CHAPTER 90 - Popularity  

After the group meal, everyone headed to Konoha Village's commercial district. This area, lined with permanent shops and mobile stalls, might very well be the only street in Konoha where unrestricted shopping was possible. 

The permanent shops were mostly divided among the various ninja clans, while the mobile stalls were typically operated by nobles from the Land of Fire or merchants with close ties to Konoha. 

Although devices like computers had been invented, they were rare in Konoha for a couple of reasons. First, Konoha had not been established for long, and the education level among its ninjas was generally low due to their constant missions. Even if they encountered a computer, many wouldn't know how to use it. Second, the computers in this world lacked versatility, often being built for specific functions with no general operating system. 

For instance, the computers used in Konoha Hospital were strictly for medical monitoring and had no additional software functions. In contrast, the computers produced by the Uzumaki Trade Association featured not only sleek designs but also operating systems developed by No. 18. These systems offered numerous daily-use software functions and were so user-friendly that even a seven- or eight-year-old child could master them after a few tries. 

Hyuga Mirai and his group arrived at the Uzumaki Trade Association's stall, where a crowd had already gathered—mostly children accompanied by adults. There were only three sales representatives, but at the front were two televisions. One displayed gameplay from a ninja-themed video game, while the other showed a tutorial video explaining the computer's operation. The simple and clear instructions ensured most people could grasp the basics after just two views. 

Many children, after watching the tutorial video, couldn't wait to try out the ninja game themselves. Living in Konoha, these children idolized ninja lore more than others. If they couldn't become ninjas for the time being, immersing themselves in such games was the next best thing. This explained why ninja-themed games were so popular at the Ninja Academy. 

Upon seeing the game's footage on the screens, Obito Uchiha and others eagerly joined the queue for a chance to try it out. 

Hyuga Kiyo turned to Mirai and asked, "Aren't you going to give it a try?" 

"I wasn't planning to, but… why not? Better to experience it firsthand than to ask No. 18 later," Mirai replied, changing his mind halfway through his sentence. He decided to queue up with the others. Due to the large number of people, each person was given only five minutes to play. 

From the back of the line, Mirai observed the reactions of those ahead. About 80% of the children immediately pestered their parents to buy a computer after playing, while the other 20% rushed home to find someone who could help them acquire one. 

In short, almost every child who played the game found it irresistibly entertaining. The gameplay even featured scenes such as the First Hokage using Wood Release to bring peace to the warring ninja clans, further igniting the players' fascination. 

Mirai had initially wondered if this portrayal of the First Hokage might provoke Konoha's disapproval. However, he quickly dismissed the thought. After all, the Uzumaki Trade Association was effectively providing free advertising for Konoha, and the lack of copyright laws in this world meant Konoha should, if anything, be paying them for the publicity. 

If Konoha truly objected, Mirai could always instruct No. 18 to swap in a version featuring the First Tsuchikage conquering the ninja world instead. But it seemed Konoha had no issue with the game's portrayal of the First Hokage. Otherwise, they would have stopped the promotional footage from being shown by now. 

When his turn came, Mirai stepped forward and tried the game. His familiarity with computers from his previous life allowed him to navigate the game with ease. 

Currently, the Uzumaki Trade Association sold two types of computers. The first was an affordable model priced at 35,000 ryo. For ninjas, this was manageable—even Genin could afford it after completing a few missions. The second model, priced at 85,000 ryo, boasted slightly better performance and a more attractive design. However, its performance improvement was only about 15%, making the higher price seem a bit excessive. 

"No. 18 truly takes after me with her business sense!" Mirai thought proudly. 

After his five minutes were up, Mirai was politely ushered out to make way for the next group of players. The timing was carefully managed so players could only experience the introductory content of the game. Anyone wanting to play further would have to buy their own computer. 

As Mirai left the stall, he noticed many people still buzzing with excitement over the game. 

"That game was incredible! I used my own name for my character and nearly graduated from the Ninja Academy in just a few minutes!" 

"Me too! By the way, what era did you pick?" 

"Of course, I chose the First Shinobi World War! Who knows, I might even meet the First Hokage and become the Second Hokage!" 

"Idiot!" 

"What did you say, Kakashi, you jerk? In the game, anything is possible!" 

Obito Uchiha rolled up his sleeves, ready to argue with Kakashi Hatake, but soon joined in an animated discussion with their friends about the game. 

"Mirai, it seems like you're not particularly interested in the game?" Kurenai Yuhi asked, walking up to Mirai with a gentle smile. 

Mirai shook his head. "I just don't have time for games. Besides, aren't we already living in a real-life version of one?" 

"Well said," Kiyo Hyuga chimed in, suddenly appearing behind them. She inserted herself between Mirai and Kurenai without a hint of awkwardness. Kurenai's cheeks puffed slightly in annoyance but quickly returned to her usual composed expression. 

"A ninja's strength ultimately lies in their own abilities. Without that, survival on the battlefield is impossible," Kiyo continued. 

Kiyo Hyuga, a staunch advocate of strength above all else, had always drilled this philosophy into Mirai. If not for his exceptional talent in medical ninjutsu, she might have dragged him off to practice Gentle Fist every day. 

"Kiyo is right, and I completely agree with her," Mirai said with a nod. At the very least, he now had firsthand knowledge of the computer and ninja game's popularity. 

What interested him more, however, was that every computer ran on No. 18's operating system. Any computer connected to the network effectively exposed its user's information to the Uzumaki Trade Association's surveillance. While ordinary civilian data wasn't of much value, data from ninjas and Konoha's higher-ups could be a treasure trove for No. 18. 

Of course, this plan required gradual implementation. It had already taken considerable effort—and the involvement of several nobles—to get the computers into Konoha. Convincing Konoha's ninjas and leaders to use them would require showcasing even more of the computer's practical benefits. 

"Let's head back. I don't think there's much more to see here," Mirai said, eager to return and discuss the Uzumaki Trade Association's recent activities with No. 18. 

Kurenai and Kiyo nodded. Neither of them was particularly interested in the computers or games, so they were ready to part ways with the others. 

(End of Chapter)