Chapter 379: 323. Chapter 318: The Insatiable Box of Paradise

323. Chapter 318: The Insatiable Box of Paradise

"Grass Style: Palm Blast!"

"Boom!!!"

In the training ground, a young man with a ponytail crouched to dodge his opponent's savage punch, then aimed both palms at the vital spot under the ribs; the powerful impact sent his burly opponent flying dozens of meters, slamming heavily into the wall.

"Winner, Seeing Shenhuo!"

The referee of the match felt there was no need to continue, so he raised his hand to announce the winner and then arranged for staff to pry the person embedded in the wall out.

"Life is truly as lonely as snow~"

Seeing Shenhuo, feeling somewhat bored, walked out of the training ground while yawning; these weak opponents could no longer pique his interest at all.

"Shen-jun!"

Just as he was sighing, a figure fiercely patted Seeing Shenhuo on the back, the brute force nearly shifting his internal organs.

"I knew you were the best!"

Seeing Shenhuo, who didn't need to guess who it was, turned his head with a pained expression. He looked at the pretty young girl behind him, a flash of tenderness in his eyes, before putting on a stern face.

"Zhenzi, have you finished your refining task for today?"

"Refining mere chakra is nothing for this girl, alright!"

Zhenzi put her small hands on her hips and tilted her nose up triumphantly, but her unsteady gait and pale complexion told the story of her weakness clearly.

"You, oh you~ Let's go, I'll treat you to a meal."

How could Seeing Shenhuo not see the girl's exhaustion? He shook his head helplessly and extended an invitation to Zhenzi.

"Yay!"

"Boss, another bowl!"

In an ordinary noodle stall on the street, the thin Zhenzi displayed a fighting capacity completely at odds with her appearance. Holding the empty large bowl in her hands, she urged the stall owner.

"Right away, right away!"

The noodle stall owner was working so hard his arms were practically smoking, but the speed of cooking the noodles couldn't keep up with the girl's eating speed, leaving him covered in sweat.

"Eat slowly, don't choke."

Seeing Shenhuo, who had only tasted a few bites, pushed his own portion to the salivating Zhenzi and cautioned her carefully.

"Hypocrite, when have you ever seen me choke?"

Zhenzi snatched up the noodles Seeing Shenhuo had eaten from without a hint of disgust, opened her small mouth, and began to inhale them like a storm.

"Your noodles are here~"

"Yay~"

Finally, having cleared out the stall's entire stock, the girl patted her round little belly with satisfaction, her face full of happiness.

"45, 46, 46 bowls. Your appetite is growing, but why doesn't your figure change?"

Bored, Seeing Shenhuo counted the number of bowls the girl had eaten, then looked at Zhenzi's unremarkable figure and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Huh? What are you saying?"

Zhenzi had heard every word clearly; she immediately glared over with a fierce look, her sharp teeth grinding in warning.

Seeing Shenhuo felt a pang of guilt, and fearing a beating, he hurriedly changed the subject.

"What are you all training on lately? Is it still just refining chakra?"

"Yeah, the Elder is getting stricter now. If the refining speed isn't fast enough or the quality isn't pure enough every day, we get punished."

The girl smacked her lips, still wanting more, and nodded at Seeing Shenhuo.

"Keep it up! One day you'll become a combatant too, and when that time comes, we'll be in the same squad, and I'll cover you."

"Hmph~ Who covers who is yet to be seen!"

Seeing Shenhuo and Zhenzi were both orphans taken in by the Grass Country ninja clan years ago. Such acts of taking in orphans were common during the Warring States period, as many ninja clans needed to replenish fresh blood.

Those who couldn't refine chakra were generally used as servants or labor, while those who could refine chakra and had ninja talent were cultivated as combatants, serving as consumables for war.

The two were lucky; possessing ninja talent, they stood out among the orphans and soon began receiving systematic training, with Seeing Shenhuo's talent being higher.

In just two and a half years, Seeing Shenhuo was assigned to a combatant squad with excellent results, becoming a glorious ordinary combatant (a rookie genin).

