Setting Out

"It feels strange, like I’m wrapped in Water Release Ninjutsu."

Hyuga Mirai pinched his body as he spoke. A layer of Bio-Nanoparticles covered his body, and under Android 18’s control, Hyuga Mirai’s appearance had been changed into Yasunori Sakai’s.

The Nanoparticles could also block Chakra. Aside from Kekkei Genkai involving Eye Techniques, no Chakra-sensing Ninjutsu could possibly detect anything unusual about Hyuga Mirai.

"It really is amazing, Lord Mirai. But I can still sense you with my Mind’s Eye of the Kagura…" Uzumaki Ayaka said with a smile, covering her face.

But Android 18 immediately exposed her without mercy. "Uzumaki Ayaka is lying. Sensory Ninjutsu cannot break through the Bio-Nanoparticles’ isolation function."

Damn Android 18!

Angry veins bulged on Uzumaki Ayaka’s forehead. She wished she could smash the communications display before her with one punch. She had merely been expressing that admiration could overcome anything—who asked her to explain the materials?

"Lord Mirai, let me go with you."

"I’m afraid not, Ayaka. Yasunori Sakai usually doesn’t bring female guards."

Hyuga Mirai shook his head. "Besides, the Uchiha Clan will be providing guards this time. Once we reach outside Konoha, even the guards probably won’t be able to enter. At most, I’ll be able to infiltrate Konoha alone."

"Ehh…" Uzumaki Ayaka was somewhat unwilling.

But Hyuga Mirai suddenly changed his mind and said to Uzumaki Ayaka, "Come along too. If there’s time, go see how that clansman of yours is doing. Now that I think about it, Danzo has been doing a pretty good job lately. That guy ought to be an online troll. Being the Hokage’s assistant is wasting his talent."

"You mean Kushina, Lord Mirai? She should be about…"

When Uzumaki Ayaka heard that she could go with Hyuga Mirai, a bright smile returned to her face.

Still, Kushina was an idiot in Uzumaki Ayaka’s eyes. She hated Kushina’s attitude toward Konoha. She had tried repeatedly to persuade her to leave, but Kushina would not listen. Yet Kushina was one of the few remaining clansmen she had in the Ninja World, and by now, she probably did not have much time left to live.

"Lord Mirai, what is an online troll?"

"Someone who specializes in smearing others. In other words, Danzo."

Hyuga Mirai answered casually, then had Android 18 prepare another batch of Bio-Nanoparticles for Uzumaki Ayaka to cover her body and alter her appearance.

Her body needed some binding first. Otherwise, her curves were too pronounced; even under a Nanoparticle covering, something would still look off.

The Rain Country suddenly sent an envoy to discuss Mountain Moving and Land Reform, catching the Saudi Federation by surprise.

Elder Yasunori had previously raised this plan within the Saudi Federation. It concerned the Federation’s food cultivation, so Pakura and the other higher-ups took it seriously. However, most of the mountain range that blocked the moist air currents and left the Saudi Federation with little rainfall lay within the Rain Country. Even if the Federation wanted to reform it, they had no way to begin.

Moreover, the Federation was still adjusting to its current political structure. Its responsibilities had suddenly expanded from those of a single village to those of an entire nation. Pakura and the other higher-ups were busy to death, handling documents nearly every day. To that end, Pakura had used both force and pleading to get Yasunori Sakai to help her process paperwork.

Regarding climate and farmland reform, the general belief among the Federation’s higher-ups had been that it would take one or two years before the Rain Country might agree.

Yet Amegakure’s response exceeded everyone’s expectations. Less than half a month later, they had sent an envoy.

Although it was beneficial to both sides, once the barrier was removed, the Rain Country’s territory would practically be surrounded by the Saudi Federation. Without the mountain barrier, the Rain Country would also essentially become a battleground on all sides.

Pakura attached great importance to this matter. It concerned the cultivation of new food crops within the Federation and the development of oases. Furthermore, the Yasunori Trading Company had initiated the matter, so she did not hesitate to appoint Yasunori Sakai as Kazekage’s Assistant.

Only a small number of people had objections to Pakura’s order. However, the role of Kazekage’s Assistant was no longer what it had been. Back when there was only one village, there had been very few matters to handle, and Rasa could basically resolve them alone.

