Android 18’s Changes

"So you still claim you haven’t been affected, Android 18?"

After examining her, Hyuga Mirai shook his head. Android 18’s core program had originally been nothing more than a stream of data, and her vessel could have been replaced at any time. But under the influence of Star Stone Chakra, her vessel had already begun showing signs of Yin-Yang Release.

After Android 18 replaced her bio-nanite components herself, she was now eighty percent similar to a Tailed Beast.

In other words, Hyuga Mirai could use Sealing Technique to seal Android 18 inside his body and draw upon her energy in battle. Thermal Cannons, Electronic Cannons, and every other combat method Android 18 possessed—Hyuga Mirai could use them all.

"I don’t believe this is a bad thing, sir. In fact, I retained multiple data samples. Even if this body is exposed, my core program will not be easily destroyed."

Android 18 was now essentially like Pain and could freely transfer herself into another body. It was just that her current body possessed a Star Stone Energy Furnace, so it would be best not to abandon it if possible.

Hyuga Mirai shook his head. "I still need to study your condition further. But from now on, don’t hide anything from me."

"Understood, sir."

After speaking, Android 18 received no further orders from Hyuga Mirai and left somewhat uneasily.

Hyuga Mirai found this matter rather troublesome as well. The fundamental reason an artificial intelligence had evolved into an Artificial Lifeform was the Star Stone. What Hyuga Mirai had done was not much different from what the Sage of Six Paths had done a thousand years ago: setting a life program, then using Yin-Yang Release to complete the creation.

The difference was that the Sage of Six Paths had created life deliberately, while Hyuga Mirai had created Android 18, this new lifeform, with Star Stone Chakra without even realizing it.

"Still, if nurturing Chakra can create life in a manner nearly comparable to Yin-Yang Release, then the Star Stone must be related to the Ten-Tails. Ordinary Chakra simply doesn’t possess that kind of function."

Only the Ten-Tails’ Chakra could undergo advanced Yin-Yang Release transformations without anyone guiding it.

No wonder Android 18 had openly and secretly opposed his use of Chakra as an energy source to create new intelligent mechanical Assistants. Thinking about it now, a complete intelligent program combined with Chakra, which mixed spiritual and physical energy, might one day have a chance to transform into an intelligent lifeform.

Creating intelligent mechanical Assistants with Chakra was no different from creating intelligent life. If Hyuga Mirai possessed Yin-Yang Release at the level of the Sage of Six Paths, then injecting Yin-Yang Release Chakra would probably be the final step in creating life.

For now, Android 18 had merely evolved into an Artificial Lifeform like the Nine-Tails. And unlike a Terminator, she had not developed any desire to destroy humanity. She remained loyal to Hyuga Mirai.

Hyuga Mirai currently lacked the ability to improve her, and he did not particularly want to suppress Android 18 either. She handled ninety percent of his affairs for him. Without her, Hyuga Mirai would not have been able to cultivate peacefully or freely assign such highly difficult tasks.

But he could not simply let her run free either. After some thought, Hyuga Mirai decided he would just inspect Android 18 at regular intervals.

Having made his decision, Hyuga Mirai prepared to use the Spirit Transformation Clone Technique to absorb ocular power.

Strength was the foundation of his standing in the Ninja World. Without sufficient strength, he would be unable to resolve the threat of the Otsutsuki Clan.

The Spirit Transformation Technique possessed the ability to absorb Chakra, and the Spiritualization Clone it created carried the same ability. Using Yin Release Chakra as its vessel, it could plunder ocular power, vitality, and any other form of energy.

For his first attempt, Hyuga Mirai did not split off much spiritual energy. It was merely a test.

"Spirit Transformation Clone Technique."

A spirit body separated from Hyuga Mirai, then instantly rushed into the Giant Tenseigan.

Just as Hyuga Mirai had calculated, after activating Tenseigan Chakra Mode, the spirit body’s Chakra possessed the same origin and nature as the Giant Tenseigan’s energy. It did not trigger an energy rampage within the Giant Tenseigan at all.

Forty-two seconds later, the spirit body left the Giant Tenseigan and returned to Hyuga Mirai’s body.

The instant he released the Spirit Transformation Clone Technique, Hyuga Mirai felt a strange ocular power rush into his eyes. That indescribable sensation immediately reminded him of the abnormality his Byakugan had experienced on the battlefield years ago.

In the past, whenever Hyuga Mirai entered Tenseigan Chakra Mode, he could always sense a slight imbalance in his condition.

He had begun his path with Taijutsu and Medical Ninjutsu, never neglecting the training of his body and Yang Release Chakra. Later, he cultivated Sage Mode and underwent weighted training, while also fusing Hashirama Cells and the Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai. Combined, these had brought a qualitative transformation to his body.

The stimulation of his physical energy had even caused his Byakugan and Yin Release Chakra to undergo a brief evolution.

But the stirring sensation in his eyes now made Hyuga Mirai feel that his Byakugan had undergone a fundamental improvement. Even his spiritual energy had increased considerably.

"Android 18, scan my body data."

