Chapter 3 — Tomb-Robbing Trash
"Bang… Bang…"
The massive tree crackled faintly, the smell of charred wood lingering in the air. Small flames still licked at its blackened surface.
Ruofeng frowned as he walked toward it.
"What world's trash is this supposed to be?"
Truth be told, he had no idea whether the Three Thousand Garbage Station possessed any intelligence at all. It never explained where the trash came from. He could only deduce the source from clues.
Not long after the debris settled, the station's stabilizing force extinguished the remaining flames, leaving behind only the scent of smoke.
Now he could finally see the tree clearly.
It was enormous—ancient beyond measure. Judging from the growth rings visible in the cracked trunk, it had likely lived for over a thousand years.
Embedded within its shattered bark were fragments of jade.
Ruofeng crouched down and picked up a piece.
His eyes narrowed.
"…No way. Don't tell me it's that world."
His suspicion grew stronger.
Then his foot struck something small and solid.
A jade box.
He bent down and picked it up gently.
Inside were three dark, wood-like fragments emitting a faint yet unusual fragrance.
He inhaled slightly.
A warm current flowed through his body.
His mind sharpened instantly.
Ruofeng's guess was now nearly certain.
He scanned the surrounding debris and spotted characters carved in small seal script.
"That confirms it… This trash came from The Grave Robbers' Chronicles."
More specifically—
"The Lu Palace."
The golden-threaded jade burial suit nearby and this ancient tree were unmistakable references. The charred condition suggested an explosion—likely the destruction of the tomb itself. Part of it must have been reduced to "trash" and drawn into the station.
And now—
It belonged to him.
looked down at the three dark fragments inside the jade box.
"Kirin Blood Wood… Qilin Jie."
In that world, it was a rare medicinal substance.
The longer it aged, the stronger its effects.
It could cure countless ailments. After ingestion, one's body would emit a scent that repelled insects.
Ruofeng chuckled lightly.
"I wonder… if I use this, will the Aburame clan's insects ignore me in the future?"
He stored the jade box carefully.
Then he continued searching.
If this was truly from The Grave Robbers' Chronicles, there might be more valuable finds.
At the same time, he quietly confirmed another theory.
Each year, the worlds connected by the station seemed stronger than the last.
Or perhaps…
They scaled with his growth.
Maybe when he reached adulthood, truly powerful realms would appear.
⸻
Suddenly—
His foot pressed against something metallic.
He bent down.
A simple, ancient-looking sword lay half-buried in debris.
"A bronze sword?"
On Earth, this would be a priceless antique.
But in the Naruto world?
Historical value meant little.
Still—
The blade's edge was sharp.
Sharper than an ordinary kunai, at least.
He picked it up, testing its balance.
Satisfied, he gathered the remaining jade fragments.
He did find it strange that the corpse hidden within the golden-threaded jade burial suit was nowhere to be seen. In the original story, the preserved body inside could still breathe.
But honestly—
Not seeing a corpse was a blessing.
Before long, Ruofeng had cleared everything worth keeping:
•A pile of jade fragments
•A bronze sword
•Three pieces of Kirin Blood Wood
Among them, these were the true treasures.
Aside from that, the ancient thousand-year tree itself had some value. Its wood could be used for carving or crafting.
After securing his finds, Ruofeng turned and left the silent dimension.
⸻
He could freely enter and exit the Three Thousand Garbage Station.
However, each entry consumed mental energy.
At his current state, he could enter at most three times per day.
Still—
It was practically an invincible escape technique.
If he couldn't win a fight, he could retreat instantly into this isolated dimension.
No one could follow.
In a way, it was a unique form of space–time ninjutsu.
The next moment—
He reappeared in his quiet courtyard.
The tea was still warm.
⸻
He walked back into his luxurious room.
The chamber was lavishly decorated, filled with valuable ornaments.
He placed the bronze sword carefully against a display rack.
Then he moved to his desk and stored the jade box inside a concealed compartment.
This room was secure.
No one dared enter without permission.
⸻
Footsteps approached.
A beautiful young maid entered and bowed slightly.
"Young Master Ruofeng… The hot spring estate has sent word. Today's medicinal bath has been prepared. Please make your way there."
Ruofeng nodded.
"Oh? It's ready already? Then let's not waste the medicinal properties."
He stepped out.
⸻
Medicinal baths were common among major clans.
They were used to strengthen a child's foundation from a young age.
Clan heirs surpassed civilian shinobi not only because of secret techniques—but because their bodies were conditioned early.
Strengthened physique meant better chakra refinement later.
Even if the baths didn't directly increase chakra reserves, they improved physical durability.
After all—
Even a genin in this world could leap across rooftops and sprint through forests for miles.
That level of physical ability didn't come from nowhere.
Ruofeng's grandfather controlled nearly two-thirds of Konoha's hot spring business.
As one of the wealthiest merchants in the village, gathering rare herbs wasn't difficult.
But herbs alone weren't enough.
One needed formulas.
And those were usually held by clans.
Each clan's medicinal bath formula differed.
There were even rumors that the Nara clan possessed a formula that enhanced cognitive development.
Whether that was true or not—
Given the clan's consistent strategic brilliance, it wasn't entirely unbelievable.
Ruofeng's own medicinal bath formula had an unusual origin.
It came from Jiraiya.
At first, Ruofeng suspected it had something to do with those confiscated "Tokyo Hot" materials.
But surely Jiraiya wasn't foolish enough to exchange something valuable for mere entertainment, right?
Later, he learned the truth.
Jiraiya and his grandfather had known each other for years.
Merchant sponsorship of Academy students wasn't uncommon in Konoha. While major clans had their own resources, many civilian-born students lacked funds for equipment and medicine.
Each year, during Academy enrollment, Ruofeng's grandfather would discreetly sponsor several promising children.
Supporting them early.
Helping them grow.
And in time, perhaps gaining valuable allies.
Jiraiya had once been among those sponsored students.
Though he later became one of the Legendary Sannin, he had no prominent clan backing within Konoha.
His rise truly began only after becoming the disciple of the Third Hokage and later training at Mount Myōboku.
In a sense—
Ruofeng's grandfather's investment had helped nurture a future powerhouse.
And that connection remained.