Uzumaki Ayaka’s Nine-Tails Mode

"Sir."

"What is it, Android 18?"

"Sunagakure has decided to purchase Medical Machines, but due to the price, they can only buy two at most."

Hyuga Mirai shook his head when he heard that. "Three hundred million per unit and they still think it’s expensive? Sunagakure might as well declare independence from the Land of Wind. The funding the Daimyo of the Land of Wind allocates to Sunagakure isn’t even a quarter of Konoha’s. One of the Five Great Ninja Villages has really fallen this far."

The Medical Machine could completely replace low- and mid-level Medical-nin. As long as one learned the Yang Release nature transformation of Chakra, they could store healing energy in the Medical Machine, even eliminating the need for Medical Talismans.

To put it bluntly, the appearance of Medical Machines could directly destroy Konoha’s medical system, instantly erasing Konoha’s greatest advantage in war.

Basically, three Medical Machines working around the clock could match the treatment efficiency of nine medical squads, or thirty-six Medical-nin.

There was no longer any need to study complicated medical knowledge, human organs, meridians and cells, treatment procedures, and so on. One only needed to learn the Yang Release nature transformation of Chakra to keep the Medical Machines running without rest.

"Android 18, keep an eye on the price of Medical Talismans. After Medical Machines appear, Medical Talismans will practically become synonymous with life itself. I believe that before long, there will be a large number of Medical Talisman transactions in the Black Market."

Hyuga Mirai told Android 18, "We can start promoting them in other countries as well. Leave Konoha for last. Try pitching them to the Land of Fire Daimyo. I remember they kept demanding that Konoha’s Medical-nin be stationed permanently in the capital, but Konoha refused?"

"Yes, Sir. The Third Hokage refused on the grounds that too many Konoha Ninja were injured on missions and that Konoha Hospital was already operating near its limit."

"Heh, what a perfunctory excuse. It seems Konoha is quite dissatisfied with Daimyo Manor as well. They can’t even bear to send a few Medical-nin over."

Hyuga Mirai smiled. Konoha and Daimyo Manor had clashed several times, both openly and in secret. If not for the surrounding Ninja Villages eyeing the Land of Fire’s territory like tigers, Daimyo Manor would have fallen out with Konoha long ago.

The Yasunori Trading Company had not only begun selling Medical Machines, but had also entered into many collaborations with the Uchiha Clan. Most notably, three squads of Uchiha Guards were now carrying out missions issued by the Yasunori Trading Company, the majority of them guard missions.

As the Yasunori Trading Company rose to prominence, other merchants came to see it as a thorn in their side. The Underground Money Exchange also posted bounties on the Yasunori Trading Company’s key members. Yasunori Sakai’s head alone was worth twenty million ryo, nearly as much as a Jonin’s.

Although Hyuga Mirai had trained some people, they had other duties. Therefore, the task of protecting Yasunori Sakai was handed over to the Uchiha Clan. It both strengthened their relationship and provided security. An Uchiha with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan was an elite even among Jonin.

As the Hundred Herbs Company developed, its progress in penetrating the major countries gradually stabilized, and its herb supply reached a steady level. This gave Hashirama Senju’s Edo Tensei Body more time to stimulate the growth of other plants, such as fruit.

Staple Supplies such as grain and fruit were the main guarantee for dominating the Land of Wind’s market. In terms of product quality, grain and fruit produced locally in the Ninja World could not compare to the genetically optimized produce of Hyuga Mirai.

As for Sunagakure, every Suna-nin who accepted guard missions had basically maxed out their favorability toward the Yasunori Trading Company. The families behind Sunagakure’s higher-ups could not ignore gifts delivered right to their doorstep either.

With Medical Machines and supply channels as well, Hyuga Mirai had no intention of involving himself in Sunagakure’s policies for now. Otherwise, with just one word from the Yasunori Trading Company, Rasa would have to convene a meeting of the higher-ups and give it serious consideration.

That was capital. Once Sunagakure got entangled with it, there would be no escaping.