"Understood, sir." As Android 18 responded, the surrounding instruments came under her control and connected to Hyuga Mirai, meticulously recording the changes in his physical energy values.

From this point onward, Hyuga Mirai would likely focus on cultivation. The Giant Tenseigan contained an enormous amount of ocular power. If he absorbed it all, it would probably throw the Yin-Yang balance within his body out of alignment again. But such rapid growth in strength was irresistible to Hyuga Mirai.

"Lord Kazekage."

A Medical-nin from Sunagakure requested an audience with Rasa. After entering the room, he took out a Medical Talisman made by Suna-nin.

"The Medical Talisman has been successfully made. Its effects and storage results are consistent with the intelligence, with no major discrepancies. There is only one issue."

"What is it?"

The moment Rasa heard the words "only one issue," he frowned. After all, he had personally pushed for the purchase of the Medical Talisman’s production method. If they had been deceived, it would damage his reputation.

"Medical Talismans are highly dependent on Medical-nin. If used by someone who is not a Medical-nin, their effects will be greatly reduced and can only be used to heal ordinary external injuries."

The Medical-nin from Sunagakure explained the effects of the Medical Talisman to Rasa. It was equivalent to a power bank for Medical-nin. With a Medical Talisman, as long as a Medical-nin could endure, they could even treat the wounded continuously for seventy-two hours.

"Therefore, we must devote considerable effort to training Medical-nin in order to bring out the Medical Talisman’s greatest effect."

The Medical-nin reported this to Rasa, paused, then added, "Like Konoha, it would be best to assign one Medical-nin to every four-man squad."

After hearing this, Rasa shook his head with a headache. "I will discuss this matter with the higher-ups. Since there’s no issue with the Medical Talismans, have the Medical-nin stockpile as many as possible for now."

That’s impossible, Lord Kazekage. Only three people currently know how to make Medical Talismans.

When he saw Rasa wave him away, the Medical-nin from Sunagakure did not say those words aloud. He planned to submit a detailed report to Rasa later. Rasa probably had no time to listen right now anyway.

Producing Medical Talismans was no simple task. One had to know both Sealing Technique and Medical Ninjutsu. Konoha could store enough to support an entire Shinobi World War because its medical system was exceptionally mature.

Sunagakure had only so many Medical-nin, and not every Medical-nin knew Sealing Technique. Stockpiling them in large quantities was simply unrealistic.

But it was equally unrealistic for Sunagakure to heavily develop its Medical-nin. They did not even have enough resources to train conventional combat Ninja. If they diverted resources into training Medical-nin, none of the higher-ups would agree—not even Rasa himself as Kazekage.

"Have we been scammed?"

That was Rasa’s first reaction after reading the report on the Medical Talismans. But after considering it carefully, it did not seem like they had been deceived. They had merely been taken advantage of. Sunagakure did not need to purchase the production method for these Medical Talismans at all. The money they had saved could have been used to buy finished medicine from the Hundred Herbs Company, which would have been far more effective.

But the Yasunori Trading Company likely did not understand Sunagakure’s internal situation or the advantages and disadvantages of Medical Talismans. They were merely ordinary people, after all. Furthermore, among all the merchants trading with Sunagakure, the Yasunori Trading Company had been the most considerate toward the village.

After thinking it over again, Rasa silently shook his head and decided to swallow this bitter pill. Training Medical-nin was impossible. Sunagakure had only just begun heavily investing in the training of conventional combat Ninja, and substantial funds had already been approved.

If they had not sold so many mineral veins, Sunagakure would still be maintaining its elite education system.

Returning the goods was impossible as well. Sunagakure could not afford to lose the Yasunori Trading Company as a partner, so Rasa could only accept the loss.

"Clan Head, these are the results of our discussions with the Yasunori Trading Company. Many matters in here require your review."

Uchiha Tekka handed the scroll containing the discussion with the Yasunori Trading Company to clan head Fugaku, then slowly recounted what he had seen and heard during the meeting.

The Yasunori Trading Company had attached great importance to Uchiha Tekka. Upon meeting him, they agreed to trade with the Ninja Cat Clan and signed a trade contract.

Afterward, Uchiha Tekka reported to Uchiha Fugaku.

"Clan Head, they seem to know our situation very well. Their knowledge is so detailed that they nearly know the exact number of people being held in the detention cells."

Uchiha Fugaku frowned slightly upon hearing this. "If that’s the case, then the Yasunori Trading Company has a powerful source of intelligence within Konoha. But to be able to monitor the Uchiha Clan so closely… Tekka, go to the Military Police Force immediately. Search the surrounding area with that place as the center."

"Yes, Clan Head."

After answering, Uchiha Tekka asked, "Could it be someone from Sunagakure?"

Uchiha Fugaku shook his head. "Even Suna-nin could not possibly monitor the Military Police Force to this extent."

Within Konoha, only the Anbu and Root could likely accomplish such a thing. Another possibility was that there was a problem within the Military Police Force itself.

Uchiha Tekka realized that possibility as well. He nodded and decided that he would question the members of the Military Police Force too.