#45

The difference between science and technology and bloodline abilities like Kimimaro's is as vast as the gap between mechanical engineering and inherited talent.

With blueprints, raw materials, and the right equipment, technology can mass-produce weapons like an assembly line. As long as resources are available, an army of mechanical warriors can be built at any time. But bloodline abilities are different—they rely on genetics, mutation, and random chance, much like a lottery.

Some people are born with them, some aren't. There's no guarantee, no method of replication. And once a rare bloodline dies out, it's nearly impossible to bring it back.

This thought unsettled Mufasa, who preferred having control over outcomes rather than relying on uncertainty.

Orochimaru, standing beside him, suddenly froze. The confidence on his face faded.

He had been so focused on perfecting his prototypes that he completely overlooked the issue of mass production.

"My lord, I could try cloning them," Orochimaru suggested hesitantly.

Mufasa narrowed his eyes. "How long until a clone matures enough to be useful?"

Orochimaru hesitated. He didn't have an answer. Given Mufasa's usual approach, he preferred large-scale production. But if they had to wait for clones to fully mature, who knew how long that would take?

Both of them silently pondered the problem. The truth was, Kimimaro and Jugo weren't exactly ideal candidates for cloning.

Kimimaro suffered from a fatal illness, likely a genetic defect. Jugo had an unstable personality due to his natural energy absorption disorder. Creating full clones of them could be a disaster waiting to happen. However, harvesting certain tissue samples might work.

But time was against them.

Kimimaro's illness could claim his life at any moment, and Mufasa needed results now.

An absurd thought crossed Mufasa's mind—what if Kimimaro converted to the ways of the Jashin cult, like Hidan? Would he still succumb to his disease? Which force was stronger, his illness or Jashin's so-called immortality?

Would the disease kill the host, or would Jashin's power override it?

And what even was Jashin? A god? A phenomenon? Some unknown force?

If Jashin could make people immortal, wouldn't that be worth investigating? If Kimimaro could be made immune to death, he could use his Dead Bone Pulse indefinitely. The supply of material would never run out.

Mufasa shook his head. His thoughts were wandering too far. He needed to focus on the immediate problem.

"Orochimaru, go find three tons of steel."

Orochimaru instantly understood—Mufasa was about to create another new piece of equipment. He quickly retrieved the metal and cleared space in the lab.

"My lord, it's ready."

Orochimaru had always been fascinated by the equipment Mufasa provided, especially those with advanced sealing techniques and chakra-based enhancements.

Mufasa checked his system inventory and found what he needed. A set of blueprints—four million ryo—purchased.

With a few modifications, he activated the function, and in place of the steel, two large cylindrical tanks appeared.

Orochimaru studied them curiously. "What are these?"

"These are high-speed regenerative tanks. Any injury will heal rapidly after soaking in them."

Orochimaru's interest deepened. "That effective?"

"See for yourself. Connect the power, then bring Kimimaro and Jugo here."

Before long, Kimimaro and Jugo arrived, both eyeing the strange devices with curiosity.

Mufasa explained. "Originally, I planned to use your cells to create tissue clones for the natural energy engine. But I'll need a much larger supply soon, so I need you two to help speed up the process."

Orochimaru smirked. "It is an honor to contribute to my lord's vision."

The two young men, already accustomed to Orochimaru's experiments, didn't hesitate. In fact, Kimimaro's loyalty to Orochimaru bordered on fanatical. Without hesitation, he reached back and pulled out his own spine, offering it as a sample.

Mufasa felt a rare moment of discomfort.

This guy could rip out his own bones without flinching. That level of devotion was almost cult-like.

"Uh… you don't have to go that far. Leg bones or arm bones will do," Mufasa said.

Without hesitation, Kimimaro snapped a bone from his arm. Jugo, ever the silent follower, took a blade and cut off a chunk of his own flesh.

Orochimaru immediately placed the samples into the storage tanks for preservation.

The entire process felt disturbingly clinical—like a slaughterhouse in full operation. It wasn't long before Kimimaro and Jugo themselves stepped into the regeneration chambers. After only a few minutes, they emerged completely healed, ready to repeat the process.

Mufasa, despite his usual lack of concern for morality, found himself slightly disturbed by their unwavering cooperation.

He suddenly understood why Kankuro had always looked so tense around people like them. Spending every day surrounded by guys who could rip their own spines out without a second thought…

That was like sleeping next to a loaded explosive tag.

Absolute nightmare.

Mufasa praised, "Orochimaru, with this level of dedication, your unit will produce two more exceptional workers."

