Chapter 52
Naruto pulled several more books from the shelf.
The Legend of the First Hokage – Senju of the Forest
It mainly recounted the legendary story of the First Hokage himself.
Below the title was a small line:
[This story is adapted based on facts; some events are for reference only.]
"The book describes how the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, gradually became the perfect and outstanding Hokage?"
Hiss, it somehow felt a little off.
Another book: Travels in Mount Myōboku
The prologue opened with:
"The author has spent his life longing for the legendary training holy land of Mount Myōboku, yet fate has not allowed him to visit in person."
"During a visit to the pleasure district for inspiration, I had the good fortune to meet one of the Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya-sama."
"After deep discussions on 'literary creation' and 'source material,' I successfully wrote the following opening…"
After flipping through a few pages, Naruto put the book back with a speechless expression.
"The author himself never went there, and he still dares to call it a travelogue? That's way too irresponsible!"
This one also had no useful information. Most of it was an adventure novel told from the protagonist's perspective.
This section of the shelves had pitifully little on natural energy—mostly vague and unclear.
"Fox Sage, are you sure we can find everything we need in this library?"
When Naruto put back yet another book—Report on the Ecological Environment of the Shinobi World—
he turned to Xuanming: "These books aren't even as good as what Iruka-sensei teaches in history class."
Xuanming was also drifting around, picking up books and searching for any useful information.
"While there are no direct cultivation methods, some records about environments, weather patterns, and ancient strange tales…"
"These can indirectly confirm the patterns of natural energy. Cultivating the Dao and the heart requires patience."
"You're still young. There's plenty of time—take it slow, no rush."
Xuanming responded lightly to Naruto's question.
"I see…" Naruto looked up at the shelf label.
This was the travelogue and biography section—logically, it should have more unusual information.
But after searching the whole area, he found it wasn't as promising as expected.
Maybe some weirder books got mixed in?
So he turned and headed toward other shelves.
Just as he stepped out, a faint shuffling sound came from the other side.
Along with deliberately suppressed breathing—but the heartbeat was too fast, making the rhythm chaotic.
Through the gap between two tall bookshelves, he saw:
A little girl in a pale purple hooded jacket standing on tiptoe, reaching hard for a book on a high shelf.
"Yo, Hinata!"
Naruto walked over and greeted her in a low voice.
Hinata turned around in surprise at Naruto's voice.
A faint blush and nervous expression appeared on her face.
"Ah… Naruto-kun, what a coincidence."
Hinata lowered her tiptoes. Her two index fingers instinctively twirled together: "You came to read too?"
Because Naruto often visited the Hyūga compound to spar and exchange Gentle Fist techniques with Neji and Hinata,
the two had long become very close friends. But Hinata could never quite shake her shyness.
Naruto was already used to it—he even thought this was just normal Hinata.
But today wasn't a chance encounter.
Hinata had seen Naruto head straight to the library after school instead of going to the Hyūga compound with her or to the Uchiha district with Sasuke.
Curiosity—or something else—made her follow him.
"You were trying to get that one?"
Naruto looked at the book Hinata had been reaching for.
Detailed Atlas of Human Pressure Points
Mm, it was a bit high—even he couldn't reach it.
But Xuanming was right there. As an observer, he could clearly see Hinata's real thoughts.
He didn't expose it directly. Instead he reached out and took the book down for her.
"Here." Naruto handed it to Hinata.
Hinata was already used to Naruto's "telekinesis" trick.
She had been surprised the first time she saw it, but now it was nothing unusual.
"Th-thank you."
Hinata accepted the book with both hands and held it to her chest: "Neji-niisan is training with Uncle Hiashi today, and there weren't any other plans at home, so I thought… I'd come look at some books…"
Hinata's voice grew smaller and smaller. Even she didn't quite believe the excuse she just gave.
"I see. Reviewing already-learned knowledge is still very studious."
"I came to look for materials about 'natural energy'."
Naruto scratched his head and leaned against the bookshelf with a slightly dejected look: "But it's really hard to find. I've been looking for ages and it's mostly just stories…"
"Natural… energy?"
Hinata asked softly: "You mean that kind of… special power that fills the surroundings and is very hard to detect?"
Ever since awakening her Byakugan, during training she occasionally glimpsed strange currents in the air.
That flow didn't seem like chakra, and it was invisible and intangible.
Whenever she tried to actively observe it, the sensation would vanish.
She had always been puzzled about what it was. Hearing Naruto's words, she vaguely guessed.
Perhaps it was the phenomenon caused by natural energy.
"Yes yes yes! That's the one!"
"If it's about that…"
Hinata lowered her head and said quietly: "Then I… I'll help you look for materials too!"
She really was curious about the strange flow she saw.
But more importantly—she wanted to help Naruto-kun.
The two of them sat together at a corner table in the library.
Hinata described the strange flow she occasionally glimpsed through her Byakugan.
Naruto shared what Xuanming had taught him about the wonders of natural energy.
And about everyday cultivation, the philosophical ideas of "harmony between heaven and man," and whether that could help in researching natural energy.
Hinata talked about things happening around her.
But Naruto only talked about study-related topics and philosophical theories that others would find hard to understand.
Xuanming shook his head.
Looked like cultivating the Dao really strengthened the heart—but somehow Naruto still occasionally came off as a bit dense?
Probably because heart cultivation only increased resilience, not intelligence or emotional awareness.
If it were Sasuke, he'd probably have gotten fed up with Naruto's mystical rambling long ago.
But Hinata didn't.
She rested her chin in both hands, listening quietly.
Her gaze remained fixed on Naruto's animated side profile.
Even if she didn't fully understand those profound theories, as long as he was the one saying them, she found it interesting.
Perhaps this was just Hinata.
Xuanming silently evaluated in his heart.
The Hyūga clan's Byakugan was born able to see chakra flow.
But it could not see the even more universal natural energy.
Only after natural energy was refined into senjutsu chakra could it possibly be observed in the Byakugan's field of view.
Probably because natural energy was too "ordinary"—in the Byakugan's perspective, it was treated as mere background.
On the contrary, Hinata's eyes were perhaps the purest Byakugan in the Hyūga clan.
Could it be possible for her to directly observe natural energy?
Two small figures whispered together in the library.
From time to time they moved around the shelves, searching for any relevant books and materials.
Though Naruto's path to becoming an "immortal" had only taken half a step so far,
and the conditions to become Hokage were currently only acknowledged by a few people close to him,
it was still a very good beginning.
As long as the seed was planted, it would one day grow into a towering tree.
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