Chapter 467: Forbearance And Natural Perception

What surprised him slightly, however, were the descriptions of meditation and basic physical conditioning in the occupation entry.

Did the Monk Occupation actually enhance both physical and mental cultivation?

Although the effect was only slight and, judging from Shinichi’s own perception, it offered no particularly noticeable assistance. However, even a small improvement was still a good thing.

Thinking of this, Shinichi was about to carefully reread the description of the occupation when the Novice Monk occupation suddenly radiated a brilliant emerald-green light before shattering with a loud burst, transforming into entirely new text.

[Wandering Monk: You have become a monk who has officially begun your cultivation and travels throughout the land. Your efficiency in sensing and guiding the natural energy of heaven and earth, as well as your initial attempts to harmonize natural energy with your own energy, has been enhanced.]

[You have obtained a one-time draw opportunity: Random Green talent ×1]

’It leveled up! It leveled up just like that!’

But this was also within his expectations.

Although there were fewer than ten people present, each was both immensely powerful and highly influential. Their unanimous recognition of the monk identity that Genjo was displaying at this moment was enough to elevate the beginner-level Novice Monk directly to the fully fledged monk rank of Wandering Monk.

Still, Shinichi felt somewhat regretful that he had only now unlocked the Monk Occupation.

Recognition of his identity as a monk would only begin taking effect from this point onward.

Otherwise, with the collective recognition of the more than ten thousand people in the square, together with the immense weight carried by the recognition of Madara Uchiha and even Isshiki Otsutsuki, two beings standing at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World, it would probably have been enough to push his Monk Occupation to an even higher level.

...

Then, upon further thought, Shinichi quickly accepted it.

After all, whenever those people thought of him again in the future, they would still generate the corresponding recognition.

Moreover, as with the earlier Jonin and Saint Swordsman occupations, people’s recognition of an occupation’s rank had to be both clear and specific.

For example, people had to recognize him as a Chūnin to promote his occupation, and assuming he was merely a Chūnin would not work.

Most people, however, had little understanding of the ranking system among monks. Some called them monks, others masters, others Dharma masters; the terminology varied widely.

Even if they formed the relevant recognition, it would most likely count only as invalid recognition.

In other words, he might eventually have to take the initiative and educate everyone about the profession hierarchy of monks.

Another point worth noting was that the new Wandering Monk description no longer mentioned meditation or basic physical conditioning, leaving only the portion concerning natural energy.

However, after carefully sensing himself, Shinichi discovered that the slight enhancement to his mental and physical cultivation from before still remained and had not disappeared.

In other words, the Monk Occupation focused on building the foundations of the body and mind during the beginner stage, and once that foundation had been established, its emphasis shifted entirely toward sensing and harmonizing the natural energy of heaven and earth.

With that thought, Shinichi glanced at Konoha’s senior leaders, who still seemed to be happily conversing with Genjo, before returning his gaze to the personal status panel.

[Number of draws: 1 (White), 1 (Green)]

On such a joyous day, the founding of the society, his luck was at its peak, making it the perfect time to draw.

Thinking of this, Shinichi silently spoke in his heart.

"Draw."

A flash of white light appeared.

[Forbearance (White): Taking endurance as virtue and gentleness as the means to subdue the heart, you abide at the initial stage of the perfection of forbearance. Your emotions are less easily disturbed by external circumstances, allowing you to maintain basic composure and patience in the face of minor interference and discomfort.]

Oh?

Shinichi felt a hint of surprise.

The effect of this talent seemed remarkably similar to that of the Calm talent, but after examining it carefully, he discovered the difference.

If the Calm talent represented coldness and stillness, like the frozen surface of a winter lake, suppressing emotional turbulence until it was completely frozen, allowing one to cast aside fear and panic on the battlefield and maintain absolute rationality and clarity to make the most logical decisions.

Then the Fighting Spirit talent represented heat and motion, like molten fire surging beneath the earth, using fighting spirit as fuel and unyielding resolve as its engine to push battle intent and killing intent to their utmost limits, allowing one to become increasingly courageous in combat and overwhelm opponents through sheer momentum.

These two were like the Dark and Light of one’s mental state, one converging inward, the other erupting outward, occupying the two opposite ends of the same line.

Forbearance, however, lay between them. It belonged to neither extreme. Its essence was steadiness. It pursued neither ultimate coldness nor blazing passion, seeking only stability.

It was like a stone that had been washed by flowing water for a thousand years, neither hurried nor impatient, neither sorrowful nor joyful.

When the wind came, it remained unmoved.

When the waves crashed against it, it did not yield its place.

External disturbances did not sway it, nor did stray thoughts carry it away; it simply preserved its innate balance.

If Calm froze the lake of the heart, and Fighting Spirit ignited the fire within it, then Forbearance steadied the boat upon the heart’s waters, neither cold nor hot, neither hurried nor slow, remaining perfectly balanced amid the current.

"Not bad."

That was Shinichi’s assessment. He had never expected white or even green-level talent to provide any substantial help at his current level. It was simply better to have them than not.

With that thought, Shinichi immediately proceeded to draw the green trait.

A brilliant emerald-green light flashed.

[Natural Perception (Green): You can perceive the natural energy surrounding you and initially guide it to strengthen yourself, slightly enhancing your sensitivity and adaptability to natural energy.]

Finally!

A gleam flashed through Shinichi’s eyes. He slowly closed them, then opened them again a moment later. The brilliance had already faded, leaving only a trace of gentle warmth flowing quietly within his gaze.

Almost instinctively, he turned to look out the conference room window. As he gazed upon the world beyond, it felt as though an invisible veil had been gently lifted away.

A completely new world, woven together by countless mysterious streams of energy, quietly revealed itself before his eyes.

Everything between heaven and earth seemed to possess its own unique vitality and rhythm.

Nature Energy!

Nature Energy that existed everywhere between heaven and earth and flowed ceaselessly at every moment!

Even within this conference room, it was present, though in varying concentrations.

Back when the Monk Occupation had advanced to Wandering Monk, under the effect of the all-around enhancement provided by the Master talent, he had already sensed the faint, almost imperceptible fluctuations surrounding him, but they had never been sufficiently clear.

Now that he had acquired a talent specifically enhancing his perception of Nature Energy, the flow of the surrounding energy finally became clear and distinct.

"So, it’s time to find an opportunity to come into contact with Sage Arts."

Shinichi withdrew his gaze and thought to himself.

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