Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Qingwu was loud and boisterous, but his figure kept growing taller.

The withered tree guardian appeared at his feet, blocking Kakashi's path as he charged forward.

"Wood Release: Rain of Thorns!"

Qingwu shouted wildly.

However, the roots controlling the withered tree guardians had changed their attack method—

Previously, the Deadwood Guardians would either launch surprise attacks from underground using their roots or extend their roots from their bodies to launch straight-line attacks.

This time, Qingwu first directed the withered tree guardians to quickly wriggle and grow large areas of roots, and then used the time difference to continuously fan outwards.

This attack method came to me when I was familiarizing myself with the controls this afternoon.

Believe it or not, it really does have an area-of-effect attack effect.

Furthermore, the almost continuous attacks effectively compress the enemy's offensive space.

Kakashi moved swiftly, leaping and dodging the strikes from the roots, twisting his body forcefully in mid-air, and rapidly forming hand seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

boom!

The extended roots do not possess the defensive capabilities of the withered tree guardian itself.

The entire area in front was charred black.

Kakashi used the moment his vision was obscured—

He used a clone to deceive the withered tree guardian.

Its true form appeared on a branch of a large tree to the side and launched an attack on Qingwu.

Kakashi's tactics have remained unchanged since yesterday; he believes that the battle will end once he controls Qingwu.

The green wutong tree standing atop the withered tree guardian chuckled.

The wooden prison once again 'locked' itself inside.

The afternoon test of the Magic Arrow resulted in his current natural energy being only 66.2 points.

To prevent yourself from fainting again, you can only use the Magic Arrow twice.

That should be saved for the crucial moment.

As long as he has a 'no-seal ninjutsu' that he can use instantly at any time, Kakashi will be hesitant when attacking.

Therefore, Qingwu can use the defensive power of the withered tree guardians to deal with Kakashi.

Half an hour later...

Whoosh!

Kakashi steadied himself, slightly out of breath. "Your Wood Release seems to be getting more and more proficient."

The more Qingwu understands the withered tree guardian, the more confident it becomes.

He was much more at ease today than yesterday.

With a wave of his hand, he dispersed the magic arrow that had been frozen in place, and Qingwu asked with a smile, "Senior, I wonder if someone with my strength is capable of going to the front lines?"

Chapter 15 Dwarf Village

"You're going to the front lines?" Kakashi asked, slightly surprised.

Qingwu's smile faded: "I wasn't strong enough before, but now that I have the strength, I naturally have to shed blood and sweat for the village!"

"..." Kakashi was silent for a moment, "Wood Release is a very powerful ability. On the battlefield, you would be more useful than me."

Kakashi was telling the truth, and he was absolutely certain of it after their encounter.

Putting aside everything else, the sheer size of these enormous, psychic creatures—reaching over ten meters in length—is enough to sway a small-scale, localized battle.

"But I don't recommend you go!"

Kakashi unusually said a few more words: "The war hasn't reached that point yet. Before that, you should focus on training to become stronger."

At this point, Kakashi's voice lowered: "The battlefield... is not as simple as you think. Geniuses? Too many geniuses have fallen."

Qingwu stopped teasing him, guessing that Kakashi was probably thinking about his teammates.

"Thank you very much, senior!" Qingwu said sincerely.

Kakashi fell silent again, then turned and walked out, leaving behind the words:

"The Hokage...would not agree to let you go to the battlefield."

Kakashi was absolutely certain that the Third Hokage's emphasis on Wood Release meant he would never allow the still-developing Qingwu to take risks.

Stepping out of the wall, Kakashi glanced back at the completely different environment inside.

"Wood Release..."

He murmured softly, his fingers unconsciously tracing the Sharingan beneath his forehead protector.

"Obito, Rin... do you think he could be a new hope?"

No one answered; only the wind whistled through the gaps in the forest.

Kakashi found that he also began to like this environment.

The nights in the Death Forest are very quiet, as if far removed from the world, where there is no need to think about how to deal with those... things and people!

……

Qingwu underestimated the significance of Wood Release to Konoha, and just how important it was.

After Kakashi left, he finally had a chance to check the money bag.

Fifty thousand taels!

A stranger he had only met a few times actually lent him 50,000 taels of silver.

"What a kind person!"

Qingwu sighed once again.

If it weren't for the many incompetent and corrupt things happening in Konoha's upper echelons, the village where he grew up would still be quite warm and welcoming.

"exchange!"

【Ding! 】

[Redeem successful!]

[Receive 500 Gold Coins]

After checking the resource quantity on the panel, Qingwu turned and ran towards the distant rocky mountain.

With the stone ore amount reaching 120, Qingwu retrieved the centaur that was 'idling and mining' at close range, and then returned to his territory.

In the middle of the night, who works as hard as I do?

Qingwu looked around and suddenly realized that Kakashi must also be secretly following him everywhere, which made him feel much better.

Accelerate the restoration of natural energy within the territory until a safe level is reached.

Qingwu raised his finger, about to make a random, obsequious gesture.

After thinking for a moment, he summoned the Deadwood Guardian and had it absorb several large trees.

[Received: Wood*10]

[Obtain Wood*2]

[Received: Wood*10]

[Obtain Wood*2]

【…】

He had enough wood already; he was doing this so he could explain it better later.

Open the panel for unlocked buildings:

[Dwarven Village]: Level 2 Barracks

[Function]: Produces 6 Dwarves per week, increases stone mining efficiency by 15%.

[Construction Costs]: Natural Energy*50, Gold*800, Wood*200, Stone*120

The order was given: "Build!"

Just like when he built the seedlings and stables last time, a surging emerald green light burst forth from beneath his feet, seeping into the earth.

at the same time--

The earthquake trembled, but not as loudly as when the centaur stables were built last time.

This time it's a steady, profound pulse.

The ground subsided slightly.

The rough granite seems to "grow" upwards as if it has a life of its own, building a solid and heavy foundation and walls. Round logs are precisely embedded in the stone joints to form the beams and framework.

In just a few minutes, a low, sturdy stone and wood fortress, as if it had grown out of the ground, stood before us.

The building has a rough and primitive style, with a wooden emblem of a warhammer and shield crossed hanging at the entrance.

【Ding! 】

The dwarf village is complete!

As soon as the system notification sounded, Kakashi appeared in the territory.

"This, this is..."

He was already shocked when the centaur stable was built out of thin air last time, even though he was hiding in the shadows.

This time, I experienced the surging energy and the wonder of Wood Release's creation up close.

"wrong!"

Kakashi asked, "Even if your Wood Release isn't made of ordinary chakra, the difficulty of a composite ninjutsu is something even the Hokage couldn't achieve."