I continued my experiments inside my inner world. Although I had managed to build my own Tenshukaku, I still could not manifest my own Inazuma—at least not yet. However, I did notice that some Laws could already be bent to my will, such as the Law of Time.
Excited at the prospect of creating my very own "Hyperbolic Time Chamber" I began to experiment. Even though the boundaries were still strict, what I achieved was far from insignificant.
"A fourfold increase compared to the outside world… already a great gain. But what about gravity…"
My experiment revealed more. Gravity could indeed be made heavier or lighter. The same was true for temperature, which could be adjusted at will. There was still much to explore, but I decided to save that for another time. It was time to cultivate.
If the Essence of the Cultivator were already digested at 100%, I could have easily chosen some overpowered cultivation method—Chaos Body, Void Breathing, or any of those cliché fancy techniques. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
I had to work with what I had.
Yet not all was lost. Truth be told, even if the essence were fully digested, I would still prefer this path: to forge a cultivation system adapted to this universe. That would make it easier for the people of this world to follow.
Seated in meditation, I pondered on how to shape this path. Once again, the answer came instinctively.
"Senjutsu."
In this world, very few were capable of wielding Senjutsu—the power born from the balance of chakra and natural energy. But my bloodline… it allowed me to achieve that state naturally, giving me a unique advantage in this cultivation journey.
Still, there was a problem.
Places overflowing with natural energy—ideal for training Senjutsu—were exceedingly rare.
"That's where cultivation can bridge the gap…"
By forging the body of the cultivator, one's vitality would harmonize with nature itself, making it easier to absorb and breathe natural energy—like a tree nourishing itself. The process would enrich the surrounding world and extend life itself.
"It truly is the same as cultivating the energy between Heaven and Earth… Seems this universe is far more compatible with cultivation than I first imagined."
The thought made me pause, reflecting. There were still countless steps ahead, but slowly, the path was taking shape.
[POV: Third Person – Sunagakure no Sato – Land of Wind]
Amid the vast desert of the Land of Wind stood Sunagakure, the Village Hidden in the Sand.
Despite the scars of the First Shinobi World War, the village was recovering under the leadership of its Second Kazekage, Shamon. Nearly a year had passed since his predecessor, Kazekage Reto, had been assassinated. In response, Shamon chose to focus on the military development of his village. Every sector seemed to pulse with activity.
Within the Kazekage's office, Shamon sat reviewing stacks of documents. One report detailed advancements in the Art of Puppetry. Another proposed integrating puppets into the very walls of the village. However, the costs and resources required made the idea absurd at best.
'In the field of puppetry, only Chiyo has produced realistic results. Despite her youth, appointing her as head of the Puppet Brigade might not be such a bad idea.'
He mused, imagining that with her leadership, other puppet-users might ground themselves in reality. No more grandiose, impractical projects that drained the village's budget.
"Kazekage-sama, permission to enter."
A shinobi stepped into the office after knocking. He was a middle-aged man with bronzed skin, brown eyes, a shaved head, and a thick mustache and goatee.
"Is there a problem, Otogi?" Shamon asked, recognizing him as one of the officers in charge of supervising missions.
"Forgive me for interrupting, Kazekage-sama, but your guidance is needed in this matter."
Handing over a mission file, Otogi watched as Shamon scanned the report. The issue was clear: Aoki Shirogane and his squad had accepted a B-rank mission. For them, it should have been a walk in the park—far too simple for shinobi of their caliber. But considering the client, a wealthy noble from the Land of Rivers, famous for its fishing and herb plantations, it made sense that the Sand Council would assign their best. A strong relationship with such a patron could prove invaluable.
But the village had lost contact with the squad.
"Could it be competitors?" Shamon asked, his tone analytical.
Such a simple mission from such a prosperous client… it was reasonable to assume rivals might have been drawn to the commission.
"No, sir. Our spies in the black market reported no commission similar to ours." Otogi replied firmly.
"... Very well. For now, it is inconclusive whether Aoki's squad completed their task, but this loss of contact requires investigation—even if not enough time has passed to declare them missing. Summon Chiyo and Ebizo to me."
"Yes, Kazekage-sama!"
As Otogi left to carry out his orders, Shamon was already planning. If Chiyo succeeded where a Shirogane had failed, that alone would secure her position as leader of the Puppet Brigade.
[POV: Third Person – Hashisaki Village – Land of Rivers]
A few kilometers south of Takumi Village, separated by hills and forests, stood Hashisaki Village. Though small, it was known for its tea and its fishing. The ruling Hanekuro family oversaw the village from a distance, caring only that production continued and taxes were paid.
Within his mansion's office, the current patriarch, Asazuma Hanekuro, sat waiting with a stern face.
"No word yet?" he asked his butler, standing behind him.
"None, my Lord."
Asazuma's frown deepened.
He was the one who had commissioned the assassination of Dojimaru Seimei. The reason was simple: his "neighbor" grew stronger every year. The sale of their crafts far outshone the fish and herbs of the Hanekuro family. To make matters worse, Takumi Village had begun producing weapons and shinobi tools. Who could guarantee that Dojimaru wasn't planning to invade?
The nobles of the capital might have celebrated Dojimaru's withdrawal to the countryside. But Asazuma was certain—it was all part of a larger scheme. That bastard was clearly building an army to conquer the Land of Rivers. He had to be stopped immediately.
Asazuma had even tried recruiting artisans into Hashisaki, but all had refused, claiming he could not provide what they already had in Takumi. To him, this was nothing short of proof. Something greater was brewing there.
For the sake of his family—and his country—he had secretly dispatched a representative to Sunagakure in the Land of Wind to commission shinobi. Why Suna? Because everyone would expect him to hire from Konoha of course, given the Land of Fire was far closer.
"Send a caravan of merchants to Takumi…" Asazuma ordered. "Bring me any news you hear!"