The Gelel Stone is a mineral vein that appeared in the movie Legend of the Stone of Gelel. The power it contains, according to others, is capable of destroying half a continent.
Takuno didn't believe it possessed such power. It was merely due to the limited perspective of others, and an intentional exaggeration of the danger to impress upon listeners the seriousness of the situation.
However, it's undeniable that the Gelel Stone's energy is indeed abundant.
From the original work, the power of the Gelel Stone doesn't seem to be Chakra, but rather more like Natural Energy filled with Yang Nature.
It's filled with Yang Release because some of its leaked power can completely heal severely injured people, and even cause greenery to grow on barren rock walls.
Even Temujin, the main character of this movie, who had a Gelel Stone transplanted, possessed a physique comparable to Naruto, who had the Nine-Tails.
They both fell from a cliff with similar injuries, yet their recovery speed was almost identical!
This recovery effect, comparable to the Nine-Tails, is quite outrageous.
These abilities truly gave Takuno a sense of déjà vu, like seeing Hashirama's Sage Body, but a 'beggar's version' of it.
The reason it's called Natural Energy is also because the villains in this movie, utilizing the Gelel Stone, could transform into various animal-like monsters, such as apes, bats, and so on... This is quite similar to Natural Energy; Sage Mode learned in Mount Myōboku might turn one into a frog, while Sage Mode from Ryūchi Cave can transform one into a snake.
Furthermore, the cursed seals developed by Orochimaru that absorb Natural Energy also transform users into various monsters when activated, and Mizuki, relying on Orochimaru's incomplete research into Natural Energy, transformed into a tiger.
All these indicate that the power of the Gelel Stone and Natural Energy also share very similar strengths.
Takuno didn't know exactly what it was; it shouldn't be Chakra, but it didn't matter. What he needed was its ability to grant people a recovery power comparable to the Nine-Tails' physique.
As for the effect of strengthening the physique, that requires accumulation over time, and even after more than a decade of strengthening, the opponent was only about as strong as Naruto was at that time, which wasn't enough.
If he could integrate this power, then he would likely be able to train his body without limits, meaning training to the point of death, as long as he didn't actually die... The next day, he successfully received a mission from Minato and left the village.
Takuno still remembered Minato's surprised expression when he learned that he was taking a mission.
Then, he said with a teasing tone, "Senpai, you've finally taken a mission. If you continue to stay in the lab, I'll have to consider temporarily cutting the Sealing Team's research budget to make you take a break."
"No, haven't I gone to relax by doing a mission?" Takuno yawned and said casually.
"Alright." Minato also nodded and said, "Senpai can also go for a stroll outside after completing the mission; there's no need to rush back."
"I'll consider it." Takuno didn't refuse.
Then, he left Konoha and came to the Land of Rivers.
Because the Gelel Stone is located here. In the original story, the group attacked Sunagakure and then encountered Konoha ninja, so it can be largely confirmed to be between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind.
And this place is the Land of Rivers.
Takuno had already sent his subordinates to investigate for information a long time ago, so long that he had almost forgotten about it. So when the crow informed him, he was momentarily slow to react.
"My lord, these are all the relevant documents I've compiled." The leader below, with cold sweat on his forehead, respectfully handed the scroll in his hand to Takuno.
He was very worried that he would be dissatisfied and use the 'Death Curse Seal' on him. That pain, even after a few years, was still fresh in his memory.
Moreover, he wasn't entirely confident about the information he was submitting.
Because Takuno had asked them to search for it years ago, but the Temujin he found was only about one year old, so he thought it might be a namesake.
But he really couldn't find anyone else named Temujin, and a lot of time had passed, so he could only grit his teeth and compile the person's information.
Takuno looked at the information in his hand, divided into three parts: one about Temujin's village, one about the caravan of the wandering people, and the last one about the great merchant Haido.
He looked at Temujin's age, thought about it, and this age should be correct; even if he was older than Naruto, it wouldn't be by much.
Regarding the caravan of the wandering people, the information not only investigated their internal members but also recorded their annual routes, discovering that although their routes differed each year, they always passed through one particular place.
So they believed this place should be the location of what Takuno was looking for.
Finally, the information about the villain Haido was very detailed. He was a big merchant, so it was indeed relatively easy to find information about him.
"Hmm, well collected." After reading it, Takuno was somewhat surprised by their ability to gather information; this data was indeed very thorough.
"As long as my lord is satisfied." The leader breathed a sigh of relief, his anxious heart finally settling down.
However, soon, he became a little terrified again, because if this information was correct, then Takuno had made him look for someone who would only be born years later, years in advance?
This... The more he thought about it, the more he feared; the other party's power had exceeded his comprehension.
"Don't think about what you shouldn't think about. Help me, and I'll guarantee you wealth and prosperity." Takuno glanced at him, probably knowing what he was thinking, and reminded him.
"My lord is right." The leader finally gave up that thought, and even suddenly felt a bit relieved. The stronger the other party's power, and the more it exceeded their comprehension, the better it seemed.
Because in that case, the other party probably wouldn't be interested in their lives. Thus, they only needed to do their tasks well, then... "Here is your reward." Takuno wasn't stingy either; a large box full of gold, silver, and jewels appeared in his hand. He didn't need to skimp on them in this regard.
"Thank you, my lord!" The leader's eyes gleamed as he looked at the gold, silver, and jewels, and he couldn't help but drool. His subordinates were even worse; if not for the fear of death, they probably would have pounced on it already.
"This is what you deserve. Now go back and wait for my next mission," Takuno said.
"Yes!"
Takuno finished speaking and left, leaving behind a large group of people drooling over the box of gold, silver, and jewels.
The leader took a deep breath at this moment. He had initially thought that his group, having been subjected to the Death Curse Seal, were merely free labor and wouldn't receive any rewards.
Now it seemed, this... seemed to be their good fortune.
Humans die for wealth, and birds die for food. As long as enough is given, what is a life worth? Besides, aren't they still alive?!