Shifting the Disaster Elsewhere

"Ayaka, what were you doing there?"

After hearing where she had fought Jigen, Hyuga Mirai asked in confusion. That place was beyond the western border on the other side of Earth Country, practically halfway around the planet. No wonder it had been outside satellite communication range.

"It was all that bastard Orochimaru’s fault!"

Uzumaki Ayaka said through gritted teeth, "While we were in Earth Country, after Orochimaru’s Clone Body found the person he was looking for, it suddenly discovered a record of Ancient History. It might have contained information related to ancient gods. Then he… he said Lord Mirai might be interested in it, so he tricked me into going there to search for information about the ancient gods."

"Ancient gods?"

Hyuga Mirai stroked his chin as he pondered. If they were talking about ancient gods, then they could only be connected to the Otsutsuki Clan.

"Yes. According to the records, it was a god documented during an ancient sacrificial ceremony by an Earth Country noble family that had practiced archaeology for generations. There was also a temple in western Earth Country with records concerning the god. I used my armor to photograph all the information I gathered, but on the way back, I suddenly ran into a strange man."

Uzumaki Ayaka spoke with some resentment. That temple definitely contained a huge secret. Orochimaru had tricked her into going there, but there was one thing he had certainly been right about—Lord Mirai would definitely be interested in this sort of thing. If she had brought back the recorded footage, she definitely would have received even more rewards from Lord Mirai.

Definitely more than just now.

"Ayaka, let’s leave this matter here for now. I’ll deal with that person later."

Hyuga Mirai spoke calmly, patting Uzumaki Ayaka on the head as he comforted her. "You did very well. The information you brought back is valuable. There are many ways to improve your strength. Come with me to the Laboratory later, and I’ll help you integrate the genes of some other Kekkei Genkai."

For her to hold out against Jigen for a while with only the Uzumaki Clan’s sealing bloodline and the Nine-Tails was already quite impressive. Although the other party might have been unable to fight for long due to physical issues, Uzumaki Ayaka was at least strong enough to defeat one or two of the Five Kage.

She still had plenty of room to improve: cultivating the Spirit Transformation Clone Technique to enter Kurama Mode, refining Natural Energy to complete the Nine-Tails, transplanting Hashirama Cells, and integrating the genes of various Kekkei Genkai such as the Byakugan and Shikotsumyaku.

Hyuga Mirai carefully examined Uzumaki Ayaka. After running around outside with Orochimaru for some time, she had gained quite a bit of combat experience. Before Uzumaki Ayaka left satellite communication range, Android 18 had continuously relayed her experiences back to her.

Some powerful Ninja from Kumogakure and the Stone Ninja Village had been unable to do anything to Uzumaki Ayaka, allowing her to accumulate plenty of real combat experience. Moreover, she had defeated many Elite Jonin from the two great Ninja Villages without revealing Nine-Tails Mode or the Adamantine Sealing Chains.

With Uzumaki Ayaka’s help, Orochimaru had become bold enough to infiltrate Kumogakure and steal its classified information. Though they had not succeeded, Uzumaki Ayaka and Orochimaru’s Clone Body had escaped unscathed.

"Lord Mirai, can I stay by your side from now on?"

"Mm, sure. If you don’t want to go out, then stay. There aren’t any missions for the time being."

Hyuga Mirai answered casually. Uzumaki Ayaka had grown well, and Orochimaru had properly helped her build a solid foundation. The old Uzumaki Ayaka had only appeared powerful because she relied on her sealing bloodline and Nine-Tails Chakra.

Now, even without using Nine-Tails Chakra, she was a powerful Ninja through Taijutsu and combat Medical Ninjutsu alone.

"Thank you, Lord Mirai!"

Upon hearing that, Uzumaki Ayaka’s eyes curved into cheerful crescents. Then, pretending to ask casually, she said to Hyuga Mirai, "What has Lord Mirai been busy with lately?"

"Experimental research. Want to help?"

"…I’ll pass on that. I’ll go prepare something for Lord Mirai to eat."

The moment she heard "experimental research," obvious reluctance appeared on Uzumaki Ayaka’s face. She could accept studying Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Technique, but she truly could not bring herself to like mathematics and physics.

After Uzumaki Ayaka left, Hyuga Mirai began thinking about Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.

This was an almost perfectly intact Otsutsuki Gene Bank. If he could obtain Isshiki’s body, the surprise it would bring Hyuga Mirai would be no less than acquiring the Ten-Tails.

However, Jigen’s strength remained an unknown. Judging from what Uzumaki Ayaka had said, whether in speed or strength, Jigen had nearly overwhelmed Uzumaki Ayaka in Sage Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. If Jigen’s body had not possibly been in poor condition, and if he had not been somewhat wary of the Adamantine Sealing Chains, Uzumaki Ayaka would have been in danger.

Hyuga Mirai instructed Android 18, "We still lack some intelligence. Android 18, remember to keep an eye out for the people I mentioned. If there is any news of the so-called ‘Kara,’ record it immediately and notify me."

"Understood, sir."

Hyuga Mirai’s strength was still far from its limit. Sage Chakra continued to slowly improve his physical qualities, and every so often, Hyuga Mirai would absorb the Tenseigan’s ocular power to increase and transform his Yin Release Chakra.

To be honest, after entering Tenseigan Chakra Mode, Hyuga Mirai felt that he could reach the strongest level below the Six Paths. But if Jigen’s life was threatened, he might be able to awaken Isshiki ahead of time.

Moreover, Hyuga Mirai’s current priority was still to bring the Ninja World under his control. It was not suitable to confront Kara so early.

After checking on the Yasunori Trading Company’s progress again, Hyuga Mirai urged them to speed things up once more.

The Saudi Federation’s actions had gradually drawn the attention of several other great Ninja Villages. Even Kirigakure and Kumogakure had sent spies into Saudi Federation territory. Although they had been discovered and captured, it was an ominous sign.

The Saudi Federation wanted to focus on development, but the other Ninja Villages could not bear to watch it develop so rapidly. Seeing the Saudi Federation establish a federation was even more unbearable to the other great Ninja Villages than losses to their own villages.

The Saudi Federation shared borders with both Konoha and the Stone Ninja Village. Those two Ninja Villages were likely the least willing to see the Saudi Federation rise. Kumogakure and Kirigakure only wanted to steal intelligence, but the other two great Ninja Villages intended to destroy the Saudi Federation or sabotage it and delay its construction progress.

The Yasunori Trading Company’s approach toward Amegakure also carried the intention of shifting the disaster elsewhere.

Improving the environment of Rain Country, providing grain seeds, and improving the living standards of its people—this move by the Yasunori Trading Company was equivalent to handing Amegakure a huge lump of gold right in front of the bandit thugs of Konoha and the Stone Ninja Village.

Compared to the Saudi Federation, whose strength was improving by the day and whose military power was not weak, Amegakure—a small country possessing fertile land and abundant resources—was more likely to draw the attention of the two great Ninja Villages.

Furthermore, Nagato’s legs had already recovered. If faced with an invasion from the two great Ninja Villages, he would likely directly deploy Pain’s Six Paths.

At that point, the secrets of the Rinnegan and Akatsuki would no longer remain hidden. Meanwhile, after shifting the disaster elsewhere, the Saudi Federation could steadily accumulate strength and develop its infrastructure.