Chapter 155: Chapter 158: Preparing for the Black Grail, Unlocking the Infinity Castle
Hokage’s Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat at his desk, reading the document in his hands.
This document came from Natsuki’s Fourth Anbu Squad, detailing the recent situation in Amegakure.
It included the incident where Natsuki eliminated the Iwagakure Anbu squad.
However, he didn’t mention Konan, Nagato, and Yahiko, claiming he eliminated them single-handedly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen put down the document and nodded slightly.
He had to admit, Natsuki and his Fourth Anbu Squad were doing quite well.
It wasn’t perfect, but considering his age, it was quite outstanding.
Throughout the Five Great Ninja Villages, there was simply no genius who could achieve this level at Natsuki’s age.
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the pipe on his desk and took a puff.
He was considering whether to promote Natsuki.
With his strength, he was more than qualified to be the Anbu Commander.
The only issues were age and experience.
Just as he was thinking, a knock came from the door.
"Come in."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked up at the door.
"Lord Hokage."
An Anbu ninja walked in and said. "We just received a mission issued by Her Highness Miroku, the Priestess of the Land of Demons."
"Priestess Miroku?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked surprised and asked. "Has Moryo broken free again?"
Back when the Priestess of the Land of Demons was Miroku’s mother, she had issued a mission to the Five Great Villages for assistance in sealing Moryo.
"No."
The Anbu ninja replied. "Her Highness the Priestess specifically requested Lord Natsuki to travel to the Land of Demons."
"Why?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.
"She didn’t state the specific reason."
The Anbu ninja paused and added. "According to Anbu investigations, there are currently no signs of Moryo breaking free."
Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped his pipe, somewhat puzzled.
Since Moryo hadn’t broken free, why ask Konoha for help? And specifically request Natsuki?
"Go call Natsuki over."
Sarutobi Hiruzen finally said.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
The Anbu ninja turned and left.
Meanwhile, at the Senju clan compound.
Natsuki fell into deep thought as he watched Uzumaki Kushina and Nawaki train.
He had rushed back last week.
He had Asayano write the document for Sarutobi Hiruzen to read.
After all, having power and not using it was a waste.
It was less than a week until the New Year.
In the blink of an eye, another year had passed.
The ninja world as a whole was in a relatively peaceful state.
But Natsuki knew that things were not calm beneath the surface.
Especially Kumogakure.
They could start a new war at any moment.
Moreover, the Third Great Ninja War was different from the Second. It lasted a long time, and one could even say the prelude had begun very early.
The most typical example was the first clash between Namikaze Minato and Kumogakure’s AB Combo.
The so-called AB Combo referred to the successive Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki.
The ones who fought Namikaze Minato were the future Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B.
At that time, Might Guy and the others hadn’t even participated in the Chunin Exams yet.
By the time the Third Great Ninja War reached its peak, it would be a massive free-for-all among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
Konoha, Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure would all fight independently, battling until the heavens and earth were shattered.
Its brutality would far exceed the Second Great Ninja War.
Although Natsuki always said there was plenty of time, in reality, it wasn’t that much.
Fortunately, his progress in unlocking character template abilities was quite good now.
He had unlocked all the abilities that required learning ninjutsu and secret jutsu.
This left him somewhat idle after returning to Konoha.
Natsuki’s next plan was to continue unlocking his character template abilities.
The most important ones were the four abilities that required defeating Jonin to unlock.
The Misaka Mikoto template’s Lightning Strike Spear required defeating five Lightning Release Jonin.
The Jiraiya template’s Fire Sealing Method required defeating five Fire Release Jonin.
The Unohana Retsu template’s Bakudo required defeating five Genjutsu Jonin, and Kaido required killing three Medical Jonin.
The Hatake Kakashi template’s First Gate of the Eight Inner Gates required defeating three Taijutsu Jonin.
Besides these, there was also the Bruno template’s Tekkai — Steel, which required taking the strongest attack of a Jonin head-on in three battles.
Many of these five abilities were already more than halfway completed.
Natsuki felt he could finish all of them next year.
The remaining tasks were to teach Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and the others, and to develop the Akatsuki organization.
