Xia Li frowned slightly. How should this natural energy be used? Should he extract chakra and mix it with the natural energy to form senjutsu chakra?
After thinking for a moment, he decided to give it a try. If it worked, it could even become a profitable method.
However, Xia Li quickly discovered that this path wouldn't work. The natural energy stored in his body simply couldn't merge with his chakra—it couldn't fuse at all. This completely shattered his idea.
So… how could he use this natural energy?
After a brief moment of thought, Xia Li drew out a portion of it. This time, instead of combining it with physical energy, he directly fused it with spiritual energy. Soon, a familiar kind of energy appeared within his body.
Is this… still chakra?
No—upon closer observation, Xia Li realized something. The reason this energy took the form of chakra was simply because chakra was what he was most familiar with. Natural energy was adapting itself based on his understanding, transforming into chakra.
Moreover, he noticed subtle differences between this newly formed chakra and the chakra he normally extracted.
This process reminded him of the Divine Tree, which could absorb natural energy and release chakra. Could what he now possessed be a more primitive form of chakra?
No… probably not. After all, he had no idea what kind of chakra the Divine Tree actually produced.
After some thought, Xia Li decided to test it. Although he didn't have much natural energy stored yet, it was enough to use a small-scale Wind Release technique.
In the next moment, he cast two Wind Release jutsu—one using ordinary chakra, and the other using the transformed chakra derived from natural energy. Neither included any of his unique modifications.
Soon, his gaze fell upon the two holes created by the attacks. The difference in depth was striking.
His eyes lit up.
Clearly, the power of the jutsu had increased significantly!
At the same time, he calculated the amount of chakra converted from natural energy—and found that it was actually less than ordinary chakra.
Yet strangely, his total chakra reserves had increased.
In other words, not only had the power of his jutsu improved, but if all his chakra were converted this way, even the total quantity would undergo a qualitative leap.
At that moment, Xia Li finally began to truly accept the path proposed by the White Snake Sage.
Although the sage had claimed this path could allow him to reach the level of the First Hokage, Xia Li had initially held some reservations. After all, it was just a claim—it might not actually lead that far.
He didn't doubt the potential, but potential alone didn't guarantee success. Whether it could be fully developed was another matter entirely.
There was even the possibility that this path would fail completely, leaving him unable to return to the conventional route. If that happened, everything would be over.
But now, things looked different.
Even after stepping onto this path, he hadn't abandoned the original one. The versatility of natural energy allowed him to continue using ninjutsu—and even made it stronger.
Instead of drawbacks, he now had clear advantages.
How could Xia Li resist such temptation?
Chapter 155: Heading to the Sound Village – Toad Oil Flame Bullet!
Unable to resist, Xia Li began absorbing natural energy again. This time, he wouldn't lose control—he could stop at any moment.
After a while, he fell silent.
Indeed, nothing unusual happened this time, but precisely because of that, the transformation was extremely slow.
At this rate, it would take a very long time to fully change his body.
He sighed. Unexpectedly, that first mutation hadn't been entirely a bad thing.
Suddenly, Xia Li realized something—he hadn't eaten for a long time.
Yet… he didn't feel very hungry.
Could he survive without eating?
No. He quickly understood that it wasn't that he didn't need food—it was that the lack of hunger had been greatly reduced.
A ninja's body contains a large amount of physical energy, and extracting chakra consumes that energy. That's why ninjas usually eat a lot.
But natural energy comes from the outside world. It doesn't require consuming the body's energy, so the overall consumption is much lower—and hunger doesn't set in as quickly.
Xia Li stood up.
"Let's eat first, then think about supporting the Sand Village. As for this transformation, we'll have to take it slowly."
He was filled with anticipation. What would happen once his body fully transformed?
After finishing his first proper meal in seven days, Xia Li felt satisfied. Even though he hadn't been hungry, his body clearly knew how long it had gone without food.
Delicious…
Afterward, Xia Li spoke with Shizune and Ino before heading to Tan Village to meet the Sand ninja forces.
Four people came to greet him—all familiar faces: the Sand's jonin Baki, along with three genin from the Chunin Exams—
Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari.
Given the current state of the Sand Village, sending one jonin and the former Kazekage's three children was already a considerable show of respect.
"Geez, you're late. If you'd come any later, the final battle might've been over," Temari mocked.
"Something unexpected came up," Xia Li replied, slightly surprised. "So, you're ready for the final battle already?"
"Of course," Kankuro snorted. "We can't afford to look weak. Even if we're dealing with a smaller force, dragging things out would only signal weakness to other factions."
"Well done. I'll take the lead in this battle," Xia Li said with a smile.
After all, he had come here to showcase Konoha's strength—there was no way he would sit this one out.
"I'll leave it to you then. Please be careful," Baki said, not objecting.
"Don't worry. He's strong—and getting stronger," Gaara added calmly.
His words shocked everyone.
If even Gaara acknowledged his strength, this was no ordinary jonin.
"Alright," Xia Li said. "Tell me your plan and the enemy's strength. I don't want to disrupt your strategy."
Baki explained everything. Most of their tactics had already been used—they were heading into a direct confrontation.
Orochimaru, strangely, hadn't appeared. That alone eased some of their concerns.
However, there were still four troublesome enemies—the Sound Four.
"Got it," Xia Li nodded. "When I act, have your people fall back."
Though Baki didn't fully understand, he agreed.
Soon, the final battle began.
Hundreds faced off against hundreds. Not quite a war, but still a significant clash.
Yet something stood out—
At the very front of the battlefield stood a single figure, wearing a Konoha headband.
Xia Li.
The Sound ninja mocked him:
"Oh? Not a Sand traitor, but a Konoha dog? Look behind you—your allies have already retreated. How pitiful."
"Or maybe," Xia Li said with a grin, biting his finger, "I just don't like people getting in my way."
He slammed his hand onto the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
A massive cloud of smoke erupted.
When it cleared, a gigantic toad stood between both armies—
Gamabunta.
"That is…!"
Both sides were stunned.
Even Gaara murmured,
"…Naruto Uzumaki."
Clearly, he remembered that fight all too well.
The Sound ninja stared in disbelief.
Are you kidding? This thing alone outweighs all of us combined…
"Gamabunta, you're up next," Xia Li said casually.
"Hmph… Jiraiya! Is this your kid—" Gamabunta started, then paused when he saw Xia Li.
Remembering the warnings from the elders, he swallowed his complaints.
"…Fine. I'll cooperate."
Looking around, Gamabunta realized—
Not a bad place to fight.
"Should we run? That thing looks impossible to deal with…"
"Run? Where to? If Lord Orochimaru finds out… that'll be worse than death."
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