Collaborative Reconstruction

For the sake of the people who had always loved and supported her, Queen Sara had no choice but to bite her lip and reluctantly agree to Hyuga Mirai’s proposal.

She had defied her ancestors’ orders and, in her generation, handed over the Dragon Vein. However, thinking that it was all for the civilians, Sara consoled herself that her decision had been worthwhile.

"Lord Mirai, you’re amazing!"

Uzumaki Ayaka had watched Hyuga Mirai’s entire process of "persuading" Queen Sara. His tone had been gentle and his attitude confident. Even Rōran’s queen had seemed like a child before Lord Mirai, led along from beginning to end.

It would have been even better if Lord Mirai had been this gentle with me back then. Still, that version of Lord Mirai was also so attractive, even though he was only in his teens…

Whenever Uzumaki Ayaka indulged in her fantasies, she tended to ignore the changes around her. She would also occasionally let out strange little giggles, and coupled with her expression, she was terribly easy to read.

"Ayaka, if there are no problems on Nohara Rin’s side, you should stay in Rōran for a while."

Hyuga Mirai spoke to Uzumaki Ayaka.

After hearing Hyuga Mirai’s words, Uzumaki Ayaka briefly recalled Nohara Rin’s recent behavior and said, "Nohara Rin has been acting quite normally lately. Other than saving some civilian orphans, perhaps…"

"Of course, I’ll also be staying in Rōran for a while to properly study the Dragon Vein."

"Lord Mirai, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Nohara Rin’s behavior. Besides, I can monitor her remotely. If anything unusual happens, I’ll immediately fly back in the T1 Armor to find her."

Uzumaki Ayaka spoke with an utterly certain expression. The thought of spending time with Hyuga Mirai made her think of what a rare opportunity this was.

Next, it was time for Rōran and the Yasunori Trading Company to begin their full-scale cooperation.

For that, Queen Sara needed to make a personal appearance and announce the matter to Rōran’s civilians. What had happened recently had left the people of Rōran somewhat frightened, and Sara’s personal appearance would calm them down as quickly as possible.

"People of Rōran, I am Sara."

With the help of the equipment Hyuga Mirai had brought in, Sara quickly made a solemn national announcement throughout Rōran. Assisted by amplifiers, her voice reached every corner of the city.

She explained the cooperation between Rōran and the Yasunori Trading Company to everyone. Thanks to it, Rōran’s people would enjoy many benefits.

Jobs and wages, large quantities of discounted supplies, opportunities for education, and a degree of military protection.

Sara agreed to all of these terms, which appeared highly favorable to Rōran.

All she needed to give up was the High Tower sealing the Dragon Vein and an area within five hundred meters around it. In exchange, Hyuga Mirai would build Sara an expanded royal palace elsewhere.

"Then everything will proceed according to the contract, Queen Sara."

Hyuga Mirai wore a gentle smile as he spoke to the queen, who was a few years older than him.

"Th-thank you for bringing new changes to Rōran. As Rōran’s queen, I am deeply grateful."

Queen Sara spoke to Hyuga Mirai with a complicated expression. After announcing the cooperation with the Yasunori Trading Company, she had disguised herself and gone into the streets to personally learn her people’s reactions.

Nearly every citizen of Rōran had looked delighted. They praised Queen Sara and the Yasunori Trading Company alike, believing that Queen Sara must have worked incredibly hard to secure so many benefits for them.

Cheaper and more abundant supplies than before, work that paid more than before, education for their children, and people to help manage the wind and sand threatening the oasis.

With so many tangible benefits, Sara had walked with her head lowered the entire way, hearing almost nothing but praise for herself.

Mother, I wasn’t wrong. This was all for the people of Rōran.

After returning to the palace, Sara silently thought this. The last remnants of hesitation in her heart disappeared, though she still worried that Rōran might suffer another incident like Anrokuzan’s.

Sara bowed somewhat awkwardly and said, "Mirai-san, I hope you will allow me to observe the Dragon Vein from the side in the future, because this is…"

"Are you worried that I’ll use the Dragon Vein to do evil?"

Hyuga Mirai laughed softly. "Of course you may. After all, Anrokuzan once used the Dragon Vein’s power to inflict great harm upon Rōran’s people. It is only natural for Your Majesty to be concerned."

Besides her identity as Rōran’s queen, Sara was merely an ordinary person with little schooling. She probably did not even know how to use a computer, so there was nothing wrong with letting her observe.

After Hyuga Mirai said this, the tension on Sara’s face eased somewhat.

"As for visiting the Dragon Vein Tower, that is naturally no problem. However, I am only researching the Dragon Vein myself, and to avoid accidents, there will not be many people left in the tower. If Your Majesty wishes to observe, no more than two people may come each time. Is that acceptable?"

"Two people will be enough. Thank you very much for your understanding, Mirai-san."

Sara bowed once more and spoke to Hyuga Mirai with utmost sincerity. She was so polite that she hardly seemed like the queen of a nation, partly because Hyuga Mirai’s power was simply too formidable. Rōran had no power to resist him at all.

