Only Shinji remained in the guest room; Kurenai Yuhi had long since slipped away. She had come secretly for a private meeting, and staying away too long would be improper. After spending a few intimate moments with Shinji, she got up and went to help out in the front hall.
The guest room was brightly lit. Shinji sat cross-legged on the tatami, propping his chin on one hand, his brow slightly furrowed as he sank into thought.
"Tsunade and Chief Priest Chukaku both want to see me?"
He pondered this repeatedly in his mind, then soon relaxed and smiled.
"It should be good news."
This time, he had not only saved Tsunade but also turned the tide and defended the Fire Temple. Without his intervention, the casualties in the temple would have been far more severe.
He could rest for a while first; it wouldn't be too late to see them once the sky was completely bright.
Kurenai had also urged him to get more rest.
Shinji focused his thoughts and summoned the System Panel, intending to browse through it. His gaze quickly fell on the message bar at the top.
There was an unread notification.
He casually opened it.
[Charm +3]
[Description: The host turned the tide, repelling the powerful enemy that invaded the Fire Temple, earning unanimous recognition from nobles, ninja, monks, and others in the Land of Fire.]
[Note: Your reputation is gradually beginning to spread!]
"Charm increased by 3 points?"
Shinji glanced at his personal panel.
[Charm: 46]
"Not far from 50 points. I wonder what reward it'll give this time."
A slight smile touched the corner of his mouth, and a bit more anticipation stirred in his heart.
Last time, when his Charm reached 40, he directly awakened the Transparent Escape. Thinking of this, Shinji sighed softly. During his battle with Hiruko earlier, he hadn't dared to use the Transparent Escape easily due to all the watching eyes. Otherwise, with the stealth and surprise attacks of the Transparent Escape, the fight should have been much easier.
But if he exposed that he possessed two Kekkei Genkai, it would only make that madman Hiruko covet his body even more.
"No, I must find an opportunity to kill that pervert Hiruko."
Shinji continued browsing the system, then his gaze suddenly paused.
In the Quest Log, a new notification had prominently popped up.
"A Side Quest?"
His spirits lifted immediately. Side Quests meant large amounts of Points and Gift Boxes, meant various rewards.
He still hadn't figured out the pattern for how the system triggered Side Quests; even if he wanted to exploit a bug, he had no idea where to start.
Shinji rubbed his hands together and opened the latest quest with anticipation.
[Side Quest: Cure Hemophobia]
[At the critical moment, Tsunade completely lost her combat ability due to hemophobia. If you hadn't stepped forward in time, a major disaster would have ensued. You cannot turn a blind eye to Tsunade's condition.]
[Quest Content: Within 360 days, guide Tsunade to overcome her inner demons and cure her hemophobia.]
[Quest Reward: 200,000 Points, S-Rank Gift Box ×1]
[Note: You can make some excessive demands, but I might not necessarily agree!]
"Huh!"
Shinji was stunned for a few seconds on the spot, his earlier delight fading by more than half.
Cure Tsunade's hemophobia?
This Side Quest was something he simply couldn't complete in a short time!
If he rashly brought it up, he'd probably get beaten to a pulp by Tsunade!
"No wonder the time limit is a full year right off the bat!"
Shinji silently closed the system, lay back on the tatami, and stared blankly at the ceiling.
After a long silence, he muttered quietly:
"Conquering girls is still the faster way to get stronger!"
...
At daybreak, Shinji left the guest room and headed straight for the front hall.
Monks were already tidying the courtyard, gradually restoring it to its original state by erasing the traces of last night's battle. Everything was slowly returning to calm.
Shinji casually stopped a monk and asked where Chief Priest Chukaku was.
The monk who was stopped immediately greeted him warmly upon recognizing him, eagerly stepping forward to lead the way.
Now, Shinji was the most honored guest of the Fire Temple.
No one dared to show the slightest neglect.
"Chief Priest Chukaku is in the reception room of the front hall. This humble monk will take you there right away!"
Shinji followed the monk into the front hall and turned into a room on the right.
Pushing the door open, he saw Chief Priest Chukaku sitting cross-legged on a cushion.
He wore a plain monk's robe, his face marked with a few shallow wrinkles, yet his expression was exceptionally kind.
