Who Goes First

The research on the Natural Energy Seal brought Yichen back to the busy and fulfilling days of his childhood.

Yichen spends about half of his time each day researching the Natural Energy Seal, and the rest of his time teaching his three disciples and practicing his own cultivation.

However, Yichen needed to train in an unusually large number of subjects. In addition to the original ones, he added an S-rank Ninjutsu: Almighty Push.

Yichen had initially worried that Ōnoki would confine him to his quarters after returning to the village. However, as it turned out, Yichen was overthinking it. He didn't even need Ōnoki to say anything; he simply didn't have time to go out and have fun.

Although a few minor incidents occurred in the Ninja World recently, which Yichen really wanted to get involved in, he unfortunately didn't have the time.

The research on the Natural Energy Seal is too dangerous, but among the researchers, apart from Yichen, none of the others can sense the existence of Natural Energy. Therefore, everyone else can be absent from the research process, but Yichen is indispensable.

The research process lasted for about six months, which was much longer than Yichen had expected. During this time, Ōnoki held three High-Level Meeting to discuss whether to continue the research, not for any other reason than that the research process was too expensive.

The first two meetings were initiated by Mei, the financial advisor. At that time, Yichen and Ōnoki supported the research, Ikura and Saka did not express their opinions.

When the third High-Level Meeting was held a month ago, even Ōnoki hesitated. If Yichen hadn't insisted and repeatedly explained that the research had made Wind Release: Breakthrough, the funding for this research might have been blocked by Ming.

Fortunately, we finally have the results today.

In the same experimental area, Yichen summoned all the senior executives to conduct an experiment.

If you pay a little attention, you'll notice that the terrain of this experimental area is completely different from before, because about three months ago, when the experiment was at a critical stage, an explosion occurred.

If it weren't for Yichen's progress over the past few months, which allowed him to promptly deploy a large-scale Circular Water Formation Wall to protect all the researchers, the Sealing Jutsu of Iwagakure might have regressed by ten years.

That research resulted in the greatest losses, ultimately attracting the attention of the Goddess of Wealth, Ming.

Besides these various unexpected events, the research process also encountered many unforeseen problems, such as how to determine if the concentration of Natural Energy had reached the standard. This problem troubled Yichen and his team for a long time, and finally, Giant Panda came over to experience it. The Giant Panda also gave a rough standard, though it wasn't entirely certain.

Although the process was bumpy, the final result was good. Just over ten days ago, during the experiment, a drop of what appeared to be liquefied Natural Energy was unexpectedly obtained. However, that drop of Natural Energy could not be preserved and quickly dissipated on its own.

But that undoubtedly gave everyone hope, and after more than ten days of research, Yichen and the others finally found some clues. That led to the experiment that was shown to all the village's leaders.

As the lead researcher, Yichen did not directly participate in the experiment; instead, he explained it to Ōnoki and the others.

The one who actually carried out the operation was none other than Mizuhara, the leader of the Barrier Team. The sealing setup went smoothly, and it was completed in less than ten minutes. Then came the waiting, which didn't take long either, about an hour, before the newly set seal began to fluctuate.

Then the fluctuations became increasingly violent, and finally, just as the seal was about to give way, a drop of golden, oily liquid formed in the very center of the seal. The liquid fell and landed in the bottle placed below.

Almost simultaneously, the Natural Energy within the seal was instantly depleted. The already fluctuating seal seemed unable to withstand the sudden change in pressure and collapsed instantly.

However, at this moment, no one paid attention to the collapsing seal, but instead all looked at the drop of Natural Energy inside the bottle.

Ōnoki carefully sensed it but didn't find anything special, so he looked at Yichen with some doubt.

Yichen also said somewhat uncertainly, "I can't guarantee that this is the liquefied Natural Energy the Giant Panda was talking about, but it's highly likely. And this thing will disappear very soon."

Sure enough, the drop of oily liquid disappeared in less than a minute.

Ōnoki thought for a moment and said, "No matter what, we've gone to such great lengths to create this thing, we have to test it out."

Yichen quickly raised his hand and said, "I'll do it, I'll do it, I'll try it."

Ming glared at Yichen and said, "You're an advisor now, watch your image."

Yichen quickly looked around guiltily. This consultant, Ming, had been very dissatisfied with Yichen for the past six months because the funds used for Yichen's experiments were simply outrageous.

Ikura asked, "Yichen, when do you plan to try it?"

Yichen said, "I'll try again in a few days. I'm not in the right state right now. I'll wait until I've calmed down before attempting it again."

Ōnoki said, "Then Yichen will conduct the experiment first, but when you conduct the experiment, at least I or Ikura must be by your side."

