Natural Energy

The existence of Ryūchi Cave is not widely known, but it is certainly not unknown to everyone.

Hidden west of the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, in the far western forbidden zone of life, the environment above Ryūchi Cave is not very good. The land is barren for thousands of miles, and the earth is like a piece of charcoal, as if it had been burned by endless heavenly fire for countless years, but it has gradually revealed a few traces of glass color.

No life can survive on such a land. Even the inhabitants of the Land of Wind, tormented by harsh winds and sandstorms, would not want to live in the far west.

This was the first time Kato Osamu had not reached the top of Ryūchi Cave. The almost boundless, broken earth stretched out in all directions, and his existence seemed to be nothing more than a grain of sand falling into it.

"Is this the scene caused by the 'Calamity of a Thousand Years Ago' that the White Snake Sage spoke of...?"

"It really makes one tremble..."

It seems that everyone on this planet lives on a small piece of land that includes the Five Great Nations.

The scarcity of resources has fueled years of continuous warfare, but the real reason may simply be the instinct for survival and development.

However, almost no books record anything about the far west. It seems that apart from the lands of the Five Great Nations, there are no other traces of humankind on this planet.

"A thousand miles to the south lies the Maze Mountain, the territory of Mount Myoboku..."

"Those giant Toad have been trying to change their surroundings, and it seems they've achieved some success over the past century..."

Ichikishimahime could be considered a beauty most of the time, except before eating and when the Toad were mentioned.

As both a natural enemy and a part of her diet, she had no liking for the Toad of Mount Myoboku.

"The White Snake Sage told me that you know about the preparations before cultivating Senjutsu..."

The feud between the Three Great Sage Lands has little to do with Kato Osamu. These summoning beasts, which have existed in the Shinobi World for countless years, may seem to be controllable by humans, but if you underestimate them, they would probably have become food for humans long ago.

"Are you already eager to become my dessert, little Kato...?"

Ichikishimahime's sharp forked tongue gently licked Kato Osamu's cheek, a hint of interest appearing in her eyes. She hadn't tasted such 'delicious' food in countless years...

"Hiss..."

Suddenly, Shiro sprang from Kato Osamu's shoulder, its eyes turning cold. Its hissing was incessant, and its human-like gaze was filled with dissatisfaction and hostility. Its raised serpentine body stared intently at Ichikishimahime.

"I almost forgot about you, little one..."

Kato Osamu gently stroked Shiro's head, slightly calming its restlessness. Ichikishimahime slowly withdrew the food-like look in her eyes, and seemed to lose some interest in Kato Osamu.

"If only I could have a fourth companion..."

"Letting Shiro devour you doesn't seem like a bad idea..."

Ichikishimahime's voice drifted over, causing Kato Osamu to frown and hesitate slightly as he gently stroked Shiro's hand...

"Is this why you brought me here?"

"Don't be in such a hurry to die. Once you fail in your cultivation of immortal Senjutsu, you'll naturally become the best food..."

Ichikishimahime walked slowly ahead, but her words only deepened Kato Osamu's doubts. The practice of Senjutsu sounded extremely dangerous, with the possibility of death at any moment...

"In the past, many contractors wanted to obtain the power of Senjutsu, but almost unsurprisingly, they became our food..."

"Since the White Snake Sage has asked me to tell you how to cultivate immortal Senjutsu, I will tell you everything I know until then..."

Has anyone successfully cultivated this technique...?

Do you want to know the answer...?

Ichikishimahime's tone was somewhat amused. These snakes, which had lived for countless years, had gradually become more vicious even when they were far away from humans.

She gently tightened her clothes. The sunlight was gradually setting, and the desolate land, illuminated by the evening glow, appeared dark and eerie. The wind howled, and the scorched earth seemed to harbor some kind of deadly danger.

"If no one could successfully cultivate this technique, then such a legacy wouldn't have been passed down. You don't need to test me with your words anymore..."

"How unlovable..."

"However, you're not wrong, it's just that of those cultivators, only one in a hundred survives..."

"Generally speaking, those with strong spiritual energy are more likely to succeed in cultivation..."

"Although your spiritual energy is very strong, there are many who are stronger than you, and they will still die in the practice of cultivating Natural Energy..."

Kato Osamu listened quietly to Ichikishimahime's voice, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes. He then softly asked, "So what you just said, if I fail in my cultivation, Shiro can transform into a human by consuming my flesh?"

"This is the simplest method..."

"The first step in cultivating the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave is to learn the Serpent Transformation Technique Serpent Transformation Technique, which allows the cultivator to transform from a human body into a serpent's body..."

"It's not a transformation technique, but a true life form identical to that of a snake..."

"Once you've adapted to the snake's body, you can try absorbing Natural Energy. Through this Natural Energy, you can transform your snake body back into a human body. In this process, your body will adapt to the flow of Natural Energy and gradually become one with nature."

