Yoichi set aside the day's noise, burying the Murakami drama and the strange events deep in his mind.
The focus shifted entirely to the core of the message.
Sitting in the quiet room, the boy let the words settle until a hidden meaning started to click.
"Ancient ghost of the Sage's mother..." Yoichi mused in a low whisper. "It's gotta be Black Zetsu. Without a doubt."
Eyes turned back to the deliberate carvings, shifting from local threats to a shadow that might be moving through history.
The true danger likely wasn't a village power struggle, but an entity watching the world for centuries.
This existence could be a variable the ghost wanted to manage.
If that thing is the watcher, then it might be recording every move, Yoichi thought.
He looked at his hands, knowing his genius and his growth were already public knowledge.
Yoichi acknowledged that he couldn't hide his achievements, so he wondered if he could hide his true intent instead.
An exhale left his lips, his mind turning sharp.
Since his power was out in the open, the real game was making sure the ghost didn't see his end goal.
The ancient figure could see what he did, but he must never know why he was doing it.
He called the panel and glanced, seeing his progress and his cluster of passive clearly.
[Realm: Meridians Strengthening Realm]
「Attribute Panel」
「Charm: 11」「??? 」
「Spirit: 74」 「???」
[Prismatic Passive: Incinerator, Battle Instinct, Second Heart, Detective at Work, Fighting Spirit, Soul Eater, Tenacious Heart, Energy Efficiency, Excellent Offspring.]
[Gold Passive: Old Skin, Self Healing Constitution, Mortal Strike, Prodigal Amorous Heart, Reinforced Iron Bones, Bone Coating, Purification, Unyielding Heart, Injury Conversion, Body of Thorns.]
[Status: Healthy, Afflicted by Shepherd of the Innocent Lambs]
[Technique: Heavenly Demon Scripture]
—[Heavenly Demon Postures: (Perfection+)]
—[Mountain Crushing Fist: (Perfection+)]
—[Phantom Steps: (Perfection+)]
—[Lightning Spear Thrust: (Perfection+)]
—[Face Changing Technique (Perfection+)]
[Tickets: 1 Prismatic, 3 Gold, 12 Silver]
"I need more power," Yoichi frowned, his voice steady. "For myself, and for them."
He pushed the mysteries aside and looked at the resources he had left to spend, ready to trade them for the strength he needed.
Yoichi tapped the golden roulette, spending three tickets as the light settled on the results.
[Drawing...]
[Congratulations! You've obtained Herb Encyclopedia!]
[Congratulations! You've obtained True Qi Pills!]
[Congratulations! You've obtained Spirit Herbs!]
A thick book and a bundle of dried plants appeared on the floor. Beside them sat a large vase containing 30 True Qi Pills, each the size of a longan fruit. A hand ran over the rough cover of the encyclopedia, a silent acknowledgement that the book and herbs would be useful later on.
If I can find an advanced book on alchemy next, I could probably get Tsunade and Orochimaru to learn these things, Yoichi cupped his chin.
The idea of his teammates mastering such crafts was a rational step toward greater collective strength. "I need to be ready," he whispered, eyes fixed on the thirty pills.
These resources were the key to gaining the power needed for personal safety and the protection of loved ones.
After that, Yoichi held a Prismatic Ticket with a rare light flickering in his eyes.
He hesitated, caught between the lure of a new passive ability or the potential of raw resources.
A new passive could be a life-saver, but resources might provide the foundation I'm missing, he weighed the options.
Choosing resources, he tapped the screen and watched the prismatic glow explode into a single item.
[Drawing...]
[Congratulations! You've obtained Grotto Heaven Seed!]
"Damn! How lucky am I?"
A small, glowing seed appeared in his palm, pulsing with a rhythm like a living heart.
Yoichi felt a jolt of genuine excitement, his fingers trembling slightly as he cradled the warm object.
This wasn't just a tool; it was the start of a private world, a hidden sanctuary where he could train or hide away from the prying eyes of the village.
This seed represented a level of safety and secrecy he hadn't thought possible.
It was the ultimate hideout for himself and those he cared for, tucked away from the shadows of the shinobi world.
...
Next Morning.
Yoichi greeted the group with a rare, cordial smile.
Seeing this, Tsunade paused, eyes narrowing as she studied the expression.
"You're in a suspiciously good mood today," she remarked, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Did you find a treasure chest or something?"
A gesture invited them to gather around a cleared patch of earth. The Herb Encyclopedia, the Spirit Herbs, and a large vase of 30 True Qi Pills were laid out for inspection.