Nearly all the trading companies around Sunagakure capable of supplying basic Supplies had been squeezed out by the Yasunori Trading Company. If Rasa tore up all pretenses with the Yasunori Trading Company now, he would be unable to find Supplies, and Sunagakure’s higher-ups would jointly condemn him. If things got serious, the many Suna-nin might even drive him from the Position of Kazekage.

In addition to its cooperation with the Uchiha Clan, the Yasunori Trading Company had also established a partnership with the Ninja Cat Clan. The Ninja Cat Clan purchased metal ore. Aside from what was supplied for Uchiha weapons, all the rest went to the Yasunori Trading Company. Combined with the Uchiha’s Exploding Tags, the Yasunori Trading Company was thriving in the arms and ninja tool trade.

The Yasunori Trading Company had spread throughout the southern Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, River Country, Rain Country, and Land of Birds.

Aside from the Uzumaki Company and Hundred Herbs Company, the Yasunori Trading Company had the broadest influence. Android 18 had used the Yasunori Family’s identity as traditional Land of Fire nobles to steadily build up this shell. Even if Konoha’s Anbu came investigating, they would not find the slightest trace linking it to Hyuga Mirai.

"Lord Mirai! Lord Mirai!"

Just as Hyuga Mirai was training in Sage Mode, Uzumaki Ayaka suddenly called out loudly from outside.

Ever since Uzumaki Ayaka began training to control Nine-Tails Chakra, this was the first time Hyuga Mirai had heard her voice. By his estimate, more than a year had passed.

After leaving the Giant Tenseigan hall, Hyuga Mirai had barely stepped outside when he saw Uzumaki Ayaka wearing a confident smile. Her face was filled with sunshine, and he could not help reaching up to stroke her red hair.

Hyuga Mirai asked with a smile, "You’re grinning so happily. It seems you’ve completely mastered Nine-Tails Chakra?"

"Please watch closely, Lord Mirai."

After saying that, Uzumaki Ayaka pressed her hands together.

Then, an immensely powerful Chakra suddenly surged from her body. However, it did not erupt outward. Instead, changes appeared on Uzumaki Ayaka’s body.

Golden Chakra enveloped her entire body, as though golden flames were burning over her. At the same time, numerous tomoe and special markings appeared.

"Nine-Tails Mode? Well done, Ayaka."

"Hehehe, it’s all thanks to Lord Mirai’s guidance~"

Uzumaki Ayaka blushed and happily scratched her head. "Lord Mirai, how strong am I now?"

"An increase in Chakra doesn’t necessarily mean an increase in strength, Ayaka. What you need now is to quickly become proficient in your Nine-Tails Mode. Hmm? You seem to disagree with me."

Hyuga Mirai saw Uzumaki Ayaka lower her head. Though he knew she had worked very hard training with Nine-Tails Chakra, what she needed now was specific guidance, not praise.

Uzumaki Ayaka lowered her head and said softly, "Not at all."

"You don’t mean that. How about this? I’ll be your opponent."

Hyuga Mirai rolled his wrists and told Uzumaki Ayaka, "I won’t use the Tenseigan or Sage Mode. If you can defeat me, you can make one request of me."

"Really!?" Uzumaki Ayaka instantly raised her head, her eyes practically shining as she asked.

"Really."

"Any request?"

"As long as it’s something I can do."

Hyuga Mirai answered with a soft laugh. It seemed he was being underestimated. His everyday gravity was already set to four times normal, and Sage Chakra’s modifications to the body were permanent improvements. Although he had not trained Taijutsu for over a year, Hyuga Mirai’s physical constitution had never stopped improving.

Afterward, Uzumaki Ayaka and Hyuga Mirai arrived at a desert far outside Rōran. They were far enough from Rōran that the sounds of their fight would not carry back.

After Haku learned of this, he followed them over as well. He also wanted to know Lord Mirai’s strength and set a goal for himself.

On the way, Hyuga Mirai had already removed the Added-Weight Rock Seal.

"All right, begin. Let me see how much your strength has improved."

Boom!

