their body and gain the ability to use the tailed beast's Chakra.

"Only a very small number of people in the shinobi world know such knowledge."

Nara Kaikei nodded instinctively.

This knowledge was quite novel to him as well.

"As for deeper theoretical knowledge regarding tailed beasts and Jinchuriki, I do not understand it either... After all, our Nara Clan has not seen many tailed beasts, much less the legendary white deer—the Five-Tails!"

As Nara Shikano spoke, his tone fluctuated slightly, as though he regretted it.

"If you have the opportunity in the future, Kaikei... Forget it. Tailed beasts are too distant.

"Let us return to the Chakra Crystal."

Nara Shikano paused and took a deep breath.

"A Jinchuriki can use Chakra similar in nature to resonate with the Chakra of the tailed beast sealed within them, thereby gaining the ability to wield that tailed beast's Chakra.

"By analogy, the Chakra Crystal.

"If a shinobi can resonate with a Chakra Crystal, they can likewise gain the ability to use the Chakra energy contained within it.

"This is extremely important to you, Kaikei!

"Setting aside the clan's secret Yin Release Chakra, your constitution is weak, and your Chakra amount is severely insufficient.

"This Chakra Crystal is the best method I can currently think of to solve your physical problem!

"Now, there is only one final question before you."

Nara Shikano paused.

"To resonate with and use the energy inside the Chakra Crystal, the nature of your own Chakra must be similar to that of this Chakra Crystal...

"And that is why I said before that whether you could receive a second special reward depended on your own fortune."

Nara Shikano pushed the wooden box forward.

"Now, Kaikei, pick up this Chakra Crystal, extract your own Chakra, and inject it into the crystal."

Following the Clan Head's instructions, Nara Kaikei picked up the hexagonal indigo gemstone from the wooden box and infused it with Chakra.

But at that moment, the Lazy Ghost System suddenly appeared.

[Detected A-Rank Ninja Tool: Chakra Crystal!]

[A-Rank Ninja Tool: Chakra Crystal]

[Ninja Tool Description: Artificially Refined Natural Energy Gemstone]

[Ninja Tool Effect: 1. The Chakra Crystal contains a portion of A-Rank Chakra energy, which can be mutually transferred and used with one's own Chakra;

2. The Chakra energy contained within the Chakra Crystal can replenish itself by absorbing Natural Energy; it can also be replenished through the artificial infusion of Chakra;

3. The Chakra energy contained within the Chakra Crystal can be artificially modified to grant it targeted Jutsu Effects]

[Ninja Tool Evaluation: This power is mine to command]

In the very next instant.

The indigo gemstone in Nara Kaikei's hand bloomed with a shimmering divine radiance across its smooth surface, mysterious beyond measure.

"This is the sign of Chakra Resonance!"

Nara Shikano nearly clapped his hands and laughed.

"Kaikei, your problem of insufficient Chakra has been solved!"

Big Hashirama really was abnormally powerful.

Wood Release alone, which could suppress tailed beasts, could not explain it at all...

Of the entire Senju Clan, he alone had awakened Wood Release.

The later Hashirama Cells had even evolved into something comparable to a cheat.

Not even cheaters could compare to Big Hashirama.