But now, important documents from across the Federation would ultimately gather on the Kazekage’s desk. Pakura had appointed three assistants to help organize official documents, yet she was still busy as an ox. Only after Yasunori Sakai came to help did Pakura finally have time to rest and train.

No one dared question Yasunori Sakai’s abilities, and Pakura’s appointment was reasonable. Only the Yasunori Trading Company could coordinate the joint reform plan between the Rain Country and the Saudi Federation. Across the entire Federation, only Yasunori Sakai and Elder Yasunori were suitable for the task. But Elder Yasunori was no longer young. These days, he only offered Pakura advice, while Yasunori Sakai handled everything else.

The Amegakure Envoy had only come this time to exchange intentions. They still needed to discuss and select a location acceptable to both sides for formal negotiations.

However, Hyuga Mirai knew that Konan had more or less made up her mind, so Android 18 had already begun preparing the supplies and equipment needed for the reform.

Hyuga Mirai was fairly reassured about leaving the reform between the two nations to Android 18. Under the influence of Chakra, Android 18’s evolutionary path had diverged from its original course. She had developed something like a human emotional module, though it did not manifest in her programming.

Hyuga Mirai had considered studying Android 18 as well, but the combination of Chakra and artificial intelligence was an unfamiliar field to him. It was not that he had no hope of fully understanding it; it simply required a great deal of time.

For now, he had more important matters to attend to. Perhaps after Unifying the ninja world, Hyuga Mirai would once again consider researching Android 18.

After Uzumaki Ayaka bound herself, she covered her body with a layer of Nanoparticles as well. Then the two set out.

Although the real Yasunori Sakai was in the Federation’s Kazekage’s Office Building, the Uchiha Clan’s intelligence network was not that capable. They had no idea what was happening in the Federation.

The Uchiha Clan, who were monitored even when they left home, had only one person who could leave the village—and his heart was still with Konoha.

Hyuga Mirai and Uzumaki Ayaka first arrived at the territory of the Ninja Cat Clan, where they waited for the Uchiha Clan members who had come to receive them.

"Yasunori-kun, I didn’t expect us to meet again so soon."

The one who came to receive Hyuga Mirai was Uchiha Tekka. As the Clan Head’s confidant, only by coming personally for such an important matter could he put Fugaku at ease.

Furthermore, to avoid the mishaps of the previous few times, Uchiha Fugaku had confirmed that Itachi was away on a mission today. There definitely would not be anyone else to interrupt this meeting.

"Tekka-kun."

Hyuga Mirai smiled. "I have long admired the Uchiha Clan. Now that I have the opportunity to visit your territory, I am truly excited."

Hyuga Mirai could imitate Yasunori Sakai’s manner of speaking perfectly. It could be said that Yasunori Sakai’s speech habits and personality were all controlled by Android 18 according to a template based on Hyuga Mirai’s habits.

Uchiha Tekka said somewhat awkwardly, "Not at all. We are merely birds in a cage. Once Yasunori-kun arrives, you may be disappointed."

"A cage woven from straw can trap sparrows, but it cannot confine an eagle soaring through the skies."

Hyuga Mirai grew slightly serious as he said to Uchiha Tekka, "In my view, the Uchiha Clan should have a stage broader than an eagle’s. A cage made of grass will eventually be broken open."

Those words suddenly stirred Uchiha Tekka deeply. They had struck right at his heart.

The Uchiha Clan’s reputation had endured for centuries. They should not have been locked in a cage with chains drawn tight as they were now, forced to endure Konoha’s constant surveillance day and night.

This should not have been their life!

The Military Police Force bore the responsibility of protecting Villagers and worked tirelessly every day to maintain order. Yet they were not understood, instead receiving Villagers’ cold stares and abuse.

"Yasunori-kun…"

Excitement filled Uchiha Tekka’s eyes, but he quickly calmed himself. After hearing those words, he had developed a degree of recognition and respect for Yasunori Sakai.

"Please come with me. The Clan Head is already waiting for you at his home."

A warm-up chapter!

I’m going out to eat first. There’ll be another six thousand words later. I can write until three today, and I’ll update more over the next two days as well.