Early the next morning, Sakura was already awake. Karin emerged, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, and stopped in surprise. Sakura was actually smiling at her – a genuine, warm smile.
"Sakura, are you okay now?" Karin asked tentatively.
"Sorry to have worried you both. Yesterday's problem is resolved," Sakura assured them.
Neji, looking visibly relieved himself, asked, "What happened to you yesterday?"
"It was nothing major," Sakura shook her head. "That Gelel power is certainly strange – being able to strip away emotions like that. But it's fine now, thanks to this." She tapped the purple diamond mark on her forehead with her thumb.
"Is that... the Yin Seal?" Karin inquired.
"Yes. I managed to store the Gelel power inside it," Sakura explained, turning to Karin. "Karin, when we get back, I'm going to ask Master Tsunade to teach you the Yin Seal technique."
Just then, a polite "knock knock" sounded at the main door.
"Come in," Sakura called out.
Ranke entered, pushing a serving cart covered with a white cloth. "Hehe, did you all rest well last night?" A captivating smile spread across her striking face, causing Neji to stare blankly for a moment, a faint blush rising on his cheeks.
"When do you plan on returning to the Shinobi Continent?" Sakura asked directly.
"We can arrange for your return very soon," Ranke replied with a demure smile. "We've reached our destination today. Once our business here is concluded, we'll escort you back. We were hoping you might assist us as guides, actually."
"No problem," Sakura agreed readily. She highly doubted they'd make a special trip just to drop them off, but whatever their ulterior motives, agreeing now cost nothing. Once back on shinobi territory, if Ikarus behaved, fine. If not, plenty of powerful shinobi could teach them a lesson or two.
"However, before that, I have a request. I wonder if you might agree," Ranke said, her eyes twinkling as she looked at Sakura.
"What is it? Just ask. If I can do it, I will," Sakura replied.
"Would you be willing to teach us your method for cultivating Chakra?" Ranke asked, maintaining her pleasant smile.
"Sure," Sakura agreed instantly, then added, "But I also have something I want to know."
Ranke paused, slightly taken aback by Sakura's swift agreement. She had expected firm refusal. Still, she decided to hear Sakura out first. "What do you wish to know?"
"It's nothing much," Sakura said casually. "You mentioned before that you couldn't personally use the Power of Gelel. But the man I fought yesterday – he was clearly using it, wasn't he?"
"Is that what you wanted to ask?" Ranke relaxed internally. She could concoct countless excuses for that; these outsiders knew nothing, after all.
"No," Sakura shook her head. "I believe what you said – that you can't wield Gelel power directly with your bodies."
Hearing this, Ranke tensed, a sense of foreboding prickling her skin.
"But," Sakura continued, her gaze locking onto Ranke's, "you can use some kind of device to channel the Power of Gelel, correct?"
She figured it out! Ranke's heart skipped a beat. It was true; they couldn't handle Gelel power directly. But Lord Klick had invented devices – conduits – that allowed the use of refined Gelel Stones without the debilitating side effects. Only five such devices existed within Ikarus, possessed solely by those closest to Lord Klick.
Ranke forced a strained smile. "There's no such thing. What Temshi used yesterday was Gelel power, but he's a special case. His unique constitution allows him to handle the Stone of Gelel without negative consequences."
"Is that so?" Sakura nodded slowly, her expression knowing. "My apologies for being presumptuous then." Seeing Ranke's guarded reaction confirmed everything. Since she wouldn't admit it, Sakura let it drop; she had only wanted to verify her theory anyway.
"Not at all," Ranke said, recomposing herself. "Now, about the Chakra cultivation method...?"
"No problem," Sakura turned to Neji. "Go ahead and write down the basic method for extracting Chakra for her."
"But..." Neji hesitated. While basic Chakra extraction was common knowledge back home, their experiences over the past few days made him wary of arming these potentially hostile people.
"It's fine. Give it to them," Sakura insisted gently.
"Yes," Neji conceded, turning to Ranke. "Could you provide me with a pen and paper?"
"Of course, one moment," Ranke replied, then gestured to the cart. "This is your breakfast. Please, help yourselves." She then left the room.
"Are you sure about this?" Neji asked Sakura once Ranke was gone.
"It's fine, what does it matter?" Sakura shrugged, grabbing a piece of bread. "Cultivating Chakra requires talent; not everyone can do it, as you well know."
