Five more years?
They had only been here a few months and were already at their breaking point. Adding another five years—were they supposed to retire in the mining zone?
"Manager, why?"
"I refuse to accept this!"
Some hot-tempered ninjas immediately roared in anger. A few even lost control and tried to rush forward to attack the chief manager of the mining area.
Buzz!
Several laser cannons flashed, and all the ninjas who charged forward to launch a surprise attack were killed on the spot.
The chief manager glanced at the identities of those who had just attacked him, then loudly announced, "Kumogakure and Iwagakure ninjas are hereby punished for assaulting federal mining administrators. All ninjas belonging to Kumogakure and Iwagakure will have their sentences extended by another three months."
As soon as those words were spoken, the Kumogakure and Iwagakure ninjas grew even angrier. Under this collective punishment system, even if they mined diligently for ten years, they might still not be able to leave.
Would they ever see their families again? What would the outside world even look like by then?
However, under the watch of the mining guards, these chakra-deprived ninjas dared not do anything. Aside from taijutsu specialists, they were only slightly stronger than ordinary people. Even if they coordinated an attack together, it would only mean dying together.
"Don't blame me. These are the mining zone's rules. All I can tell you is that the Raikage A of Kumogakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi of Konoha, and Ōnoki of Iwagakure secretly colluded to prepare an escape from the mining zone. Since the Federation doesn't know how many people they involved, all ninjas affiliated with Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Konoha have been punished together."
After hearing this, the anger of those subjected to collective punishment finally found a direction. So what if they were the Kage? Even if they couldn't lead everyone out, how could they pit their own village's ninjas like this?
The Kirigakure ninjas, meanwhile, let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, their Mizukage had not been involved, otherwise tonight's unlucky group would have included Kirigakure as well.
If five years still held a sliver of hope, then ten years was almost hopeless. Who could guarantee those idiots wouldn't do something stupid again and drag everyone else down with them?
But in the next moment, the chief manager's words eased their despair somewhat.
"However, you may report others. If someone causes trouble and your report is verified as true, only the mastermind will be punished. The reporter will receive up to three years of sentence reduction. That is to say, if you successfully report three times, you can leave this place—provided everything is accurate."
Three successful reports, and you can leave?
Hearing this, more than seventy percent of the ninjas were immediately tempted. Most of them were neither jōnin nor close confidants of the Five Kage.
When the Raikage colluded with others this time, he hadn't informed people like them, yet they were dragged into it anyway. Even if it was a village Kage, pushing things this far would naturally breed resentment among ordinary ninjas.
Now that reporting was an option, lower-ranking ninjas had a chance to leave. Sure, betraying companions would damage one's reputation—but compared to mining for ten years, what was reputation worth? Was it more important than family and freedom?
After hearing about the reporting policy and sensing the complaints and hatred in the gazes of other ninjas from their villages, A, Ōnoki, and Hiruzen Sarutobi all felt a jolt of unease. Their future situation here was likely to become dangerous. Many people would probably be watching them closely.
Even if ninjas from their own villages might hold back due to their status as Kage, the mining assignments had been broken up and redistributed. If ninjas from other villages noticed anything, they would likely report them without hesitation.
"That's the situation. Dismissed. Those scheduled to mine, go mine. Those scheduled to rest, go rest. As long as you perform well, we all have a bright future!"
After delivering this empty encouragement, the chief manager continued, "Lady Terumi Mei, please come with me."
Terumi Mei, who was about to head to the mines, froze for a moment when she heard her name. She frowned but still walked over. She didn't know the man's intentions, but she understood that here, she and her subordinates had lost all ability to resist. The only freedom left was choosing death—and very few people had that kind of courage.
After following the chief manager into a room, Terumi Mei saw a man with blue eyes sitting on a chair in the center. It was Hyuga Mirai, the one who had captured her on the battlefield.
"Lord Mirai, Lady Terumi Mei has been brought."
After saying this, the chief manager saw Hyuga Mirai nod and obediently withdrew, gently closing the door behind him.
Terumi Mei frowned and asked directly, "So it's you. What do you want with me?"
"Other than persuading you to surrender, what else could it be? The Land of Water is gone, and Kirigakure has already surrendered to the Federation. If Kirigakure's ninjas had also joined the Raikage's plan this time, then no matter how much that man called Ao begged, I wouldn't have come to see you."
After speaking, Hyuga Mirai could still feel the anger in her gaze. He waved his hand and said, "Terumi Mei, the other Kirigakure ninjas have already given up. Even that Ao you mentioned has given up. Do you think they loved Kirigakure less than you? This is the general trend. The Federation must unify the shinobi world to bring long-term peace, not maintain the current system of one nation, one village, which has seen five shinobi world wars in just over sixty years."
