"Ayaka, what were you doing there?"
Hearing where she had fought Jigen, Hyuga Mirai asked in confusion. That location was beyond the western border of the Land of Earth, almost on the other side of the planet. No wonder she had gone beyond satellite communication range.
"It was all because of that bastard Orochimaru!"
Ayaka Uzumaki gritted her teeth and said, "While we were in the Land of Earth, Orochimaru's clone found the person he was searching for. But then he suddenly came across an ancient record that might contain information about ancient deities. He told me that you might be interested in it, tricking me into investigating these so-called ancient gods."
"Ancient gods?"
Hyuga Mirai stroked his chin, deep in thought. If it involved ancient deities, then it likely had some connection to the Otsutsuki Clan.
"Yes. According to the records, these gods were mentioned in an ancient sacrificial event and documented by a noble archaeologist from the Land of Earth. There was even a temple dedicated to them in the western region of the Land of Earth. I managed to capture images of the documents using my battle armor, but just as I was returning, I encountered a strange man."
Ayaka spoke with frustration. That temple undoubtedly held great secrets. While Orochimaru had tricked her into going, he was right about one thing—Hyuga Mirai would definitely be interested in such a discovery. If she could bring back footage of the site, she would surely earn more rewards from him.
Maybe even more than the last time.
"Ayaka, let's leave this matter for now. I'll deal with that person later."
Hyuga Mirai spoke calmly, patting her on the head in reassurance. "You've done well. The information you brought back is valuable. There are many ways to grow stronger. Come with me to the lab later—I'll help you fuse some additional bloodline genes."
With just her Uzumaki sealing techniques and Kurama, Ayaka had already managed to hold her own against Jigen for a while. That was impressive. While Jigen might have been physically limited and unable to fight for long, Ayaka's current strength was at least on par with two Kage-level opponents.
She still had a lot of potential for growth. Training in Spirit Transformation Jutsu to fully master Kurama Mode, refining her ability to absorb natural energy, and integrating genes from Hashirama Cells, Byakugan, and Shikotsumyaku—there were countless ways she could improve.
Hyuga Mirai took a careful look at Ayaka. Having been out with Orochimaru for a while, she had gained considerable combat experience. Even before losing contact with satellite communications, 18 had been transmitting reports on her activities.
Neither Cloud nor Stone Village's elite shinobi had been able to handle her, giving her plenty of real battle experience. And that was without her revealing her full Kurama Mode or Adamantine Sealing Chains.
With Ayaka's support, Orochimaru had become so bold that he even infiltrated Cloud Village to steal classified information. Though the mission wasn't successful, both Ayaka and Orochimaru's clone had managed to escape unharmed.
"Lord Mirai, can I stay by your side from now on?"
"Hmm? Sure. If you don't want to go out, you can stay here. There aren't any pressing missions right now."
Hyuga Mirai answered casually. Ayaka had grown well under Orochimaru's guidance—he had laid a solid foundation for her. Originally, she had seemed strong only because of her bloodline and Kurama's chakra.
Now, even without using Kurama's power, her taijutsu and combat medical ninjutsu made her a formidable shinobi.
"Thank you, Lord Mirai!"
Ayaka's eyes curved into crescent moons with joy. She then asked casually, "Lord Mirai, what have you been busy with lately?"
"Research. Do you want to help?"
"Uh… never mind. I'll go prepare some food for you instead."
At the mention of research, Ayaka's face immediately showed reluctance. She could handle medical ninjutsu and sealing techniques, but mathematics and physics were simply beyond her interest.
After Ayaka left, Hyuga Mirai turned his thoughts to Jigen.
Jigen was essentially a complete genetic repository of the Otsutsuki. If Hyuga Mirai could obtain his body, it would be as valuable to him as obtaining the Ten-Tails.
However, Jigen's true strength was still unknown. Based on Ayaka's account, his speed and power were overwhelming, easily surpassing even a Sage Mode-enhanced Kurama Mode. If not for some unknown limitations in Jigen's body and his wariness of Adamantine Sealing Chains, Ayaka would have been in serious danger.
Hyuga Mirai instructed 18, "We still lack information. Keep an eye out for any signs of this so-called 'Kara Organization.' If you find anything, report it to me immediately."
"Understood, sir."
Hyuga Mirai still hadn't reached his full potential. His Sage Chakra was steadily enhancing his body, and he periodically absorbed his Tenseigan's power to refine his Yin Release chakra further.
Honestly, in Tenseigan Chakra Mode, he felt like he had reached the absolute peak just below the Six Paths level. However, if Jigen's life was truly at risk, he might awaken Isshiki Otsutsuki early.
For now, Hyuga Mirai's priority was consolidating control over the ninja world. It wasn't yet time to confront the Kara Organization directly.
After reviewing the Uzumaki Trade Association's progress, he issued another directive to accelerate their plans.
The growing power of the Sand Federation was drawing the attention of the major ninja villages. Even Mist and Cloud had sent spies into Sand territory—though they were caught, this was an ominous sign.
The Sand Federation wanted to focus on development, but the other villages wouldn't allow it. The mere sight of the Federation prospering irritated them more than their own losses.
Since the Federation shared borders with Konoha and Iwagakure, those two villages were the most opposed to its rise. While Cloud and Mist were focused on intelligence gathering, Konoha and Iwagakure were considering outright sabotage—disrupting infrastructure and slowing development.
This was precisely why the Uzumaki Trade Association had reached out to Amegakure—to redirect the conflict elsewhere.
By improving the environment in the Land of Rain, supplying superior crops, and raising the standard of living, the Trade Association was essentially waving a pile of gold in front of the thieves that were Konoha and Iwagakure.
Compared to the increasingly powerful and militarized Sand Federation, Amegakure—a small but resource-rich nation—was far more tempting to them.
Moreover, Nagato had fully recovered his legs. If Konoha and Iwagakure dared to invade, he might deploy the Six Paths of Pain.
That would force the secret of the Rinnegan and Akatsuki into the open, diverting their attention away from the Sand Federation.
This would give the Federation time to quietly accumulate strength and solidify its foundation.
(End of Chapter)