NARUTO: Ninja World Scientific Revolution

"Everything I have done has been for the sake of Konoha!" 

Danzo spoke firmly, his expression unwavering. There wasn't a trace of guilt on his face, making Hiruzen Sarutobi wonder if there was some deeper reasoning behind his actions. 

"No matter the reason, Root has no authorization to target the noble families of the Land of Fire, and this will not happen again," Namikaze Minato said, suppressing his anger. "Just based on this alone, I have every right to shut down all of Root's operations. Elder Danzo, the mission I assigned to you was to track down rogue shinobi—not to attack the business associations of the Land of Fire." 

"Danzo, you've gone too far this time." 

"That's right. Your actions could throw Konoha back into turmoil just as we were beginning to stabilize." 

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, having read Kaede Kaminarimon's mission report, expressed their dissatisfaction. If Danzo's actions had remained hidden, it would have been one thing. But now that the incident was known—not just among other shinobi but also among the nobles of the Land of Fire—how was Konoha supposed to explain itself? 

Danzo, however, did not offer any further justification. Instead, he pulled two photographs from his cloak and placed them on the table. 

"This is why I targeted the Uzumaki Trade Association. And this also ties back to the Fourth Hokage's orders." 

Minato frowned in confusion, but the moment he picked up the photos, realization dawned on him. 

One was a picture of Orochimaru. 

The other was of Ayaka Uzumaki. 

The only clear connection between the two? The identical wristwatches they wore. 

"I had Root investigate the wristwatches worn by Orochimaru and Ayaka Uzumaki. There is not a single known manufacturer in the shinobi world producing such a design. This means they were undoubtedly created by the Uzumaki Trade Association. Given their ability to manufacture computers, making a watch like this would be a simple feat." 

"Orochimaru and the Uzumaki Trade Association have been working together for some time now. However, that man is cunning. The only trace of him that Root has found was in the Land of Bears. As for Hyuga Mirai, it's as if he doesn't even exist within the shinobi world." 

"Therefore, I believe the only way to track down both Orochimaru and Hyuga Mirai is through the Uzumaki Trade Association." 

After hearing Danzo's reasoning, not just Minato but even Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into deep thought. 

They knew the capabilities of Root. If even Root had been unable to gather intelligence on Orochimaru and Hyuga Mirai, then even if ANBU was sent out in full force, they would likely meet the same dead end. 

Under these circumstances, their only viable lead was the Uzumaki Trade Association. 

"Even so, Elder Danzo, Root's actions were too extreme. I will not allow Root to conduct rogue operations under the guise of tracking missing-nin. If this continues, Konoha will soon find itself at odds with half of the noble families in the Land of Fire," Minato said gravely. "From now on, all of Root's missions must be approved by me. Otherwise, Root shinobi will not be allowed to leave Konoha." 

"You—!" 

Danzo's expression changed instantly. This was no different from shackling him. Root had grown into a force that struck fear into enemy nations precisely because of its ruthless efficiency and its ability to operate in the shadows. 

Now, Minato was placing restrictions on Root, effectively reducing it to little more than an extension of ANBU. If that happened, would it even still be Root? 

"Ahem." 

Hiruzen Sarutobi, sensing Danzo was about to argue, cleared his throat and interjected before he could speak. "Danzo, listen to Minato. This time, Root truly went too far. Don't forget—Minato is the Hokage." 

"…Hiruzen, you—" 

"He's right, Danzo," Homura Mitokado added. "Even if your intentions were for the good of Konoha, your actions were too extreme. If this continues, Konoha will end up alienating the noble families of the Land of Fire because of Root." 

Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement. 

First, it was the Minister of Finance. 

Now, it was the heads of three noble merchant families. 

Danzo was growing bolder and bolder. If he wasn't reined in now, it would only be a matter of time before his unchecked actions caused a major crisis. 

Danzo scanned the room. Seeing that no one was backing him, he realized he had no choice but to accept the decision. 

"However," Koharu suddenly spoke up, "if you prove yourself, I believe Minato will eventually restore Root's full authority." 

She believed Minato was still young and needed guidance from his predecessors. Furthermore, Root was an irreplaceable part of Konoha. Despite Danzo's extreme methods, Root had eliminated many of Konoha's threats. Root could be restrained—but it could never be abolished.

"As Advisor Koharu mentioned, if Elder Danzo can accomplish his tasks without resorting to such extreme methods, then Root's leadership will still belong to him." 

After dealing with Danzo's affairs, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Minato and asked, "Minato, how do you plan to handle this situation?" 

