In the otherworldly space, that dignified voice continued, "Begin the second-stage trial."
The black-robed man answering the question sounded a bit hesitant.
"But the timing still isn't ripe yet…"
"Do as I say."
"Amado, move the 'vessel' to the second-stage testing site."
"Got it."
"Just in time—recently Victor developed an invisible airship. It can slip past many nations' detection… At least before he died the guy finally did one useful thing."
"Probably."
...
Konoha Research Institute.
Yesterday Shikamaru told Shinju that Ao had come to Konoha to have Katetsu custom-make a prosthetic limb for him.
Today Shinju deliberately swung by the Konoha Research Institute to join the fun, and to see whether Katetsu had any new tech.
"Sixth-sama." Katetsu greeted Shinju when he saw him.
"Hokage-sama." Ao bowed his head and called out respectfully.
"No need for formality—relax. I just dropped by to take a look around…" Shinju laughed.
After that, Katetsu began measuring all sorts of physical data for Ao…
When Katetsu took a metallic prosthetic arm from a case, Shinju froze.
"Didn't Ao come this time for you to custom-make one? How did you already finish the product so fast?!"
Katetsu smiled and explained, "Actually, Ao-san came once half a year ago. Back then I took detailed measurements of his body data, and it took me six months to complete this prosthetic arm…"
"So that's how it is… (≖╻≖;) "
Shinju nodded, then asked curiously, "A metal prosthetic arm—won't it be too heavy?"
In response, Katetsu gave a mysterious smile and made a few adjustments on the alloy arm…
Suddenly—
With a buzzing sound, a blade made of blue chakra extended from the alloy arm!!
"Even though this chakra blade isn't long, it's formed entirely from chakra—sharp enough to split a hair and slice through steel like mud. (•‾̑⌣‾̑•)✧˖"
"On top of that, this prosthetic arm is fitted with other new tech as well. Load capsules into it and you can use techniques like Rasengan, Chidori, and many more."
"Oh, and inspired by the Ōtsutsuki last time, I embedded a chakra-absorbing chip in the palm, which can absorb others' ninjutsu to a certain degree…"
Shinju: (꒪⌓꒪)
That cool?!
Tell me—which man could possibly refuse an ultra-awesome mechanical arm!
Saying that, Katetsu presented the arm with both hands in front of Ao.
Ao nodded in thanks and, with Katetsu's help, put on the prosthetic…
Then he clenched his fist and tested all the functions of the prosthetic, extremely satisfied.
"As expected of Dr. Katetsu—this feels even better than my original hand…"
Pleased by the praise, Katetsu chuckled, then took out a prosthetic leg from the lab.
"The leg prosthesis doesn't have as many functions as the arm—mainly it's just very practical…"
...
The laboratory within the otherworldly space.
Amado, white-haired and wearing glasses, took a sip of coffee.
"So eager to start the second stage—it seems Jigen is getting impatient."
"Kashin Koji, go to Victor's company and arrange for an airship. Also, don't forget…"
In the shadows, another white-haired man wearing a mask nodded. "Understood."
Amado took another sip of coffee, looking completely content.
"When you handle things, I'm always at ease. (๑ت๑)"
...
In another room.
"Bang!"
A tall beauty with a head of blond curly hair delivered a kick, shattering the wooden training dummy to pieces!
"The body Amado just finished maintaining isn't bad…"
Across the training room, a red-haired man looked at the curly-haired beauty and said,
"Not enough."
"Haven't you realized yet? Our organization's greatest enemy right now is Konoha—more precisely, Konoha's Sixth Hokage…"
"He's strong. With the durability of your current body, you're nowhere near enough. He could crush you effortlessly."
Hearing this, the curly-haired beauty looked displeased and knit her fine brows.
"You talk like you're so strong!"
The red-haired man raised his eyebrows. "I'm just stating facts. (｡◝ᴗ◜｡)"
"And yes, I really am stronger than you."
The moment the red-haired man finished speaking—
"Whoosh!"
The curly-haired beauty's figure blurred as she charged at him fast.
"Code, you're seriously annoying! (ꐦ°᷄д°᷅)"
The red-haired man turned and counterattacked!
"Bang bang bang—"
The clash between the two powerful fighters made the ground tremble.
Amado in the lab could also feel the vibrations.
"Keep it down! Don't damage my experimental equipment! ╰_╯"
...
Hokage's office.
Shinju recalled the scene of Ao being fitted with prosthetics all over and sighed that technology really changes lives…
Even though the shinobi world's tech tree is a bit crooked, with chakra around, it can achieve things that the technology of the world he used to live in never could…
"Right—now that there are so many high-tech things like telephones and game consoles, shouldn't we also have a computer by now…"
On a sudden impulse, Shinju directly called New Future Company and poured all his knowledge about computers out to Raimon.
After listening, Raimon was unbelievably excited.
"Even though we haven't built one yet, just from Hokage-sama's concept alone, I can tell—this is something that could change the world! ◝₍ᴑ̑ДO͝₎◞"
Shinju laughed. "With you and Katetsu teaming up on this, it shouldn't be too hard…"
On the other end of the line, Raimon promised, "Within half a year, I'll produce a prototype…"
After hanging up with Raimon, Shinju stood up and looked out the window.
Konoha Village was as bustling as ever, streets full of people coming and going.
"By my count, I've been in this world four or five years now."
"Click—"
The sound of a doorknob turning.
Right after, a graceful figure appeared in the Hokage's office.
Ino, a bit shy, looked at Shinju.
"What were you getting sentimental about?"
Shinju was momentarily tongue-tied.
"Uh… well… I…"
His relationship with Ino was a bit delicate right now.
Last night Ino invited him to dinner—same old trick—paid in advance, then asked him to take a walk with her.
After walking awhile, the two of them rested on a long bench.
Then, without warning, Ino launched a surprise attack—faster than lightning—and planted a quick "smooch~" on Shinju's cheek!
Shinju savored that sensation.
So soft! (´◊ω◊｀)
In the office, seeing Shinju not reacting, Ino brushed a lock of hair by her temple and went on,
"We've basically done everything we should and shouldn't… so maybe…"
"Whoosh—!"
The office door was suddenly pushed open!
Shikamaru appeared!
After seeing what was going on inside, his expression turned awkward.
"Uh… did I come at a bad time? (≖╻≖;) "
Shinju waved it off. "It's fine. If you've got something to say, just say it."
Shikamaru: "An unidentified flying object crashed on the Fire Country border. Since it's fairly close to Konoha, the daimyo has commissioned our village to go check it out."
Shinju nodded. "Alright, I'll go personally…"
Seeing Shinju about to leave again, Ino's face flushed bright red.
Had she… failed at confessing again?
Unexpectedly, just before stepping out, Shinju suddenly turned back.
"Ino—about what you just said, I understand."