Zhenzi, however, remained in the chakra training camp, day after day performing inexplicable chakra refining training, inputting the chakra she had painstakingly refined into a strange box until she was exhausted.

Years passed, and Seeing Shenhuo, harboring the dream of protecting Zhenzi, overcame all obstacles and finally succeeded in being promoted to an elite combatant. While excited, he was also worried about Zhenzi's situation.

Because the girl was still the same as she had been years ago, refining chakra all day long like a heartless chakra battery.

"Zhenzi, with your current ability, you shouldn't still be staying in that place, right?"

During their post-meal walk, as they strolled down the street together, Seeing Shenhuo looked at the girl, whose complexion was still somewhat pale, and couldn't help but ask.

"Uh... the Elder said I still lack some tempering."

The girl touched her head, her expression carrying a hint of confusion. Clearly, her current chakra volume was not much less than Seeing Shenhuo's, so why wouldn't they let her join the combatant squad?

"It just so happens I'm going to visit the Elder tomorrow, I'll ask for you then."

Seeing Shenhuo patted the girl's shoulder in a comforting manner, pondering how to bring this up when he met the Elder tomorrow.

"It's getting late, Seeing Shenhuo, I should head back."

The two had chatted about many trivial things along the way, and the girl had been giggling incessantly at the humorous Seeing Shenhuo. Seeing the sun about to set, Zhenzi turned around with some reluctance and said goodbye.

"See you next time."

The next day, Seeing Shenhuo went to visit the Elder early in the morning. After entering the room, he knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully to the old man on the high seat.

"Greetings, Elder!"

"Oh? It's Seeing Shenhuo. I heard you were promoted to elite captain. I really didn't misjudge you back then; you kid are truly a talent!"

The old man on the seat slowly opened his murky eyes and looked at Seeing Shenhuo below. A look of satisfaction appeared on his face. When he first saw this kid, he had nearly been angered to death; if not for his own reputation being decent, he probably would have ended up with a reputation for being a 'nanton' (male-on-male lover).

"It is all thanks to the Elder's cultivation!"

Seeing Shenhuo was also the type to say what people wanted to hear.

"Enough, do I not know your nature? What brings you to me today?"

The Elder chuckled and shook his head. Seeing Shenhuo's talent was the strongest among the stray children he had collected, which was why he had pulled him out of that place to cultivate him as a confidant. The result did not disappoint; he had become an elite captain at a young age, and his future could be described as limitless.

"Elder, let's not beat around the bush. When can Zhenzi come out of that place?"

Since the Elder had asked, Seeing Shenhuo decided to get straight to the point, his eyes hiding a trace of expectation.

Over these years, Seeing Shenhuo had never seen anyone other than himself be pulled out of that place.

"Zhenzi... is that the girl who was taken in with you?"

The Elder frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked.

"That's right, that's her. She has been there for many years; shouldn't she be able to come out now?"

"About that, let me look into the situation first."

Not agreeing to Seeing Shenhuo directly, the Elder waved his hand with a calm expression, signaling that he could leave.

"That place, huh..."

After Seeing Shenhuo left, the Elder pondered for a moment and beckoned to the shadows. A dark figure instantly flashed out.

"Go ask them how the progress of the box is coming along."

"Yes!"

After giving the order, the Elder slowly closed his eyes, and his whole person was once again shrouded in endless darkness.

A few days later, Seeing Shenhuo, who was anxiously waiting for the Elder's reply, received a mobilization order from the combatant squad late at night. Puzzled, he packed his gear and went to assemble.

When he arrived at the combatant camp, many colleagues had already arrived, all of them looking confused.

"Is there a war?"

Someone couldn't help but ask.

"Probably not, haven't heard any relevant news."

Those who were better informed shook their heads. The ninja clans in the Grass Country had long since unified, and there was no war within the country.

"Then why call us here in the middle of the night?"

"Could it be that they're just too idle?"

"..."

Seeing Shenhuo sat in a corner meditating; for some reason, he felt a vague sense of unease in his heart.

"Is everyone here?"

Just as everyone present was speculating, the captain in charge of the combatants appeared before them. He wore a rare look of gravity, looked around, and asked.

"Everyone is here!"