Yichen nodded incessantly, like a chick pecking at rice.

Four days later, Yichen finally calmed down from the tension and excitement of being able to practice Senjutsu, and then began his first attempt.

Yichen's test site was a newly set up large Natural Energy Barrier next to the original experimental area. Mizuhara and the others would create liquid Natural Energy within the experimental area and then send it to Yichen. Yichen had to do was adjust his state and wait inside the barrier.

Yichen, dressed in loose-fitting pajamas, sat cross-legged on the ground. Beside Yichen, Ikura held Black Rod, ready to strike at any moment. In the distance were Ōnoki and other high-ranking officials, as well as other personnel prepared by Yichen, including ninjas who recorded various data and Medical Ninja.

After everyone waited for a while, Mizuhara rushed in and handed the bottle containing liquid Natural Energy to Ikura.

Ikura didn't act immediately. Instead, she focused on sensing the energy. After Yichen's heart, which had been racing because of hearing Mizuhara's footsteps, calmed down a bit, she dripped the energy oil onto the back of Yichen's hand.

At this moment, Yichen, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, felt a cool sensation on the back of his hand, and then felt as if his whole body had merged into nature.

Fortunately, this wasn't the first time Yichen had absorbed Natural Energy; the slow petrification process last time had given Yichen a lot of experience.

Yichen quickly drew his attention back to his own body.

At this moment, a lot of energy that did not belong to him appeared in his body, and this energy was still increasing. Without Yichen having to search carefully, he could tell that this energy was flowing in from the back of his hand.

Compared to his previous accidental absorption of Natural Energy, Yichen's strength has greatly improved, especially his Chakra reserves, which are now on a completely different level.

So initially, Yichen did put up some resistance. But this process didn't last long, because Yichen discovered that simply resisting wouldn't work.

Yichen began attempting fusion again. Yichen had no experience fusing three types of Chakra, but thanks to his extensive preparation, such as Yichen training, he was now able to maintain his Yichen even from a height of 100 meters.

Therefore, Yichen's ability to control Natural Energy exceeded his own imagination. The process went more smoothly than Yichen had anticipated.

Following the analytical method of Ogura Saki, Yichen Yichen had already conducted a detailed analysis and, combined with his knowledge of the original work and various experiences in this life, anticipated dozens of different contingencies. He had considered all of them and devised what Yichen considered reasonable solutions.

Therefore, although Yichen does not have Naruto's talent, he has wisdom far surpassing Naruto's and has fully utilized this wisdom.

However, cultivating Senjutsu was too difficult. After a while, Yichen helplessly discovered that the fusion had failed. Upon the failure of the fusion, Yichen immediately felt himself being overwhelmed by the surging Natural Energy.

Just as Yichen felt his life was about to be submerged by Natural Energy, a sharp pain shot through his back. Then, the ocean that was about to engulf him vanished instantly.

Subconsciously opening his eyes, Yichen grimaced as he looked around before his gaze fell on the Black Rod in Ikura's hand.

Needless to say, it was definitely that Black Rod that had the effect.

"Thank you, Nagato, otherwise we would have been in grave danger today."

This petrochemical process is different from the previous one. Before, without energy oil, Yichen didn't absorb much Natural Energy. This time, with the support of energy oil, the amount of Natural Energy absorbed by Yichen is far greater than before.

After the first failure, Yichen did not rush to try again, but instead began to analyze the situation with the others.

The first step was to examine Yichen's physical condition. The results showed no abnormalities; Yichen's body had not suddenly become stronger, nor had it left any lasting problems.

Then Yichen described his various feelings beforehand, which were also recorded by a designated person.

After describing it, Yichen asked, "How long did I hold that position?"

Ikura said, "Five minutes."

Yichen was surprised, not expecting that what he thought was a short training session would actually last five minutes. Then came the pleasant surprise; Yichen was quite certain that Naruto wouldn't have been able to maintain that level of concentration at first.

This shows that, with ample preparation, Yichen's foundation is better than Naruto's when he first started practicing Senjutsu in the original story.

Of course, Naruto is full of cheat codes, so his training speed can't compare to that of a normal person, but that's a good thing nonetheless.

Moreover, Yichen felt that with Ogura Saki's systematic cultivation method, his own cultivation speed would not be slow.

After some deliberation, and with Ōnoki's permission, Yichen began his second attempt.

This attempt was more effective than the first one, and it lasted longer, but the essence remained the same; Yichen still couldn't integrate with the Natural Energy.

Having learned from the previous experience, Yichen didn't waste time on initial confusion and helplessness this time, so he gained more insights.