"If you can regain your human form, you will naturally be able to use Senjutsu..."

What Ichikishimahime said sounded simple, but Kato Osamu knew it couldn't be as easy as she made it sound; there must be something she hadn't fully explained.

"Is this your idea of being open and honest...?"

Upon hearing this, Ichikishimahime chuckled softly but didn't refute anything. She turned and glanced at Kato Osamu: "Haha, I really can't fool you..."

"The process of Serpent Transformation Technique is reversible, meaning that even if you fail to master it, you can still transform back into a human body. However, the process of transforming the snake body into a human body using Natural Energy..."

"You only have one chance, and it's completely irreversible..."

"While Natural Energy is controllable, it is also exceptionally violent. During your transformation from a snake to a human, this energy is forcibly altering your body structure. If you fail to control this energy, your body may remain stuck at a certain stage of transformation, or it may undergo some unpredictable mutations..."

"For example, it grows a snake's tail..."

"Even so, you can already congratulate yourself on being favored by Senjutsu. This 'monster,' which can probably neither be called human nor snake, is also a product of Natural Energy transformation and can also use immortal Senjutsu..."

"And many more will be torn to pieces by the violent Natural Energy..."

"Of course, your remaining flesh and blood have already undergone the transformation of Natural Energy and possess the Serpent Transformation Technique. These 'same-origin' ingredients are the best nourishment. Shiro, by swallowing these 'foods' and gradually integrating them into yourself, you will be able to transform into human form as safely as possible..."

"So, if I could obtain a piece of your flesh and blood and transplant it into my body, then I could 'safely' obtain the power of Senjutsu..."

"A wonderful idea, but unfortunately... you'll just become 'another me'..."

"The power of Natural Energy is something you cannot comprehend in your current state..."

Kato Osamu fell silent. He thought of the Natural Energy contained in Hashirama Cells. This energy, which drives cells to proliferate indefinitely, can only be neutralized by Natural Energy. Even the Sharingan can only suppress it to a certain extent.

Those children who received Hashirama Cells in an attempt to gain the power of Wood Release all perished under this power, turning into wooden stakes...

"I have another question: humans and the snakes of Ryūchi Cave are both creatures of this world, so why must they become snakes to sense Natural Energy?"

Ichikishimahime seemed slightly surprised; she hadn't expected Kato Osamu to ask that question.

"Someone asked me this question before... You're very lucky..."

"After that contractor died from the raging Natural Energy, I devoured his body. Later, out of boredom, I remembered the question about that 'food' and asked the White Snake Sage about it..."

"What you may not know is..."

"The White Snake Sage told me that humans a thousand years ago also had the ability to sense the existence of Natural Energy..."

Ichikishimahime seemed to enjoy seeing Kato Osamu's surprised expression, and continued speaking with a slight smile.

"But ever since the 'Calamity of a Thousand Years Ago,' the human bloodline seems to have been constantly changing. It's roughly the energy of Chakra that's been altering the human physique. Today, humans can no longer perceive Natural Energy on their own..."

"Therefore, a thousand years ago, there was no Chakra. Chakra was a kind of energy that appeared suddenly, even an energy that could change the human body..."

"But you snakes can also use Chakra..."

"Humans, with their short lifespans, will probably never perceive certain changes in this world..."

Ichikishimahime stared directly at Kato Osamu, a hint of gloom in her eyes that he couldn't quite decipher. She spoke in a low, unsettling tone, saying something that surprised Kato Osamu: "Compared to when I was born, the Natural Energy of this world is becoming increasingly scarce..."

Ichikishimahime's words seemed to imply something deeper, and a possibility instantly flashed through Kato Osamu's mind...

"So, Chakra might be a type of energy transformed from Natural Energy?"

"A being from a thousand years ago used some method to transform this Natural Energy, which is difficult for ordinary people to perceive, into Chakra, which can be perceived by humans on a larger scale..."

"And the price is that humanity is finding it increasingly difficult to perceive this Natural Energy that should permeate the world..."

Ichikishimahime ignored Kato Osamu's words, stopped in her tracks, and without paying any attention to the scorched black ash on the ground, slowly lay down on the ground, as if embracing the earth.

Can you feel it...?

"The Natural Energy of this land has completely disappeared..."

"This land... is dead..."

A gust of wind, seemingly from nowhere, made Ichikishimahime's plain white dress flutter loudly. The sky grew increasingly gloomy, and a chill crept into Kato Osamu's heart. An indescribable sorrow seemed to sweep across the empty land, assaulting his emotions.

"Although I really disliked those Toad, they channeled the Natural Energy they collected into the rivers of Mount Myoboku, restoring life to that land..."

"Although it's only a small amount, it's undeniably a remarkable feat..."

P. S.: Worked overtime today, exhausted... Sorry, only one update...