"I came to see you because the Federation lacks manpower, and because Ao pleaded on your behalf. Otherwise, sparing prisoners has never happened even once in the Federation. This is your only chance. If you refuse, then obediently mine for ten years. But if you join the Federation, I will allow you to choose some capable people from the captured Kirigakure ninjas to leave here with you."
Anyone capable of managing a shinobi village was no ordinary figure, and Ao's plea was genuine. If Terumi Mei knew when to yield, Hyuga Mirai would lose only a few miners but gain several capable subordinates. If she remained stubborn, she would spend her life here.
Whether it was five years or ten years didn't really matter—it was all up to Hyuga Mirai. Perhaps only after all the minerals on this planet were exhausted would these people be allowed to leave.
After finishing his words, Hyuga Mirai dispelled the clone. The rest was for Terumi Mei to consider.
"Lord Mirai, can you make me a body that can poop—"
Hyuga Mirai immediately rejected him. "Zetsu, don't bring this up again. You are already the most perfect lifeform. How goes the contact with the other villages?"
"They're doing very well. All the villages have been contacted. We can gather around eight thousand people. Lord Mirai, Iwagakure and Kumogakure have basically emptied their entire reserves."
As Zetsu spoke, it kept patting Madara Uchiha's bio-artificial body. It seemed very interested in this artificial being that closely resembled Madara, though its actions looked more like retaliation than curiosity—whether slapping the face or other movements.
"Of course, it might also be because my clone made contributions, so Lord Mirai, could you—"
"No. Get out. Come back and notify me once everyone has gathered."
Hyuga Mirai refused decisively. Zetsu was useful, but also extremely annoying. Aside from assigning tasks, Hyuga Mirai didn't want to say a single extra word to it.
"But, Lord Mirai—"
"Get lost!"
After driving Zetsu away, Hyuga Mirai finally had some breathing room. Madara Uchiha's bio-artificial body was nearly complete, but after some thought, he slightly altered its appearance and named it Madara.
Obito Uchiha's artificial body was also under construction, but it likely wouldn't be finished in time for the day the allied shinobi forces assembled.
Their plan was to use large numbers of ordinary ninjas on the front lines to draw attention, while gathering elite ninjas to strike from behind using Obito Uchiha's Kamui ability, overwhelming the Federation.
However, Hyuga Mirai had Zetsu inform them of a modified plan: first gather the shinobi alliance in one place, then Hyuga Mirai would transfer all of them into Amenominaka.
After locking them up for a week and then releasing them, even if they carried some soldier pills and water, they wouldn't be able to last seven days. By then, there would be another batch of prisoners suitable for road construction.
Without ninja support, the daimyō would no longer have the power to resist. The Land of Lightning might still have chakra cannons, but Hyuga Mirai had already sent Zetsu's clones to gather intelligence. If any were found, he would have the bio-artificial being named Obito steal the chakra cannons back.
"Sir, Tsunade has arrived at the Sand Federation and asked me to inform you."
Number 18 suddenly spoke, causing the busy Hyuga Mirai to pause. "Why did she come? Right, to discuss the Federation merger. Number 18, you forgot to remind me."
"Sir, this matter was not added to the memo. In fact, you did not create any memo arrangements."
Hyuga Mirai choked for a moment, then clicked his tongue. "You should proactively create a memo for me, Number 18. As a qualified assistant, you still have a long way to go."
Number 18 did not reply, instead playing a piece of slow, mournful music. This time, Hyuga Mirai didn't dwell on it and directly left the laboratory through Yomotsu Hirasaka, though he had already decided that this type of mournful music must never appear in the future entertainment industry.
After leaving the lab, Hyuga Mirai happened to run into Tsunade, who was planning to go to an izakaya.
"Not giving you even a moment to relax, huh? You won't be going to the izakaya for now. Come with me to the Federation Administrative Center. They have work meals there—pretty decent."
Hyuga Mirai sneered as he blocked Tsunade and Kushina Uzumaki. Fortunately, he arrived in time. Otherwise, Tsunade would have gotten drunk at noon and had no energy to work in the afternoon.
"Kushina, since you seem fine, come with me too—"
"I'm taking food to Naruto. I just happened to come out with Lady Tsunade. Just on the way, just on the way."
Kushina rattled this off quickly, then lowered her head and hurried away in small, quick steps. She left decisively, not even glancing at Tsunade.
Hyuga Mirai smiled slightly, then looked at the deflated Tsunade and said, "Let's go. Let's handle the serious business first."
(End of Chapter)
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