CHAPTER 135 - Subordinates

"With this, it seems like it's a success."

For this experiment, ten test subjects were used. After the first two died, the remaining eight survived. However, apart from the last two, the other six exhibited various snake-like traits. Although these traits weren't very pronounced, they were enough to show that Hyuga Mirai's experiment carried certain risks, and it wasn't perfect.

While those who developed snake traits were still able to absorb natural energy, they retained many characteristics of snakes—such as scales on their bodies and a need to consume food in a similar manner. In short, they didn't appear very human.

Only with the final two test subjects did Mirai manage to eliminate all the flaws, only altering certain organs and their functions.

Addressing the eight survivors, Mirai asked, "What are your plans? Do you want to work for me, or do you wish to leave?"

After a brief exchange of glances, they quickly made their decision.

"We are willing to follow you, Master."

They were either wandering ninjas or chakra-wielding samurai, all purchased by Number 18 through bounty listings at the underground black market. When they were brought here, none of them had expected to survive, much less be accepted into Mirai's service. Having thought their path ahead was a dead end, they were now seizing the opportunity to live.

"Since you've all agreed, I'll place a guarantee on you to ensure you won't betray me."

There was no objection from the group—after all, they didn't have much of a choice.

The "Caged Bird Seal!" 

A swirling seal appeared on the heads of all eight individuals, one after another. This was the first layer of security Mirai placed on them, based on the Caged Bird Seal. He sealed his Sage Chakra into their brains. The second layer of protection would come from Number 18, who would install miniature explosive devices in them, similar to the one used on Nohara Rin. However, the power of these bombs would be far less lethal than the one on Rin.

"Although you all have the ability to absorb natural energy, your strength is still too weak. I'll arrange for ninjutsu training and instructors for you. Once your strength improves, we can talk about other things."

Even with enhanced physical abilities from absorbing natural energy, they would barely match a standard Chunin in combat. Their baseline was too low, and sending them out would be like sending them to their deaths. As for instructors, Mirai could think of no one better than Orochimaru. With the cell modification serum from Ichikishima-hime, six of them displayed snake-like traits, which might even give Orochimaru a sense of familiarity. 

However, Orochimaru was traveling the ninja world, so Mirai decided to send them to his new base and let Orochimaru's followers teach them basic training and ninjutsu. Mirai didn't have much time for this task himself.

After sending them off, Mirai prepared to undergo his own organ modification. This time, he was absolutely confident, which was why he decided to try it on himself.

A little while later, the modification experiment ended, and Mirai sat up from the operating table.

"The burden on my internal organs seems a little lighter. I can feel a definite hunger," Mirai muttered as he checked his body. The data matched the calculations he had made before the modification, with no significant deviation.

"Let's try absorbing natural energy now."

Mirai sat down and began to absorb natural energy. As soon as he started, he felt his digestive system rapidly working. Once the natural energy entered his body, it was quickly digested in his stomach. As the digestive system processed it, the natural energy was transformed into something that belonged to Mirai's body, gradually being absorbed by every part of him.

"It works, though the absorption of natural energy is slower compared to the digestive process. This could be due to the surrounding concentration of natural energy."

His body had indeed been enhanced. After absorbing and digesting the natural energy, he felt his fatigue vanish, replaced by a surge of energy.

Mirai thought for a moment. Now that he had a new method to increase his strength, he could consider visiting the Land of Roran after his journey to the moon.

---

Konoha

"Aunt, is Kurenai home?"

Kurenai's mother, upon seeing Sarutobi Asuma standing at the door, opened it and politely replied, "Ah, Asuma, I'm sorry. Kurenai and her father left early this morning for training. They usually don't return until sunset."

"I see... Then I won't trouble you further," Asuma said apologetically before leaving to head home.

It had been a while since Asuma had seen Kurenai. When he first heard about Hyuga Mirai's defection, he was furious, believing that Mirai had betrayed Kurenai's feelings. But after seeing Kurenai's state of despair, Asuma wanted to speak to her, to try and lift her spirits.

