"Mirai-sama, this city is unbelievably prosperous!!"
Ayaka Uzumaki's mouth opened wide in amazement at the towering buildings filled with modern technology. Unlike the capital of the Federation not far away, this place radiated an entirely different style. To her, only a few words came to mind: prosperity, wealth, and indulgence.
She had only been here twice before. The last time, the city had just been built, and it was nowhere near this vibrant.
"This is why I forbid Federation students from coming here. Children have no self-control, and they have no money. Coming here only weakens their will; there's no other benefit."
Hyuga Mirai patted Ayaka's head and led her forward.
The reason he had No. 18 develop the city to this degree was to make its name known. Judging by the results, it was working well. With the Uzumaki and Keiko trade associations taking the lead, countless merchants from across the shinobi world were flocking here to establish bases. This was only the second product exhibition held by the Uzumaki Trade Association, yet it was already so successful.
Not all visitors would return with business opportunities, but even broadening their horizons made the trip worthwhile.
Through this city, Hyuga Mirai could influence the prices across the shinobi world. Achieving complete monopoly might be difficult, but manipulating other merchants through here to achieve the same result was entirely possible.
Mirai accompanied Ayaka around for a while, seeing new items such as batteries and electronics, but quickly lost interest.
Ayaka still couldn't adapt to this environment. Even for relaxation, she preferred a quiet place.
"Mirai-sama, let's go back."
She tugged on Mirai's sleeve, whispering into his ear. The women here were dressed far too revealingly, and the shameless stares some cast at Mirai deeply irritated her.
"Alright, if you don't want to look around, we'll go back."
Mirai, too, lost interest after a while. He focused on functionality, whereas No. 18 deliberately overcomplicated products to sell them to the upper classes. As for commoners, they wouldn't have enough money to afford such things for at least another five years.
The city was managed by Yakumo. Every year it generated vast sums of rent and taxes for the Federation. Without a trusted aide stationed here, Pakura would never feel at ease.
Fortunately, Gaara and his siblings had grown up. Even the youngest, Gaara, was about to graduate as a shinobi. Temari had already joined the security force and, due to her performance, now served as a squad leader under Uchiha Mikoto.
Kankuro had chosen not to join the elite training squad. Instead, he entered the Puppet Division, where he was learning advanced puppet techniques. His idol was Sasori of the Red Sand, and on his graduation form, he had clearly written that his dream was to become Sasori-sama's assistant.
As for Gaara, he was expected to join the elite squad for higher training. With his grades, he was certain to graduate at the top of his class.
Mirai had already prepared Gaara's bloodline weapon: a Magnet Release wrist device and a space capsule filled with twenty tons of iron sand for battle.
Before long, Mirai and Ayaka returned to their home in the Saudi Federation. Even before entering, they heard Kushina scolding Naruto next door. His academic performance remained average. At this rate, he couldn't even secure an excellent graduate ranking, let alone top student, despite consistently being among the top three in practical training.
"Getting scolded again… Mirai-sama, Naruto has been complaining about you lately. He says he should be allowed to delay those shinobi history analysis classes until after graduation, so he can compete with Gaara for top student."
Ayaka leaned close to him as she spoke. Naruto had begged not only Mirai but also Ayaka. Yet Ayaka never interfered in Mirai's decisions. She had even given Naruto textbooks a month in advance, but he still couldn't outperform Gaara.
In fact, out of forty students, Naruto only outscored three. No wonder Kushina was furious.
Even Sasuke managed fourteenth place. Though far behind Gaara, with Naruto as contrast, Mikoto never punished Sasuke—she only watched over him with a smile as he studied.
"Learning more knowledge is always good. Otherwise, without even the ability to think, he'll just end up a fool who gets tricked. But it seems Naruto inherited more from Kushina."
Mirai sat down at the table, waiting for Ayaka to brew tea.
He checked the Puppet Division's reforms through the terminal. The Federation's mecha puppet corps was progressing slowly. Only about seventy had passed exams and earned licenses for assembly. Just learning structures, assembly, weapons, and piloting took more than a year.
Their numbers were small, but their firepower was immense. Once war began, the mecha puppets would be the strongest special force in the shinobi world. When their ammunition was spent, they were equivalent to perfect jinchūriki.
After confirming a meeting time with Sasori, Mirai received a message from Orochimaru.
"That guy actually abducted three people… his obsession with the Rinnegan is going too far."
Recently, Mirai had focused on cultivating the Ten-Tails, paying little attention to others unless they contacted him first, like Tsunade.
Orochimaru had already experimented on Neji and others, but wanted Mirai's opinion. Having also acquired intelligence, he planned to visit the Federation.