A thought crossed Natsuki’s mind, remembering another very important matter.
That was the Artoria template’s Infinite Magical Energy, which meant forging the Black Grail.
Natsuki currently had enough chakra.
But it wasn’t quite enough for some abilities that consumed massive amounts of chakra, or at least he couldn’t use them freely.
There was one key element in forging the Black Grail.
It required a massive chakra aggregate.
Natsuki felt that Moryo of the Land of Demons would suffice.
Judging from the original work, Moryo possessed immortality and near-infinite energy.
Of course, it was only near-infinite, not truly infinite.
However, Natsuki had also studied the blueprints for the Black Grail.
He found that it had a chakra absorption function.
Simply put, after forging the Black Grail using Moryo, it could continue to absorb other chakra aggregates, such as the Ryumyaku or Tailed Beasts.
Then, he would truly achieve Infinite Magical Energy.
After some thought, Natsuki informed Nawaki and the others, then headed toward Granny Cat’s ninja tool shop.
Although Granny Cat and the Ninja Cat Clan lived in the Sora-ku, they had a permanent ninja tool shop within the Uchiha clan compound.
She would be in the shop during the day on weekdays.
The Black Grail required many materials.
It would be extremely troublesome for Natsuki to buy them himself.
Entrusting it to an intelligence and ninja tool merchant like Granny Cat would save a lot of trouble.
The only question was whether she could gather them all.
One of the key materials was quite troublesome.
Natsuki quickly arrived at Granny Cat’s ninja tool shop.
He was already acquainted with Granny Cat, having done big business a few times, so he didn’t stand on ceremony and handed the material list directly to her.
After reading it, Granny Cat felt a bit bewildered.
She could roughly guess the purpose of the previous material list for the Sorcery Clima-Tact.
But the materials on this list seemed like a chaotic mess to her. She had no idea what they were used for.
"I’ll try my best to gather them for you."
Granny Cat paused and added. "I suspect it will be difficult to gather them all. Some materials are too rare."
"It’s fine. Just get as much as you can."
Natsuki said nonchalantly.
He would have Granny Cat search first, and for the remaining materials, he could mobilize the power of the Dawn Company and the Anbu.
With its development, the Dawn Company could now be considered a behemoth.
The only problem was that it had too few products, only the Stamina Recovery Potion.
Fortunately, the rainwater collection device and the rainwater purification device were already mostly successful.
Natsuki estimated they could be put into use next year.
Then, they could initiate cooperation with the Land of Wind and Sunagakure.
"I’ll send a Ninja Cat to notify you when the time comes."
Granny Cat nodded and said.
Cooperating with Natsuki was still very pleasant.
After all, he was very wealthy.
Natsuki turned and left Granny Cat’s ninja tool shop.
Just then, he looked up and glanced at the alley on the left.
An Anbu ninja appeared there.
Natsuki walked over.
"Lord Natsuki."
The Anbu ninja came up and said. "Lord Hokage requests your presence."
"I’ll head over right away."
Natsuki raised an eyebrow, feeling puzzled.
Why did Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly call for him?
The New Year holiday was approaching. Logically, he shouldn’t be assigning new missions.
Deep in thought, Natsuki went to the Hokage building.
He knocked on the door, received permission, and walked into the Hokage’s office.
"Natsuki."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at him and asked. "Do you know Priestess Miroku of the Land of Demons?"
"I do not."
Natsuki said with a normal expression. "I’ve heard her name, but we’ve never met."
"That’s somewhat strange."
Sarutobi Hiruzen explained. "Priestess Miroku of the Land of Demons issued a mission, specifically requesting you to go to the Land of Demons to meet her."
"Why?"
Natsuki was slightly taken aback and asked subconsciously.
Could it be that Kakuzu was exposed?
But given his strength and experience, there was no reason he would be discovered by Priestess Miroku of the Land of Demons.
And even if he was discovered, it wouldn’t trace back to him.
Kakuzu still had that much professional integrity.
"I don’t know."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said. "But the Priestess of the Land of Demons is equivalent to a Daimyo and holds a special status. Since she specifically requested it, it’s hard for us to refuse."