He had tried to meet with Kurenai several times, but each time he missed her. Now, it was early in the morning, and Kurenai had already left with her father for training.

'I can't keep wasting time like this.'

Asuma watched Kurenai train diligently every day while he continued to waste his own time. Feeling frustrated, he made a decision and quickly ran back home. He planned to intercept his father before he went to the Hokage building and ask him to train with him. 

Asuma had started to harbor some complaints about Hiruzen Sarutobi. Since he had already stepped down from the Hokage position, why not spend more time training with his son instead of being buried in paperwork?

At the same time, Kakashi had also woken up early. ANBU had strict time regulations, but lately, he had been distracted during his missions. The memory of losing to Hyuga Mirai had nearly become a nightmare for Kakashi.

After improving his Lightning Style Chidori, he was caught off guard when it was so easily caught by someone. If Kakashi wanted to shake off the lingering shadow of that defeat, he would need to perfect Chidori once again and defeat Hyuga Mirai. 

Having been labeled a genius since childhood, Kakashi never expected that someone his age could possess strength on par with the Hokage.

"Father..." Kakashi approached the quiet room and opened the storage chamber where his father's ninja swords were kept. As one of the few swordmasters in Konoha, Sakumo Hatake naturally didn't just have a single chakra blade.

The insight from his Sharingan would help with Chidori, but it would be even more beneficial for his swordsmanship. If he couldn't improve his Chidori soon, perhaps it would be worth shifting focus.

Kakashi's current state was something Minato, his teacher, was aware of. But as Hokage, Minato had his own responsibilities and could only offer limited help to Kakashi. For example, assigning him a lighter mission.

Beyond that, Minato couldn't offer much. His jutsu, whether it was the Flying Thunder God or Rasengan, didn't suit Kakashi's fighting style. 

The Hokage had an enormous amount of affairs to handle. Even with the help of Shikaku and the Third Hokage, Minato still spent five or six hours every day managing Konoha's affairs. Konoha might appear to be a small village, but its various departments had responsibilities that spanned the entire Land of Fire—military, diplomacy, and intelligence gathering, among others.

---

"Then, as we agreed, the deposit for this batch of orders will be delivered to the Hyakusa Trade Association by tomorrow," Minato said with a smile to the person in front of him. However, the smile didn't seem to evoke any similar reaction from the other party, who remained as calm as a still pond.

"I understand, Hokage-sama. The Hyakusa Trade Association will adhere strictly to the terms of the contract," the person responded before standing up and leaving the Hokage building.

Once the person left, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the two advisors, and Danzo entered the Hokage office.

"Third Hokage, two advisors, and Elder Danzo, is something serious going on?" Minato's face turned solemn as he asked, sensing the gravity of their visit.

"Cough, Minato, it's not anything too serious," Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed and then lowered his gaze, continuing, "We only came to ask why you've cut the funding for Root."

"Is that all...?" Minato let out a breath of relief, though he felt a little that the Third Hokage was overreacting, bringing two advisors and Danzo just to discuss Root's funding.

"The incident where Root mistakenly killed the finance minister during the war should have been a misunderstanding, and Danzo has been punished for it," said Koharu, one of the advisors. "Konoha still needs Root's power. If you reduce Root's funding now, Konoha might lose some of its strength on the outside."

"Even so, Root's funding is almost as much as ANBU's now. Konoha is in post-war reconstruction, and the funds from the Daimyo are tight," Minato calmly explained. "And I'm not clear on the number of personnel, missions, or the reports from Root, so cutting the funding is the logical thing to do."

Koharu and the other advisor were left speechless by Minato's reasoning.

Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly said, "Minato, what you say is reasonable, but without Root's power, we'll have to expand ANBU."

"Third Hokage, I'm not trying to weaken Root's power," Minato responded, realizing that the four of them had come together for this issue. "But Danzo needs to complete some tasks before I can continue funding Root."

Minato then continued, "Tracking down the whereabouts of Orochimaru and Hyuga Mirai—this task will involve some members of the Hyuga branch, and I need Root to give me an answer soon."

(End of Chapter)