Before Hyuga Mirai had even finished speaking, Uzumaki Ayaka had already used the Body Flicker Technique and charged at him.

She was extremely fast. In an instant, Uzumaki Ayaka crossed dozens of meters and arrived before Hyuga Mirai.

This speed was nearly twice as fast as Uzumaki Ayaka’s previous Body Flicker Technique.

"Not bad. An attack should always catch the enemy by surprise."

The meridians around Hyuga Mirai’s Byakugan bulged as his keen perception clearly captured Uzumaki Ayaka’s movements. His reaction speed was no slower either. He instantly raised a hand to block her while growing a layer of bone membrane over it.

Boom!

Their fist and palm collided, producing a tremendous impact that kicked up a massive storm of sand around and beneath them.

Crack!

Uzumaki Ayaka turned her fist into a grip and seized Hyuga Mirai’s wrist.

"You can’t escape now, Lord Mirai!"

Several Adamantine Sealing Chains then extended from Uzumaki Ayaka’s back, lashing toward Hyuga Mirai’s body and limbs to bind him.

Crack! Crack-crack.

Numerous bones instantly grew from Hyuga Mirai’s body. New branches sprouted from their pointed ends, forming something like bone armor that forced the Adamantine Sealing Chains away from his body.

Bones… Shikotsumyaku?

Just as this thought flashed through Uzumaki Ayaka’s mind, she felt Bone Spikes that had suddenly grown out force open her palm as well.

"Don’t be so surprised. The Kaguya Clan and I share the same ancestor, so I can use their Kekkei Genkai too."

After forcing Uzumaki Ayaka back with his bones, Hyuga Mirai said with a light smile, "Next, it’s my turn…"

Whoosh!

The moment his words fell, Hyuga Mirai instantly appeared behind Uzumaki Ayaka. That terrifying speed made her heart skip in shock.

If it weren’t for the sensing ability of Nine-Tails Mode, I wouldn’t be able to detect this speed at all.

Clatter!

The Adamantine Sealing Chains seemed to possess lives of their own as they instantly shot toward Hyuga Mirai.

However, Hyuga Mirai knocked all of the Adamantine Sealing Chains away with Gentle Fist. Both his strength and speed surpassed Uzumaki Ayaka’s Adamantine Sealing Chains, while the chains’ sealing and binding power was blocked by the bone membrane on his palms.

Sensing danger, Uzumaki Ayaka immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to leave her previous position. But the instant she landed, Hyuga Mirai followed behind her again.

Although the Byakugan’s insight was not as powerful as the Sharingan’s, with Hyuga Mirai’s ocular power, even the Byakugan could achieve insight on the level of a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, perhaps even surpassing some.

Hyuga Mirai’s Gentle Fist was incredibly refined, and every strike carried immense force. Even with Adamantine Sealing Chains behind her, Uzumaki Ayaka did not dare let Hyuga Mirai remain at her back.

Body Flicker!

A Body Flicker that accelerated her once again.

Whenever she sensed danger behind her, Uzumaki Ayaka would immediately erupt with Chakra and move at high speed.

After fleeing with the Body Flicker Technique six or seven times in a row, Uzumaki Ayaka suddenly froze. This time, Hyuga Mirai had not appeared behind her, but in front of her.

Yet Uzumaki Ayaka instinctively gathered the Adamantine Sealing Chains behind her as a defense. That had been her response to sensing danger at her back several times before. She thought this time would be no exception, but Lord Mirai had made the opposite choice.

Gentle Fist: Sixteen Palms!

Hyuga Mirai instantly thrust out his fingers. His palms moved so fast they seemed to leave afterimages, sealing several of Uzumaki Ayaka’s main Chakra points. Then, with two fingers held like a sword, he took advantage of Uzumaki Ayaka’s stalled movement to lightly tap her on the head.

"You lost, Ayaka."

4

There will be at least two updates on Sunday, and three if there’s enough time. I need to go out to handle a residence permit and the move-out contract for my old house, so it should take some time.

Could I ask for some votes?