Hum, hum, hum!
Streams of formless energy surged from all directions, jolting Lucian's spirit, and a hint of sadness couldn't help but appear in his eyes.
This energy came from the souls of the people who had touched Lucian. They were all dead.
Because Lucian couldn't control his sharing ability before, it led to their deaths. After they died, their soul energy transformed into highly concentrated spirit particles, which were then absorbed by Lucian.
This allowed Lucian to repair his own defects and strengthen himself.
For the three months he had been an infant, he was cared for by the orphanage. The people there were war orphans and some kind volunteers, and they had gradually soothed Lucian's restless heart.
But disaster struck so quickly, and Lucian could not forget the tragic death of the director.
"In the end, I was too weak!"
Lucian took a deep breath and focused on absorbing the spirit particles.
Since he was in this dog-eat-dog world, there was only one goal.
To become strong, stronger than anyone else.
Half an hour later, Lucian opened his eyes.
If Danzo were to see Lucian now, he would be stunned, because the infant Lucian had now grown to look two or three years old.
In fact, Lucian had truly grown from an infant into the form of a three-year-old and had stood up.
"I can finally move, and I can absorb spirit particles on my own."
Over a month ago, the deaths of those who touched him had restored his sight, hearing, and voice, but only now could Lucian finally move.
Most importantly, he could now strengthen himself.
"Spirit particles..."
In Lucian's eyes, the dark dungeon was as brilliant as a starry sky, filled with dense, extremely active points of light.
In the Soul Society of the Shinigami world, all matter is composed of spirit particles. Spirit particles also exist in the living world, but they are not as dense, as the Soul Society is a gathering place for souls.
In the ninja world, as Lucian observed, spirit particles were a form of energy that could be cultivated.
If a world had a place like an underworld or a netherworld, then after a living being dies, a part of their soul would turn into spirit particles, considered a loss of soul energy.
If a world had no residence for souls, then after death, the entire soul would turn into spirit particles.
The ninja world has a Pure Land.
But with the accumulation over countless years, even if only a small part of a soul turns into spirit particles and remains in the world after death, the number of spirit particles would still be innumerable.
"Spirit particles, spiritual power, spiritual pressure, spirit channels..."
Sensing the power within himself, Lucian knew he had a strong foundation.
"Like this..."
Lucian raised his hand, directly gathering spirit particles at his fingertip, which filled with a destructive aura.
"A small Heilig Pfeil!"
The next second, Lucian waved his hand and dissipated it. This was not the place for experiments.
Besides, his strength didn't allow for it.
Lucian looked at his three-year-old body. The spiritual power within him was too little; even forming a small Heilig Pfeil was a strain.
As for the medium, large, multiple, or the great holy bow versions of Heilig Pfeil.
And techniques like the spirit particle space, Sankt Altar, condensed spirit particle flames, Sankt Zwinger, Schatten Bereich, Blut Vene, Blut Arterie, Hirenkyaku, and so on...
Lucian couldn't use any of them at the moment.
Let alone "The Almighty."
Although The Almighty was just the name of an ability, it also indicated just how powerful it was.
"First, I'll try to control the spirit particles to make a piece of clothing."
Lucian's thoughts ran wild. Spirit particles could form everything in the Soul Society.
If he could use spirit particles to create clothes, it would mean his control over them was meticulous.
After all, concentrated spirit particles could create most objects and buildings.
"There is only one way to get stronger as fast as possible."
Lucian's gaze was resolute. Danzo, that old schemer, could come back to dissect him at any moment.
Who knows how long it took Yhwach to go from a useless infant to his peak, only to die after a thousand years.
But he didn't have time to leisurely absorb spirit particles to grow stronger.
"Hōgyoku, can you feel my heart?"
...
Outside.
The entire village of Konoha was filled with a tense atmosphere. Ninjas could be seen with solemn expressions, the air thick with the feeling of impending war.
After the First Shinobi World War, the ninja world had recuperated for twenty years.
However, due to the imbalanced economic development between nations, the militaristic factions within each ninja village began to rise, starting to fight for their own interests.
The most sensational event in the ninja world was that before the major ninja villages could declare war on each other, the Village Hidden in the Rain, in order to expand its territory, directly declared war on the Land of Iron, Konoha, and the Village Hidden in the Sand.
Had the Village Hidden in the Rain gotten arrogant?
No, it was a matter of necessity.
The Land of Rain was caught between the three great nations of Fire, Wind, and Earth. It was bound to become a battlefield sooner or later. It was better to seize the initiative, especially since the leader of the Village Hidden in the Rain was a "Demigod."
Hanzō the "Demigod," although he was a tiny bit different from Hashirama and Madara, he was still at the pinnacle of this era's shinobi.
The latest news was that Hanzō of the Salamander was leading a team to invade the Land of Iron!
The samurai of the Land of Iron fled without a fight upon hearing his name, with only a samurai named Mifune staying behind alone. He withstood a few blows and was spared by Hanzō.
The Village Hidden in the Sand also began to advance towards the Land of Rain, and the Village Hidden in the Cloud and others were stirring, each ready to fight for their own interests.
At this moment.
Hokage's Office!
"Such lovely villagers. It's a pity war is coming..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was smoking his large pipe, his gaze occasionally falling on his crystal ball, revealing a lecherous smile.
Only when Danzo arrived did he properly retract his gaze.
"Lord Danzo."
A pale man with golden, vertical pupils greeted him.
After taking office as Hokage, Hiruzen had his favorite student serve as Danzō's attendant, showing the importance he placed on Danzō. Currently, Orochimaru often worked with Danzō.
Orochimaru: My growth is inseparable from the cultivation of that old fiend Danzō!
"What do you want from me?"
Danzō also glanced at the crystal ball, a look of contempt in his eyes.
This old man despises this kind of person the most, a man who peeks in secret.
If you like it, just go for it.
If anyone dares to disobey, kill their whole family!
Sensing Danzō's gaze, Hiruzen coughed lightly and then said seriously, "Danzō, tell me, why did you capture the people from the orphanage?"
If it were just a few people taken at random, Hiruzen, with his fondness for Danzō, wouldn't have asked.
But this time, dozens of people were taken, most of them old, weak, women, and children. If word got out, the impact would be extremely negative.