Though still able to control the Dragon Vein Chakra, providing Roran with substantial energy, the connection to the Dragon Vein Core has been severed by a new Sealing Technique.
Moreover, she can sense that the power of the Dragon Vein has diminished to less than half of its original strength.
Besides An Lushan, Queen Roran cannot fathom who else could easily approach here, arbitrarily alter the Jutsu, and steal the power of the Dragon Vein.
"Your Majesty."
Upon returning to the palace, the Guard enters to report.
"How goes it, has An Lushan been caught?"
The remaining half of the Dragon Vein Power with An Lushan is significant to Queen Roran.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. An Lushan is currently missing, and we have searched every corner of Roran without finding a trace of him."
The Guard responds.
Queen Roran sighs.
So much time has passed, yet An Lushan has not been caught. He must have already escaped Roran and is hiding elsewhere by now.
With this thought, she cannot help but feel a headache coming on.
She wishes to recover that half of the Dragon Vein Power, but Roran can only be self-sufficient and possesses no international influence.
To enlist the aid of major nations to pursue An Lushan is clearly impossible.
◎
A few days later.
Returning to the Land of Demons from Roran, Hakushi discusses the handling of the Dragon Vein with Katsuyu's clone in a laboratory.
"Lord Hakushi, this doesn't seem to be the complete Dragon Vein."
Katsuyu examines the Dragon Vein Core that Hakushi presented and immediately sees that this piece of core is not the essence of the complete Dragon Vein Power.
"Indeed, this is half of the Dragon Vein Core. Because Roran relies on the Dragon Vein to establish itself, leaving half of the core is necessary to prevent the city's foundations from collapsing."
"I see. Since Roran is integrated with the Dragon Vein, we truly must refrain from rash actions."
Given this consideration, Hakushi made this decision, which Katsuyu finds unsurprising and indeed reasonable.
"How about it, Katsuyu, do you have any suggestions?"
Hakushi seeks Katsuyu's opinion.
Katsuyu ponders for a moment before responding to Hakushi's inquiry:
"Though it is a core, this core is merely a vessel for containing Chakra. Lord Hakushi, allow me to take this half of the Dragon Vein Core back to Shikkotsu Forest for cultivation, to store ample Chakra."
Katsuyu offers a straightforward assessment.
The Chakra within this half core is already severely depleted, making the usable Chakra insufficient to meet Hakushi's expectations.
To make the vessel perform its intended function and effects, it must be refilled with Chakra to unleash the inherent power of the Dragon Vein.
Judging by the storage capacity of this half Dragon Vein Core, it can rival the Chakra level of Tailed Beasts.
"But, to think that the power of the Dragon Vein is so much weaker than when I last encountered it. The Dragon Vein beneath Roran might well become desolate in a century."
Hakushi cannot fathom the prior mighty power of the Dragon Vein that Katsuyu described, but the current Dragon Vein Power is sufficient for his extravagant use.
"Let's leave the handling of the Dragon Vein here. I'm not in a hurry to use it at the moment. Next, I need to manage internal affairs in the Land of Demons. By the way, Katsuyu, how goes the historical documentation work?"
Hakushi inquires with interest.
This time Hakushi traveled to Roran to retrieve the power of the Dragon Vein, while Katsuyu's clone remained in the Land of Demons, painstakingly recording the historical events it experienced, word by word.
Those entrusted with the recording are historians in whom Hakushi has confidence, assigned to historical research tasks.
"Hmm... Due to the overwhelming amount of information, I don't remember everything clearly, but I've instructed the historians to record major events and important secrets. These involve some incredible matters, and I advise you, Lord Hakushi, to be psychologically prepared before viewing them."
Katsuyu kindly advises Hakushi to prepare himself mentally before delving into this portion of history.
It knows that the past world history, to people of this era, is troublingly shocking and disruptive.
"Don't worry, I've weathered many storms on my journey. No matter what history is revealed, I won't be startled or shocked."
Hakushi reassures Katsuyu with a serious expression, indicating he is mentally prepared.
Upon hearing this, Katsuyu leads the way, guiding Hakushi to the adjacent room to begin reading the millennia-long historical epic that has been forgotten by people of this era.