Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

But you should know that there is only one Deadwood Guardian.

The construction of the fifth-tier barracks is a long and arduous task.

Qingwu, who has played the game, knows very well that acquiring resources and troops in the early stages is not difficult.

However, in the later stages, each step requires a significant amount of time and resources to accumulate.

The mining efficiency of six dwarves is comparable to that of the Deadwood Guardians.

This is only the first week.

Qingwu wasn't quite sure whether this week was calculated from the day he awakened or from real-world time.

If it's the latter...

He looked up at the already dawning sky; it was Sunday.

Monday will be after midnight tonight, at which point the existing barracks will be able to summon 8 centaurs and 6 dwarves...

"Sigh~"

"It's simply burning money!"

Qingwu looked at the panel:

[Heart of the Fortress (Level 1) Bound to: Thousand Hands Green Willow]

[Natural Energy: 72.6/150]

Gold Coins: 600

Timber: 90

[Stone Ore: 45]

After borrowing 50,000 ryo from Kakashi and exchanging it, the gold coins once reached 1520.

It cost 800 to build the dwarf village.

Then recruiting 6 dwarves cost another 120.

"Tsk tsk, it really doesn't last long!"

"They built most of it in one night."

Based on current resources, we should have enough money to recruit Tier 1 and Tier 2 units next week.

But what about the future...?

Qingwu knew very well that first- and second-tier troops could only be used as cannon fodder in the ninja world.

Before their numbers become large enough, their role in combat is negligible.

Currently, he only has some confidence because he obtained the Drywood Guardian from the newbie gift pack.

He won't go to the battlefield to "gain" experience until he at least gets the Tier 3 ranged unit, the Great Elf.

Thinking of this, Qingwu got up and walked towards the dwarf village.

It will take time for natural energy to fully recover.

Let's put aside our plan to try our luck at the mission center today!

Move the beds from the centaur stables to the dwarf village.

The conditions are not necessarily better than before.

At least... the dwarf village looks more like a place for people to live than a stable...

Qingwu didn't wake up until the afternoon.

I glanced at the natural energy, which had been restored to full.

"put up!"

Forget about feeling dizzy, let's unlock the other buildings first!

Emerald light bursts forth from every leaf and every inch of bark of the seedling!

"Snap—Snap—"

The seedlings visibly grew taller and thicker in the light.

The tree canopy stretched outwards like an explosion, and new branches and leaves sprouted, unfolded, and flourished at an abnormal speed.

Kakashi appeared beside her again without her noticing. "You're never still for a moment, are you?"

"No, I just woke up," Qingwu replied casually.

The two stood side by side, observing the changes before them.

Throughout the process, all the natural energy within the territory boiled over.

A moment later—

After an initial period of rapid growth.

As natural energy gradually stabilized, the changes in the seedlings also slowed down.

Qingwu glanced at the panel: [Estimated completion time: 12 hours]

Chapter 17 Unlocks New Buildings

Qingwu breathed a sigh of relief.

He has 50 points of natural energy remaining.

In other words, this upgrade of the Tree of Life does not involve deducting all 150 points at once.

Instead, after initially consuming 100 points, the remaining 50 points are deducted slowly.

That means you won't feel dizzy anymore.

"Senior, I won't spar with you today."

Qingwu pointed to the ancient tree emitting a verdant light, "I need a huge amount of energy to maintain this Wood Release technique."

Having said that, Qingwu controlled the withered wood guards and began collecting wood in a grand and respectable manner.

Watching as giant trees were decomposed and absorbed.

Kakashi hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped...

Even now, he still feels that this way of restoring energy is very much like some kind of evil ritual.

"I have brought the Hokage's secret order!" Kakashi said.

Qingwu turned his head and said, "What?"

Kakashi looked around. "I need to test the fighting power of the summoned creatures... I've already fought the one you called the Dryad Guardian. What about the other two?"

"It's that horse and the short guy," Kakashi gestured with his hand.

Qingwu thought to himself: Is the Third Hokage so eager to know the strength of my Wood Release?

"I don't have the energy to maintain a psychic creature right now," Qingwu declined.

In reality, he was worried about losses among the centaurs and dwarves.

The ninja from the Aburame clan of Root easily killed four centaurs, so Kakashi could certainly do the same.

"It's okay, I can wait."

Kakashi crossed his arms and nodded his chin at the slowly growing sapling: "What kind of medium is this? Can it summon new creatures?"

"Uh..." Qingwu's eyes darted around, and he gave a haphazard explanation: "It's to improve the environment. When natural energy is more concentrated, my spiritual creatures will be enhanced."

"Oh?" Kakashi looked at him. "It seems your research is going well. I'm looking forward to seeing what new things you come up with."

"It's what the third generation is looking forward to, isn't it...?" Qingwu thought to himself.

After spending the last two days with him, I can clearly feel that Kakashi has become more talkative. Perhaps... it's because I owe him money?

Thinking of this, Qingwu asked, "Senior, I want to do tasks to make money. You have a lot of experience, do you have any suggestions? I mean, the kind that is easy, pays well, and is close to home."

"Didn't I just lend you 50,000 taels?"

Kakashi's tone was full of surprise: "You're short of money?"

Qingwu opened his mouth, but there was no way to explain it. Should he tell Kakashi that he had already spent it?

"You said you wanted to go to the battlefield before, was it to make money?" Kakashi suddenly asked again.

"Hmm..." Qingwu looked embarrassed.

"Never mind..." Kakashi shook his head and didn't ask any more questions. He simply replied, "I told you yesterday that the Hokage wouldn't allow you to go to the battlefield."

"Can we skip the main battlefield and form a small team to take on some supply transport missions?" Qingwu asked tentatively.

"..." Kakashi was silent for a moment, "You'd better not leave the village."

“But no one can guide me in my ninja way,” Qingwu said sincerely. “Studying behind closed doors will hinder my growth. I hope to go out and gain experience.”

"..." Kakashi replied, "If you insist... I will report to the Hokage."

"Of course, of course." Qingwu wiped away his sweat.

His purpose in speaking to Kakashi was to get Kakashi to convey his demands to the Third Hokage.

After another moment of silence, Kakashi asked, "How much longer will this Wood Release technique take?"

"It's getting late, why don't you go and get busy?" Qingwu urged him to leave again.

The eyes behind the mask gave him a deep look, then Kakashi vanished in an instant.

"Before you grow stronger, you really have no freedom at all."

Qingwu muttered something to himself, then sat cross-legged under the ancient tree of life and closed his eyes...

……

【Ding! 】

[The Tree of Life has been upgraded!]

Qingwu, who was on his way back from Yanshan, received a system notification.