NARUTO: Ninja World Scientific Revolution

The team that took on the same B-rank mission as Akimichi Fuu's was led by Hatake Kakashi. Normally, a lone ninja like Kakashi wouldn't qualify for a B-rank mission, but since he was accompanying Fuu, an elite jōnin, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had allowed him to join. 

The members of Fuu's team, under the guidance of Hyuga Mirai, were exceptionally coordinated. Hiruzen had hoped to give Kakashi a chance to witness such teamwork in action; otherwise, Kakashi would likely have trouble finding a team willing to accept him. Since the suicide of the Leaf's White Fang, Kakashi had struggled to integrate into any squad, having already been the subject of complaints from two mission teams. Hiruzen, having a tough time figuring out where Kakashi should go, had only reluctantly placed him in the current mission.

With Fuu's presence, Kakashi had no command authority during the joint mission. Fuu, however, had delegated leadership to Hyuga Mirai to help cultivate Mirai's abilities as a tactician. Fortunately, the B-rank mission proceeded relatively smoothly, with only a few encounters with rogue ninjas and one group of bounty hunters. The rogue ninjas were weak and quickly scattered after a brief skirmish, thanks to Kakashi and Hyuga Kiyo's swift intervention.

The bounty hunters proved more troublesome, with six rogue ninjas, three of whom were Chūnin. However, Mirai's three team members managed to tie up two of the Chūnin and three of the Genin, leaving Kakashi to eliminate another Chūnin. Once he arrived with reinforcements, they successfully repelled the bounty hunters.

Although Fuu didn't engage in the battle directly, he observed the entire conflict from the side, ready to intervene if any of the team members were in danger. He was satisfied with the outcome, as Mirai's team demonstrated impeccable coordination, managing to hold off enemies who outnumbered them by more than two to one. Mirai's strategic commands were crucial, enabling Kiyo and Kurenai Yuhi to fully leverage their respective abilities at critical moments.

As long as he continued to build up enough mission experience, Mirai could soon be promoted to Chūnin. After completing enough missions, Mirai received his official Chūnin appointment. At the same time, Fuu was reassigned to another team, and as a result, he treated the three team members to a farewell meal.

Holding the Chūnin certificate, Mirai felt a slight sense of relief—at least he no longer had to worry about Fuu pressuring them to complete missions. As he studied the certificate, Kiyo remarked with a touch of jealousy, "What's the big deal? It's just a Chūnin certificate. How long are you going to stare at it? I'll join the next Chūnin exam and pass too."

"I'll join too, Kiyo-chan. We'll work hard together," Kurenai added, wanting to make her presence known.

Mirai, putting away the certificate, responded with a quiet smile, "This isn't just any Chūnin certificate—it has special meaning."

"What do you mean?" Kiyo asked, tilting her head.

"Well, it means freedom," Mirai explained. "We won't have to rush to take on missions anymore. Isn't that great?" 

Both Kiyo and Kurenai considered this. The past few missions had been exhausting—clearing out bandits, escorting merchant caravans, and barely any rest in between. They realized that Mirai's perspective had a point. 

Mirai then declared with a grin, "I, as team captain, hereby announce that we'll take a proper break for a while before tackling any more missions!" Using his authority as team leader, he granted himself and his team a well-earned vacation. After all, unless it was a B-rank mission, there was little use for these low-level missions. They would only waste time, and Mirai would rather use it to study the Hyuga Clan's cellular genetics.

Kiyo had provided Mirai with twenty samples of cells, including two from the Hyuga Clan—her own and that of the Hyuga Clan's second elder's grandson. If he could fully comprehend their genetic sequences, Mirai felt confident he could uncover the essence behind the Caged Bird Seal.

As Mirai's team disbanded after the meal, he made an excuse about needing to visit Konoha Hospital, thus avoiding Kiyo's offer for practice. The Hyuga Clan Head had given him permission to develop his skills at the hospital, and his invention of the Healing Seals had enhanced the Hyuga Clan's standing within Konoha. Although Konoha Hospital wasn't a particularly influential department within the village, becoming its head would significantly improve the Hyuga Clan's position.

Upon arriving at the hospital's laboratory, Mirai found a visitor waiting for him—Orochimaru. With his long black hair, golden slitted eyes, and light purple eyeshadow, the former Sannin was unmistakable.

Orochimaru's snake-like eyes appraised Mirai, and he spoke, "I've been waiting here ever since I heard you were promoted to Chūnin. Heh, shall we have a little chat, Mirai-kun?"

"Of course. Please, come inside, Orochimaru-sama," Mirai replied with a smile, opening the door to let Orochimaru into the lab.

After closing the door, Mirai quickly formed hand seals and placed his hand on it. A series of sealing symbols immediately spread across the entire laboratory, sealing the room off from external sound or prying eyes.

Noticing Orochimaru's curious glances toward the seals, Mirai explained, "Just a little project I've been working on—these seals block sound and external surveillance."

Orochimaru smiled slyly, "Heh, seems like you're hiding more than you let on, Mirai-kun. I've read your file, including the evaluations from your instructors, Nakano, Kimura, and even Sarutobi Hiruzen. But now, it seems you're concealing quite a lot."

"Did you come to speak to me about something, Orochimaru-sama?" Mirai asked, leaning against the desk.

"Indeed," Orochimaru answered, eyes glittering with excitement. "Regarding your research on cellular genetics—it's far too advanced for the average medical nin in Konoha. Besides me, I imagine only Tsunade would be able to fully comprehend it. But if your target was Tsunade, you wouldn't have let this research leak outside the village."

Mirai smiled, setting two cups of tea on the table and handing one to Orochimaru. "Tsunade-sama is certainly a master in medical ninjutsu, and her knowledge of cells is impressive. But our philosophies don't align. Eventually, we'll part ways."

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "So, you're certain our philosophies will align?"

"Of course," Mirai said, a slight seriousness in his tone. "Because you and I are both part of the scientific camp. We believe in the existence of truth, and we're both striving to understand and control it."

(End of chapter)