That afternoon, Kushina, happy to learn Mirai was home, invited him and Ayaka to dinner. But Mirai refused, waiting for Orochimaru. Shortly after, Mikoto visited as well, subtly extending the same invitation. Again, Mirai refused. Embarrassed under Ayaka's stare, Mikoto left, only asking before departing if Mirai would spare some time to mentor Sasuke.
By night, a knock came at the door. Ayaka ran to open it, only to be met with golden serpent eyes.
"Orochimaru, the guard squad isn't after you?" Ayaka asked, stepping aside. Still annoyed, she added, "I haven't forgotten how you tricked me into going to the Land of Earth."
"That was an accident. I didn't know enemies beyond even your ability would appear." Orochimaru smiled and handed her a gift box. "A token of apology—finest cosmetics from the Land of Hot Water, complete with tutorials."
"That's a fashion magazine!"
Correcting him, Ayaka snatched the box, then grinned. "Fine, I'll let it slide. Sit, I'll make tea."
Mirai descended from upstairs, having just checked the fusion of Ten-Tails cells with his own genes. He looked up, startled.
It was really him.
Neji Hyuga steadied his breath, forcing calm into his expression as he and Hinata followed behind Orochimaru. He was almost certain of the intelligence now—though unsure how to send it to the clan head. For secrecy, he had only one secure channel left, and it was not yet time.
"I remember Neji-kun is from the branch family… Orochimaru, you even lifted the Caged Bird seal? Impressive."
Seated at the round table, Mirai's gaze fell on Neji's unmarked forehead.
Orochimaru also sat, rasping with a chuckle. "By retracing your methods back in Konoha, I grasped the direction of release. I failed a few times, but it was much faster than blind trial."
"Neji-kun is quite gifted. Seems you've picked up some fine talents." Though praising Neji, Mirai's attention lingered more on Hinata.
"Strange hearing that from you. They're nowhere near your level—after all, you fooled the old man and me before even turning twelve."
Once tea was served, Orochimaru got straight to discussion.
His ambition had never changed: to grasp all truths of the world. Yet along the way, he sought to create the ultimate lifeform, godlike in nature. But now he was at an impasse. Sasori's mecha puppets still had room for improvement, but Orochimaru's ultimate lifeform research was stalled at a dead end.
Mirai replied thoughtfully, "Thought is limitless, but often bounded by perception. Nearly all bloodline limits in the shinobi world originate from the Otsutsuki. To surpass their ceiling, you must encounter greater beings—or deeper knowledge."
"Recklessly altering gene priorities will fail. Tigers eat sheep by nature; sheep eating tigers is an anomaly. If you truly wish to surpass the Otsutsuki, study this." He handed Orochimaru a capsule. "From two years ago, during the assault on Mount Myoboku. The Great Toad Sage, over a thousand years old."
Orochimaru's golden pupils narrowed with keen interest. "The Great Toad Sage? Equal to the White Snake Sage and Slug Sage? And you killed it?"
"All three are formidable. I nearly fell at Myoboku myself. If not for a Truth-Seeking Orb guarding me when Koji's water cannon pierced my heart, not even Yin-Yang Release could have saved me."
With the corpse in hand, Orochimaru considered visiting Ryūchi Cave for White Snake Sage's flesh, though uncertain of success. He would also need Tsunade's help to reach the Slug Sage.
A new path emerged: fusing the powers of all three sages to create a true sage.
He hadn't abandoned the Rinnegan either. Mirai gave him samples of his own flesh for further study. If successful, Mirai too would gain valuable data.
Before leaving, Orochimaru shared news: the Raikage, with two guards and officials from the Land of Lightning's daimyō, was heading through the Land of Fields toward the Land of Fire—likely invited for talks.
"Raikage…"
Mirai checked his terminal. Tsunade had sent a message earlier, saying she needed to discuss something important with him, suggesting he bring some new sake to Konoha.
Mirai ignored her, learning the details instead through No. 18.
"So it's the Chunin Exams. Looks like the four daimyō are at their limits. But our administrative staff is still lacking."
He frowned. Only two years since the last war, and the Federation's officials were just barely adequate. Unless Konoha fully united under Tsunade and surrendered to the Federation, war seemed inevitable.
"She's been a hands-off Hokage for two years… I've indulged her too much."
Irritated, Mirai rose.
"Ayaka, I'm heading out."
Leaving home, he went to the Federation's center. Using his Byakugan to scan the Puppet Division, he found Sasori still in the underground lab, working on puppets. Mirai headed straight there.
Under Sasori, the division was filled with workaholics, inspired by his belief that mecha puppets were works of art. They tirelessly pursued the strongest design.
Even now, dozens remained working—some fresh graduates like Kankuro.
When they saw Mirai, they quickly greeted him. He waved in return, striding into the underground lab, pushing the door open with a shout:
"Sasori, only you can help me with this!"
(End of Chapter)