บท 35: Chapter 35: The Blooming Realm of Power
Morning sunlight filtered through the hospital window, casting warm streaks of light across Ei's bed. She lay there, seemingly at peace, but her thoughts were anything but tranquil. Since her return from the raid on Uzushiogakure, she had been preoccupied with the strange, pulsing sensation deep in her chest—a power far beyond anything she had ever experienced. She alone knew the truth behind it: the *Gem of Conquest* that Raiden Mei, in her *Herrscher of Origin* form, had implanted into her chest during the surreal dream.
While no one else could sense the gem's presence, Yae Sakura, ever vigilant, had noticed something unsettling. For days now, she had felt the flow of natural energy subtly bending toward Ei, swirling and concentrating near her chest. Lightning chakra, in particular, was being drawn to her as if by some invisible force.
Yae, perched by the window, kept a close watch on Ei. The fox's eyes narrowed as she observed the faint shimmering of energy, more pronounced now than ever. This was no ordinary chakra. It was natural energy, and it was gathering around Ei in a way that concerned her deeply.
"Ei," Yae finally spoke, her voice firm yet tinged with concern, "the natural energy... it's converging around your chest. You're drawing in more lightning energy than you realize."
Ei's eyes widened slightly, though she remained silent. Her hand instinctively moved to her chest, where she could feel the gem's pulse beneath her skin. She had tried to suppress its pull, to keep it under control, but Yae's words confirmed that her efforts weren't enough. The gem was growing more powerful, and she had yet to learn how to harness it.
"I know," Ei admitted softly. She paused, gathering her thoughts, before continuing. "There's something inside me—something powerful. After the raid, I found a shrine with an oni mask and two red tengu masks. When I touched the oni mask, I blacked out. That's when I saw her."
Yae's ears twitched, her full attention on Ei now. "Who did you see?"
"Raiden Mei," Ei whispered. "Or rather, she called herself the *Herrscher of Origin* in my dream. She... she forced something into my chest—a gem. The *Gem of Conquest*. Ever since then, it's been attracting lightning natural energy to me, and I don't know how to control it."
Yae's eyes widened at the revelation, her mind racing. A gem with the ability to attract lightning natural energy... and Raiden Mei, a being with godlike power, had been the one to implant it into Ei. This wasn't just a gift—it was a responsibility, and perhaps a dangerous one.
"This gem," Yae said, her tone serious, "it's not something to be taken lightly. If it's drawing in natural energy, especially lightning energy, then it could easily become too much for your body to handle. You need to train, and you need to do it in a place where the energy is pure and safe."
Ei nodded. She had expected as much. "The Fox Sage Realm?"
Yae smiled slightly, a soft gleam of pride in her eyes. "Yes. It's the only place where you can learn to harness this kind of power without risking yourself or others. The natural energy there is pure, and it will help you attune to the gem's power without overwhelming your chakra network."
Without hesitation, Yae moved her hands in a series of precise motions, summoning a glowing portal in the middle of the room. The air seemed to hum with energy as the portal shimmered before them, a gateway to the fabled Fox Sage Realm.
Ei rose from her bed, taking a deep breath as she looked at the portal. She knew this was the only way forward. "I'm ready."
Yae nodded approvingly. "Then let's begin."
Together, they stepped through the portal, leaving the hospital—and Kumogakure—behind as they entered the Fox Sage Realm.
---
Ei blinked as they emerged into the Fox Sage Realm, her senses immediately overwhelmed by the sight before her. The air was thick with natural energy, buzzing with a purity she had never felt before. But what struck her most was the beauty of the realm itself.
The entire landscape was covered in endless cherry blossom trees, each one in perpetual bloom. Pink petals drifted gently through the air, carried by a soft breeze that seemed to hum with life. The trees were massive, their trunks wide and gnarled, with branches extending high into the sky, forming a canopy of delicate flowers. The realm felt ancient, sacred—like it existed outside of time.
Yae stepped forward, her pink fur blending seamlessly with the cherry blossoms. "This is the heart of the Fox Sage Realm," she said, her voice quiet with reverence. "Here, natural energy flows freely, and the trees are always in bloom. It's a place of serenity... but also great power."