Finally, the pulsing Grotto Heaven Seed was held up. "This is a seed for a private dimension. It can become a hidden sanctuary for our training and safety."
Jiraiya let out a loud whistle, leaning over the vase to poke at the longan-sized pills. "Forget about that, look at the size of these pills! Are you trying to get us all promoted to Kage by lunch?"
"They are for cultivation, Jiraiya," Yoichi replied, sliding the heavy encyclopedia toward the others. "This book will be useful later on. If more advanced texts appear, perhaps Tsunade and Orochimaru could start learning how to refine these things."
Orochimaru reached out, pale fingers hovering over the glowing seed with intense curiosity. "A separate space, hidden from the world. The possibilities for research are endless."
Possessing such mysterious treasures was a death sentence if the wrong people found out.
However, the team had shared too many hardships and joys to betray that trust. This bond was a solid wall of solidarity, allowing them to accept the gifts without prying into the source of the secrets.
I can plant these herbs inside the Grotto Heaven and use the encyclopedia to grow them perfectly!
Yoichi thought, feeling a jolt of excitement.
The idea of advancing their own garden of resources while his friends studied the book was a logical path to power. Pride swelled within as the gamble on resources paid off, mirrored in the wonder on his teammates' faces.
Therefore, the group moved with practiced silence through the thick forests bordering the village.
They sought a location far from the usual patrol routes and the prying eyes of the Anbu. After hours of searching, a secluded valley hidden behind a screen of ancient, vine-choked trees appeared.
A small waterfall trickled into a clear basin, providing a natural source of water and masking any sounds of their conversation.
"This spot will work," Yoichi noted, scanning the perimeter for any signs of recent tracks. The area was naturally shielded by steep rock faces, creating a blind spot for traditional surveillance.
Jiraiya dropped his pack and looked around with an approving nod. "It's quiet. Even the birds don't seem to mind us being here. Perfect for a secret base."
Yoichi pulled the Grotto Heaven Seed from his pouch, the pulse of the item feeling stronger in the natural stillness. A gesture brought the others closer as the moment to plant the foundation of their future arrived.
He knelt and pressed the glowing seed into the soft earth. The ground hungered for the light, pulling it deep as a low hum vibrated through the air. A sharp sound like breaking glass echoed while the fabric of reality seemed to rip apart, revealing a swirling vortex of gold.
"The space... It's actually opening," Orochimaru whispered, eyes fixed on the stable portal.
A rush of pure energy surged from the tear, smelling of ancient earth and untapped power.
Tsunade stepped back from the pressure, her hand instinctively reaching for a kunai. Even Jiraiya stood silent, the usual jokes forgotten as he stared into the shimmering entrance of a world that shouldn't exist.
It worked!
Yoichi thought, heart hammering with a rare moment of thrill. The connection to the newly formed realm felt strong, marking him as the master of this hidden dimension.
A look at the portal confirmed that the forest of Konoha was now just a memory.
One by one, the group stepped through the shimmering tear, leaving the forest of Konoha behind.
A sudden transition of light faded to reveal a vast, untouched landscape.
They stood on a grassy hill overlooking a valley filled with silver mist and vibrant, glowing flora.
"Is this... still our world?" Tsunade asked, her voice trembling with shock.
Suddenly, she let out a cry of delight and lunged forward, catching Yoichi in a fierce hug.
She spun with him around in circles, her laughter echoing across the hills. "You did it! You actually did it!"
Jiraiya and Orochimaru stood still, their expressions turning solemn as they sensed the atmosphere.
The air was thick with a pure, natural energy that felt far cleaner than the world outside.
Each breath seemed to wash away fatigue, filling their veins with a raw power that made their own chakra feel heavy by comparison.
"The density of the Qi is incredible," Orochimaru noted, his pale face gaining a hint of color. "This is a researcher's dream."
"With this environment, the herbs will grow twice as fast," Yoichi mused as Tsunade finally set down.
He felt a jolt of pride at her excitement and the awed silence of his rivals. This hidden realm was no longer a dream but a physical sanctuary where they could become legends.
____________
Finally! It's done. Thanks again to Snowwwww, doomslayer24, and Daemonic_Dragon for the Power Stones! Thank you and I appreciate it a lot!
Oh right, I changed the three pillars he'd got in the perfection+ of his techniques to five. You can look at chapter 154 which I rewrote to the 5 pillars now. They will be very useful for the future, don't worry!