Fugaku’s Suicide

The details of Rōran’s merger into the Saudi Federation had more or less been finalized. Elder Yasunori had Baki record all the discussions and agreements before sending them to the front line.

All that remained was for Pakura to agree and finalize it, then arrangements could be made for those below.

The first step would be building roads. Once the railways were connected, travel time between the Saudi Federation and Rōran could be reduced to under three hours. Rōran’s residents could also travel elsewhere through the Saudi Federation. Besides strengthening exchanges between both sides, goods could be transported as well. The Saudi Federation also needed to build roads internally, though that would have to wait until the war ended.

During the idle period while waiting for Pakura’s reply, Hyuga Mirai suggested taking Uzumaki Kushina and Uzumaki Naruto around the Federation to visit some old friends from Konoha.

Naturally, no one in the Saudi Federation objected. After the Federation’s buildings had been reorganized, all confidential departments had been moved into one area guarded by the Anbu. Aside from that place, everywhere else had always been open to everyone.

"I can finally see Mikoto. Honestly, I’m worried about how she’s doing. After all, with what happened to the Uchiha Clan, Mikoto must be the most heartbroken."

Uzumaki Kushina followed behind Hyuga Mirai, concern for Uchiha Mikoto evident on her face. She did not have many close friends in Konoha, and Uchiha Mikoto was certainly one of them.

"You only just recovered from your injuries, yet you’re still worrying about others. No wonder you were fooled for so many years, Princess Kushina!"

Uzumaki Ayaka now loved using the title Princess Kushina to mock her, because this fool had ignored her advice several times before. It was only after nearly dying the second time that she finally came to her senses.

"Ayaka, you bastard!!"

Uzumaki Kushina clenched her fists furiously, but she was no match for Uzumaki Ayaka at all. If they fought, she would most likely be the one tied up in a bundle by the end.

The moment Uzumaki Naruto heard his mother arguing with Aunt Ayaka, he immediately quickened his pace and moved ahead of Hyuga Mirai. Based on his past experience, if he did not get away from those two, then once his mother lost the argument, she would definitely take it out on him again.

Hyuga Mirai paid no attention to the two women arguing behind him. He glanced at Uzumaki Naruto, intending to carefully observe Second Pillar later.

If he could obtain the Asura’s Chakra and Indra’s Chakra within the two of them, he could nurture a pair of Rinnegan in an extremely short time.

The Tenseigan could still be achieved through changes to Hyuga Clan genes, allowing the Byakugan to temporarily evolve into the Tenseigan. Later, as long as Yin-Yang Release was cultivated to an extremely high level, one could permanently enter the Tenseigan state like Hyuga Mirai.

However, the Rinnegan had nothing to do with genes. The abilities of those eyes originated from the God Tree. Only by thoroughly researching the God Tree’s origins could one grasp the secret of awakening the Rinnegan.

After the Senju and Uchiha Clans had been passed down for a thousand years, aside from Indra and Asura, who had founded the two clans, no one else possessed the ability to awaken the Rinnegan.

At best, they could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. The more those eyes were used, the faster their owner would go blind, as though they were overdrawing their own body. Only by using Hashirama Senju’s cells to compensate for it could blindness be prevented.

In theory, anyone could awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, but after all this time, only Madara Uchiha could be confirmed to have possessed the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

"More research is needed…"

Hyuga Mirai murmured. Mere speculation was useless. Uchiha Itachi’s corpse was still in the Uchiha Clan’s hands, and they would never waste those Mangekyō Sharingan. When the time came, Hyuga Mirai could offer them some guidance from a professional perspective.

After all, in the Ninja World, aside from Tsunade, his Medical Ninjutsu was the best.

The Uchiha Clan was currently weak. If they wanted to restore their former glory in the Saudi Federation, they needed sufficient strength.

"Naruto, why are you running so fast? Do you even know the way? What if you fall!?"

Kushina had lost another argument with Uzumaki Ayaka, then angrily strode ahead to find Naruto and vent her frustration.

"Heh."

Hyuga Mirai chuckled. After some time, he planned to take Uzumaki Naruto and Second Pillar to Turtle Island in Kumogakure and see whether there was a chance to manifest the Chakra buried deep within them.

Soon, the group arrived at the place where the Uchiha Clan lived. It could accommodate over a thousand households. At present, besides the Uchiha Clan, people from various places applying to live in the Federation would gradually be arranged here as well.

The reason it was still so empty was because the Saudi Federation had approved very few residency applications. If applications were opened up, this place could be filled within just a few days.

"Hyuga?"

A Military Police Force member who had not gone out on patrol cried out in surprise upon seeing Hyuga Mirai.

The moment Hyuga Mirai saw that Uchiha member, a name immediately came to mind. He smiled and greeted him, "So it’s Hikari. This time, I represent Rōran in discussing the merger with the Saudi Federation. Before long, you and I will likely be colleagues."

Upon hearing that, Uchiha Hikari immediately said happily, "That’s wonderful! With Hyuga here, it will definitely be reassuring. Unfortunately, the Captain has recently been patrolling outside the village. Otherwise, he would surely be delighted to hear news of Hyuga and have a drink with you."

"There will be opportunities in the future. I mainly came here because Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto are friends, and they wanted to meet." Hyuga Mirai smiled as he stepped aside to reveal Uzumaki Kushina.

"So it’s Lady Kushina. Uchiha Mikoto is on the top floor. Hyuga can head up directly."

Only then did Uchiha Hikari notice Uzumaki Kushina. After pointing out where Uchiha Fugaku’s family currently lived, he continued, "Their family rarely comes out now. Even Sasuke is the same."

"I understand. Thank you, Hikari."

After thanking him, Hyuga Mirai headed upstairs with the others. This residential complex had duplex apartments, with each household having at least over 170 square meters of living space. Even a family of five would not feel cramped in the slightest.

Hyuga Mirai arrived at the top floor, where only Uchiha Fugaku’s family lived. It counted as a form of special treatment.

Uzumaki Kushina impatiently stepped forward and knocked on the door. After a while, it finally opened.

When Uchiha Mikoto opened the door and saw Uzumaki Kushina, a trace of surprise appeared on her face, which had been as cold and lifeless as stagnant water. She hurriedly opened the door wider and said,

"Kushina, I didn’t expect it to be you. Come in."

The moment Uchiha Mikoto opened the door, Uzumaki Naruto walked in even faster than Kushina. He asked, "Aunt Mikoto, where’s Sasuke? Is he going to school?"

"Don’t be rude, Naruto."

Feeling rather embarrassed, Uzumaki Kushina hooked Naruto in an arm lock, then gave Uchiha Mikoto an awkward smile before taking off her shoes and entering.

Hyuga Mirai and Uzumaki Ayaka followed behind. However, after entering, he suddenly caught the scent of burning incense. It was faint, but Hyuga Mirai still noticed it.

The last time he had come here, Uchiha Fugaku’s family did not seem to have a habit of setting up a shrine. Moreover, Uchiha Mikoto’s black clothing looked very much like funeral attire.

Hyuga Mirai considered it inwardly. Using the Byakugan would indeed be the quickest way to confirm it, but no one would like such behavior. It would be extremely discourteous.

Thus, after taking his seat, Hyuga Mirai softly asked, "Madam Mikoto, may I ask if Fugaku is here?"

Uchiha Mikoto’s hand trembled slightly as she poured the tea. Then she slowly said, "A few days ago, Fugaku felt he had failed the clansmen, so he committed suicide."