"But they aren't from our world," Neji pressed, still concerned.
Sakura ignored his worry, digging into the breakfast spread. Honestly, creating a potential rival for the Shinobi Continent might not be entirely bad. Ikarus's culture and technology were so different; perhaps an external pressure would finally force the hidden villages to unite. War was often driven by the desire for resources. If the shinobi nations discovered a whole new world across the sea, maybe they'd stop fighting each other and focus on outward expansion – or defense. The main reason the shinobi world hadn't explored overseas was likely the lack of suitable long-range seafaring technology, something Ikarus clearly possessed. If Konoha could acquire Ikarus's technology... the entire shinobi world order could change. Of course, there was also the risk of Ikarus striking first. But Sakura felt confident the shinobi world could handle them. They had Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki, after all. She might struggle to sink this fortress herself, but one Tailed Beast Bomb would certainly put Ikarus in their place.
Ranke returned almost precisely as they finished eating, seemingly timing it perfectly.
While Neji handed over the paper detailing Chakra extraction, Sakura asked Ranke, "Since we've arrived at your destination today, would it be possible for us to take a look around?"
"Well..." Ranke hesitated. "I would need to request permission from Lord Klick."
"Alright then..." Sakura sighed internally. So much for freedom; they were still prisoners, essentially. Frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior, but she knew they had little choice but to comply for now. When you're under someone else's roof...
Ranke took the paper from Neji and left. Sakura dragged a sofa over to the large window, flopped onto it, and stared out at the ocean, lost in thought...
....
....
In the luxurious top-floor room.
Klick held the paper Ranke had delivered. "This is the method for cultivating Chakra?"
"Yes, Lord Klick," Ranke confirmed.
"You may leave," Klick said with a dismissive wave.
"Yes, my lord," Ranke hesitated for a moment before adding, "Lord Klick, they have requested permission to go ashore onto the island."
"Oh?" Klick mused for a couple of seconds. "Very well. Perhaps they can even assist in opening the Naelkui legacy."
"As you wish." Ranke bowed and withdrew.
Klick stared thoughtfully at the paper in his hand. Yesterday, Ranke had reported a perplexing detail: the Gelel Stone energy source on Temshi's chest plate had been almost entirely depleted after his confrontation with the pink-haired girl. Intrigued, Klick had reviewed the surveillance footage. While the girl's speed was astonishing, what truly captured his attention was the moment of impact – it seemed she had somehow absorbed the Gelel energy into her own body.
After watching the playback repeatedly, Klick confirmed his observation. Gelel energy had entered the girl's system, apparently without causing any immediate harm or side effects. This was astounding. After careful consideration, only one explanation seemed plausible: the Chakra within her body could neutralize or somehow mitigate the harmful effects of Gelel power. This discovery thrilled him, but years of experience tempered his excitement. He needed to be cautious; that continent held many similar individuals.
He had initially asked Ranke to probe for the Chakra method mostly as a test, not truly expecting them to comply so readily. It seemed Chakra cultivation wasn't considered a closely guarded secret among them.
Following the instructions on the paper, Klick attempted to extract his own Chakra. The room fell silent, save for the sound of his steady breathing.
After some time – he wasn't sure how long – Klick opened his eyes, his expression alight with pure, unadulterated excitement. He could feel it! A new energy, exactly as described on the paper – Chakra!
"Incredible... Truly magnificent!" Klick breathed in awe.
He then looked at the glove on his right hand, where the Gelel Stone was mounted. He carefully turned a small dial on the glove, adjusting the stone's energy output to its absolute minimum setting.
Slowly, cautiously, he channeled a minuscule amount of Gelel power into his body. Instantly, he felt the familiar wave of emotional detachment, the heightened mental clarity – but crucially, none of the memory fog or disorientation that usually accompanied even minor exposure. The elation he should have felt at this breakthrough was muted, distant.
He pressed another button on the glove. The Gelel power instantly withdrew from his system. The suppressed emotions flooded back, and the full, overwhelming force of his excitement crashed over him.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Klick erupted in manic laughter. His research into controlling Gelel power had been stalled for years, hitting bottleneck after bottleneck. To think he would find the key, the missing piece, on that supposedly barren continent!
Just wait, he thought, eyes gleaming with fanatic light. Once the Naelkui legacy is mine, the first Ideal Nation shall be established... right there, on the Shinobi Continent!