Chapter 135: Seven Days

The next day, the sky had not yet truly brightened.

On the horizon, the fading crescent moon could still be seen.

Dong Shilang had already risen early and begun preparing for today's training.

Much time had already been wasted; if he didn't seize the moment, achieving Sage Mode would be even harder, so he had to cherish every minute and train diligently.

On the mountainside of a small hill only fifty or sixty meters high, a small stream trickled beside a pool less than ten square meters in area.

There were seven Dong Shilangs, bare-chested, sitting cross-legged by the pool, legs intertwined, hands pressed together in front as if holding something, sitting upright as they tried to sense natural energy.

As for why he was bare-chested, it was to better feel the natural aura. Although he didn't know if it would work, trying it couldn't hurt.

To increase his chances of sensing natural energy, he created six Shadow Clones, making seven total including his original body, all attempting together.

It wasn't that he didn't want to make more clones; he simply couldn't.

He was still only ten years old; although he hadn't relaxed, his innate limitations stood in the way, and he had no good solution.

Know that a ninja's own chakra amount gradually increases with age.

Everyone has a growth spurt!

And Dong Shilang's period of rapid chakra growth is about to arrive.

The trouble lies in this impending……

Even when he was six, he could already use Shadow Clones to go to school, and now his limit hasn't seen exaggerated growth.

As time passed slowly, from time to time some small animals that could be considered normal would inhabit the hill and come to the nearby pool for water.

Strangely, no small animal would panic and flee at Dong Shilang's arrival; instead, they would occasionally pass by his side, oblivious to his presence, and sometimes a little creature would rub against him, or a flying insect or small bird would land on him to rest.

At this point, the effect of Dong Shilang's six years of relentless meditation practice became evident.

Although he hadn't yet truly sensed natural energy, he believed it was merely a matter of time.

He only needed to calm his mind, and the Gate of Sage Techniques he had long sought would surely open for him~

Seven days later……

Bang!

With the dissolution of the Shadow Clones, Dong Shilang, who had sat motionless here for seven days, finally reaped a reward.

If it weren't for his years of Zen sitting practice, he wouldn't know if he could endure; coming from an era of information overload, he had never imagined such a thing.

One day he could sit cross-legged in one place, empty his mind, remain utterly still for seven days, thinking of nothing, simply feeling nature in silence.

In his previous life, this was almost unimaginable; just an hour without his phone or internet would drive him mad……

But now he can remain perfectly still for an entire week……

This ninja world has truly changed him……

Gathering his scattered thoughts, Dong Shilang quietly felt the sensation he had just experienced.

Just now it seemed as if an invisible gate had opened a crack toward him; through that gate, he seemed to 'see' a new world.

Calling it 'seeing' isn't quite right; a more accurate description is that, beyond sight, touch, and hearing, he had awakened a kind of 'sixth sense'~

In the world perceived by this 'sixth sense,' the forests, lands, oceans, skies, and so on that met his gaze seemed to become oceans of light in myriad colors.

These ordinarily unremarkable things seemed to suddenly possess emotions, frolicking and playing wildly in this splendid, colorful world……

The corner of his mouth slowly curved into a pleasing arc; Dong Shilang repeatedly warned himself not to be too happy too soon.

This is merely the first step; he still faces many trials ahead, and to think the task is complete now would be premature!

Hold steady! Don't waste it! The advantage is mine!

Look—after a full seven days without rest, Dong Shilang had changed tremendously compared to when he first arrived on the island!

His whole body had been darkened by the island sun, his face bearing fine lines from the harsh sea wind; compared to his time in Leaf Village, he had undergone considerable change.

But it was all worth it……

Another three days passed in a flash.

During these three days, Dong Shilang did nothing but consolidate what he had achieved three days prior, firmly imprinting the sensation of natural energy in his mind.

He was not limited to this hill where he currently stood.

The beach, mountain peaks, open sea……

He tried all these different environments!

Only when he could successfully sense natural energy in all those places did he return to his base.

Today he would try to begin absorbing natural energy!

Having read the original, he naturally knew that merely sensing natural energy was of no substantive use; to enhance his power he still had to cross this threshold.

But crossing this threshold is not so simple,

One misstep and he could turn to stone!

Naruto, Zilaiye, and Minato trained together only on Mount Myoboku.

Beside them, Fukasaku watched the whole time, ready to interrupt them at the slightest mistake, and there was even a Toad Staff capable of knocking natural energy out of a person's body.

He himself had nothing!

The danger therein could be understood just by thinking about it.

Although there were many difficulties, Dong Shilang had no choice but to face them head-on.

Indeed, time waits for no one; the Third Ninja World War has already begun, and even that 'Great Filial Son' has already been born.

If he didn't plan ahead for himself, the future outcome would likely not be good.

Because the coming years are extremely important to him.

He is already ten years old; the next ten or so years will be when his strength erupts in growth.

If he merely followed routine training, his growth limit would already be set in advance.

At most, he would reach the level of a Strong Shadow!

Still that kind of risk is relatively high, possibly leading to blindness, the shadow‑level…