Chapter 12: The So-Called Legacy
"Don't underestimate the legacy of your family… but what exactly is it? Why do I know nothing?"
Ruofeng's mind buzzed with curiosity and frustration. Yet, try as he might, he knew nothing. From a young age, he had searched his residence countless times. Every nook and corner had been explored, and each time, nothing related to ninjas was ever found.
He had always thought his family were just ordinary merchants. But try as he might, he could not reconcile this with the fact that his family had to interact with ninjas — at the very least, through the family's hot spring business.
Ruofeng refused to believe that his family had no connection to ninjas whatsoever.
Yet, for five whole years, he found no trace of ninja heritage. He had nearly given up, but now, hearing Jiraiya speak of his family's legacy, claiming even he did not fully understand it, Ruofeng's curiosity flared anew.
He muttered silently: "Grandfather looks weak and frail, just an ordinary old man. What kind of secret is he hiding?"
Shaking his head, Ruofeng watched Jiraiya walk toward the courtyard, waving his hand as he spoke:
"It's almost noon. Get lunch ready quickly. I want to eat more of that red magical beast meat. It's incredibly nourishing. But, as Sazaki said, this meat is for special use — only for you. Don't be greedy; don't hog it all!"
Ruofeng chuckled softly, watching Jiraiya leave. "This is magical beast meat. There are only a few tons anyway. After eating it, who knows if the garbage station will bring more items from the Doupo world? Or more magical beast meat?"
He turned and walked toward his small living room.
Ruofeng's residence was a small courtyard within the larger estate, with a three-story annex.
He entered the living room, his eyes falling on a shelf. A bronze sword gleamed with light. It was originally from the Tomb Notes world. He had expected it to be corroded and rusty, but now it seemed perfectly preserved.
He stepped forward, lifting the bronze sword carefully, feeling the humming energy emanating from it.
Beside the sword lay a book and a jade box.
The book detailed Jeet Kune Do from Bruce Lee's world. In this world, where hand-to-hand combat techniques were not fully developed, a book on Jeet Kune Do was a valuable asset. It contained detailed explanations on generating power, striking methods, and other combat techniques — exactly the sort of skills Ruofeng needed. Though he could not predict how powerful Jeet Kune Do would be in the hands of a ninja, it was clearly potent.
The jade box contained three Qilin Jue. These rare items could heal all kinds of injuries. Even in the Tomb Notes world, they could revive someone poisoned by corpse venom. Once ingested, the blood would carry a scent that repelled insects.
These were precious treasures. Yet compared to the vial of magical liquid Ruofeng had stored away, they still fell short.
Ruofeng murmured to himself, "The Foundation Refining Elixir… though it isn't as effective as the ones Yao Lao made, for people in the ninja world, it's still extraordinary. The real question is… can I even use it now?"
He remembered how in the original story, when Xiao Yan used the Foundation Refining Elixir, the pain was immense, almost like being torn apart.
Moreover, the Doupo world and the ninja world were not on the same level. Perhaps in Doupo, because of the abundant energy, children were born with stronger constitutions.
For this reason, Ruofeng had not yet used the Foundation Refining Elixir. Even when he ate the magical beast meat that morning, he had first watched Jiraiya eat it to ensure there were no side effects before trying it himself.
Looking at the vial now, he realized that using it recklessly might blow him apart.
He lightly touched the jade vial. "I'll use the magical beast meat first to strengthen my body, then decide whether to use this Foundation Refining Elixir."
With that, he placed the vial back into the hidden compartment.
At that moment, a maid slowly approached. "Young master… today's medicinal bath is ready. Do you want to go now?"
Ruofeng shook his head. "Not today. Save it for next time. We'll use it together."
The maid was surprised. This was the first time Ruofeng had declined the bath. But as a servant, she dared not argue. "Yes, young master."
Then another maid arrived. "Young master… Chef Sazaki inquired that there isn't enough of the red magical beast meat left to maintain lunch today."
Ruofeng said, "Oh… then let him come pick it up."
With a flick of his hand, Ruofeng left his room and headed to the small storage shed in the courtyard. Several refrigerators had already been prepared. Inside, the magical beast meat from yesterday was frozen — the result of Ruofeng's efforts throughout the night.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Ruofeng still extracted chakra every day, performing simple exercises. However, Jiraiya had reminded him that the amount of chakra Ruofeng could currently handle was limited; any excess would strain his body. Once he had spent the chakra he had, he could then extract more.
So, for now, Ruofeng used his daily chakra to train his physical abilities.
Thanks to the chakra, his speed, strength, stamina, and explosiveness had all improved significantly. If he wasn't careful, even a slight misstep could cause damage.
Initially, Ruofeng had hoped to learn some ninja techniques from Jiraiya, but Jiraiya had refused, insisting that Ruofeng focus solely on controlling his chakra.
Reluctantly, Ruofeng focused on chakra control training, which at least was easier to practice. As in the original stories, even simple tasks like climbing trees or walking on water became exercises in precision.
As for Jiraiya, after three days of eating the magical beast meat, he had fully recovered. Then he departed, apparently rejoining a squad.
Ruofeng, though pained at having lost three days' worth of magical beast meat, could do nothing. After all, he had given it to Jiraiya first as a test, fearing the meat might harm him.
The result? Jiraiya ate it with no side effects, leaving Ruofeng frustrated at having wasted three days' worth of his precious meat. Thankfully, it wasn't a large quantity; otherwise, Ruofeng might have been devastated.
Shaking his head, he continued toward the water before him.
He began practicing controlling the chakra under his feet.
Just as he stepped onto the water, an aged voice called from afar:
"Ruofeng… Jiraiya is taking you to the Ninja Academy!"