Seeing the three men's eyes shift to the remaining two powerful weapons, Tamura Hao stepped forward without delay and began to explain.
"I call this the Vulcan Cannon. It uses six rotating steel barrels to alleviate the problem of overheating from detonations, thereby increasing the firing rate."
"The caliber of the bullets is the same as that of the Vulcan Gun earlier. Since I couldn't purchase many detonating tags, I only made a hundred rounds."
"Simply rotating this crank will spin the barrels, and it still requires chakra to activate the detonator sealed within each bullet."
After a succinct explanation, Tamura Hao retreated again behind Dodai.
These were all crafted from standard steel—some parts he had filed by hand—so the structural integrity was questionable. He couldn't be sure if they would survive a sustained burst.
Fortunately, for stability, it wasn't built to the compact size of a Gatling gun but followed the form of an actual Vulcan cannon—more akin to the high-speed rotary cannons mounted on aircraft in his past life. It was two meters long and weighed roughly three hundred kilograms. The ammo bay had also been reinforced.
Yeyue Ai eagerly stepped forward to operate it. After some trial and error, he quickly grasped the mechanism—rotating the handle and channeling chakra to ignite the sealed detonating tag in each shell.
"Bang bang bang..."
The speed of rotation increased steadily, and the explosions became more rapid, ultimately forming a nearly continuous roar.
In just a few seconds, the full hundred bullets were spent. The ambient temperature rose sharply, the barrels glowed red-hot, but thankfully the mechanism didn't explode.
"That's it?!"
Yeyue Ai was left unsatisfied. Just as he was starting to enjoy it, the ammunition was exhausted. He felt cheated.
"If you push it further, it'll explode."
Dodai chuckled and was visibly impressed with the Vulcan Cannon.
Even without checking the damage, the sheer rate of fire was impressive.
If the accuracy improved and the shell strength increased, even a powerful shinobi like a Kage might not be able to withstand sustained fire.
If the boy's suggestions for enhancements could be implemented, the destructive potential would be unimaginable.
He never imagined that combining something as simple as blow darts and fireworks with detonating tags could yield such overwhelming force.
More importantly, the weapon's structure was simple—its core being the mass-produced detonating tag. The potential for large-scale manufacturing made it even more terrifying.
"Is this just an upscaled version of the Vulcan Gun?" the Third Raikage asked, remaining composed as his gaze shifted to the final weapon. It resembled the Vulcan Gun in structure but was significantly larger, the barrel about as thick as his forearm.
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Tamura Hao nodded, then lifted the lone shell—its warhead alone weighed thirty kilograms—and removed the casing to reveal the hollow shell within.
"This is a real cannon. The shell is far larger than a bullet and can carry many more detonating tags. The warhead itself can be loaded for a secondary explosion. I estimate the range to exceed ten miles."
"There are also variants purely for artillery—massive shells that can be carried by shinobi with aerial summons, like giant birds or bats, and dropped directly over enemy formations. Loaded with steel shrapnel or spikes, the devastation would be immense."
"Moreover, the Vulcan Gun can be miniaturized for close-quarters combat. With specialized ninjutsu compatibility, it could be deadly across both mid and close range…"
Each shell could potentially hold hundreds of detonating tags if compressed slightly. With more advanced storage seals—like the ultra-miniature scrolls seen in the Boruto era—even greater payloads could be managed.
Unfortunately, detonating tags were tightly controlled as strategic materials. Even within Kumogakure, purchases had to be tracked and approved. As an Academy student, he couldn't buy more than a few at a time. The hundred rounds for the Vulcan Gun and Vulcan Cannon were the result of years of frugal stockpiling.
Moreover, weapons manufacturing was exacting and dangerous work. It required complex calculations and repeated trials. What he had built were rudimentary prototypes.
For instance, both the Vulcan Gun and Cannon had shown signs of deformation after just a single test. If this cannon were truly packed with detonating tags—especially higher-tier ones—the risk of catastrophic failure would skyrocket.
"You also mentioned an A-rank piece of intelligence," the Third Raikage noted as he examined the disassembled shell, visibly pleased. "Between the billion ryō and these weapons, I'm inclined to take you seriously. If the intel is worth it, you'll have my approval as a disciple."
"That intelligence will only be disclosed once you formally accept me as your student."
Tamura Hao's eyes gleamed as he set down this condition. It was his final insurance.
"Still negotiating with me?" The Third Raikage laughed, not offended in the slightest. "Then let me ask—where did you get the billion ryō?"
This was no small matter. The boy clearly wasn't from any known clan. Even among the village's elite families, none could liquidate that amount in cash.
"That, too, can only be disclosed after you accept me."
Tamura Hao's gaze was steady, unblinking.
"You little brat…"
The Third Raikage reached out and ruffled his unruly white hair with a hearty laugh. "Fine. I accept you as my disciple. Now talk."
"Student greets the master!"
Tamura Hao bowed with sincerity and relief.
Becoming the Raikage's disciple meant avoiding conscription as cannon fodder in the upcoming war. It also granted access to Raikage's signature techniques like the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and Hell Stab.
Most crucially, he now had access to high-level training resources.
This world held bloodline inheritance in the highest regard. Without a superior lineage, chakra control and reserves alone were a hard ceiling.
To reach the top, one either needed to inherit a secret technique or possess Ōtsutsuki lineage.
Tamura Hao had neither. And he didn't have a golden finger either. His only way forward was through intellect and creativity—to manufacture his own edge and prove his worth.
Having calmed himself, Tamura Hao asked carefully, "Master, have you ever read The Tale of Kato Bin?"
"Kato Bin? Wasn't he the guy who failed the Chūnin Exams?"
Yeyue Ai blurted out before the Raikage could respond. Tamura Hao's expression twisted. Dodai turned to Ai, equally confused.
Realizing the odd stares, Yeyue Ai quickly bowed his head in embarrassment.
"Kato Bin… Kato… I think that surname exists in Konoha."
The Third Raikage furrowed his brow. He vaguely recalled the name from a minor Konoha clan—possibly tied to spiritual techniques or intelligence.
"Isn't it tragic how the bloodline remained obscure?"
"What bloodline?"
Tamura Hao continued asking, but the Raikage shook his head—he had no idea.
"You haven't read The Sorrow of Miss Knox?"
"Or Why Is the Ninja World So Beautiful?"
"Carefree Young Rogue Shinobi?"
"Kusagi no Ki?"
"The Chūnin's White Diary?"
"The Memoirs of Mr. Sarutobi?"
"You haven't even seen The Chronicles of Qiong Ming?"
Tamura Hao rattled off over a dozen titles, but the Raikage's brow only furrowed deeper. His confusion grew with each mention.
But Dodai and Yeyue Ai had fascinating expressions—somewhere between intrigue, suspicion, and disbelief—as they stared at the boy.