"I'll personally explain everything to those three noble families," Minato replied. 

"Perhaps it would be better if I handled it," Hiruzen suggested. "And as for that unfamiliar kunoichi, I've never heard of someone like her in the shinobi world. If she remains in the Land of Fire, it could become a problem for Konoha." 

Minato thought about it for a moment before nodding. "In that case, I'll leave this matter in your hands, Lord Third." 

At the same time, Minato planned to ask Kushina about her Uzumaki relative. Regarding the Uzumaki Trade Association, he intended to have ANBU investigate thoroughly. That relative of Kushina's was once someone Konoha had hoped to ally with—yet now, she was working with Orochimaru. Given this new revelation, past agreements with the Uzumaki Trade Association would have to be reassessed. 

Meanwhile, through a video call, Orochimaru informed Hyuga Mirai of several matters. 

"Mirai-kun, I've already sent Kimimaro over to you, along with the orphan from the Hozuki Clan. That child doesn't seem suited to be a shinobi, but when he heard you were the one looking for him, he kept insisting on meeting you." 

Orochimaru's voice carried a hint of amusement as he continued, "Your subordinates truly wield the power of creation itself. I once considered granting my followers access to Sage Mode, but I never expected you to modify their organs. Instead, you used Cursed Seals to help them adapt to natural energy." 

"Cursed Seals have their own advantages," Hyuga Mirai replied. "Organ modification requires extensive compatibility testing, whereas Cursed Seals are highly adaptable. If you want to create an army, Cursed Seals are far more practical. By the way, how is their training progressing?" 

Orochimaru chuckled hoarsely. "Not too fast, but not too slow. Give it another six months, and they'll be ready for real missions." 

Due to their exposure to natural energy, those eight individuals had adapted quickly to ninja training. However, their talent was average, far from prodigies, so their progress wasn't exceptionally fast. 

Still, with diligent training and the power of natural energy, they would at least reach Jonin level—more than capable of handling assignments outside the village. 

The two continued their conversation, discussing other matters. Orochimaru had recently recruited several talented youths and was constructing a new research facility. He even planned to establish a shinobi village in the Land of Rice Fields and had already begun negotiations with the feudal lord. 

The arrival of Kimimaro was a significant gain for Hyuga Mirai, allowing him to further his research into the Shikotsumyaku bloodline. His studies over the past few days had also led him to new insights into the nature of Yin-Yang Release. 

Previously, Hyuga Mirai had believed Yin-Yang Release was merely a manifestation of the physical body and soul. However, his latest research suggested that using "the soul" to define "Yin" was inaccurate—it was more precise to associate Yin with the ocular power of the Byakugan. 

Once his genetic fusion with the Shikotsumyaku was successful, Hyuga Mirai's very existence would evolve. His physical energy would, in turn, enhance his spiritual energy, leading to an improvement in his Byakugan's abilities. 

This was similar to how he had previously used Yang Release chakra to nurture the Byakugan. 

However, he still sensed a limit to the Byakugan's growth—not that it couldn't improve, but that it was missing a key element, a "key" to elevate it to a higher state, much like how his body was undergoing its own transformation. 

A few days later, Kimimaro and Haku arrived in Roran, having been sent by Orochimaru. 

Meeting Hyuga Mirai for the first time, Haku appeared reserved. However, upon seeing Mirai's warm smile, he felt an unexpected sense of closeness. Channeling his chakra, Haku conjured a delicate ice flower and stepped forward, offering it to him. 

"For me? Thank you, Haku." 

Hyuga Mirai accepted the ice flower with a slight smile, then gently tucked it into Haku's hair. "This flower suits you better than me. I hope one day I'll see your strength reach a level where this ice flower never melts. My name is Hyuga Mirai." 

"I will, Lord Mirai!" Haku responded with a bright smile. 

Orochimaru had not taken much interest in Haku. The boy's personality wasn't suited for a shinobi, and apart from his inherited bloodline limit, there was nothing that particularly caught Orochimaru's eye. Thus, he had refrained from manipulating Haku's mind and had simply told him the truth—that he was sent to find him on behalf of someone else. 

Kimimaro, however, was different. Orochimaru valued him highly, and it showed—Kimimaro had already begun to take after him in many ways. 

But to Hyuga Mirai, Kimimaro's loyalty was irrelevant. Even if he followed Orochimaru, he would ultimately still work for him. 

That was why he saw no issue with granting Kimimaro the Byakugan—it was a rare opportunity to combine the Shikotsumyaku and Byakugan bloodlines.

(End of Chapter)

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