Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

He followed the flow of people and went straight to the mission hall.

The hall was bustling with activity, filled with ninjas preparing to accept or complete missions.

Sitting behind the counter was a special Jonin named Tanaka Junichi.

As Tian Zhongjie flipped through the documents in his hand, he caught a glimpse of Chiba walking up to the counter.

He subtly curled his lip.

He vaguely remembered that unlucky guy, Chiba.

A mediocre talent who survived the Third Shinobi World War by hiding among corpses.

"What kind of mission do you want to take?"

Tian Zhongjie didn't even look up, his voice cold and businesslike.

"Tanaka-senpai, I'm a little short on cash lately."

"I'd like to take on a C-level escort mission with better pay."

Chiba rubbed his hands together.

A fawning smile appeared on his face.

"They're all here, choose one yourself."

Tanaka pushed a stack of scrolls in front of Chiba.

Chiba thanked him repeatedly and pretended to search for the items.

His movements were slow, but his eyes were rapidly scanning each task.

You cannot directly search for quests to go to Tanpaku Street.

Such screening with a clear purpose can easily arouse suspicion from others.

He first picked up a mission to the capital of the Land of Fire and looked at it, then shook his head because the "reward was too low".

Then he found another quest to go to the border of the Land of Hot Springs, but put it back because he thought the journey was "too dangerous".

I went back and forth and picked through more than a dozen rolls.

Tian Zhongyi's face already showed obvious impatience.

Just then.

Chiba's fingers pressed on a slightly worn scroll.

He deliberately hesitated for a while before gritting his teeth and pulling out the reel.

"Senior, this is fine."

Tian Zhongjie took the scroll and glanced at it.

[Rank C Mission: Escort a batch of precious medicinal herbs to the town of Kikyo in the western part of the Land of Fire.]

That small town is very close to Tanabata Street, only half a day's journey away.

These kinds of missions, which are in remote locations and offer only slightly higher pay than regular C-level missions, are usually unwanted.

therefore.

When Tian Zhongjie saw Chiba's gaze, his contempt grew even stronger.

To earn an extra few thousand taels of silver, he even took on such a difficult job.

He really is a good-for-nothing.

"Hold the power of attorney."

"Meet at the village entrance at 2 PM."

Tian Zhongjie stamped the task seal and threw the document back.

Chiba accepted the documents with both hands and bowed repeatedly.

The moment I turned and left the counter.

His originally hunched back straightened almost imperceptibly by half a point.

The first step was successful.

That afternoon.

In front of the wide main gate of Konoha Village.

A caravan consisting of three horse-drawn carriages is doing its final inventory.

The caravan owner, a fat merchant named Yamada, was wiping away sweat with a handkerchief.

"Konoha only sent you alone?"

Chiba, who was walking alone, was seen approaching.

Mr. Yamada's brows immediately furrowed.

"Don't worry, Mr. Yamada."

"I know this route very well, and I can absolutely guarantee the safety of the medicinal herbs."

Chiba stepped forward slowly and said in a calm tone.

He smiled obsequiously at Tanaka because there were too many ninjas in the mission hall.

Chiba dared not reveal himself casually.

But Yamada, an ordinary person, didn't receive such treatment.

"Get in the car quickly."

"Don't delay your trip!"

Yamada muttered a few words of dissatisfaction.

But in order to save the expensive cost of hiring the entire team, he had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.

Upon hearing this...

Chiba jumped directly onto the frame of a carriage.

The ninjas guarding the gate were still Izumo and Kotetsu, the same old duo.

They checked Chiba's mission credentials and verified the chakra seals.

"Bon Voyage."

Izumo waved his hand, signaling for them to pass.

The carriage wheels rolled slowly, passing over the white line at the village entrance that symbolized the boundary of the barrier.

The instant you pass through the barrier.

The huge weight that had been pressing on Chiba's heart was finally shattered.

The free air flowed into my lungs through my nasal cavity.

He lowered his head, a glint of mad ambition in his eyes.

That evening.

The caravan encountered several naive wandering warriors.

With just a few precise kunai throws, Chiba easily dispatched the few petty thieves.

Seeing Chiba's decisive and ruthless demeanor.

Boss Yamada's attitude changed from initial disdain to eager flattery.

night.

The caravan camped in the woods.

Chiba volunteered to take on the night watch.

He sat cross-legged on a thick tree trunk.

After confirming that no one was around.

Chiba slowly raised his right hand.

No hand seals are needed.

A faint green light quietly bloomed in his palm.

Followed by.

A sapling, about the thickness of a thumb, sprouted from the surface of Qianye's skin.

The vibrant green leaves swayed gently in the night breeze.

Chiba felt a chill run down his spine.

This is Wood Release!

This miracle of creating life out of thin air completely violates the physical laws of conventional ninjutsu.

As long as he injects more chakra.

This tiny sapling, no thicker than a thumb, can instantly transform into a towering tree capable of strangling everything in its path.

No wonder even a proud and ruthless person like Madara Uchiha repeatedly suffered setbacks in the face of Wood Release.

This is a force that ordinary ninjas simply cannot contend with.

A moment later.

Chiba immediately withdrew his chakra.

The sapling withered instantly, turning into a small clump of ashes that drifted in the wind.

He dared not attempt anything too large.

In this desolate wilderness, causing too much noise could easily attract unnecessary trouble.

The most important task now is to find Tsunade.