After reaching this agreement, Hyuga Mirai had Android 18 begin a major reconstruction of Rōran. Through Kado’s Shipping Company, large quantities of supplies were transported to Rōran by sea.

Rōran lay at the edge of the Land of Wind. Rather than taking a long overland route, sea transport was far more convenient.

Moreover, as long as several rail lines were built along the coastline, supplies could be delivered to Rōran at tremendous speed. There were also no Ninja here to sabotage the tracks, and in the desert, there were not even Mountain Bandits or robbers.

On Rōran’s other side lay an undeveloped region. Perhaps it contained undiscovered mineral deposits. But even if it did not, Hyuga Mirai would not let himself lose money. The wealthier Rōran’s people became, the more money he could earn.

"The Tea Country base can serve as a branch site. It’s actually quite good there, and leaving it empty would be a waste. What do you think, Android 18?"

Hyuga Mirai asked somewhat conflictedly. He had spent a large sum building the Tea Country Research base, and its facilities were exceptionally complete. Orochimaru and Sasori did not know much about the facilities there, otherwise they would certainly have wanted to remain and conduct research there.

However, Rōran had Dragon Vein Energy. Training and conducting research here could make Hyuga Mirai stronger.

After modifying his digestive system, Hyuga Mirai’s demand for Natural Energy had grown by the day. Although he could absorb some Natural Energy elsewhere in the Ninja World, the efficiency would certainly not match that of the Dragon Vein.

"Everything shall follow your will, sir."

"Android 18, sometimes I need you to offer me some opinions, like right now." Hyuga Mirai turned and looked at Android 18’s expressionless face.

"Let others use it. That way, the base will not remain idle and waste the equipment’s capacity."

"You mean Orochimaru? At present, he’s the only one." Hyuga Mirai sighed. There were very few people in the Ninja World qualified to use his research equipment, and only Orochimaru was suitable at the moment.

"Connect me to Orochimaru."

After Hyuga Mirai spoke, a Nano Display Screen extended from the wristwatch on his wrist, remotely contacting Orochimaru.

Before long, the connection to Orochimaru was established.

"Mirai-kun, what do you need from me at this time?"

"Nothing important. I just wanted to ask how your Research base preparations are going." Seeing a pale-skinned boy beside Orochimaru, Hyuga Mirai could not help asking, "Who is this child?"

"Hehe, I gained a rather good find in the Land of Water: Kaguya Kimimaro of the Kaguya Clan. Once he grows up, he will become a capable subordinate of mine."

Orochimaru’s hoarse laughter carried a trace of pride. In his view, the Kaguya Clan’s Kekkei Genkai was in no way inferior to that of the Uzumaki Clan and held immense research and investment value.

Orochimaru then continued.

"As for the Research base, Shin has already selected an address. I will soon need your help. Mirai-kun, I know Sasori of the Red Sand has also joined the organization, but I am no less valuable than him when it comes to producing research results."

"I understand. Contact Android 18 directly about this. She will arrange everything."

Hyuga Mirai spoke helplessly. The two had probably argued again, and Sasori of the Red Sand had likely shown off his research equipment, making Orochimaru somewhat jealous.

"Since you’ve chosen the location, I won’t disturb you any longer. Oh, and send me a copy of Kimimaro’s Cell Gene. I’d also like to study it. Also, there are descendants of the Yuki Clan wandering outside in the Land of Water. If you encounter them, Orochimaru, you can bring them back as well."

"I understand, Mirai-kun."

After finishing the conversation, Hyuga Mirai said to Android 18, "Leave the Tea Country base empty for now. Once I find suitable people in the future, we’ll arrange it then."

Android 18 nodded and said, "Understood, sir. Once construction begins on the Dragon Vein Tower’s reconstruction, it will require twenty-seven days to complete."

"Before that, send over the genetic modification solution and equipment related to Ichikishimahime. If Ayaka is staying in Rōran, she can also practice Sage Art. Ayaka, are you listening?"

Hyuga Mirai suddenly stopped, and Uzumaki Ayaka behind him crashed directly into him.

Coming back to her senses, Uzumaki Ayaka hurriedly nodded like a pecking chick and replied, "I understand, Lord Mirai. Everything will be as you say."

"Take this seriously. The modification will allow you to quickly master Sage Mode, but you will need to study for yourself how to apply Sage Chakra to strengthen your techniques."

Hyuga Mirai’s plan for Uzumaki Ayaka was for her to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. However, he had to wait until Obito killed his teacher before intercepting the Nine-Tails. Otherwise, although Uzumaki Ayaka claimed to dislike Kushina, Kushina was still one of her few remaining clansmen. It would be somewhat inappropriate for Hyuga Mirai to act against Kushina.

After learning Sage Art, Uzumaki Ayaka could almost forcibly imprison the Nine-Tails within her body and seize its Nine-Tails Chakra without even needing a double seal.

Seizing a Tailed Beast would put him in opposition to Akatsuki, but Hyuga Mirai was confident that he could change Nagato’s way of thinking with his abilities.

Sometimes, benefits and a big stick worked far better than Talk no Jutsu.

First update.

Could I ask for some votes? Monthly votes or recommendation votes would both do!