"I understand."
Hearing this, Natsuki said. "I can make a trip to the Land of Demons."
Coincidentally, he had planned to go to the Land of Demons to look for the Yomi Cult after the New Year anyway.
Natsuki suddenly narrowed his eyes.
He thought of a possibility.
In the original work, it was mentioned that Shion had the ability to prophesy the life and death of others.
Except for Uzumaki Naruto, her prophecies had never been wrong.
So, did Miroku, as Shion’s mother, also possess this ability?
Most likely, she did.
Because the Priestess’s power was passed down from generation to generation.
The reason Natsuki didn’t think of it just now was that the original work didn’t mention whether Shion’s mother, Miroku, also had this ability.
But the problem was, this ability to prophesy life and death required seeing the person face-to-face to trigger.
Miroku hadn’t seen him, so why would the prophecy trigger?
Or perhaps Miroku and Shion’s prophecy abilities were different.
She didn’t need to see the person to prophesy?
That would be too broken.
Natsuki felt it was unlikely.
Even the prophecies of the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myoboku weren’t that accurate.
Its prophecies could only be seen through dreams, and only in fragments.
This was why Jiraiya traveled the entire ninja world looking for the Child of Prophecy.
The Great Toad Sage only knew there was a Child of Prophecy, but didn’t know where they were, how old they were, or even if they were born yet.
"Did she specify a time?"
Natsuki added. "If not, I’ll go after the New Year holiday is over."
"She didn’t state a specific time."
Sarutobi Hiruzen guessed. "If it were urgent, a time would be marked on the mission."
"Mm."
Natsuki thought for a moment and said. "We can have the Anbu reply to Priestess Miroku first."
"That works. I’ll arrange it later."
Sarutobi Hiruzen changed the subject and said with a chuckle. "Remember to leave a good impression on Priestess Miroku."
Natsuki understood his meaning immediately.
The Land of Demons was very special. It had no Daimyo and no ninjas.
All power was concentrated in the Priestess.
As long as Priestess Miroku was satisfied, she could issue more missions to Konoha.
This was undoubtedly a fantastic thing for the ninjas of Konoha.
After all, ninjas made a living through missions. The more missions, the better.
The opposite was Sunagakure.
After the Third Great Ninja War, the Land of Wind cut financial support, forcing Sunagakure to take the so-called elite route.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, even had to pan for gold in the desert to maintain the daily operations of Sunagakure.
"You still need to accumulate more prestige in the Anbu."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said pointedly.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Natsuki’s heart stirred, and he agreed.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was hinting that he needed to accumulate more prestige or merit before he could be promoted.
But during peacetime, achieving this wasn’t that simple.
However, this trip to the Land of Demons was a good opportunity.
He could use it to farm prestige.
Resolving it would, as Sarutobi Hiruzen hoped, lead the Land of Demons to give Konoha more missions.
Natsuki took the mission scroll and left the Hokage’s office.
He returned to the Senju clan compound.
Upon seeing Nawaki, a thought flashed through his mind.
That was to take him along to the Land of Demons.
Then he could have Priestess Miroku prophesy his life and death.
Although due to his butterfly effect, Nawaki didn’t die in the Second Great Ninja War, he still felt a bit uneasy.
Besides him, Yakushi Nonou could also go. Their squad hadn’t been out on a mission for a while anyway.
"Natsuki, why were you out for so long?"
Uzumaki Kushina leaned in and asked.
She was like a little kitten, leaning forward, practically throwing herself into his arms.
"I ran into an Anbu ninja and went to see Lord Hokage. He assigned me a mission."
Natsuki replied.
"What mission?"
Hearing about a mission, Nawaki immediately became interested, stopped his training, and asked.
"It’s a mission from Priestess Miroku of the Land of Demons. I don’t know the specifics yet."
Natsuki looked at him and said. "After the New Year, we can go together."
"Great!"
Nawaki showed an excited expression.
"It’s a pity I can’t go."
Uzumaki Kushina grabbed his hand and said. "Then you have to keep me company and play with me during the New Year holiday."
"Mm."
Natsuki nodded.