The ninja responsible for taking attendance raised his hand and replied.

"Good, I will now tell you about the upcoming mission."

It wasn't a false alarm after all. Everyone was startled, their ears pricked up high.

"There is an important ceremony tonight. You must perform guard duty well. There cannot be any mistakes during the entire process of the ceremony."

A ceremony?

Everyone looked at each other. They had never heard of any ceremony in the Grass Country. Although they were confused, a ninja's duty was to obey, so everyone nodded in agreement without a hint of hesitation.

"Captain, what kind of ceremony is being held tonight? Can you disclose a little?"

The unease in his heart grew stronger. Seeing Shenhuo approached the captain and asked in a low voice.

"Seeing Shenhuo, don't ask what you shouldn't."

To reach the position of captain, besides having solid strength, one also had to have a tight mouth.

"Tsk... Captain, I heard the Captain's wife has been asking for the past few days how many night shifts you actually worked last month..."

"Ahem, ahem, shh~"

Upon hearing this, the usually stern Captain instantly became somewhat flustered. After looking left and right to ensure no one was paying attention, he immediately whispered a "shh."

"What are you trying to do, kid?"

"If the Lady knew that you, Captain, were also working hard on the battlefield at night, she would surely be very heartbroken, right?"

Seeing Shenhuo raised an eyebrow and said in a voice only the two of them could hear,

"Hoo~ Fine, fine, fine. Since you want to know, I will tell you."

The Captain thought of the three-hundred-pound mountain of flesh at home and immediately broke into a cold sweat. He pulled Seeing Shenhuo aside and said in a very serious tone,

"Tonight, the Elders are holding the Unboxing Ceremony. If it succeeds, our Land of Grass will surely soar into the sky and recast the glory of our ancestors!"

As he spoke, a look of deep pride appeared in the Captain's eyes, causing Seeing Shenhuo's heart to sink slightly.

Unboxing? Could it be that box?

Seeing Shenhuo had not only seen the box, but he had also been in close contact with it. That was after he and Mako had just refined their chakra; they were taken by a group of men in black to the current chakra training camp. Inside were many people of various ages, all with fanatical expressions on their faces.

In the very center of the training camp sat a huge box, with the four expressions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure carved on its four sides. Following the instructions of the men in black, the two of them clumsily input their refined chakra into the box until they were exhausted and could not squeeze out a single drop more.

Later on, because of his extraordinary talent, he was exceptionally removed from that place, and the nightmare of refining chakra for his life every day finally ended.

"Mako, you must not let anything happen to you!"

At the thought that this so-called Unboxing Ceremony might be related to Mako and the others, deep anxiety arose in Seeing Shenhuo's heart, and he could not help but pray silently.

The Elder, who had met with Seeing Shenhuo a few days ago, was currently standing in front of a black box taller than a person, his cloudy eyes wide open, wondering what he was thinking.

"Elder, the Box of Ultimate Bliss has already provided feedback. As long as we have just a little more, just a little more chakra, it will be awakened."

Two mysterious people wearing animal masks stood before the Elder, pointing at the box to the side and speaking with excitement.

"Is it really just a little more?"

Looking at the bizarrely shaped Box of Ultimate Bliss, the Elder frowned slightly. As the gatekeeper of this generation, he shouldered the heavy responsibility of opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss to bring about the rule of the Land of Grass over the ninja world. He had thought he would leave this world with this regret.

He never expected that even with one foot in the grave, news would come from the Box of Ultimate Bliss again.

"As long as we drain those people dry, the Box of Ultimate Bliss can wake up!"

The mysterious person wearing the beast head said with great determination.

"Hmm, then let's begin."

The Elder showed no excessive expression upon hearing this. Those people acting as batteries were just orphans they had searched for over many years, born to live for the Box of Ultimate Bliss. Since the Box of Ultimate Bliss now wanted them to die, there was no need for them to live any longer.

"Ouch, it's so late and we still have to get up for overtime. Are you kidding me?"

Like Seeing Shenhuo and the others, the batteries awakened by the guards complained loudly with sleepy eyes.

"For the sake of the Elder, I am willing to work 25 hours a day!"

