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Qin Yi was utterly dumbfounded. Even as a King, his aura— normally a symbol of dominance— had been reduced to pure confusion at this moment.
"How many cows did you three eat?"
He pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed.
"Hehe, for the past two months, we've been eating until we physically couldn't anymore. Our Chakra reserves skyrocketed at an unbelievable rate."
"Even we were surprised by the results."
"When we reached the peak of Chūnin, there were no bottlenecks at all— we advanced straight to Jōnin."
Qin Lin grinned broadly, his laughter full of satisfaction.
"That's right, Your Majesty. After breaking through to Jōnin, the difference in strength is astounding. Our Chakra levels increased tremendously."
Yang Yi chuckled in agreement.
Qin Yi's forehead twitched. Were these guys just here to brag?
"Sit down!" He snapped, exasperated. "What's this about a special ability?"
"Your Majesty, I awakened a unique ability. After consulting Madara San, he confirmed that it's a Kekkei Genkai."
"After reaching Jōnin, I unlocked the Earth attribute. When I experimented with its nature transformation, it somehow fused with my Fire attribute."
Qin Lin explained with a proud smile.
"Madara-san called this ability a Kekkei Genkai and named it Smelting Release!"
Qin Yi rubbed his forehead again. He wasn't sure whether to be astonished or amused.
"Smelting Release?"
Without hesitation, he instructed Qin Lin to demonstrate.
In the dense forest, Qin Lin confidently stepped forward.
He turned back with a wide grin, his exaggerated expression making Qin Yi itch to smack him. This guy was absolutely showing off.
"Smelting Release!"
With a loud shout, Qin Lin opened his mouth and— spat.
Qin Yi was speechless. Yes, this old man was literally spitting.
But as he did, streams of molten lava shot forward like shuriken, hissing through the air toward the trees ahead.
A pungent sulfuric smell filled the surroundings, and the sudden rise in temperature made Qin Yi and the others take an instinctive step back.
A moment later, the crimson lava struck a tree trunk.
'Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!'
The sound of intense burning echoed, and small flames flickered before the entire area erupted into fire.
Qin Yi's expression turned serious. There was no doubt—this was real Smelting Release. Its offensive power was terrifying, reminiscent of Sakazuki, one of the Three Admirals of the Pirate World, also known as Akainu.
"Your Majesty, what do you think of my Smelting Release?" Qin Lin jogged back, brimming with excitement, ready to bask in praise.
Qin Yi scoffed. "Keep practicing. You're far from mastering it. When you can cover this entire forest with Smelting Release, then I'll be impressed."
"With that pathetic spitting technique, who do you think you can even kill?"
His icy remark made Yang Yi and Fang Lan burst into laughter behind him.
Qin Lin scratched his head awkwardly, wanting to argue but not daring to. After all, the person in front of him was the King. Being able to show off even a little was already a bold move.
After their little demonstration, everyone dispersed. However, the Three Generals advancing to Jōnin left a significant impact on Qin Yi.
From that day on, his appetite grew even more insatiable. His guards whispered among themselves that the King's Haki had become even more intense, and his appetite rivaled that of lions, tigers, bears, and elephants— utterly monstrous.
Yet, for all his hunger, Qin Yi felt something else.
A bottleneck.
The very thing that hadn't troubled the Three Generals was now blocking his path.
"Jōnin… I 'will' reach it!"
"If anyone dares stand in my way, I'll eat them!"
With a fierce, almost chuunibyou-like roar in his heart, Qin Yi's Aura surged.
Half a month later, in the QinKage Office Building, a sudden burst of energy exploded outward, shaking the entire room.
"I did it! Jōnin!"
Qin Yi shot to his feet, his face glowing with exhilaration.
Even without the solid foundation of the Three Generals— who had advanced without obstacles— he had proven himself. He was still a King. And his talent was unmatched.
Now, the frustration in Qin Yi's heart was finally released.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
After laughing heartily, Qin Yi leaped out of the QinKage office.
"At the Jōnin level, I can now wield Jinton (Particle Release), and the power of Bursting Release will undoubtedly surge."
"If I can master all seven Chakra natures and awaken the Gudōdama (Truth-Seeking Balls)..."
His eyes gleamed as he contemplated the possibility.
Of course, this was just speculation. Whether fusing all seven Chakra natures would truly lead to the birth of the Gudōdama remained uncertain.
"The next target— the Bijū (Tailed Beasts)!"
His expression turned resolute. Qin Yi knew that at this stage, his greatest limitation was Chakra reserves.
If he could become a Jinchūriki (Power of Human Sacrifice) or absorb the Chakra of a Bijū, his strength would soar to unimaginable heights.
Later that day, Qin Yi encountered Uchiha Madara once again— this time, at Gandalf's doorstep.
The two sat opposite each other with a chessboard between them.
"How's the research going, Madara-san?"
Gandalf placed a piece on the board and asked with a knowing smile.
"That world may be in ruins, but what it left behind is terrifying. I can feel it— the remnants of the stele contain an immensely powerful energy."
Uchiha Madara's tone was solemn.
"When the previous King was alive, many great warriors from different lands traveled here, leaving behind their insights on stone tablets."
Gandalf spoke softly, pausing before continuing.
"These stone tablets were originally meant for scholars and warriors to gain wisdom from them. However, after the kingdom fractured, they were all shattered."
"Still, Madara-san, being able to sense the vastness of this world through these remnants and catching glimpses of its deeper mysteries is no small achievement."
Madara nodded.
The power sealed within those ancient relics spoke volumes about the terrifying might of their original owners.
It was different from Chakra— more profound, heavier, and commanding.
"Gandalf, you two seem rather relaxed."
Qin Yi approached, smiling.
"It's only been a little over ten days, and you've already reached Jōnin?"
Madara's sharp gaze landed on Qin Yi, his surprise evident.
"It's actually been two and a half months, Madara. The time flow here is different from our homeland."
Qin Yi corrected him with a shake of his head.
Madara frowned slightly before falling silent.
"Hehe, Your Majesty, what brings you here?"
Gandalf asked with a slight smile.
"In half a month, the Five Kage Summit will convene, and I need to make preparations."
Qin Yi stated before turning to Madara.
"Madara-san, may I ask—"
Before he could finish, Madara flicked a scroll from his sleeve.
"This is all I have."
"Tomorrow, I will leave the Nation of Qin and head elsewhere."
Both Qin Yi and Gandalf were momentarily taken aback.
"Madara, where are you going?"
"Younger Majesty, do you think simply defending this land will make your nation powerful?"
"Without war, without demonstrating true power, do you believe you can conquer the world with mere ideals of love and peace?"
Madara scoffed, his voice laced with mockery.
Qin Yi froze before a smile slowly spread across his face as understanding dawned.
"Then, Madara-san, I'll leave the vanguard role to you."
The untamed wild horse was beginning to change, becoming more disciplined.
And that— was a good sign.
Wasn't it?
(End of Chapter)