"Ribbit!!"
Taichi's loud cries echoed again and again inside the underground training arena.
If the energy was absorbed slowly, it wouldn't hurt.But compressing a process that should take a long time into just a few moments — that was pure agony.
Akira Sato knew this painfully well from past experience.Still, despite feeling sorry for his familiar, he kept his focus, carefully observing every detail.
If anything went wrong, he'd have to intervene immediately.
Fortunately, after a short while, Taichi calmed down.Akira relaxed slightly.
Back when Akira had first endured the effects himself, he'd managed to pull through — there was no reason Taichi couldn't handle it as well.
Once he confirmed Taichi was stable and recovering, Akira released the summoning technique, sending the creature back to its nest.
The nest was hidden deep within the Forest of Death.
Since Akira had raised Taichi himself, the familiar didn't have an original lair — it had simply found its own nesting ground. But now that its presence was becoming more visible, Akira figured they might need to relocate soon.
The nest was too close to Konoha.If someone stumbled upon Taichi, things would get complicated.
"Next…"
Akira's gaze turned to the last vial of Nature's Power serum in his hand.For now, there was no way to extract a third vial — doing so would damage the foundational roots of the mulberry tree he'd been cultivating.
He carefully recalled the details of Taichi's recent injection, making sure he hadn't overlooked anything.Only after thorough consideration did he prepare to inject himself.
Honestly, doing research in the shinobi world could be summed up in one phrase:Brute force works wonders!Charge ahead — don't overthink it.
In his previous world, developing a new drug would require countless trials, years of observation, and strict procedures.But here? Akira whipped up a formula and just used it directly.Reckless? Maybe.But that was the reality of working in a world powered by chakra.
Chakra's effects were practically limitless — from extending life to strengthening the body, even touching the soul.
A shinobi who mastered chakra was basically a "mini-superhuman."So why hold back? Why be overly cautious?
If anything, being too careful would only slow him down and make progress impossible.Even Orochimaru, in the future, would rely on countless human experiments to achieve breakthroughs — a path that eventually led to his betrayal, thanks in part to Danzo's schemes.
Akira was simply adapting to the harsh scientific style of the ninja world.If he followed the slow, methodical path of his previous life, by the time he made real progress, years or even decades would've passed — far too long.
As the Nature's Power serum entered his body,the cold liquid brought with it an almost unbearable heat.
"Ahh…"
Even though Akira had mentally prepared himself, a sharp scream still tore from his throat.The pain was overwhelming — far worse than the last time.
It felt as if his entire body was being roasted from the inside out.
And that terrifying heat wasn't staying in one place — it spread rapidly through his bloodstream, reaching every corner of his body.
But instead of panicking, Akira felt a surge of excitement.The stronger the burning sensation, the more potent the effect.
He could already sense chakra extraction happening within his body.As long as his body brimmed with chakra, all his abilities — strength, speed, resilience — would improve.
At this point, even if someone hit him hard enough to send him flying over ten meters, he wouldn't die — he'd just be injured.
By the time the heat finally receded, several hours had passed.
"Looks like I'll need to figure out a way to reduce the pain next time…Otherwise, if the effect keeps getting stronger, I might not survive it."
Akira let out a long breath, muttering softly to himself, then left the lab.
Of course, before leaving, he carefully locked up the lab and moved the precious mulberry bonsai outside, gently placing it at the top of the two giant intertwined mulberry trees in the courtyard.
Basking in sunlight was an essential part of its continued evolution.
And from this, you could tell just how big Akira's ambitions were.
Combining the three-legged crow Taichi, the sun-seeking, flame-defying mulberry tree…Did it remind you of anything?
That's right —it was straight out of the myths and legends Akira had read about before crossing over.
Akira wanted to cultivate something akin to the legendary Three-Legged Golden Crow and the mythical Fusang Tree.
In his previous world, such dreams were impossible — pure fantasy.But in the shinobi world, a place where even the alien Ōtsutsuki clan existed,nothing seemed truly impossible.
If there were beings capable of crossing the stars,why couldn't Akira aim for something just as grand?
And indeed, thanks to his efforts, both Taichi and the mulberry bonsai were already showing hints of mythical characteristics.
If Akira could eventually get his hands on the God Tree or Hashirama's cells — those legendary tools of shinobi research —his confidence in achieving his grand vision would only grow.
After carefully setting up the future "Fusang Tree,"Akira finally returned to his room for some well-earned rest.
His body was still undergoing constant transformation,but thankfully, it no longer interfered with his normal movements.
The next morning.
When Akira woke up, he felt as if his entire body had been immersed in warm water — light, comfortable, and powerful.
His chakra reserves had skyrocketed.
While he was still nowhere near the level of someone like "A" (the Fourth Raikage),he had at least reached the level of an average chunin.
That was no small feat.
At this point, Akira probably matched the average strength of Konoha's next-generation elites — the future "Konoha Twelve" (well, excluding a certain talk-no-jutsu master).
With so much chakra at his disposal, he was no longer the weakest link in his squad.And if you counted Taichi, his summoned beast,Akira was arguably the strongest member of the three-man team.
He pulled on his tight black shinobi outfit, strapped on the headband — which he personally found clunky and ugly —and, after double-checking his ninja tools, stepped out into the courtyard.
Glancing back,the tops of the intertwined giant mulberry trees gave off a faint, dim glow — though if you looked closely, there was nothing visibly strange.
That was because the cultivated bonsai was quietly absorbing sunlight,a new ability Akira had extracted from sunflowers and infused into the mulberry.
Honestly, even though he hadn't gained a system or a point-allocation panel when he crossed over,just his unique physique alone represented unlimited potential.
With these thoughts in mind, Akira quickly made his way toward the Hokage's office building.
Within minutes,he stood before the large structure at the base of the Hokage Rock —a domed building with a massive "Fire" character emblazoned on it.
The other members of Team Three were already there, waving him over.
"Let's go!"
Minato Namikaze, their team leader, had just arrived as well.He wasn't yet the legendary "Yellow Flash" who would split battles fifty-fifty with anyone —but even now, Minato had a strong sense of punctuality.
The Hokage building was bustling with activity,as many teams had come to pick up missions.
Freshly graduated genin, like Akira's group, were all under the guidance of jonin instructors, lining up to receive their first assignments.
Only jonin accepting S-rank or classified missions needed to head upstairs to the second-floor Hokage office for direct approval.
Future stars like Naruto, who could demand a C-rank mission directly from the Hokage,were a rare privilege.Did people really think just anyone could casually meet with the Hokage?
In truth, the series hinted at a much darker, more complex world.
Akira noticed clearly:two vest-clad chunin stood guard at the staircase leading upstairs.Ordinary teams received their missions right here in the first-floor hall.
"Jonin Namikaze, here are your mission scrolls!"
A mission ninja handed several D-rank mission scrolls over the counter.
Normally, chunin could only take one mission at a time,but as a jonin and team leader, Minato could pick up several at once.
Jonin authority was woven deeply into every layer of shinobi society.
"Alright, let's go!"
Tucking the scrolls into his robe,Minato led the three-person team out of the Hokage building,ready to begin their next mission.
(End of chapter)