However, there were also fanatical fans who identified strongly with their status as beasts of burden.

"Gurgle~"

In the crowd, Mako rubbed her grumbling stomach and followed the pace of the main group with a bitter expression.

When they reached their usual workstations, everyone knelt and bowed to the Elder they hadn't seen in a long time. Mako followed suit, looking like she knew what she was doing. She snuck a glance at the cold-faced Elder and accidentally recalled memories of her childhood, nearly failing to hold back a laugh.

Seeing Shenhuo, are you working overtime today too?

"Seeing Shenhuo, where are you going?"

Having obtained information about the ceremony from the Captain, Seeing Shenhuo turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

"I have a friend there, and I'm a bit worried."

"Ah, this... just go and stand guard there."

Upon hearing this, the Captain looked as if he wanted to say something but stopped. Finally, he sighed and chose to let Seeing Shenhuo leave.

"Elder, I will work hard!"

A green, naive-looking youth stood excitedly in front of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, turned his head to look at the expressionless Elder, and said in a very firm tone.

Most of the people here had experiences similar to Seeing Shenhuo and the other. During their time as wanderers, they were taken in by the ninja clan led by the Elder. Not only did he solve their problems of food and clothing, but he also taught them how to refine chakra—it was truly a kindness of rebirth!

"Oh."

The Elder only glanced lightly at the youth, which made the other party feel as if he had been injected with adrenaline, full of fighting spirit. He raised his hand, ready to refine chakra with his life, but before he could start, he was stopped by a mysterious person wearing a beast head to the side.

"Wait a moment!"

"Huh?"

"You are too slow like this; you simply cannot achieve the effect the Elder expects."

The beast-headed person shook his head, and his words caused the naive youth's expression to dim.

"However, there is a faster way now, it just depends on whether you have the courage to go through fire and water for the Elder."

Just as the youth was disappointed, the beast-headed person changed his tone, his voice carrying a hint of magic. Upon hearing this, the naive youth's eyes turned slightly red, and he immediately nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.

"I am willing!"

"As long as you enter the box, the speed of your chakra input will become faster, and in the blink of an eye, you will be able to complete a lifetime's worth of work..."

"I am willing!"

As long as it was for the Elder, the youth was willing even if it meant death. If not for the Elder taking them in, they, these stray wild dogs, would have long since been left to rot in the wilderness, becoming lonely ghosts.

"Good~ Elder, you can begin!"

The beast-headed person was very satisfied with his guidance, which contained elements of genjutsu, and turned to tell the Elder who had been waiting for a long time.

"Box, now is the time to open, Box of Ultimate Bliss!"

The elderly Elder stepped forward, stared intently at the strange smiling face on the Box of Ultimate Bliss, and slowly extended his hands. A faint blue light flickered in his palms as he released the gatekeeper technique passed down for many years.

"Our long-cherished wish is finally about to be realized!"

Several beast-headed people trembled with excitement. According to the information left by their ancestors, as long as they successfully opened the Box of Ultimate Bliss, they could rule the entire ninja world.

Accompanied by a surge of black energy shooting into the sky, the eyes on the faces of the Box of Ultimate Bliss emitted a chilling red light, and everyone present felt a sense of fear from the depths of their hearts.

Seeing Shenhuo, who was sprinting outside, also saw this black energy. The unease in his heart finally reached its peak, and he rushed toward that direction as if his feet were on fire.

"Rumble~ Rumble~"

Driven by the opening technique, the Box of Ultimate Bliss began to rotate until the face with the expression of pleasure stopped in front of the Elder.

"Is it really not enough?"

According to the feedback from the Box of Ultimate Bliss, the Elder slowly lowered his hands. Just as those beast-headed people had said, chakra was still lacking a little.

"Rumble~"

Just at this moment, another change occurred with the Box of Ultimate Bliss. The face filled with pleasure slowly descended, revealing a lion-shaped gate, but all that could be seen inside was pitch black; the true appearance within could not be seen.

"What are you waiting for? It's time to show your value!"

Seeing this, the beast-headed person urged the naive youth who was standing there in a daze.