Orochimaru smirked, pride evident in his expression. "Serving you is their privilege, my lord."

"Hmm." Mufasa mused. If he were an evil god, these two would be his most devoted followers. That level of loyalty was rare, even in a place like this.

"However," Mufasa continued, "cloning is only a temporary fix. We still need to find a way to cure Kimimaro's disease."

Orochimaru, who had initially seen Kimimaro as nothing more than a disposable pawn, suddenly found himself reevaluating. If Kimimaro's well-being affected Mufasa's larger plans, then keeping him alive became a priority.

"Don't worry, my lord. I will cure him."

Mufasa nodded and turned his attention to the natural energy engine prototype in his hand.

Orochimaru's willingness to break every ethical boundary in the pursuit of knowledge had produced remarkable results. This small device held boundless potential.

His mind raced with ideas.

If the natural energy engine could be embedded in memory-metal clamps, it could transform into battle armor on command.

Kimimaro's bones were incredibly durable—if they could harness his kekkei genkai to absorb energy while fighting, it would be revolutionary.

Buildings could be reinforced with these materials, absorbing external energy to sustain themselves. Fully sustainable, completely efficient.

And if layered onto an interstellar warship?

. . .

His imagination was running wild. Working with someone as sharp as Orochimaru always sparked new ideas.

"Orochimaru, you did well. Keep it up. Next, develop a chakra engine."

Given the success of the natural energy engine, the chakra engine should be feasible.

Orochimaru licked his lips. "My lord, expect good news soon."

Mufasa, however, was impatient. "I can't wait. Get me a thousand sets of natural energy engines first."

Orochimaru frowned. "My lord, the current model can only sustain a ninja weapon for about a hundred rounds. It's not practical yet."

In his mind, it wasn't even close to ready.

Mufasa shrugged. "Then make three thousand sets. If quality isn't enough, quantity will compensate."

Without hesitation, he struck the remaining ton of steel with lightning.

A moment later, three thousand miniature electromagnetic controllers stood in place.

"These will be used to control puppet swarms."

Other ninjas needed flesh-based control modules for golems. Mufasa, however, could rely solely on electromagnetic signals.

"Work with Kankuro to integrate these into three thousand attack drones."

This was Mufasa's first standard puppet model for the Sand Village Puppet Corps.

A drone swarm.

In the future, Sand Village's puppet masters wouldn't have to lug around enormous puppets.

Instead, they'd wear a compact puppet hive on their back.

At the first sign of battle, they'd unleash a swarm of combat drones.

The battlefield would be filled with chakra cannons, explosive tags, long-range jutsu, and aerial bombardments.

Sand Village would usher in the era of modern ninja warfare.

Orochimaru asked, "My lord, when do you need them?"

Mufasa grinned darkly. "In two weeks. Almost all the pests in the Land of Wind have surfaced. It's time to give them a memory they won't forget."

Orochimaru bowed. "Consider it done."

Still, he hesitated. "If I had more time, I could create even stronger drones."

Mufasa waved a hand dismissively. "Orochimaru, power is temporary. Don't overthink it. But looking good? That's forever. Make sure my design is stylish."

Orochimaru chuckled. "Of course, my lord."

Mufasa left the research lab and headed back to the village via the subway. Both lines had been repaired, and people had taken to using them for daily commutes.

At the station, he spotted Sasuke finishing his shift.

"Haha, Sasuke, long time no see. How do you like Sand Village?"

Sasuke nodded, his usual stoic demeanor unchanged. He actually preferred it here. Unlike Konoha, there were no lush forests, no extravagant cuisine, and people were too busy to gossip.

For someone as focused on training and as socially reserved as Sasuke, this place was perfect.

Wake up, train, work, train, sleep.

Two o'clock, one straight path—no interruptions.

A simple life. Just the way he liked it.

Mufasa glanced at Sasuke. "That's good. Do you have any plans after work?"

Sasuke thought about it. There was nothing urgent. If he wasn't training, he'd probably just sit in silence and stare at the ceiling. So, no, nothing important.

He shook his head.

"Great. Come with me to check out the latest production rollout."

Sasuke blinked. "…aren't there already plenty of vehicles on the road? What's so special about another one?"

Mufasa chuckled. "I'm not talking about a car this time. This one is different—it wasn't built by me, but by the workers themselves."

His expression held a rare hint of pride. "That makes it special."

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Word count: 1574

BTW, I posted a new translation. "Vector Control in Marvel". It's a Marvel fanfic. Read it for those interested.