He still missed Uzumaki Kushina in the maid outfit from last year.
He wondered if there would still be that segment this year.
[Hyo-onna has unlocked Blood Demon Art: Infinity Castle]
A line of text suddenly appeared, making Natsuki feel a surge of joy.
Has she finally unlocked the Infinity Castle?
A massive amount of information flooded his mind.
Blood Demon Art: Infinity Castle was undoubtedly a spatial ability.
Its effect was to create an alternate dimension capable of holding an entire city.
Natsuki originally thought it would directly give him an Infinity Castle, but after unlocking it, he found that wasn’t the case at all.
It only gave him an alternate dimension with nothing inside.
But on the other hand, he could create his own Infinity Castle according to his own ideas.
It was simply perfect for... keeping a mistress in a golden house.
Ahem.
This Infinity Castle reminded Natsuki of a setting in Xianxia and Fantasy novels: a small world or a pocket dimension.
He could farm and live inside it, and also invite others.
Although the space was limited and couldn’t hold too many people, a few hundred would likely not be a problem.
Translated to the ninja world, it was equivalent to possessing an alternate dimension comparable to the Three Great Sage Regions of Summoning Beasts.
Entering and exiting this alternate dimension required his operation.
But he had to be careful of ninjas with spatial abilities.
They might be able to ignore him and enter this alternate dimension.
The only pity was that it was fixed.
If he could carry it with him, it would completely become a strategic-level ability.
In the future, when Natsuki fought, he could release a whole van full of teammates anytime, anywhere.
"What’s wrong?"
Uzumaki Kushina noticed him zoning out and asked.
"Nothing."
Natsuki snapped out of it and said. "You guys continue training."
Uzumaki Kushina and Nawaki had both learned the Rokushiki and Armament Haki, and were now learning Fuinjutsu and Water Release respectively.
Natsuki stroked his chin.
He planned to place this Infinity Castle in Konoha.
But there was no need to hire a construction crew to renovate it.
As a ninja, he could completely renovate it himself, especially with Earth Release, which was very suitable for renovation.
Besides that, he could also invite Uzumaki Kushina, Yakushi Nonou, and the others to join him.
A week passed quickly, and the new year arrived.
The first day was the same as usual: praying at the shrine, then strolling around.
On the second day, Natsuki called Tsunade, Nawaki, Yakushi Nonou, and Uzumaki Kushina to his room.
"Why did you ask us to come to your room?"
Nawaki asked curiously.
Yakushi Nonou and Uzumaki Kushina were also very puzzled.
Tsunade, on the other hand, scanned the room and vaguely sensed a slight anomaly.
But she couldn’t tell where the anomaly was.
"Didn’t I try to learn the Flying Thunder God Technique before? But unfortunately, I don’t have the talent to learn it."
Natsuki spoke up. "I didn’t give up and decided to try modifying the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"Only you would dare to say such a thing."
Nawaki’s mouth twitched upon hearing this.
"You succeeded?"
Tsunade asked with a surprised look.
"How should I put it? I succeeded, but I also didn’t succeed."
Natsuki explained. "I accidentally opened an alternate dimension right here in this room."
"Really? Where?"
Uzumaki Kushina was instantly interested.
"Right inside."
Natsuki raised his hand, and an Air Door appeared.
Tsunade was the first to walk in.
She looked left and right, confirmed there was no danger, and said. "All of you, come in."
Hearing this, Nawaki and the others all walked in.
"It’s so desolate."
Uzumaki Kushina couldn’t help but blurt out.
As far as the eye could see, it was a desolate wasteland without any animals or plants.
"But the space is very large, and sunlight even filters in."
Tsunade pondered and said. "It’s no different from the Three Great Sage Regions of Summoning Beasts."
"The pity is that it’s fixed."
Natsuki paused and said. "But it can be modified to serve as our hideout."
"I think that’s great!"
Uzumaki Kushina’s eyes lit up.
She could modify it according to her own ideas, wouldn’t have to worry about being monitored by the Anbu anymore, and could even spend alone time with Natsuki here.
"It’s quite nice as a secret base."
Tsunade agreed. "And the space is very large. You guys can usually train in here."
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