"Elder! I, Shota, am no coward!"

With a look of determination, the naive youth stepped into that dark gate.

"Still not enough..."

The Elder shook his head.

"I'll go!"

With the previous example, many more youths and maidens with fanatical expressions stood out one after another. Their encounters were the same as Shota's, who had just entered the Box of Ultimate Bliss; they were all wild dogs saved by the Elder. As long as the Elder needed it, they would not hesitate even if it meant sacrificing their lives.

Watching one familiar person after another enter the pitch-black lion-mouth gate, Mako, huddled in the corner, turned pale. Although she also wanted to repay the Elder's life-saving grace, she still had Seeing Shenhuo, the youth who was always waiting for her.

I cannot die here yet, at least not now!

Unlike the others who were so fanatical, Mako began to secretly size up the surrounding environment, looking for a way to escape. However, the entire scene was guarded layer by layer by the guards who had arrived early, and she had absolutely no chance to escape.

"For the Elder! Charge!"

By the time the last youth with a fanatical expression walked resolutely into the pitch-black gate, the Box of Ultimate Bliss, which had been somewhat unsatisfied, let out a satisfied groan.

But according to the feedback, it was still just a little bit short; at most, a few more would be enough to feed it completely.

"Not enough, still not enough!"

The Elder opened his eyes and looked at the quiet venue, revealing a trace of dissatisfaction. They were clearly just one step away.

"Is there anyone else? Go catch a few more!"

Several beast-headed people were also somewhat impatient and ordered the guards on the side to go and find the hiding batteries.

"No need, the missing amount will be made up by you!"

Just as they turned to search, the Elder's cold voice rang in their ears. Subsequently, several beast-headed people were sent flying by a great force, landing precisely into the pitch-black lion-mouth gate.

"No! We are..."

The desperate wails of the backstabbed beast-headed people scared Mako, who was hiding in the corner, nearly to the point of fainting.

"Uh... still a little short... just a little..."

The Elder, having retracted his palms, sensed the feedback from the Box of Ultimate Bliss. He then cast a cold gaze upon the few guards who had been dutifully standing guard, the implication in his eyes clear as day.

"Elder, we are loyal to you!"

How could the guards not understand the Elder's look? After being stunned for a moment, they immediately knelt and bowed, while simultaneously secretly gathering their strength, preparing to fight the old man to the death.

"Hoo~ Naturally, I will not lay a hand on you. While there is still time, go quickly and find substitutes."

The Elder was not a fool. If he really sacrificed the guards at this time, wouldn't the remaining guards swarm him? Although his strength was superior, time spares no one, and there would always be times when he was powerless, right?

"Gurgle~ Gurgle~"

Just as the guards stood up to search, a loud gurgling sound was very jarring in the empty venue. Everyone shifted their gaze over at the same time.

The quick-witted guards immediately stepped forward and dragged Mako, who had been hiding for a long time, out from the corner.

"Elder, no!"

Mako, whose courage had been shattered, struggled incessantly in the guards' hands, tears streaming down her face, but it could not shake the Elder's iceberg-like heart in the slightest.

"What is your name?"

Since she was the last sacrifice after all, the elder decided to record her name as a memento.

"My name is Mako."

Trembling, Mako felt as if her heart had turned to ash; it was truly a pity that in the final moment of her life, she did not have Seeing Shenhuo by her side.

"So you are Mako~"

A complex look flashed across the elder's cloudy eyes; so this girl before him was the woman that brat Seeing Shenhuo had been pining for.

"Rumble~ Rumble~"

"You are impatient, aren't you."

Just as he hesitated, the Box of Ultimate Bliss emitted a harsh, restless sound. Understanding its meaning, the elder sighed slightly in his heart and waved his hand at the guards restraining Mako.

"Go."

"BOOM!!!"

Seeing Mako about to be pushed into the gate of the Box of Ultimate Bliss, a figure like a thunderbolt shattered the dome covering everyone's heads. Descending from the sky, Seeing Shenhuo smashed his palms, wrapped in the force of ten thousand jun, toward the guards' heads.

"Take your filthy hands off her; I haven't even touched her yet!" (End of chapter)