Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 103 Territory Core Upgrade

"Qingwu, what happened?"

Tianzang, who had just fallen asleep, was startled awake.

Standing beside Qingwu, watching the bark of the ancient tree of life peel away inch by inch, Tiancang exclaimed in surprise, "It, it..."

"Don't rush."

Qingwu turned to Tianzang and said, "I have gained something from the series of battles with Iwagakure this time. I have a new understanding of Wood Release."

At this point, beneath the peeled bark, a new layer of wood, gleaming with an emerald luster, was revealed.

Feeling the surrounding natural energy become even stronger, Tianzang temporarily felt relieved, "So this is a good change."

"Um!"

Qingwu didn't turn her head, staring intently at the ancient tree.

At this time, the canopy of the ancient tree and its roots underground also began to change.

Tianzang took a deep breath, and the rich natural energy in the air made every cell in his body cheer.

He raised his hand, and Wood Release chakra surged in his palm. He felt that his physique and chakra had improved.

This is one of the reasons why Tianzang has always wanted to stay here.

Another reason is... he's used to the environment at the roots, and he can't sleep anywhere else.

...The changes in the ancient tree were the same as last time; after the initial strangeness, they gradually subsided.

Qingwu turned his head and said, "Go to sleep. This kind of change, or rather... evolution, may take quite a long time."

Tianzang nodded and obediently returned to his "big cage".

After observing for a while and confirming that the ancient tree's upgrade was the same as before, Qingwu returned to the wooden house to rest.

……

The snow in Konoha Village has been falling since yesterday on the way back.

Fortunately, the rain wasn't heavy; otherwise, it might have turned into a disaster.

The roof of the orphanage was covered with a thick layer of snow.

Several children were building a snowman in the yard, their laughter ringing out.

Pharmacist Nono was under the eaves, breathing out white breath as she counted a batch of winter supplies that had just been delivered, her glasses fogged up.

"Dean!"

The familiar voice made Nonou look up.

At the entrance of the orphanage, Qingwu and Tianzang stood side by side.

Neither of them wore ninja uniforms, worried that the children would treat them differently.

"Qingwu-kun!"

Nonou was a little surprised. She put down the list in her hand and quickly came to greet her. "When did you come back to the village? Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

After Danzo took Kabuto Yakushi away, it seemed he had kept his promise and indeed did not send her on any more missions.

Therefore, she is not as well-informed as she used to be.

However, Danzo did not deliver on his promise to provide more funding to the orphanage.

Because Konoha's overall financial situation is not good, even though the Root ninjas are "loyal" enough, having so many people still incurs huge expenses.

Under such circumstances, Danzo would hardly care about an orphanage that was "of little use".

"We won't go in today."

Qingwu smiled and looked around at the children playing. "I'll say a few words and then leave."

As she spoke, Qingwu handed the money bag to Nonou.

Nonou took it; it felt heavy in her hand. Curious, she opened it and her eyes widened instantly.

"This, this..."

"A donation!" Qingwu said calmly, "Two hundred thousand taels is a small token of our appreciation."

"No, no... there are too many."

Nono knew that the Shadow Guard's missions were well paid, but it was by no means enough to just donate 100,000 taels of silver. This amount of money was by no means a small sum for them.

"The Lunar New Year is coming soon, so I'll buy some new clothes for the kids, some good food, and save the rest for emergencies."

Qingwu laughed and said, "Tianzang and I each received 100,000 taels, which is only two months' salary."

Before Tenzo was promoted to Chunin, his salary was actually less than Qingwu's, but he naturally wouldn't mention those things now.

He added softly from the side:

"My share... was actually Qingwu's idea. I thought, since the money is just sitting there anyway, I might as well use it where it's needed."

Nonou turned to look at Tenzo, her eyes immediately reddening.

She knew Tenzo, the Root's Wood Release experimental subject, but Tenzo didn't recognize her, this "walking priestess."

"No, no, that's too much."

Nono felt a lump in her throat. She wasn't unfamiliar with charitable donations, but two hundred thousand ryo at once, especially from two young ninjas...

"Take it." Qingwu pressed down on the hand that was about to be handed over, her tone resolute:

"The children need it. Tianzang and I are just kids with some ninja skills. If we didn't have ninja skills, would we refuse other people's kindness?"

"Some things...are more important than money!" Qingwu looked at the children, her tone showing a maturity beyond her years.

"..." Nono gripped her money bag tightly.

After a moment, he bowed deeply and said, "On behalf of the children... I thank you both. I will use every penny of this money wisely."

Such a great favor would make Nono feel indebted, but the orphanage's situation was indeed not good, and they... needed this money.

Qingwu smiled and withdrew his hand. "It is precisely because you, Dean, are here and doing such practical things that we have the opportunity to help other children."

Tianzang nodded hurriedly, "That's what I think too."

"Thank you..." Nono's voice choked with emotion, "Really... thank you so much."

"You're welcome." Qingwu waved his hand and turned around.

"Wait a moment." Nono called out to him, quickly ran back into the house, and soon came out again, holding two dark scarves in her hands.

"I knitted this myself. It's cold, so you should wear it."

The scarf is made of ordinary wool yarn.

But the stitches are fine and the weaving is solid, showing that it was made with care.

Nono felt a little uneasy.

Actually, she prepared these two towels for Qingwu and Iruka, so they were about the same size, but Tianzang was shorter than Iruka...

"It's very warm," Tianzang said softly as he put on the scarf, his ears turning slightly red.

"Thank you!" Qingwu also put on the scarf, and the cold wind and snowflakes were immediately kept out of her neck.

The two walked out of the orphanage and disappeared into the vast snow.

Nonou stood at the doorway, watching them leave, and whispered, "Konoha...it's so good to have kids like you..."

……

The first week of the Tree of Life's upgrade.

The root system underground began to grow, split, and reconstruct wildly.

Qingwu activates its natural perception, enabling it to clearly "see" changes underground.

The roots, which were already over thirty meters deep, are now spreading even deeper and farther, and the entire root network is much larger than the canopy above.

Within the territory, there were some changes that hadn't happened before—many trees had grown on the previously "logged" land.

Furthermore, these trees are different from those outside the territory; they contain more natural energy, and their growth rate changes almost every day.

If Tianzang hadn't known that Qingwu was also skilled in Wood Release, he would have been astonished.

Qingwu estimates that these newly grown trees will yield more timber resources.

At the same time, it would save him the trouble of sending centaurs to gather timber in more distant parts of the forest...