After the meeting concluded, the various team leaders and high-ranking ninjas from each faction began to disperse from the command tents, heading back to their respective resting places. This time, Hyuga Mirai had attended alone as Hyuga Kiyo, a senior member of the family, had not come to the meeting. Therefore, Mirai did not engage in conversation with Hyuga Zosuke, who belonged to the branch family. Although there was a division between the main and branch families, Mirai had no need to follow the strict customs as long as he walked quickly enough.
However, Aoki quickly caught up and clapped Mirai on the shoulder. "There's no need to hurry. Your clan hasn't come this way."
Mirai slowed his pace with a helpless sigh and turned his head. "Sorry, Aoki-senpai."
"No need to apologize. It's my responsibility. I shouldn't have let you bear the brunt of their criticism," Aoki replied awkwardly. He had hoped to slowly ease Mirai into the role of the real leader of the medical camp, but instead, his good intentions had led to harsh criticism from the Hyuga clan. It was truly a case of good intentions going awry.
"This isn't your fault, Aoki-senpai." Mirai still knew how to distinguish between what was right and wrong. The hostility from the main family likely stemmed from his military achievements a few days ago.
A medical ninja from the branch family had single-handedly destroyed twelve elite Rock ninjas using traps, not only saving the camp but also earning an unmatched level of merit. Compared to the main family's ninjas, what had they been doing?
Hyuga Kiyo had subtly hinted at this, but Mirai hadn't expected the impatience of Hyuga Zosuke to be so evident. The battle in the Land of Grass seemed to be a guaranteed defeat. The leader, Miyamura, was someone who couldn't recognize his own limitations—only focusing on relentlessly fulfilling higher-ups' orders without thinking about what to do when it's clear that success is unattainable.
In Mirai's view, if Miyamurahad any sense, he should have stepped down from his position as the front-line commander when asking for reinforcements, allowing the village to send a powerful or strategically-minded leader instead.
He lacked the ability to resist, and that was likely the outcome. Worse still, he shifted the burden to the medical ninjas, which irked Mirai further.
After casually chatting with Aoki, Mirai returned to the medical camp and excused himself to rest, heading to his own tent. Upon opening his communicator, he saw several messages from Unit 18. As he read through them, his previously tense mood eased, like a refreshing spring of water poured over a burning flame.
"I didn't expect Unit 18 to complete the nano battle armor so quickly. And Ayaka Uzumaki has made great progress too—she's now trained in the Adamantine Chains. Most jōnin wouldn't be a match for her anymore, and with the nano armor, even mid-tier Kage-level opponents would struggle." Mirai thought to himself, considering that Ayaka could now undertake certain missions. With her face hidden by the armor, unless she activated her Adamantine Chains or made a mistake, it would be impossible for anyone to gather intel on her.
He then contacted Unit 18, and a cold yet elegant blonde figure appeared on the screen.
"Unit 18, I need a nano-form communication device. As for the location of the base laboratory, go with whichever one you think is best. Let's set up one in the Land of Tea, with the main base there," Mirai said with a smile.
"Understood, sir. The nano communicator is ready. It will be projected near your location within the next half hour," Unit 18 replied indifferently. The device would blend into its surroundings, either becoming a rock or a withered branch once within a five-kilometer radius, undetectable even by the Byakugan. Mirai only needed to track the signal to retrieve it.
"As for the Tea Country base, I suggest establishing the Third Trade Association. Sir, should we also create a third mechanical association?"
Mirai paused for a moment. "If you don't have suitable candidates, feel free to build one. But will this use up too much of your processing power?"
"There will be a twelve percent impact. Regarding the candidates for the human representatives of the Third Trade Association, I believe these individuals are most suitable. What is your choice, sir?"
A list of candidates appeared on the screen, with detailed profiles, including their names, personality analysis, and life histories—quite detailed for non-ninjas.
Mirai glanced over the options. "I'll go with Kado. Given his personality, he'll be able to take control of the Land of Tea in a short time. But let's make sure to have some safeguards in place, to avoid causing any trouble."
Aside from Kado, who was a character from the original story, Mirai noted that Kado had managed to accumulate a fortune of nearly a million from a poor district, showing his considerable abilities. It seemed like a good opportunity to recruit him.
"Understood, sir. I will deploy three nano-mechanical guards to monitor Kado," Unit 18 confirmed.
In a few short exchanges, many matters were settled.
"Let her speak now, Unit 18. I've already seen Ayaka's hair and half of her face," Mirai sighed in resignation. Ayaka Uzumaki had been by Unit 18's side, but her voice had been silenced. Frustrated, she had walked around, hoping Mirai would see her.
