Ning Feng didn't continue testing.
The destructive power displayed by Deep Forest Emergence was already terrifying enough. There was no need to bring Tailed Beast chakra into the experiment as well.
As he was thinking about this, Professor Liu—who had only just recovered from his overwhelming shock—took a deep breath.
"As expected of Mr. Ning Feng. You never disappoint us."
"Judging from your current condition, the Hashirama Cells have already begun to take effect. As for how much your strength will increase, we'll probably have to wait until your body fully absorbs them."
At that point, Professor Liu exhaled slowly.
The way he looked at Ning Feng was almost as if he were gazing at the future of humanity itself.
"No matter what… thank you."
Ning Feng spoke sincerely. The two professors had helped him far more than he could ever repay.
Without them, obtaining Hashirama Cells would have required unimaginable effort.
"No need to thank us," Professor Liu replied with a warm smile.
"Just remember that you are a member of this country."
Hearing those words, Ning Feng nodded firmly.
He had deep feelings for China as well. Without this country, he wouldn't even exist. Professor Liu and the others had extended their help precisely because they shared the same homeland.
"Of course."
For a while afterward, Ning Feng chatted with Professor Liu and the others, even helping them answer a few questions related to Naruto.
When he finally stepped out of the research institute, a hint of reluctance appeared in his eyes.
He looked back at the laboratory one last time.
For a moment, he didn't even know where he should go next.
There was still more than half a day before the next login session.
And Ning Feng had no intention of wasting that time.
Just as he was thinking about what to do next, a voice suddenly called out behind him.
"Mr. Ning Feng! Good thing you haven't left yet!"
Turning around, Ning Feng saw Professor Xue jogging toward him.
"Professor Xue? What's wrong?"
Ning Feng frowned slightly. It sounded like there was more behind those words.
"Well… after discussing things with Professor Liu and the other researchers, we decided that to prevent any unexpected side effects from the Hashirama Cells…"
"I submitted a request to the higher authorities to stay by your side and monitor your condition until we're certain that the cells won't cause any complications."
"The request was approved."
"So for the time being… I'll have to accompany you. I hope you don't mind."
As he spoke, Professor Xue looked a little embarrassed, as though he felt he might be inconveniencing Ning Feng.
But Ning Feng had nothing better to do anyway.
And having a top-tier scientist—an expert across multiple fields—accompany him was something countless people would beg for.
Why would he refuse?
"How could I mind?" Ning Feng said with a shrug and a smile.
Seeing that Ning Feng agreed, Professor Xue instantly lit up like an excited child.
"Hahaha! Mr. Ning Feng, then let's travel together!"
"Actually… when I requested permission to accompany you, I had a small personal motive as well."
"I want to see just how far your potential can go."
"And besides…"
"I happen to know a place where you can rapidly increase your strength."
"Of course, that depends on whether you're interested in going."
As he spoke, Professor Xue pulled a black diamond card from his pocket.
Seeing the card, Ning Feng frowned slightly.
"Professor Xue… what is this?"
Professor Xue placed the card directly into Ning Feng's hand.
"Ever since the Naruto online game descended and spiritual energy revived across the world, the global landscape has changed drastically. You should be well aware of that."
"For example, China may still appear stable on the surface."
"But in reality, countries like Japan, the United States, and Russia have already descended into chaos."
"Many dark forces that were once hidden in the shadows have taken advantage of the situation."
"With powerful ninjutsu at their disposal, they've begun causing trouble everywhere."
"And many of those individuals have secretly entered China…"
"They're gathering in underground black markets, planning all kinds of covert operations."
Professor Xue paused before continuing.
"And the demonic beast attack you faced earlier?"
"It was almost certainly not a spontaneous incident."
"Someone was most likely controlling those beasts."
"In simple terms… Ning Feng, you may have already been targeted by certain black market organizations."
As he finished speaking, Professor Xue's eyes swept cautiously across the surroundings.
Hearing this, Ning Feng nodded thoughtfully.
That explained it.
The timing of those demonic beast attacks had always felt suspiciously perfect.
So someone really had been watching him from the shadows.
What puzzled him, however, was this:
Who exactly could evade both his perception and the detection of his Mangekyō Sharingan?
"About an hour ago," Professor Xue continued, "I received information that the underground black market in B City is preparing to auction off a Tailed Beast."
"These dark forces seem to be planning some sort of sabotage."
"So I was wondering…"
"Would you be interested in taking a look?"
"Of course, if you manage to stop them, the Tailed Beast would naturally become yours."
"And the diamond card I just gave you is a VIP pass to enter that underground black market."
At the mention of Tailed Beasts, Professor Xue couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"Tailed Beasts?"
Ning Feng was momentarily stunned.
But after thinking about it carefully, it wasn't entirely impossible.
He had already reached Sage Mode.
With the intelligence networks and financial power of the world's major corporations, obtaining a Tailed Beast—or even creating a Jinchūriki—was entirely feasible.
What surprised him was something else.
Someone had actually brought a Tailed Beast into the real world.
Their intentions were definitely far from innocent.
And as someone deeply familiar with Naruto lore, Ning Feng knew one thing very clearly—
If a Tailed Beast unleashed its full power…
It could easily destroy an entire city in a matter of moments.
"Yes," Professor Xue said seriously.
"After several login sessions, many malicious players have already realized how terrifying Tailed Beasts are."
"These dark forces likely plan to use a Tailed Beast to disrupt China's peace."
"They want to drive countless civilians into disaster—destroy homes, cities, everything."
As he said this, Professor Xue's voice grew filled with anger.
After all, ever since China began rising rapidly and showing signs of becoming the world's number one power, other nations had used countless underhanded methods to suppress its growth.
Now that the Naruto online game had appeared, China had once again become one of the most stable countries in the world.
Within a year, it could very likely become the world's leading superpower.
And the rise of a peaceful, united, and vibrant superpower like that—
Was something many other nations simply could not accept.
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