Seeing Shinji arrive, Chukaku clasped his hands together and offered a gentle smile:
"Mr. Shinji, you've come."
Chukaku invited Shinji to sit, and the two faced each other, exchanging polite bows.
"Thank you for stepping in this time and saving the Fire Temple."
Shinji shook his head lightly. "You're too kind, Chief Priest. Hiruko was originally a rogue ninja from Konohagakure, so in that sense, we share some responsibility as well."
Chukaku sighed softly upon hearing this. The Fire Temple had truly suffered an unwarranted disaster this time, yet it had somehow caught Hiruko's attention.
He retrieved a simple wooden box from behind him, about the size of a fist, with a Sealing Tag affixed to its surface.
Chukaku gently pushed the box toward Shinji, nodding for him to open it.
Shinji's heart stirred slightly. Was Chukaku giving him a token of gratitude?
He reached out to pick up the box, then looked up at Chukaku. Only after receiving confirmation did he open it.
Inside the box lay a small, emerald-green branch, about the size of a little finger.
"What is this?" Shinji asked, puzzled, as he looked at Chukaku.
Chukaku smiled and explained, "This is a Tengu Roosting Branch from the Fire Temple."
The Fire Temple had long been associated with legends of Tengu. It was said that the Sage Clan Talent cultivation methods practiced in the temple were originally passed down by Tengu.
Surrounded by ancient trees thousands of years old, spiritual springs, and fertile land, the temple grounds had long gathered a special kind of energy.
This Tengu Roosting Branch was crafted using a special method, and there were very few of them in existence. As a token of gratitude, they had decided to gift this one to Shinji.
"Special energy? That sounds a lot like Natural Energy!"
Listening to Chukaku's explanation, Shinji immediately thought of the three great sacred lands of the ninja world.
Summoning Beasts absorbed Natural Energy to unleash powerful Sage Arts.
And within this green branch before him, there was likely sealed an extremely pure form of Natural Energy!
He looked at the Tengu Roosting Branch again, his eyes now burning with intensity.
Sage Arts—he wanted to learn them too.
But in Konohagakure, only the Legendary Three Sannin had access to the realm of Sage Arts.
The Tengu Roosting Branch was the first thing he had ever encountered that was even remotely related to Sage Arts.
"What effects does it have? And how do you use it?" Shinji asked with keen interest as he gently picked up the green branch.
A satisfied smile curled at the corner of Chukaku's lips.
"It allows the user to instantly unleash five times their combat power, while also providing a continuous, automatic replenishment of Chakra."
"As for how to use it... you simply chew it up and swallow it."
A fivefold increase? And continuous Chakra recovery?
Shinji was stunned on the spot. This was no minor enhancement. Yet, he soon sensed something amiss.
If such an incredible treasure truly existed, why had the other party only brought it out now?
If his combat power could really be multiplied fivefold, he might actually stand a chance against Hiruko head-on.
Just as Shinji was about to voice his doubts, he saw Chukaku raise his hand and pat his shiny head, awkwardly adding, "This combat power boost has a time limit—only three minutes. And once the effect wears off, you'll be completely weakened for a full three days!"
He repeatedly emphasized this, fearing Shinji might impulsively use it and later find himself in danger due to the weakness.
"So, Mr. Shinji, you must never use it unless it's absolutely necessary."
Shinji's face darkened.
So there was such a fatal side effect.
Taking it would only grant three minutes of strength, after which he'd be completely exhausted.
In other words, at a critical moment, he could only be a "real man" for three minutes, unleashing a burst of power—either the enemy dies, or he does!
Why did this effect always remind him of some strange drugs?
Was the Fire Temple really a proper ninja organization?
But jokes aside, the Tengu Roosting Branch was indeed a sincere gift that might save his life at a crucial moment.
He thanked Chukaku and carefully stored it away.
After chatting for a while, Shinji got up to leave. He had just turned and stepped out the door, his footing not yet steady, when a sudden, forceful pull swept over him from the side.
His neck was instantly locked in a tight arm hold, and his left cheek was abruptly pressed against something soft and warm. He caught a scent of cherry blossoms mixed with faint herbal notes.
"So fragrant!"
"Uchiha brat, you still haven't come to find me. You've got quite the nerve."
"Ah! Lady Tsunade, let go! It's too close, you're touching me!"
It was Tsunade and Shizune!
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