Qi Refining

That evening, after handling everything, Orochimaru let out a long breath.

Even after cutting out many unnecessary steps, there was still a great deal to do.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had handed a great many affairs over to him, and even with the help of Coldproof Dew Wine, he had been busy for a long time before finishing them.

There were many matters that required his consideration. Konoha was still in ruins and desperately needed rebuilding; many wounds needed healing, and many problems needed solving.

Having temporarily handed off all those useless administrative affairs, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt light and unburdened.

His two sons had already grown up, and his wife had passed away. Hiruzen Sarutobi was now alone.

After finishing the day's work, Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the Sarutobi Clan's residence.

Though their overall quality could not compare to Konoha's major clans, the Sarutobi Clan had no small number of members. Altogether, they even outnumbered some of the great clans.

However, their talent was ordinary. At best, they could become jonin.

The Sarutobi Clan's talent for the five elemental releases had not been inherited. In other words, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Sasuke Sarutobi were exceptions.

After instructing Asuma and Shinnosuke to follow Orochimaru's arrangements, Hiruzen Sarutobi began his secluded cultivation.

Ninja cultivation was not particularly efficient and relied more heavily on talent. Chakra reserves, bloodline, and affinity for chakra all had a great deal to do with it.

He had been transported here for several days already. At last, he could begin cultivating properly.

The spiritual energy within Konoha was not particularly dense, so Hiruzen Sarutobi went to the outskirts of the Forest of Death.

The reason Konoha was hated by the other ninja villages had much to do with its geographical location. The Land of Fire possessed exceptionally abundant forest resources.

The resources of the other ninja villages were comparatively far more barren.

The trees in the Forest of Death were extraordinarily thick. A single branch was enough for several ninja to leap and maneuver across.

Such a vast forest had been left behind by the First Hokage. From that alone, one could imagine just how powerful the First had been.

Many years had passed, yet the forest still retained astonishing vitality.

Life flourished here, and the spiritual energy was equally dense. The rich spiritual energy within the forest had even nurtured some ferocious beasts far larger than normal.

Finding a thick tree stump, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat cross-legged and began to sense the chakra within his body.

Chakra was a peculiar energy created by squeezing the potential of the mind and body. Though it consumed lifespan and potential, it had to be said that chakra was quick to cultivate and incredibly versatile.

Moreover, after a long period of time, chakra and ninjutsu had evolved in response to their environments. For example, people from the Land of Water were more suited to Water Release, and there were existences like Kisame who differed entirely from ordinary humans.

The entire Shinobi World had become intertwined with chakra, but that did not change the fact that chakra originated from the Divine Tree.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could use composite ninjutsu, even techniques like the Five-Release Barrage, and the chakra within his body remained quite abundant.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi now intended to disperse all the chakra in his body, using it to nourish his flesh and lay his foundation.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly absorbed spiritual energy from the outside to assist him. Then, silently reciting his cultivation method and communicating with his body, he began using his flesh to absorb chakra.

To the Otsutsuki Clan, the Divine Tree's fruit was a great medicine that absorbed the life energy of an entire planet. To Hiruzen Sarutobi, the chakra he had cultivated himself was likewise a tonic capable of nourishing his body.

Three days passed. His chakra had been completely exhausted, and his formerly hollow body became full once more.

His pale hair turned jet-black, and an entirely new tooth even grew in his mouth!

The skin all over his body cracked. As Hiruzen Sarutobi rose to his feet, his old skin shattered and scattered in the wind, revealing wheat-colored skin beneath.

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked completely different from how he had three days earlier.

Previously, Hiruzen Sarutobi had looked like an old man at death's door. Now, it was impossible to tell his exact age.

His muscles were full, and his breath was deep and steady. He appeared to be only around thirty or forty years old.

Shaking his head, he knew that although his body had recovered somewhat, it was still somewhat strong on the outside but weak within. He needed some rare treasures of heaven and earth.

Within the Forest of Death, he found several ferocious beasts containing spiritual energy, killed them, and began roasting them.

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi had merely reached the first level of Qi Refining, but he had already made a good start.

The Naka River had witnessed Konoha's rise and fall. At this moment, Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha were discussing the Shinobi World and life.

The two young children wore serious expressions as they discussed topics that many adults would never consider.

These two were also supreme geniuses of the Uchiha Clan.

Danzo believed the Uchiha Clan could not be controlled. Perhaps that had something to do with the clan producing so many people like this.

The Uchiha were far too stubborn. They easily deceived and moved themselves, and their logic differed from that of ordinary people.

Itachi Uchiha and Shisui Uchiha were even more outstanding among the Uchiha Clan.

"Itachi, do you smell roasted meat?"

Shisui suddenly turned his head and sniffed carefully. The aroma of roasted meat drifted out from the forest.

Itachi Uchiha nodded. He smelled it too, but he preferred sweets and was not as interested in roasted meat.

"Come on, let's take a look."

This place was right next to the Uchiha Clan's territory, so other ninja generally would not come near.

Shisui assumed someone from the clan was grilling meat.

Neither of them had eaten lunch, and Itachi Uchiha did not object. Together, they headed in the direction the scent was coming from.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had caught a huge black bear and brought it to the Naka River. After skinning and deboning it, he was roasting it.

The bear paws were quite nourishing, perfect for replenishing his energy.

One could initially abstain from food only after reaching Foundation Establishment. After Golden Core, one began feeding on qi, but that did not mean one no longer needed food after attaining profound cultivation.

The flesh and blood of powerful demonic beasts, as well as medicinal herbs, could all aid cultivation to a certain extent.

He used Fire Release to speed up the roasting and found some simple seasonings in the forest.

The cooking method was ordinary, but the ingredients were good enough to make it a supreme delicacy all the same.

Following the scent all the way, Shisui and Itachi arrived to find a stranger roasting meat.

The grilling method was extremely rough. A gigantic black bear had been cut apart, skewered onto wooden stakes, and roasted. Judging by the amount, fewer than a dozen people would never finish it.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had noticed the two little brats long ago. At a glance, he recognized Itachi, the great filial son, and Shisui, the little fool.

Because of Kagami Uchiha, Hiruzen Sarutobi was fairly familiar with Shisui. Shisui also intended to join the ANBU. Like Kagami Uchiha, he wanted to become a bridge between the village and the Uchiha Clan.

The man looked somewhat familiar, but Shisui could not recall who he was for the moment. Still, he was definitely not from the Uchiha Clan.

"Mister, who are you?"

Itachi Uchiha said nothing, but he was secretly on guard.

A random person had appeared near the Uchiha Clan's territory. There was a high chance he had ill intentions.

"Don't you recognize me?"

His voice also sounded familiar. After thinking for only a moment, Shisui's mouth fell open.

"You're... Lord Hokage?"

"That's right. I'm the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."