Hyuga Mirai carried a bottle of premium shōchū and quickly arrived at Tsunade's location. Now, in addition to coordinating with Hyuga Hinata on locating the Pure Land, Tsunade had also been appointed head of the Federation Medical Department by Mirai. Though she was extremely reluctant, her personality was thoroughly understood and managed by Mirai, and within a few days, she had reluctantly accepted the role.
"You finally made it!"
Tsunade's eyes lit up at the sight of the shōchū in Mirai's hands. She licked her lips and set aside her work for the moment—after all, she had been busy for so long; a little relaxation was not unreasonable.
"Hinata, you should take a break too."
She called toward Hinata, then carried the gift box containing the shōchū over to the table. Tsunade also brought over two small side dishes—it was clear she hadn't had a drink in a while.
"What? Only one bottle in such a big box?"
Tsunade clicked her tongue in displeasure. This wasn't even a large bottle, and she would finish it in a few sips. She looked up at Mirai with a warning glare. "Don't use medical ninjutsu on me again. Drinking is meant to be enjoyed fully."
"Fine, suit yourself."
Less than half a liter of shōchū had little effect on someone like Tsunade. Even if Mirai suppressed her Chakra, she'd only smell a faint alcohol scent—nothing more.
"How's the Pure Land Gate coming along? Any progress?"
At Mirai's question, Hinata knelt slightly and replied calmly, "It's nearly complete, Lord Mirai. Using summoning techniques, I called several long-deceased ninjas. They emerged from the Pure Land Gate, but they didn't provide much information about the Pure Land. If we follow only Lord Tsunade's records, there may be some differences."
"Then it doesn't matter. We're the attackers here, Hinata."
Mirai tapped the table for a moment, then asked, "And what about research on spiritual bodies?"
"The greater the proportion of natural energy, the more damage it causes to spiritual bodies," Hinata said with certainty. "Ordinary ninjas' Chakra-based ninjutsu barely affects spiritual bodies, if at all. But Sage techniques or natural energy provoke clear fear in the spiritual bodies of the Pure Land."
Mirai nodded. "Then we can only gather those who have trained in Sage Mode. Fortunately, with the improved method, we can produce many ninjas and puppets capable of Sage Mode in a short time."
Tsunade muttered beside him, "Sage Mode, which took so much effort to master, is now just a C-rank technique in your words."
Mirai patted her shoulder. "That's the power of scientific research, Tsunade."
He could now artificially produce Otsutsuki and Ten-Tails; Sage Mode was trivial by comparison. If it weren't for the limited natural energy in the Ninja World, his improved Sage Mode serum could create thousands.
Moreover, this was only a small part of his strategy. Around the Pure Land Gate, he had built numerous laser turrets capable of absorbing natural energy and solar photon energy. If too many spiritual bodies appeared, these turrets could strike in dense, rain-like volleys.
Even if a rogue spiritual body escaped the Pure Land, Mirai would still have a chance to handle it.
"Then two months from now, Tsunade, Hinata. Thank you for your hard work; once this is done…"
Mirai wanted to give them some rest, but considering Tsunade's responsibility over the medical department, relying only on Nohara Rin or Shizune wouldn't suffice. This reform covered the Federation's entire medical system, so Tsunade was essential.
A day or two of missed rest wouldn't matter. If only Hinata were given a break, Tsunade would be displeased—so both would have the same schedule.
Before Mirai finished speaking, he left naturally. After a moment, Tsunade realized and blushed slightly, asking Hinata, "Hinata, did he not finish speaking?"
"Yes, Lord Tsunade," Hinata said calmly. "Lord Mirai probably didn't want to give you a break but didn't want me resting alone, so he left it unsaid. I expect he'll inform me privately."
Thump!
Tsunade slammed her palm on the table, furious. "That damn man! I trusted him too much, and look where that's gotten me!"
Looking back, she remembered the happiest time was at the Tea Country base—besides researching ninjutsu, she was treated like royalty. Since being persuaded to become Hokage, her life had been nothing but hardships. The only joy was when Hyuga Mirai brought her food.
"Hang in there, Lord Tsunade."
This powerless reassurance made the shōchū taste bland. She asked Hinata, "You can predict the future, right? Tell me when I'll be free."
"Soon, Lord Tsunade." Hinata tried to withdraw her hand but couldn't, so she continued, "Once the Pure Land is settled, you will be free."
"That sounds like I'm going to die."
Although Tsunade found the comment ambiguous, she let go.
Mirai didn't know how many strong warriors the Pure Land had accumulated over a millennium, but to be safe, he had prepared many capable of Sage Mode: Kiyo, Kurenai, Ayaka, Kushina, Mikoto, and Uchiha Tetsu. The Pure Land was essentially a power source established for eternal life by ancient yin-yang masters, now occupied by Otsutsuki Hagoromo.
It had survived for thousands of years and could even bestow Sharingan with three tomoe and Six Paths Sage techniques to Sasuke and Naruto.
Mirai would not leave such a place to the enemy.
He had informed many about the Pure Land in advance. Over 300 people in the Federation were skilled in Sage Mode, and he selected a hundred, supplemented with laser weapons—enough to handle the situation.
