Konoha Notes.

Chapter 555 The Future That Has Stumbled

Chapter 555 The Future That Has Stumbled

The rate at which Grell ore was being consumed exceeded everyone's expectations.

Tobirama stood in front of the observation platform, watching the numbers constantly changing on the instruments.

Based on the current conversion rate, the inventory will be completely cleared in less than three days.

"Where has the mother plant's root system extended to?" he asked, his gaze never leaving the screen.

Dou's fingers moved quickly across the control panel of another device, bringing up the monitoring chart.

"We're still within a 300-meter radius of the old house." Dou pushed up his glasses.

Tobirama's brow furrowed.

The mother plant is currently fused with Xiu Si, and forcibly intervening may backfire on his own condition.

But if left unchecked, its root system will weave a giant net across the entire western suburbs.

"At this speed, we'll be near the experimental building soon," Tobirama said. "Have the Fourth Hokage prepare the power supply."

"Notify the barrier team to set up a defensive line around the laboratory building to prevent the root system from continuing to expand outwards."

Tobirama had originally intended to send Kabuto to the scene, but after thinking it over, he said, "I will go to the scene myself. You stay here and observe, Kabuto."

The head should be drooping.

After the heavy door closed, he raised his head again, his gaze falling on another set of data buried at the bottom of the record board.

That was the part he chose to temporarily conceal.

The mother plant's root system is not just expanding outwards. More roots are probing deeper into the soil.

Dou pulled out the data, folded it, and put it into the inside pocket of his white coat.

"More time is needed."

"Everything is necessary until Lord Shuji wakes up."

There is no distinction between day and night in the underground base.

Neji had grown accustomed to this constant gray-white lighting. The training arranged by Jigen wasn't exactly rigorous, at least not in terms of physical fitness and techniques.

The real trouble came from the opponents he later found from who-knows-where.

Wandering ninja, rogue ninja, outlaw.

They did cause some trouble.

But more importantly, it helped him gradually figure out how to use the diamond-shaped mark in his palm.

Neji himself was surprised by the improvement in his physical fitness and strength.

Jigen was very satisfied with this, and even as a reward, he allowed Neji to have the privilege of meditating and practicing Sage Mode outside of his scheduled time.

"Although it's an inefficient method, it can still serve some purpose."

As Cixian spoke, she added another sentence.

"You can make other wishes. To me, those are insignificant things."

Neji remained silent.

He had understood long ago. In that man's eyes, everything in this world was insignificant. Including his newly recruited men, and even himself.

Orochimaru and Hiruko were somewhat resourceful and could be considered useful, albeit inferior, beings. They were rewarded when they were useful and discarded when they were no longer needed.

Hiruko died at the hands of Uchiha Madara, which can be considered as having contributed something in the end.

As for Orochimaru's ambiguous stance, which he hasn't yet stated, it's not unacceptable as long as its value remains.

However, when news of Shennong's death arrived, and even when the remaining fleet was completely destroyed, Cixian still felt displeased.

In his eyes, the man who worked on dark energy technology was nothing more than an ant that knew a little bit about digging.

However, if the remaining fleet is also wiped out, it's not just a simple matter of loss.

This is a provocation.

It is a silent mockery of his thousand years of seclusion.

Kaguya's betrayal cost him his complete body, and now even these crawling insects dare to bare their teeth at his shadow.

Therefore, Cixian personally participated in this training session.

He only felt a sharp pain running from his forearm to his shoulder blade. By the time his consciousness caught up with his body, his back was already embedded in the rock wall more than ten meters away.

The shattered rock face pressed against my spine, and all the air in my lungs was knocked out.

Cixian abruptly stood in his original spot, his hands still hanging casually at his sides.

"continue."

Neji struggled to free himself from the shattered rock face and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

This time, he didn't futilely chase after Cixian's figure. His Byakugan remained open, but his gaze no longer followed the elusive white afterimage; instead, he fixed his eyes on Cixian's location.

The moment Jigen's position became vacant, Neji's body also spun around.

The chakra barrier of the Rejuvenation Technique unfolded around him; this was not merely a defense. He pushed the rotation speed to its limit, making every inch of the chakra barrier an extension of his perception.

Then, a hand pierced through that perfect barrier.

Cixian's five fingers gripped his shoulders, pressing him back to the ground. His head slammed against the stone slab, and the world shook violently in his vision.

"You chose to make a proactive prediction." Cixian looked down at him, not immediately letting go. "A commendable judgment."

Neji lay on his back amidst the rubble, his chest heaving violently. Blood seeped from his hairline and trickled down his temples.

The boy spoke, his voice very soft.

"I saw it."

Cixian showed a hint of interest: "Oh? Your eye-rolling has reached this level?"

The boy continued, "I see your unease, your panic."

This man was venting. Every attack that landed on him during this training session was merely a transference of his powerlessness.

Cixian's expression remained unchanged.

He slowly released his grip and straightened up.

The hint of anger that had been lurking between his brows had vanished, as if it had never existed.

"The ninjas' methods weren't entirely without merit."

The next moment, he raised his hand and lifted Neji from among the rubble. Chakra probed into the boy's meridians, sensing the progress of the Karma seal's release.

The data unfolded in his mind, updating one by one.

"The decompression of the wedge has made progress."

He was satisfied.

"It seems that more stimulation can also unleash your potential."

Neji's eyes flashed with undisguised ferocity.

"Keep this in mind," Cixian said.

Then he left the base and came to the ground.

Neji Hyuga still has room for development and needs to be nurtured by stronger individuals.

Now we can set our sights on those who still have some fame in the ninja world.

Aside from the top ninja from the five great ninja villages, the rest were members of the former Akatsuki organization.

Beiliuhu and Shennong died.

Those who are still overseas and have not yet expressed their allegiance to him include Sasori of the Red Sand, Kakuzu, Hidan, Konan, and Nagato.

The positions of Kakuzu and Hidan are easy to identify.

It's time to teach Madara Uchiha some manners. Jigen thought indifferently.

Just then, an unusual sensation interrupted his train of thought.

The fluctuation was very faint, like an echo coming from a very distant place, fleeting and easily missed by any sensory ninja.

But Cixian wouldn't.

He recognized the essence of this pulsation.

This feeling is that something is trying to draw upon the power belonging to the ninja world.

"The Divine Tree?"

"No, it's too weak; it's not a divine tree."

Cixian followed the source of the noise and realized its location.

"Konoha?"

Orochimaru's village.

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"He chose complete betrayal, hoping to awaken Kaguya?"

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