Ei looked around in awe. "It's beautiful."
Yae smiled. "Yes, but don't let its beauty fool you. The energy here is potent, and it will test your ability to control it. But first, there's something I want to show you."
Yae led Ei deeper into the forest until they reached a colossal cherry blossom tree, far larger than any of the others. Its trunk was ancient and weathered, yet it radiated a quiet strength. The base of the trunk, however, was what caught Ei's attention—it was hollowed out, forming a natural archway that glowed faintly with energy.
"Inside this tree," Yae said, "is a portal. It leads to the Lake of Lightning, a place where natural lightning energy gathers in its purest form. You'll train there to harness the power of the gem."
Ei hesitated for a moment, then nodded resolutely. She stepped forward, passing through the glowing archway. As she did, she felt a surge of energy wash over her, like stepping into a current of electricity.
When she emerged on the other side, Ei found herself standing on the shore of a vast lake. But this was no ordinary lake—the water shimmered with a deep, electric blue, and arcs of lightning crackled across its surface. The entire lake seemed to be made of pure lightning energy, churning and swirling with raw power.
Yae appeared beside her, her gaze fixed on the lake. "This is the Lake of Lightning," she explained. "It's one of the most sacred places in the Fox Sage Realm. The water is pure natural lightning energy, and it will react to the gem in your chest. But be careful—the energy here is volatile. If you're not prepared, it could overwhelm you."
Ei stared at the lake, feeling the familiar pulse of the Gem of Conquest within her. She could already sense the connection between the gem and the lightning energy in the lake, a pull that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
"I'm ready," she said, determination flickering in her eyes.
Yae nodded approvingly. "Good. The first step is learning to attune to the energy. You need to balance your chakra with the natural energy around you. Once you can do that, you'll be able to harness the gem's power without it overwhelming you."
Ei took a deep breath and stepped forward, her feet just touching the edge of the lake. The moment she made contact with the energy, she felt a jolt of lightning run through her body, but she held firm, focusing on her chakra, on the gem in her chest.
The energy was wild, untamed, but slowly, Ei began to feel a rhythm within it. The lightning chakra pulsed in time with the beat of the Gem of Conquest, and she focused on that connection, letting the energy flow through her without resistance.
For hours, she stood there, her body surrounded by arcs of lightning as she attuned to the energy. Yae watched from a distance, her sharp eyes studying Ei's every move.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ei opened her eyes. She felt different—stronger, more in control. The Gem of Conquest still pulsed within her, but now it felt less like a foreign force and more like an extension of herself.
"I did it," Ei whispered, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Yae nodded, her expression proud. "Yes, you've taken the first step. But this is only the beginning. There's much more to learn, and the power of the gem is far greater than you can imagine. But with time, you'll master it."
Ei looked out over the Lake of Lightning, feeling the surge of power within her. She had a long road ahead of her, but for the first time, she felt truly ready to face it.
---
Meanwhile, in Kumogakure, A, B, and Mabui stood in the Raikage's office, their concern growing with each passing hour. Ei had been missing for days, and despite their best efforts, they had no idea where she had gone.
"A, you need to calm down," Mabui said, her voice steady as she watched A pace back and forth. "We don't know what's happened yet. She could be safe."
"Safe? She disappeared without a word!" A growled, frustration clear in his tone. "I can't just sit here and do nothing!"
B, leaning casually against the wall, glanced up at his brother. "Yo, relax, A. She's with Yae, remember? They've probably gone off to train or something."
At that moment, the Third Raikage entered the room, his expression calm but firm. "Ei is
in the Fox Sage Realm," he said, his deep voice commanding attention. "Yae has taken her there to train."
A and B exchanged glances, their worry easing slightly at the Raikage's words.
"The Fox Sage Realm?" A asked, his brow furrowing. "Why would she—"
"Because she has a power within her that she must learn to control," the Raikage explained. "Yae is helping her harness it. She'll return when she's ready."
A let out a sigh of relief, though a part of him still felt uneasy. "I just hope she's okay."
"She'll be fine," the Raikage said confidently. "Ei is strong. She'll come back stronger than ever."
---
End of Chapter 35
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