The Pure Land Gate would not affect the Federation's annexation of the Land of Earth. Within three days, the Federation ninjas overran the Land of Earth.
Several young, exceptional ninjas appeared, including Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Gaara, Temari, and Nara Shikaku. Any resistance was crushed swiftly.
"Are you sure about the Pure Land?"
Kiyo Hyuga frowned slightly. She had intended to settle last night's accounts with Mirai, but his matters diverted her attention.
Attacking the Pure Land, confronting a Six Paths Sage.
This immediately drew the attention of Kiyo, Ayaka, and Kurenai. Even the Nine-Tails in Ayaka stirred, ears perked—its allegiance leaned toward the Six Paths Sage. In its eyes, Mirai was an unstoppable tyrant.
Now, even Ayaka could increasingly restrain it with minimal Chakra; the strongest of the nine tailed beasts, it could be subdued without sealing techniques.
'Old man, I want to help, but I'm powerless!'
The Nine-Tails realized that even if it memorized the plan, it could not aid the Six Paths Sage. Mirai's strength was terrifying; a mere glance could make it retreat.
"Of course, I'm confident. As long as Otsutsuki Hagoromo doesn't use recently deceased spiritual bodies as cannon fodder, morale might falter, but that's minor. Did you find a suitable caretaker? I think 18 should handle it."
Mirai suggested, though Ayaka puffed her cheeks at the mention of 18. She had long clashed with 18 and rarely used the watch terminal she held.
".Besides 18, I'll consider others."
Releasing Otsutsuki Kaguya might not be as obedient, but he would see.
In the lab, besides the ongoing God Tree project, Mirai had created a sexless, faceless body from the God Tree's cells. He transferred Kaguya's consciousness, previously sealed in the Seeking Sphere, into the body.
After the transfer, the body gradually took Kaguya's form. Half an hour later, she slowly opened her eyes.
Mirai tentatively called, "Otsutsuki Kaguya?"
"."
Though she looked like Kaguya, she seemed memoryless, her gaze vacant.
"Seems like a failure. Most of Kaguya's will remains sealed in the lunar space."
Observing her further, Mirai noted her behavior resembled a giant infant.
"Forget it for now. After the Pure Land, 18, take care of Kaguya."
"Understood, sir."
With 18's response, Mirai left. Entrusting matters to 18 brought him peace of mind, except for minor accidents. Mirai hadn't seen 18's true body in a long time; each encounter was via hologram or other means.
After Mirai departed, Kaguya crawled around the large lab, tapping things, then returned to the bed.
Soon after, 18's true body entered. Only she and Mirai had full access to all ninja world labs.
Her appearance remained the same as the first template Mirai had created outside the Land of Rivers' camp: blonde hair, fair skin, though her outfit had changed.
She approached Kaguya, whose consciousness was partial and infant-like, tilting her head. Yet 18 did not follow or distort Mirai's instructions; she acted in her own way.
Placing her hand on Kaguya's forehead, her eyes glowed slightly. Within moments, Kaguya's consciousness was collected by 18. She then injected nanomaterials into the God Tree cell body, restoring Kaguya's original appearance within seconds.
"Still a bit short."
18 calculated, briefly transforming into Kaguya herself, then returned to her original golden short hair via projection.
Although called the "Gate," the Pure Land Gate was actually a massive jutsu array, reconstructed by Hinata from Tsunade's Hell Path and ancient yin-yang masters' techniques, capable of maintaining a long-term connection to the Pure Land.
This passage lay near Roran.
Tsunade examined the array, which spanned over a hundred meters, and asked, "Hinata, all confirmed?"
"Confident, but let's double-check, Lord Tsunade?"
Hinata appeared entirely unconcerned, and her "confirmation" was mostly to ease Tsunade's anxiety.
"Then, Lord Tsunade, is there anyone you wish to see? Not limited to one."
"Huh?"
Tsunade paused, astonished, then asked, "Hinata, you mean—?"
Hinata tilted her head, expression unchanged. "Lord Tsunade, didn't we complete the Pure Land Gate together? You should know its capabilities."
"I know, but…"
Tsunade felt conflicted. She wanted to confirm something secretly, without others present, yet Hinata openly addressed it, even summoning many at once. Was this appropriate?
Buzz!
Before she could continue pondering, Hinata activated the Gate's jutsu. The runes on the high platform ahead glowed faintly.
Tilting her head, Hinata asked, "Lord Tsunade, ready? You can summon them now."
"So fast, Hinata! I'm not ready yet."
Tsunade had intended to refuse, but seeing Hinata's penetrating gaze, she inhaled deeply and said, "Then please summon my grandfather, second grandfather, grandmother, Jiraiya, and Kato Dan. Can it be done without a medium?"
"No problem."
Hinata traced summoning yin-yang symbols in the air. As she spoke their names, a seemingly invisible spatial channel opened atop the platform, slowly forming several spiritual bodies.
These yin-yang summoned spirits would regain their consciousness upon leaving the Pure Land, remain in the Ninja World for extended periods, and partially exert their previous abilities.
In essence, they were nearly identical to Edo Tensei, except without a physical body.
(End of Chapter)
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