After receiving Mirai's permission, Unit 18 shifted aside, allowing Ayaka to quickly move in front of the communicator.
"Lord Mirai, I've mastered the Adamantine Chains and can now use it effectively in combat. Moreover, Unit 18 has given me a powerful set of battle armor. With it, I'm now ready to fight for you, Lord Mirai," Ayaka said confidently.
"Well done," Hyuga Mirai praised, offering encouragement to his subordinate who was willing to put in the effort. He wasn't one to withhold praise for those who showed dedication. "Once you're familiar with the weapon system, I'll leave the task assignments to you. Unit 18 has other matters to attend to and won't be leaving the base frequently."
Ayaka Uzumaki nodded seriously. "Understood, Lord Mirai. You can leave it to me."
"Are you still in contact with Kushina Uzumaki?" Mirai asked, his tone casual.
"We still communicate. Princess Kushina sends a letter almost every three days to the capital," Ayaka replied. When she mentioned Kushina's name, her demeanor shifted, showing a hint of frustration. She continued, "I don't like this foolish relative of mine. She doesn't even realize that the Uzumaki Trade Association's computer has a chat tool, and she often tries to lure me into joining Konoha using the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques."
"Those sealing techniques are originally from the Uzumaki clan," Mirai remarked.
Ayaka continued, expressing more of her dislike for Kushina, her words showing increasing resentment. She believed Kushina had forgotten her roots and had become more like a Konoha citizen than a true Uzumaki.
"I even asked her if she'd want to leave Konoha and help rebuild the Land of Whirlpool, but she has no intention of it. Even though she didn't outright refuse, I could tell she wouldn't agree to anything I suggested," Ayaka added, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Rebuilding the Uzumaki clan and the Land of Whirlpool wasn't something Mirai particularly cared about. In the future, when he had more power, he could help Ayaka with that.
As the conversation drifted into less important matters, Mirai noticed something was off. He quickly found an excuse to end the conversation, claiming someone was approaching.
He wasn't lying—he did hear footsteps approaching the tent. Moments later, Kiyo Hyuga and Kurenai Yuhi entered after lifting the tent flap.
"Mirai-kun, long time no see!" Kurenai greeted with a cheerful smile, her hands behind her back as if holding something. "Guess what I brought."
"Is it the braised meat from Kyuya?" Mirai asked, recognizing the potential gift.
"You're cheating! How could you know? Did you secretly use your Byakugan?" Kurenai responded in surprise, only to sigh dramatically and pull out the braised meat from behind her back.
Mirai grinned. "Because you're so thoughtful. This is probably my favorite food." He thanked her and took the box.
Kiyo quietly noted this gesture, deciding not to hold a grudge against Kurenai. At first, she had been displeased with her presence on the front lines, but seeing this, Kiyo decided not to dwell on it. She recalled that on past birthdays, Kurenai had always given her things she liked, and as she thought about it, Kiyo's expression softened.
"Mirai-kun, are you in a bad mood?" Kurenai asked with concern.
"Is it because of Hyuga Zosuke?" Kiyo added with a slight sneer. "Don't pay attention to that guy. He's been tamed by rigid customs. As the head of the main family, his abilities are average, and there's no hope for improvement."
Although Kiyo intended to comfort Mirai, her words naturally shifted into a critique of Hyuga Zosuke.
"No, you're mistaken. I don't care about that," Mirai said, shaking his head. He looked seriously at them and continued, "The truth is, I don't have much hope for this war. With how Commander Miyamura is leading, I feel like defeat is inevitable."
Kurenai quickly covered Mirai's mouth, warning, "Mirai-kun, you mustn't say things like that. Otherwise, the interrogation department might take you away for questioning." Having been warned by her father, who had experience with interrogation-related work, she was particularly cautious.
"I only say this to you all. Be careful in the future," Mirai reassured them. If Miyamura continued to be influenced by the 'Will of Fire,' then the war's prospects were grim.
Miyamura was probably already out there with the Rock ninjas, and if the camp couldn't hold, Mirai, a medical ninja with ties to the enemy, would certainly be targeted. That was another troublesome issue for him.
It would have been better if Danzo had been in charge. Though there were always wounded soldiers, at least the camp's safety was guaranteed.
Kurenai, this time as part of Konoha's frontline reconnaissance team, explained that there were many Rock ninjas lurking in the Land of Fire, planning to disrupt Konoha's supply lines. Her team was tasked with eliminating them and ensuring the safety of the supply lines.
Although reinforcements were on the way, Mirai couldn't shake the feeling that Konoha would lose even faster.
(End of Chapter)
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