Ayaka Uzumaki gathered the chakra of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails in less than a month. Considering the time spent on travel and searching, that was fast.
This was thanks to Iwagakure's lax attitude toward their Jinchuriki. Both the Four-Tails and Five-Tails risked going berserk, so when they occasionally slipped out of the village, from Ōnoki down to the guards, no one intervened.
Restraining the Jinchuriki carried a greater risk of a rampage. Better to let them roam free within the Land of Earth, where few could match the strength of Roshi and Han.
This made it convenient for Hyuga Mirai's people to extract tailed beast chakra. With Ayaka Uzumaki's near-perfect Jinchuriki abilities, dealing with two hosts who could only partially transform was effortless—especially since they weren't together.
"Lord Mirai, is this the legendary God Tree? The Nine-Tails seems terrified of it."
Ayaka widened her eyes as she looked at the God Tree Mirai was cultivating, then told him of the Nine-Tails' panic.
With Ayaka's permission, the Nine-Tails could see the sapling outside. After absorbing the chakra of the One-Tail through Three-Tails, the Gedo Statue had already transformed into a four-to-five-meter sapling.
The chakra of the One-Tail, Two-Tails, and Three-Tails continued to be nourished by the energy of the Dragon Vein, flowing endlessly into the sapling.
Once the sapling fully absorbed the properties of the first three Tailed Beasts' chakra, it could then accept the others.
Seeing the God Tree and learning of Mirai's plan, the Nine-Tails immediately shouted within Ayaka: "Make him stop! Otherwise, the ninja world will be in danger!"
"Shut up, stupid fox. I'm warning you—never question Lord Mirai's decisions."
Ayaka scolded it at once. She was on the verge of mastering the Spirit Transformation Technique; soon she would perfect her Jinchuriki state on her own. The Nine-Tails' only value would be in slowly recovering chakra.
"If you dare doubt Lord Mirai again, I'll rip you out and feed you to the God Tree."
The Nine-Tails choked silent. Unlike her predecessors, Ayaka truly had the power to erase it. If fed to the God Tree, the Nine-Tails would cease to exist forever.
With the beast quiet, Ayaka devoted herself to staying by Mirai's side as he researched.
Each Tailed Beast's chakra had unique properties. Every type contributed differently to the God Tree's growth. To fully master its secrets, Mirai had to study the entire process.
"Next we need the chakra of the Four-Tails through Seven-Tails. The Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails come last."
After checking Number 18's analysis, Mirai shook his head. Combining several chakra natures would cause qualitative changes in the sapling, while the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails served as catalysts to "mature" and "balance" it.
"Snake Squad is shadowing the Six-Tails. Only the Seven-Tails' chakra is still missing…"
Mirai glanced at Ayaka.
Catching his intent, Ayaka looked at him with pleading eyes.
"…Fine. We'll hire a bounty hunter."
Unable to resist her look, Mirai sighed. He had 18 investigate the black market. High-paying contracts were rare now, but with seventy million ryō, he could lure Kakuzu.
As for taking a fragment of the Seven-Tails' chakra, even if Nagato found out, he wouldn't care.
Nagato's focus was entirely on Konoha. Compared to Mirai, whose power was still unknown, Tsunade—who had inherited Wood Release and could fight the Gedo Statue evenly—was the greater concern.
The Akatsuki had resumed recruiting rogue ninja. With their strength exposed, only overwhelming power could keep their plans moving forward.
Thus, the ninja world unexpectedly entered a period of peace. After the Land of Rain war, both Iwa and Konoha had no will to continue fighting. The Sand Federation rushed development, pushing agriculture and industry side by side.
Meanwhile, the Land of Water suffered from Kado Shipping's stranglehold on its economy. As an isolated island nation, once its trade routes were controlled, it was helpless—forced to pay whatever tribute was demanded, or risk its cargo being blocked entirely.
Some Water Country nobles tried hiring Hidden Mist ninja to assassinate Kado. But each time one was killed, another appeared the next day, even more ruthless. Soon nearly all maritime routes to the Lands of Tea, Fire, Hot Water, and Lightning were cut off.
With the Blood Mist policy only recently ended, the Fifth Mizukage, Mei Terumi, was already overwhelmed. Matters worsened when a squad falsely reported success in killing Kado and still claimed the reward.
The Daimyo and nobles were furious. Together they cut nearly half of Kirigakure's funding, with the reasoning that the village had fewer ninja after the Blood Mist era and clearly didn't need so much money.
Mei was enraged. She had just taken office, only to have her budget halved. Even Master Genji's personal negotiations with the Daimyo failed.
ANBU confirmed the assassination team had indeed completed the mission before taking payment, meaning Kado Shipping fabricated its own troubles. But Mei couldn't prove it. She could only swallow her anger and rebuild the village with half the resources.
Kumogakure remained thuggish, robbing nearby nations whenever something valuable appeared. Yet Orochimaru had already plundered most of the small countries around the Land of Lightning, leaving only scraps unworthy of his attention.
Hyuga Mirai continued splitting his attention. His true body researched the chakra of Asura and Indra while tending the God Tree.
In studying their chakra, he noticed similarities. Though one was yin and the other yang, together they could merge perfectly if given a vessel.
As for the God Tree, he only needed to ensure it didn't grow out of control.
His Shikotsumyaku clones in the Sand Federation remained stable. One developed bloodline-based weapons, while the other oversaw reforms at the federal ninja academy.
The second complete bloodline weapon was finished. Aside from lacking nano-storage, it was nearly identical to Naruto Uzumaki's, though shaped as a wristguard.
This one harnessed Ice Release. Mirai gifted it to . Her Scorch Release was already terrifying; its only weakness was Water Release. Ice Release compensated for that flaw. Now she needed only to amplify her Scorch Release's power.
Pakura tested it briefly before Yashamaru called her back to handle paperwork.
Reconstruction in the Land of Rain neared completion. Next came oasis reclamation and agricultural reform within the federation, projects that would keep them busier than ever.
Uchiha Sasuke's bloodline weapon was half finished. Many within Konoha could provide Mirai with Yakumo Kurama's flesh.
The weapon manipulated the five senses, designed to work with the Sharingan. Improving it cost Mirai considerable effort.
In the end, he decided on a monocle design, reinforcing its fit and linking it to the optic nerves. With it, genjutsu cast through the monocle boosted the Three-Tomoe Sharingan's power by 1.7 to 2.4 times, proven through tests on Uchiha Mikoto.
After repeatedly thanking him, Mikoto left with the weapon. It was not only powerful but also stylish.
Seeing the outfit Mirai paired with the monocle weapon, Mikoto thought Sasuke could pull off a tall hat, white suit, and cloak.
Yes, she would try it once she got home.
If the shops in the Federation didn't sell them, she'd make them herself.
…
"Not bad. You two have progressed beyond my expectations. I thought it would take half a year at least, but in just three months, you've mastered this training."
Tsunade praised Kiyo Hyuga and Kurenai Yuhi generously after seeing their results.
Their talent surpassed even Shizune's. Despite clan duties and A-rank missions, they advanced quickly while balancing training.
"Next, you can begin learning my techniques. I've explained the theory to you many times already…"
Before she could finish, a knock sounded at the door.
With Tsunade's permission, Kabuto entered. "Lady Tsunade, the Third Hokage has returned. He likely has urgent business with you."
"Hah, three months gone? I thought the old man had settled in the capital by now!"
Clicking her tongue, Tsunade frowned. "Alright, that's all for today. You two can leave. I need to meet with the old man."
(End of Chapter)