Since this was meant to be a journey, there naturally had to be a proper starting point.
After some thought, Senju Haruto decided that Japan would be the best destination for Itachi and Izumi. After all, Naruto itself had been created by the Japanese mangaka Kishimoto, and much of its world drew directly from Japanese culture. The food, especially, would surely be something Itachi and Izumi would appreciate.
As for Jiraiya and Tsunade, Haruto chose Las Vegas as their first stop.
The city's lavish casinos could more than satisfy Tsunade's gambling appetite, and the abundance of beautiful women meant Jiraiya wouldn't find himself bored while she was rolling the dice.
Money wasn't an issue. Haruto could easily be considered the wealthiest man on Earth. Just one small piece of vibranium would be enough to fund Tsunade's indulgence for quite a long time.
After sending them off through portals, Haruto turned his focus to the next phase of his plan—his next target.
To seize Wakanda completely.
"I never expected you to do something like this," came a slow, deliberate voice from behind him.
It was Orochimaru, who had been silently observing until now.
Not only Jiraiya and Tsunade, but even Itachi and Izumi—sending them off on such trips seemed unlike Haruto. Even if it could be brushed off as a whim, it was still surprising.
Orochimaru had always considered Haruto a cold-blooded man, one who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Colder, even, than a serpent.
But today he had glimpsed another side of him.
And he had to admit… that contrast intrigued him.
"Just a whim. Besides, I also wanted to see… ah, never mind. Let's talk about what comes next."
What Haruto really wanted to say was that he was curious what sparks might fly if Jiraiya and Itachi were thrown into the Marvel Universe. But that wasn't something worth explaining to Orochimaru.
"I'm listening," Orochimaru replied smoothly. He had no real interest in travel. Or rather, not at this moment.
Right now, the only thing that truly fascinated him was the vast vibranium deposit buried in the eastern forests of the Land of Fire.
From Haruto's earlier demonstration and explanations, Orochimaru had already guessed: Haruto had no intention of using vibranium simply to build houses. More likely, he planned to forge ninja tools—or powerful weapons.
Orochimaru didn't know exactly who Haruto's enemies were, but that hardly mattered.
"What I don't understand," Orochimaru said confidently, "is why you chose to bury the vibranium in the eastern forests instead of delivering it directly to me. If it were in my laboratory, I could make far better use of it."
To him, burying it and then digging it out again seemed needlessly redundant.
"That's because it ties into another property of vibranium."
Haruto met his gaze. When it came to vibranium, he wasn't planning to hide anything. On the contrary, the more Orochimaru understood, the more effective weapons he could create.
Besides, in time Orochimaru would discover for himself that the vibranium deposits beneath the forest were essentially inexhaustible.
"This metal is terrifying," Orochimaru admitted, his expression betraying genuine shock.
Even just its ability to absorb and release kinetic energy was staggering. And now, hearing that the deposits could replenish themselves endlessly, it sounded like something out of a myth.
The discovery of vibranium—and the fact that Haruto had found it—only made him seem all the more unfathomable.
"That's what I wanted to explain," Haruto cut in directly.
"Vibranium first came to Earth in a meteorite. The place where it landed is called Wakanda—a nation built around it."
"The deposit buried in the eastern forest is only half of the original. The other half still lies within Wakanda."
Haruto spoke plainly.
Orochimaru didn't bother asking stupid questions like, "Why didn't you bring it all back?" With Haruto's vision and power, there had to be a reason. His role was simply to assist with the details.
"Wakanda has mined vibranium for thousands of years. Naturally, they didn't just use it to crack nuts. They've developed entire systems for extracting and utilizing it."
"Their technology—everything—was built on vibranium. It is a vibranium-based civilization."
Haruto's words made Orochimaru's eyes narrow in realization.
"I see… Lord Hokage, what you want is to claim both Wakanda's vibranium and their technology, to integrate it into the Land of Fire and develop our own unique science, isn't that right?" Orochimaru asked carefully.
He had long since accepted the fact that they had crossed into this world. What remained uncertain was whether they would return to their original one—or even move on to another in the future.
For that reason, the Land of Fire was the true foundation. Even if Wakanda possessed remarkable resources, they could vanish with the next crossing.
"You could put it that way. And when it comes to conquering a nation, Orochimaru… that should be your specialty."
Haruto smiled faintly.
With his current power, he could simply crush Wakanda outright. But where was the fun in that?
Better to let Orochimaru handle it.
On one hand, it would serve as a test of the Land of Fire's present capabilities. Wakanda would be a fitting trial ground.
On the other, Wakanda was an entirely black African nation. Even if they bowed in submission to overwhelming strength, they would never give their loyalty wholeheartedly. At the first opportunity, they would rise in rebellion.
Which meant he had to insert his own people into Wakanda's leadership, gradually assimilating them.
And for that, in the art of indoctrination and manipulation, Orochimaru excelled.
"I understand," Orochimaru said, nodding slowly. Interest toward Wakanda now flickered brightly in his eyes.
"Speaking of which," Haruto suddenly changed the subject, "what about those bullets I asked you to develop?"
In the shinobi world, firearms didn't exist. Combat was fought almost entirely with cold weapons. Some shinobi and samurai would infuse their chakra into blades or ninja tools, enhancing their power.
If chakra could strengthen swords, then why not bullets?
If a way could be found to store chakra inside a bullet, the possibilities would be fascinating.
On his last return to the Land of Fire, Haruto had already tasked Orochimaru with the experiment.
"They're ready. I've already made prototypes," Orochimaru replied smoothly.
At Haruto's question, he produced a pistol from his cloak and aimed at an open patch of ground nearby.
"This is a bullet infused with Fire Release."
As he spoke, he pulled the trigger.
Bang!
With a deafening roar, a crimson mushroom cloud erupted upward. The explosion spread five or six meters wide, leaving molten rock bubbling at the center like lava.
Haruto couldn't help but think of that one phrase—
"Times have changed."
...
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