Dragon Vein

Neji stood deep within the Wet Bone Forest, surrounded by damp mist.

Under the moonlight, the mist of the Wet Bone Forest gleamed a ghostly blue. Every wisp of moisture carried Sage Chakra that had accumulated over millennia.

Neji stood before the Slug Sage's enormous body. The moss beneath his feet flickered in time with his breathing, as though the entire forest resonated with him.

The Slug Sage's semi-translucent white body gave off a faint glow.

"Dragon Vein..." The Slug Sage's voice echoed like something from ancient times. "It is the memory of the earth, a node in time and space."

"Can it repair a soul?" Neji asked directly.

The Slug Sage fell silent for a moment before slowly replying, "In theory, it can. The Dragon Vein contains immense temporal and spatial energy, capable of reshaping the mind. But I do not know exactly how it can be used."

Neji frowned. "There are no records?"

The Slug Sage swayed slightly, and its mucus condensed into a watery mirror. Ancient Loulan ruins appeared within it.

"The Loulan Ancient Kingdom once wielded the power of the Dragon Vein, but their priestesses have long since vanished. If you wish to find an answer, perhaps you can only go there."

Neji stared at the scene in the watery mirror. Suddenly, the Primordial Bagua Diagram within his Sea of Consciousness trembled faintly, as though it had formed some kind of resonance with the Dragon Vein.

Could the Eight Trigrams Diagram absorb the Dragon Vein?

The Slug Sage seemed to sense his thoughts and slowly said, "The Dragon Vein's power is extremely violent. If you make contact recklessly, you may be torn apart by spatial-temporal turbulence."

Neji clenched his fists, his gaze resolute.

"Even so, I have to try."

"Ah! Little Tsunade is truly lucky to have such an outstanding disciple!"

The Slug Sage praised him with approval in its eyes.

"No, meeting Lady Tsunade was the greatest fortune of my life! Time is of the essence, Lord Slug Sage. I'll take my teacher and leave for the Loulan Ancient Kingdom ruins at once."

As Neji spoke, he prepared to undo the Reverse Summoning.

"Wait, take this!"

A streak of light flew from the Slug Sage's body and reached Neji in the blink of an eye.

Neji caught it and examined it closely. It was a jade pendant shimmering with flowing light, giving off a faint aura of life. He sensed the Primordial Bagua Diagram sweep over it before inexplicably falling silent again, seemingly dismissing it with disdain.

Neji's expression stiffened. He shook his head and asked the Slug Sage, "Lord Slug Sage, what is this?"

"Hashirama left it behind while cultivating Sage Art here. Having remained at my side for so long, it has also acquired the mark of this space-time. The Dragon Vein is extremely dangerous, and spatial-temporal turbulence will inevitably appear. Take this with you. It can serve as a beacon in time and space, guiding you back when you return—if you can return at all!"

"Wonderful. Thank you, Lord Slug Sage. With this, I have a little more confidence!"

Neji bowed in thanks.

"Little Neji, take care of yourself!"

"Mm! Goodbye, Lord Slug Sage!"

With a bang, Neji was summoned back to the Ninja World.

"Goodbye, little Neji. Go forth boldly! I can see fate guiding you~"

The Slug Sage silently spoke as it looked at the place where Neji had disappeared.

"The Loulan Ancient Kingdom? Did such a place really exist? How come I've never heard of it?"

When Shizune heard that the Slug Sage truly had a way, she cried out in delight. Then she searched through her memories but found no information whatsoever about the Loulan Ancient Kingdom, leaving her confused.

"It's normal that you haven't heard of it. The Loulan Ancient Kingdom disappeared into history long ago. I only came across it while helping that old man, the Third Hokage, sort through documents. The Dragon Vein was sealed by Konoha ninja. What was strange was that the ninja who handled the matter could not remember the details of the process at all. He was someone trustworthy, so the old man, the Third Hokage, sealed away that mission report."

Having recovered a little energy after a brief sleep, Tsunade rubbed her head and explained it to Shizune.

Neji secretly laughed. If Minato's encounter with his own son had been reported, the Third Hokage would probably have thought Minato was talking nonsense. Besides, Minato had already sealed his own memories. No—based on Tsunade's description, Minato had likely erased the memories of everyone involved. What a cautious and powerful ninja, Neji thought.

"Was there really such an incredible ninja in the village? Didn't Lord Slug Sage say that the Dragon Vein was an extremely powerful force? Someone actually managed to seal it? How powerful must that ninja have been? Why have I never heard of him?" Shizune asked curiously.

Xiao Xi supported Tsunade's arm at the side. Upon hearing that, she quietly pricked up her ears as well.

Tsunade looked at the two curious girls, then at Neji's indifferent expression, and immediately felt a surge of irritation.

"You brat, aren't you curious?"

"I..." Neji looked at Tsunade in confusion. Everything was fine just now, so why did she suddenly turn on me? As expected, women really can't be judged by common sense.

What was there to be curious about? I knew more than even the people involved! Neji grumbled inwardly, but no matter what, he did not dare say that aloud.

"Mm, I'm curious. Very curious!" Neji hurriedly nodded along.

"Hmph! Brat!" Seeing his perfunctory expression, Tsunade grew even angrier. After thinking for a moment, she said, "There's no harm in telling you. You won't be able to meet him anyway. He was the Fourth Hokage—Minato Namikaze!"

"Lord Fourth!" Everyone cried out at once.

"As expected of the Fourth Hokage, he was truly remarkable!" Seeing Tsunade look at him, Neji hurriedly praised him.

Tsunade nodded in satisfaction and said, "I told you before that I've seen many geniuses in my life. Neji, although your talent has continued to overturn my understanding over the years, the Fourth was a genius in no way inferior to you!"

Neji nodded in agreement. He had some talent, but Neji knew exactly what he was capable of. Without the Primordial Bagua Diagram, along with a few wild imaginings brought from his previous life, he could never have been mentioned in the same breath as the Fourth Hokage.

Seeing Neji grow serious, Tsunade continued, "The Fourth independently created many ninjutsu. He also mastered the Flying Raijin technique, which no one had ever learned before, and even improved upon it by developing the Flying Raijin Second Stage."

"Flying Raijin is a space-time ninjutsu!"

Fearing that they would not understand, Tsunade explained what the Flying Raijin technique was.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Their exclamations of admiration rose one after another.

"As expected of the Fourth Hokage. Anyone capable of becoming a Kage is truly an unimaginable ninja!"

Neji's exaggerated praise drowned out every other voice.

Seeing the stunned looks on their faces, Tsunade was pleased.

"Actually, the Fourth's greatest skill was sealing techniques. Nine... forget it, I can't tell you about that. In any case, his sealing techniques were better than mine! Hah~" As she spoke, Tsunade yawned again, and her eyes immediately began to glaze over.

Seeing that, the others knew Tsunade was growing tired again, and the formerly relaxed atmosphere immediately turned heavy.

Fortunately, this was not the first time, and they had gained experience. They hurriedly helped her settle down to sleep.

"Senior Sister, Sister Xiao Xi, hurry and pack up! We need to get on the road as soon as possible..."

Neji instructed them.