The Plan Comes to Light

Moving mountains was not difficult for ninja. Earth Style ninja could manipulate mud and stone, and with a reasonable plan in place, the project quickly got underway.

The Puppet Masters in the federation were soon put to use. Their puppets were far faster than machines at felling trees, and some had been modified specifically for construction. Under the Puppet Masters’ control, they could lift loads weighing several hundred or even a thousand jin.

Moreover, one Puppet Master could control many puppets. With these people joining in, the Suna-nin side’s progress sped up considerably.

With the cooperation of Earth Style ninja, Puppet Masters, and Yasunori Trading Company’s machines, the mountain-moving project was expected to be completed in about two months.

The stone produced after the project was finished could also be reused for road construction. Android 18 had already perfected all the supporting work. The federation only needed to proceed step by step according to the plan.

As for Amegakure’s progress, Yasunori Sakai had asked about it, but Konan merely replied coldly, "Don’t worry. Amegakure won’t delay the project’s progress."

After that, she did not reveal another word. As for how Amegakure intended to move the mountain, Yasunori Sakai had a rough guess.

With the Medical Machine’s treatment, using several Almighty Pushes was no longer much of a burden for Nagato. After using them, he only needed to rest for a while and recover some Chakra before he could continue fighting.

The Saudi Federation’s planning was extremely thorough. Every ninja had been assigned detailed tasks. Under Android 18’s calculations and allocation, everyone was like a screw in a factory. As long as they completed their assigned work in their own positions, the massive mountain-moving project would not go wrong.

Android 18 had presented such a detailed execution plan under Yasunori Sakai’s identity. No matter who in the federation saw it, they sincerely praised Yasunori Sakai. After all, there was no way they could produce such a detailed construction plan in a single day. Forget one day—even one month would not be enough.

On the third day after construction began in the Saudi Federation, Amegakure dispatched an envoy to invite Yasunori Sakai for a visit.

Although Pakura was quite displeased by this, the two sides were currently cooperating, and Amegakure’s excuse was entirely reasonable. There were still many matters regarding the climate modification of the two regions that required Yasunori Sakai’s advice.

However, before Yasunori Sakai left, Pakura asked him about an issue discussed in the meeting. "Sakai, what do you think of that proposal?"

Yasunori Sakai asked, "The suggestion to recruit Rogue ninja?"

"That’s right. Although this could increase the federation’s strength, those Rogue ninja all have problems of one kind or another. If we recruit them on a large scale, it may disrupt the federation’s current development." Pakura spoke with some hesitation.

However, the Saudi Federation’s lack of high-end combat power was a fact. Since the federation effectively controlled so much territory, nearly seventy percent of its current educational investment was used to train administrators for various regions, while only the remaining thirty percent went toward training ninja.

This was fine when there was no war, but once war broke out, the Suna-nin’s military strength would be far from sufficient. There was also a severe shortage of high-level combat power. Aside from her, there were very few Suna-nin capable of standing on their own.

"In that case, add a Political Review stage to the recruitment process. Have the Anbu investigate the Rogue ninja’s background and conduct psychological evaluations. If the Political Review determines that their personality is unstable and they may negatively affect the federation’s development, then have them do the dirty work, or simply don’t recruit them."

After hearing this, Pakura felt that Yasunori Sakai’s words made sense, so she pressed, "Sakai, tell me more."

Yasunori Sakai smiled and said, "Heh, I’ll think it over in more detail. In a few days, I’ll write up a more complete proposal and hand it over to you."

Pakura nodded. Her face showed reluctance at Yasunori Sakai’s departure as she said, "Those Amegakure people really can’t handle even such a small matter. They had to make you go there in person." Her capable assistant was about to leave, and the thought of it left her with no desire to process documents.

"It’ll only take a few days. I’ll be back after giving them some guidance."

After offering Pakura a few words of comfort, Yasunori Sakai set off for Amegakure.

The matter of recruiting Rogue ninja had originally been Hyuga Mirai’s idea, and the person who raised the proposal was someone Sasori had recruited. Although Elder Yasunori, controlled by Android 18, had not expressed an opinion, Elder Chiyo, who had retired long ago and no longer handled federation affairs, had appeared at this meeting. That was enough to show her stance.

Chiyo also hoped that Sasori could return, but the fact that Sasori was a Rogue ninja was an issue the federation could not ignore. However, if this resolution passed, Sasori would also be able to return to the Saudi Federation.

Pakura was also tempted by this, but she was worried that Rogue ninja would be uncontrollable. If they could be controlled, Pakura would definitely support the resolution.

The reason Hyuga Mirai had someone do this was that the forces he had hidden in the shadows could gradually be brought into the open. If he relied solely on the Saudi Federation, development would be far too slow.

Rōran, Tea Country, Hot Spring Country, Otogakure in the Land of Rice Fields, Kaido Land Transportation and Shipping, Uzumaki Company, Hundred Herbs Company, and so on.

Once the opportunity arose, Yasunori Sakai would also leave this stage. That body was already nearing its limit. Although Hyuga Mirai could extend Yasunori Sakai’s usable time through modifications, Hyuga Mirai intended to step into the open, and Yasunori Sakai would have little room left to contribute.

Perhaps before leaving the stage, there was still one final and greatest use for him.

Within Konoha, the investigation into Hyuga Mirai had never stopped. It had merely shifted from the open to the shadows. The news of Jiraiya’s death was known only to the Konoha Higher-ups, Nara Shikaku, the head of the Jonin class, and the head of the Anbu. None of them dared underestimate Hyuga Mirai’s danger in the slightest.

After Jiraiya, one of the Sannin, had died at his hands, every move Hyuga Mirai made drew Konoha’s utmost attention.

Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned a blind eye to Danzo’s expansion of Root. Although Root’s growth might fuel Danzo’s ambitions, Konoha now needed Root’s strength.

Monitoring the Uchiha required many ninja both internally and externally. Not only had Root expanded, but even the Hokage’s direct Anbu had grown considerably. After repeated failures while guarding the Jinchuriki, Sarutobi Hiruzen thoroughly reorganized the Anbu and expanded it at the same time.

Its fixed number had increased from seventy to one hundred and fourteen, an expansion of more than fifty percent at once. This was no small expense for Konoha’s finances.

Yet Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura had no objections to the decision. Konoha needed more protective strength.

After Uzumaki Kushina had completely fallen out with Danzo that day, she began personally taking Naruto to and from school every day. She feared that old man Danzo would make a move against Naruto on his way home from school, so she was extremely cautious.

Moreover, Kushina had now mastered Sage Mode. Combined with the Yin Seal and Creation Rebirth that Tsunade had taught her, Kushina only needed some time to become proficient before she would possess even greater power than before.

The Uzumaki Clan’s Adamantine Sealing Chains were their strongest technique. There was no need to learn ninjutsu; Adamantine Sealing Chains alone could give them formidable combat ability.

"Kushina-sama."

While Kushina was taking Naruto to school, she suddenly encountered someone who stopped her.

"You are… Jonin Yuhi Kurenai?" Kushina thought for a moment. Only after seeing Yuhi Kurenai’s red pupils did she recall the village’s famous Illusion Technique prodigy.

The Yuhi Clan’s Illusion Techniques were even more troublesome than the Sharingan in terms of concealment. Both Yūhi Kurenai and Yuhi Kurenai were renowned throughout Konoha for their methods of casting Illusion Techniques.

Yuhi Kurenai gave a slight bow and said to Kushina, "Kushina-sama, I would like to ask you about something."

"Is it about that person? I understand. Wait until I’ve taken Naruto to school first."

Thinking of Yuhi Kurenai’s former teammate and the news that she had only recently been discharged from the hospital, Kushina guessed why Yuhi Kurenai had come looking for her.

"Yes, I understand."

After saying that, Yuhi Kurenai moved aside to clear the way for Kushina and Uzumaki Naruto. However, she followed behind Kushina at a distance.

"Mom, does she want to ask you about what happened that night?" Uzumaki Naruto curiously looked up and asked, but Kushina immediately flicked him on the forehead.

"Naruto, this matter has nothing to do with you anymore. No matter who asks, don’t say anything about it."

After flicking Naruto, Kushina looked around and spoke to him with a serious expression.

Seeing how stern Kushina looked, Uzumaki Naruto hurriedly nodded and promised, "I understand, Mom. One of a ninja’s rules is to keep information confidential."

Kushina burst out laughing, then rubbed Naruto’s blond hair and said, "Very good. If you can keep the secret, I’ll teach you a new ninjutsu when you come home tonight."

After taking Naruto to the Ninja Academy, Kushina followed Yuhi Kurenai to an unoccupied training ground.

"What do you want to ask?" Kushina said. "As long as I can tell you, I won’t hide anything."

Yuhi Kurenai fell silent for a moment before asking, "Kushina-sama, Mirai should have wanted to recruit you, right?"

"…"

Kushina’s expression remained calm, but she was slightly shocked when she heard that. She did not understand why this young girl knew about it.

"What are you talking about, Jonin Kurenai? I was clearly attacked by him."

"Kushina-sama, then did he force you?" Yuhi Kurenai suddenly changed the question, her red pupils staring straight at Kushina.

"That wasn’t… No, he attacked me." Kushina nearly blurted out the truth.

But even though she had not said it all, with the intelligence of the girl before her, she could probably guess it.

This is bad!! Kushina bit her lip. Why had she spoken so quickly?

"Kushina-sama, I don’t mean anything else by it. I’ve trained hard for a long time, but I still don’t have the qualifications to stand before him. I’ve been feeling rather frustrated, so I came to ask you about a few things."

Yuhi Kurenai spoke to Kushina with a trace of unwillingness on her face.

"I absolutely won’t tell anyone about what we discussed today."

After hearing this, Kushina lightly patted Yuhi Kurenai’s shoulder and comforted her. "I understand how you feel, but it’s better to let this sort of thing go. That guy is probably even stronger than the Third Hokage."

"Is that so?"

Yuhi Kurenai’s crimson pupils lowered slightly, and in a somewhat subdued voice, she changed the subject.

"Then do you know the person beside Mirai, Kushina-sama? I remember that she seemed to have red hair like yours?"

Kushina nodded and said, "You’re asking about Ayaka? I do know a little about her."

After the two finished talking, Kushina waved goodbye to Yuhi Kurenai. Once she had left, Yuhi Kurenai glanced toward the woods behind her and said, "Come out. They’ve already gone far away."

"I was only passing by. I saw you two having such a lively conversation, so it wasn’t convenient for me to interrupt."

Hyuga Kiyomi jumped down from a tree and said to Yuhi Kurenai with her face slightly turned away. Yet beneath those red eyes’ gaze, Hyuga Kiyomi’s fair skin slowly began to flush.

"The Ninja World may become unstable soon. Be prepared."

After leaving those words behind, Hyuga Kiyomi quickly walked away.

Today, I came across something very interesting.

I joined a Naruto fanfiction group, and while slacking off at work today, I suddenly saw someone recommending this book. They both praised and criticized it, and I found it pretty entertaining to read.

But when this reader continued recommending books afterward, they kept linking to pirate sites. So I caught them red-handed, hahaha!

Then I revealed my identity. This reader was incredibly embarrassed and bought the full subscription to make up for it. That made me happy all morning.

(There’s nothing wrong with reading pirated copies. I used to be there too. Readers without money can just cast a recommendation vote to show their support.)